In this section you will find information and guidance developed by the Health & Safety Authority that is industry / sector specific. We have included the most relevant documentation that will help you expand your knowledge in these areas. Further information and guidance is also available to download at our publications section on the Health & Safety Authority webpage.
In this section you will find information on;
1. Clients in Construction
2. The Project Supervisor Construction Stage
3. Duties of Contractors
1. The Client in Construction
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 defines 'client' as a person for whom a project is carried out. The regulations place certain duties on Clients. These duties are intended to ensure that the project is designed and constructed by competent persons.
Client Duties
Employ competent designers and contractors to carry out the work
Appointment in writing, before design work starts, of a competent and adequately resourced project supervisor for the design process (PSDP), as required.
Appointment in writing, before construction work starts, of a competent and adequately resourced project supervisor for the construction process (PSCS), as required.
Co-operate with the project supervisor and supply necessary information;
Keep and make available the safety file (provided by the PSDP) for the completed structure. The safety file contains information on the completed structure that will be required for future maintenance or renovation .
Provide a copy of the safety and health plan prepared by the PSDP to every person tendering for the project. In the case of projects on a domestic dwelling it is sufficient for the Client to provide the plan to the PSCS when they have been appointed.
Notify the Authority where construction is likely to take more than 500 persons days or 30 working days.
The introduction of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 places responsibilities on homeowners, called Clients in the Regulations, who are having construction work carried out on their home.The aim of this guide is to provide practical information for homeowners as to what they need to know and do.
2. Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS)
The role of the project supervisor construction stage is to manage and co-ordinate health and safety matters during the construction stage. The project supervisor construction stage is appointed before the construction work begins and remains in that position until all construction work on the project is completed.
Project Supervisor Construction Stage Duties
Co-ordinate the implementation of the construction regulations by contractors;
Organise co-operation between contractors and the provision of information;
Co-ordinate the reporting of accidents to the Authority;
Notify the Authority before construction commences where construction is likely to take more than 500 person days or 30 working days;
Provide information to the site safety representative;
Co-ordinate the checking of safe working procedures;
Co-ordinate measures to restrict entry on to the site;
Co-ordinate the provision and maintenance of welfare facilities;
Co-ordinate arrangements to ensure that craft, general construction workers, and security workers have a Safety Awareness card, e.g. Safe Pass and a Construction Skills card where required;
Co-ordinate the appointment of a site safety representative where there are more than 20 persons on site;
Appoint a safety adviser where there are more than 100 on site;
Provide all necessary safety file information to the PSDP;
Monitor the compliance of contractors and others and take corrective action where necessary;
Notify the Authority and the client of non-compliance with any written directions issued;
The PSCS may issue directions to designers or contractors.
PSCS Guidance
Guide for Contractors and Project Supervisors Carrying Out Construction Work (PDF 2.1MB)
In general a 'Contractor' means any employer whose employees carry out construction work and includes both main contractor and sub-contractor. A contractor may also include a self-employed person. In addition, a body such as a local authority may also be a contractor, if the construction work is carried out directly by employees of that body.
What are the duties of Contractors?
The contractor has significant duties relating to a wide range of issues.
A contractor must:
have an up to date safety statement with appropriate risk assessments carried out for the work that is being carried out
co-operate with the PSCS – provide any site specific information, including relevant extracts from Safety Statement
promptly provide the PSCS with information required for the safety file
comply with directions of the project supervisors
report accidents to the Authority and to the PSCS where an employee cannot perform their normal work for more than 3 days
comply with site rules and the safety and health plan and ensure that your employees comply
identify hazards, eliminate the hazards or reduce risks during construction
facilitate the site safety representative
ensure that relevant workers have a safety awareness card and a construction skills card where required
provide workers with site specific induction
appoint a safety officer where there are more than 20 on site or 30 employed
Requirements for Construction Site Welfare Facilities (PDF, 0.5MB)
Statutory Forms
Notifications
Approved Form (AF 1) - Particulars to be notified by the Client to the HSA before the design process begins (AF1 Form)
Approved Form (AF 2) - Particulars to be notified by Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage to the Health and Safety Authority before the construction work begins (Report AF2 online)
Lifting Equipment
Form GA1 - Report of Thorough Examination (PDF 489KB)
Form GA2 - Report of Weekly Examination (PDF 378KB)
Note: Downloading in Rich Text Format (RTF) means you can edit the document
How to create a Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan using BeSMART.ie
When appointed by the client as the Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) you must develop a suitable construction stage safety and health plan for the project, prior to the commencement of construction work. The plan provides the blueprint for managing and co-ordinating safety and health during construction and needs to explain how the key safety and health issues will be managed. It must be relevant to the particular project and should be developed in conjunction with the Safety and Health Plan prepared on a preliminary basis by the Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP).
