In construction, occupational health and safety (OHS) is one of the key factors in completing a project successfully without accidents or injuries. An OHS coordinator is a professional who oversees compliance with safety regulations during all phases of a project. This article describes the role of the OHS coordinator in detail, their duties and their importance for safety on construction sites.
The OHS coordinator’s different tasks
Starting the project documentation
In construction, building inspections are key, and they begin as early as the preparation of the project documentation. The OHS coordinator must be involved from the very start of the project in order to identify potential safety risks. This first phase, the start of the project documentation, is critical for safety on site.
If risks appear on the site, the coordinator informs the designers and other professionals so that they can take effective measures to eliminate them. This minimises the risk of incidents, improves work efficiency and saves overall costs. The importance of this step cannot be overstated, as it allows the designers to prepare a plan that is not only efficient, but also safe.
The pre-construction phase
One of the most important aspects of this phase is fire protection, which must be carefully considered and planned. The pre-construction phase includes preparing the health and safety plan and organising the construction work. This plan must cover all the legal aspects and regulations relating to occupational health and safety.
Before construction starts, it is essential to agree with the designer which safety risks may arise and how to prevent them. This step also includes, for example, boiler inspections, safety equipment and other technological elements that may pose a risk. A properly prepared health and safety plan is the cornerstone of smooth and safe construction work.
A quick overview of what the pre-construction phase includes:
- Preparing the health and safety plan
- Providing fire protection
- Passing information on safety risks to the designer
- A final check of the project documentation
Work on site: the construction phase
When the project moves into the construction phase, the OHS coordinator ensures regular inspections of the buildings and their safety systems. Regular site meetings are held on site, during which safety issues and updates to the health and safety plan are discussed. In this phase, constant supervision of the planned work and safety in the workplace are essential.
Besides routine checks, it is also important that workers regularly take part in fire safety training. This training helps workers better understand the risks associated with their work and how they can minimise them.
The OHS coordinator’s main tasks in the construction phase include:
- Coordinating all the contractors involved
- Running health and safety site meetings
- Regularly updating the health and safety plan
- Photographic documentation of any shortcomings
Specifics of higher-risk construction
For certain types of construction, especially smaller projects or self-build projects, an OHS coordinator may not be necessary. On larger sites with increased risks, however, such as work at height or work with hazardous materials, the coordinator’s role is crucial.
For example, when assembling and dismantling structural parts or working with chemical substances, it is essential to make sure all safety measures are fully complied with. In these cases, regular and careful boiler inspections and inspections of other technological equipment are essential for overall safety on the site.
The coordinator’s duties during construction
Different construction activities bring different risks, which need to be managed and eliminated effectively. The coordinator must constantly:
- Monitor compliance with the safety plan
- Prevent unauthorised people from entering the site
- Take part in site inspections and keep records of them
During construction, it is essential to monitor whether all fire protection measures are being consistently followed, which also includes regular fire safety training for all workers on site.
The OHS coordinator plays an irreplaceable role in keeping construction sites safe. Their role includes identifying risks, raising safety awareness and providing training. Thorough building inspections and regular boiler inspections are essential activities the coordinator must carry out. With properly organised health and safety, the risk of workplace injuries can be minimised and the overall efficiency of construction work increased.
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