Environmental, health and safety (EHS) departments, also called SHE or HSE departments, of some companies are responsible for environmental protection, occupational health and safety at work. According to C. Stephan, EHS management has two general objectives: prevention of incidents or accidents that might result from abnormal operating conditions on the one hand and reduction of adverse effects that result from normal operating conditions on the other hand.

For example, fire, explosion and release of harmful substances into the environment or the work area must be prevented. Also action must be taken to reduce a company’s environmental impact under normal operating conditions (like reducing the company’s carbon footprint) and to prevent workers from developing work related diseases. Regulatory requirements play an important role in both approaches and consequently, EHS managers must identify and understand relevant EHS regulations, the implications of which must be communicated to top management (the board of directors) so the company can implement suitable measures.

The construction industry is responsible for a number of accidents, injuries and fatalities every year. This course will give you a basic understanding of typical hazards on site, how to respond to emergencies, measures to take to reduce environmental impact and essential safety rules for high risk activities. This course also covers most of the material required to pass the Health, Safety and Environment test (CSCS) in the UK. Valid for the CSCS 2021 exam too, as it is based on the latest scope.

The following topics are presented in this course -

1. Risk assessment and site inductions -

Here you will familiarize with site inductions and how to assess specific dangers inherent with each construction site.

2. Safety signs and Fire Safety -

Safety signage can generally be understood regardless of the language barriers. Here you will learn the international standard safety signs. Also, the fundamentals of fire safety on site is covered.

3. Accidents PPE and First Aid -

In this section the basics of accident reporting and recording are covered. Prior to attending any active site personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn, in this section you will about the different types. Basic first aid principles are also covered.

4. Site transport, lifting operations and manual handling -

The dangers associated with site transport and lifting operations are covered here. Also covered are the key steps to take to minimize injury during manual handling and the correct technique.

5. Health and Welfare

All sites should have standard welfare facilities to ensure good health and hygiene. These are covered here, as are steps to reduce stress and poor mental health at work.

6. Environmental awareness and waste control

This section presents the fundamental steps to take to minimize environmental pollution from site waste, in particular how to handle fuel spills.

7. Electrical safety, tools and equipment

This section presents the dangers that may result from use of vibrating hand tools and ways to work safely with them. Safe working practices relating to electricity on site is covered as well.

8. Working at Height, Excavations and Confined spaces

Some of the most dangerous activities on site are covered here and ways to minimize their risk. Further qualifications and training would be required when working on such activities.

9. Dust and Noise

Dust and noise also impacts the health and welfare of the public as well as workers on site. Here basic principles are covered to reduce their risk. This include the use of water spray to reduce dust and PPE.