Select the business type ‘Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS)’ in BeSMART.ie
Work through the particular risk assessments (non-exhaustive), mandatory site requirements and site welfare checklists
Download your Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan Template.
You must then review and update the template and make it site specific to the requirements of the job
You must then develop your construction stage safety and health plan by adding all relevant information about your project and following the information and guidance contained in the document. Finally keep the construction stage safety and health plan updated and ensure the relevant information is available to anybody associated with the project that may need it. You must keep a master copy of your construction stage safety and health plan that you have developed on a local or secure storage area as BeSMART.ie does not have the capability of editing or saving updated files.
Management Screen - Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS)
When you get to the management screen you will be now given the following three options;
Construction Stage Plan - The template plan can be downloaded in RTF (Rich Text Format) and can be saved as a Word or Pages document for development and editing.
Manage Your Action List – Assign dates and people to close out controls that need to be put in place.
Browse Hazards – Here you have access to all hazards on BeSMART.ie. Select any additional hazards that you have in your workplace and risk assess them. You can then print and include them in your construction stage plan.
Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan - Contents and Introduction
Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan - Contents and Introduction (PDF 750kb)
Accident and Dangerous Occurrence Reporting
All accidents and incidents should be investigated and detailed records kept which could include, photographs, CCTV, witness statements etc. The following forms and link can be used to record and report accidents or incidents that occur in the workplace.
Form IR1 - Notification of Accident
Form IR1 - Accidents can be reported to the Health and Safety Authority in two ways, namely by hard copy, i.e. completing the Incident Report Form (IR1) and posting it to the Workplace Contact Unit, Health and Safety Authority, The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street, Dublin 1. Forms can be obtained by contacting the HSA at 1890 289389.
Or you can report accidents online, via the Health and Safety Authority's website, IR1 Online
Form IR3 - Form of Notification of a Dangerous Occurence
Form IR3 - Form of Notification of a Dangerous Occurence (PDF 98KB)
Internal Accident / Incident Investigation Form
Internal Accident/Incident Investigation Form (RTF 320KB)
Guidance on Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences
Guidance on the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences) Regulations 2016 (PDF 1.2MB)
Tool Box Talks for Construction Training Register (PDF 88KB)
Codes of Practice
Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Overhead Electricity Lines Revised April 2019
Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Overhead Electricity Lines (PDF 2MB)
Code of Practice for Safety in Roofwork
Code of Practice for Safety in Roofwork (PDF 2.8MB)
Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces
Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces (PDF 1.6MB)
Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Underground Services
Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Underground Services (PDF 1.0MB)
Code of Practice for Access and Working Scaffolds - Revised February 2019
Code of Practice for Access and Working Scaffolds (PDF 3.7MB)
Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Anchors
Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Anchors (PDF 8.6MB)
Code of Practice - For Contractors with Three or Less Employees
Code of Practice - For Contractors with Three or Less. This code of practice is designed to reduce accidents and fatalities in the construction sector and assist small contractors comply with safety and health legislation. PLEASE NOTE: THIS PUBLICATION COSTS €50, IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN HARD COPY FORMAT AND CAN BE ORDERED BY PHONING 1890 289389.
Construction Safe System of Work Plans
The primary objective of the SSWP is to identify the major hazards associated with your work activities and to ensure that appropriate controls are in place before work commences. The Safe System of Work Plan (SSWP) complements the Safety Statement required under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
Driving for Work Employer's Guidelines CD rom/Videos
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This introductory course aims to help learners to develop an overview of safety and health in construction. It is relevant for those at third level in construction-related disciplines as well as those undertaking apprenticeships in any construction-related areas.
Course Duration: 120 minutes.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course you should be able to:
• Recognise the importance of managing safety and health in construction and key legislation. • Report workplace accidents. • Understand training, first aid and welfare provisions. • Identify types of hazards and ways to prevent accidents. • Understand how to plan a safe working environment in construction by implementing safety procedures for electrical equipment, overhead electricity lines, demolition and many more important aspects of safety.