The UK construction sector is vast and varied—from re-pointing a brick wall or fixing a leaking roof, through to complex infrastructure projects like HS2. But one thing is consistent across the entire industry: every project is subject to vital health and safety regulations.

And here lies the problem.

Many smaller developers and builders—especially those operating in the £250k to £800k project range—remain unaware of their legal duties. We see this daily at Compass HSC. Domestic housing schemes, one-off refurbishments, and smaller commercial builds often proceed without proper regard to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), or many of the other key regulations that apply on every site:

• The Working at Height Regulations

• Control of Asbestos Regulations

• Control of Noise at Work Regulations

• Control of Vibration Regulations

• COSHH Regulations (for respirable building materials including wood and silica)

The numbers speak volumes. As of early 2024, around334,000 self-employed individuals were working in the UK construction and building trades—representing roughlyone-third of the sector’s 2.08 million workforce. Many of these workers are operating on sites where developers and clients have little understanding of their duties under CDM 2015 or other regulations.

Real-World Consequences

Two recent cases highlight the risks:

Sherwood Homes was fined£76,000 for multiple health and safety failings on two domestic construction sites in Preston and Tarporley. The company failed to meet basic CDM responsibilities—including inadequate site management and failure to notify projects to the HSE (via F10).

Nofax Enterprises Ltd (London) was fined£63,000 plus costs after multiple serious failures were found on a four-storey residential project in Dalston. The site was closed twice due to:

• Uncontrolled working at height

• Poor fire precautions

• Exposure to silica and wood dust

• Inadequate COVID and welfare controls

Both cases underline a critical truth:lack of awareness is not a defence. Developers and builders are legally accountable for managing health and safety, even on smaller sites.

A New Resource to Help You Comply

Recognising the urgent need to support this under-served part of the construction sector, Compass HSC has created a brand-newDevelopers & Builders landing page. Our goal is to make compliance more accessible, practical, and achievable for smaller developers, builders, and contractors.

This dedicated online hub will provide:

• Clear guidance on CDM 2015 requirements: What you need to know and do as a developer, principal contractor, or designer.

• Summaries of key regulations: Understand your duties under Working at Height, Asbestos, Noise, Vibration, COSHH, and more.

• Real-life case studies: Learn from recent enforcement cases and understand how to avoid similar pitfalls.

• Practical tips and resources: For raising standards on smaller sites without unnecessary bureaucracy.

• Links to additional support: Access further expert advice from Compass HSC where needed.

Our aim is toempower developers and builders to manage health and safety confidently, reduce risks, and comply with their legal duties—without being overwhelmed.

Whether you’re a developer overseeing a domestic build, or a builder working as principal contractor, this new resource will help you stay on the right side of the law—and protect everyone working on your site.

The new landing page will be live shortly—watch this space and be ready to take advantage of the resources and guidance on offer.

The construction industry continues to hold the unwanted title of one of the most dangerous sectors in the UK. New figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) paint a sobering picture: of the 138 work-related fatalities reported across all sectors in 2024, 51 occurred in construction alone.

This is the third consecutive year of rising construction fatalities:

• 2022: 42 deaths

• 2023: 47 deaths

• 2024: 51 deaths

To put this in wider context:

Falls from height continue to be the leading cause, accounting for approximately 50% of all construction fatalities.

But the physical event—the fall—is not the root cause.

The deeper factors that consistently drive these tragic outcomes are:

• Lack of proper supervision
• The prevalence of self-employed workers operating without oversight
• Cost-cutting at the expense of safety

And often, all three factors combine to create the perfect storm.

The cultural challenge

Too many construction sites continue to prioritise programme and budget over safe working practices. In small and medium-sized projects—and in many domestic refurbishments—there remains a dangerous mindset: “We’ve done it this way for years” or “It’s only a quick job.”

This mindset is what drives shortcuts, inadequate planning, and a lack of leadership at site level.

At Compass HSC, we see this daily in our work with developers, small builders, and contractors. A lack of clarity around roles, supervision, and culture is often the biggest contributor to unsafe acts on site.

What needs to change?

• Leadership matters. Site managers and supervisors must be trained and empowered to drive safe behaviour.
• Supervision matters. Self-employed workers must not be left to manage high-risk tasks unsupervised.
• Culture matters. If the priority is “get it done” rather than “get it done safely,” accidents will continue.

Compass HSC can help

Our tailored consultancy services help developers, builders, and contractors strengthen their site culture, improve supervision, and embed a safety-first mindset—not just compliance on paper, but leadership on site.

Whether through site audits, leadership coaching, or hands-on CDM and compliance support, we work with businesses to tackle the real causes behind these statistics.

If you want to be part of the change—and not the next HSE headline—get in touch.

Call Compass HSC today on (01253) 735755 or visit compasshsc.co.uk.

Vibration and noise are both forms of transmitted energy—and when workers are exposed to them for extended periods, serious health consequences can follow. One of the most common and debilitating conditions caused by regular use of handheld tools is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

HAVS is a serious and irreversible medical condition that affects blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and joints in the hands and arms. It typically results from prolonged and repeated exposure to hand-transmitted vibration, such as that generated by power tools.

Common symptoms include:

• Numbness and tingling in the fingers
• Loss of grip strength
• Pain in the hands or forearms
• Reduced circulation, sometimes leading to “vibration white finger”

If left unchecked, these symptoms can worsen over time, significantly affecting a worker’s quality of life and ability to work.

To reduce the risk of long-term injury, the UK Government has implemented the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations, which help employers understand and limit worker exposure.

Two key values guide safe practice:

• Exposure Action Value (EAV): 2.5m/s² (based on an 8-hour working day)
• Exposure Limit Value (ELV): 5.0m/s² (maximum allowed over 8 hours)

Because everyone reacts differently to vibration and it’s difficult to measure exact exposure in real-time, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) offers an online calculator to estimate safe working durations with specific tools:www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/calculator-guide.htm

There are also vibration monitoring tools (accelerometers) that attach directly to equipment. These can provide live data and alert the user when safe thresholds are about to be exceeded.

Prevention measures include:

1. Using low-vibration tools specifically designed to reduce exposure
2. Rotating tasks or taking regular breaks to limit continuous vibration
3. Maintaining tools regularly to reduce vibration output
4. Wearing anti-vibration gloves to dampen the impact
5. Training workers to use tools safely and identify early symptoms
6. Monitoring exposure with reliable tools or digital calculators
7. Conducting routine health surveillance to catch symptoms early

While HAVS is preventable, it is not reversible. This makes early intervention and proactive risk management absolutely vital.

Need help assessing and managing vibration risks on your site? Compass HSC provides workplace vibration assessments, exposure tracking tools, and tailored strategies to help you protect your team and stay compliant.

Contact us today to find out how we can support your HAVS prevention programme.

In the world of workplace safety, preventing injuries is about far more than ticking compliance boxes. It’s about understanding human behaviour and predicting how people are likely to act under pressure—especially when deadlines loom.

Over recent weeks, I’ve observed several instances where workers put their lives at risk simply because they were trying to speed up the job. One particularly shocking case involved someone working at a height of four metres on a tower scaffold—without any handrails on the working platform. A fall from that height would almost certainly result in death.

This wasn’t an isolated case of recklessness—it was the product of a wider cultural issue. According to Heinrich’s Domino Theory, accidents are rarely random. Instead, they result from a chain of interconnected factors:

Each factor is like a domino: knock one over, and the others are likely to follow. The key to preventing incidents lies in breaking that chain before it gets to the accident stage.

This is where leadership matters. The Managing Director and board are the primary influencers of workplace culture. It’s their responsibility to foster a positive and proactive safety culture—one in which unsafe acts or conditions are not ignored but addressed immediately.

Culture doesn’t grow overnight. It develops slowly, shaped by shared attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours. But when health and safety become a collective value—when no one walks past an unsafe condition without taking action—the results are tangible: fewer incidents, fewer injuries, and fewer tragedies.

Take that scaffold incident: more than 20 workers, including the site manager, saw what was happening and did nothing. This wasn’t a failure of rules or regulations—it was a failure of culture.

If we’re serious about preventing harm, we must stop rewarding speed over safety. We must challenge unsafe practices—even when it’s uncomfortable. And we must lead by example, every day.

Because when we rush to meet deadlines without thinking about safety, we aren’t saving time—we’re gambling with lives.�

Need help improving your site’s health and safety culture? At Compass HSC, we work with directors, managers, and site leaders to instil a safety-first mindset across every level of your organisation. Whether you need a culture audit, tailored training, or a clear roadmap for regulatory compliance and behavioural change, we can help.

📞 Call us today on (01253) 735755 or use the form below to arrange a free consultation.

Build a culture where no one walks past an unsafe act—and everyone gets home safe.

Many businesses view health and safety laws as restrictive and complex, much like national speed limits—something people ignore until consequences arise. However, compliance is crucial, not just to avoid legal penalties but to protect workers and ensure business continuity.

The Role of Health and Safety Law

Health and safety legislation exists to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. It provides a structured framework to help businesses manage risks effectively. Understanding and applying these laws can enhance productivity, reduce liabilities, and create a safer working environment.

The Foundation: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

At the core of UK health and safety law is theHealth and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA). This legislation sets out employers’ and employees’ responsibilities for workplace safety. From this Act, several regulations have been developed to address specific risks and industries.

Key Regulations Under HSWA

The following regulations stem from the HSWA and apply across various workplace environments:

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations – Governs the use and handling of hazardous substances.
• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (WHSW) – Covers workplace conditions, cleanliness, and facilities.
• Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations – Addresses risks associated with screen use.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations – Ensures workers have appropriate protective gear.
• First Aid Regulations – Specifies employer responsibilities for providing first aid in the workplace.
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) – Ensures work equipment is suitable, maintained, and inspected regularly.
• Control of Asbestos Regulations – Governs the management and removal of asbestos.
• Noise at Work Regulations – Limits worker exposure to harmful noise levels.
• Control of Vibration at Work Regulations – Addresses risks associated with hand-arm and whole-body vibration.
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) – Ensures health and safety management in construction projects.
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) – Governs the use of lifting equipment.
• Ionising Radiations Regulations – Controls exposure to ionising radiation in workplaces.
• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) – Outlines fire safety duties for businesses.
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations – Sets out requirements to reduce manual handling risks.
• Electricity at Work Regulations – Ensures electrical safety in workplaces.
• Confined Spaces Regulations – Governs work in confined or enclosed environments.
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) – Mandates reporting of workplace incidents.
• Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) – Governs the use of flammable substances.
• Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations – Regulates the handling of hazardous substances to prevent major accidents.

Why Compliance Matters

Failure to comply with these laws can lead to severe penalties, legal action, and reputational damage. As demonstrated in the ‘In Court’ case studies, businesses that neglect safety regulations risk fines, operational disruptions, and, most importantly, harm to their workers.

How Compass HSC Can Help

Health and safety professionals, like those at Compass HSC, are here to make sense of these regulations and ensure your business stays compliant. Whether it’s conducting risk assessments, delivering training, or providing expert advice, we help you navigate the complexities of workplace safety laws.

📢Do you understand which regulations apply to your business? Contact Compass HSC today for expert guidance and compliance support.

Work at Height – Safe Operating Policy

Working at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace accidents and fatalities. Employers have a legal duty under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 to ensure that all work at height is properly planned, risk-assessed, and carried out safely by trained and competent individuals.

Planning and Organisation

Effective planning is essential to minimise risks. Employers must ensure that work at height is properly organised, supervised, and controlled. Key factors to consider include:

• Identifying and assessing potential hazards.
• Selecting the most appropriate work method.
• Ensuring that all necessary equipment is suitable and well-maintained.
• Establishing clear procedures for emergencies and rescue plans.

Risk Assessment and Method Selection

Before any work at height begins, a comprehensive risk assessment must be carried out. This assessment should identify potential dangers and determine the safest approach. Employers should always aim to:

• Avoid work at height where possible.
• If work at height is unavoidable, use the safest methods available, such as scaffolding, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), or guardrail systems.
• Where collective measures are not feasible, ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as harnesses and fall arrest systems.

Trained and Competent Personnel

Work at height must only be undertaken by those who are properly trained and competent. Employers must:

• Provide appropriate training to workers on safe working at height practices.
• Ensure workers understand the correct use of equipment, such as ladders, scaffolding, and MEWPs.
• Conduct regular refresher training and toolbox talks to reinforce safety awareness.

Employer Responsibilities

Under the Work at Height Regulations, employers must take all reasonable steps to:

1. Prevent falls – by ensuring that secure work platforms, guardrails, and suitable access equipment are in place.
2. Minimise risks from falling objects – using tool tethering, exclusion zones, and debris nets.
3. Mitigate the consequences of a fall – through fall arrest systems, soft landing systems, or airbags.

Conclusion

Failure to implement safe work at height practices can result in serious injuries, fatalities, and legal consequences. Employers must take proactive measures to plan, organise, and manage work at height properly. By ensuring that risk assessments are thorough, methods are appropriate, and personnel are trained, businesses can protect their workers and remain compliant with legal requirements.

📢 Are your work at height policies up to standard? Contact Compass HSC for expert guidance and compliance support.