Health and safety on your self-build

When you embark on a self-build project it’s easy to get carried away – whiling away the hours on Pinterest and daydreaming of that perfect oak floor.  

But there’s so much more to consider before you reach the finish mark.

Have you considered whether all of your team are wearing hard hats and have you identified hazards on your building site?

It may not be the most exciting part of your project but it’s one of the most important.

Health and safety is a top priority for any self-builder. There is a responsibility for everyone on site to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others around them. Any injury to you, your family or anyone else involved with the project could have many implications – not to mention the obvious personal distress to the casualty.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 apply to everyone at work, no matter what their role is. These regulations require a full risk assessment to be carried out, to identify any hazards associated with the job, the likelihood of harm arising, and the precautions necessary to prevent it happening.

If you are appointing a principle contractor to oversee your build, then as a domestic client your duties are automatically passed on to the contractor or principle contractor under Health and Safety Law.

However, the Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2015 are the statutory instruments that place an obligation for construction safety on all parties to a project, including the client. A self-builder who is taking control of the way in which construction work is carried out by a person at work must comply with CDM regulations. This type of self-builder is responsible for their own safety when working on their own projects. A self-builder is responsible for ensuring the people working on their site have the correct knowledge and experience when it comes to health and safety.

Your quick checklist

Safety first

Carry out a risk assessment before you begin to build. It’s so important to make sure that your site is as safe as possible. It might feel unnatural to you as a first-time self-builder but why not place signs around your site, showing the importance of wearing the correct safety clothing. It might even be a good idea (for peace of mind!) to write a clause into your contractor’s agreements requiring them to wear appropriate safety clothing at all times on site. Hard hats and reflective jackets should be the norm on your site so get into the habit of wearing them at all times and make sure contractors and visitors are always given them.

Get cover

All insurance policies differ – it can be a minefield. When choosing a policy, check very carefully who is and who is not covered by each insurance company. If you are in any doubt, obtain written clarification from the policy provider.

Stay well informed

It’s in your interest to be up-to-date on health and safety when appointing a contractor or consultant to work on your project. Someone who shows that they are well-informed and thorough when it comes to health and safety obligations will most likely be diligent in other aspects of their work. Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor about their health and safety procedures and their previous record.

Never cut corners

Breaching health and safety legislation when building your own home could mean that construction work may be stopped abruptly by the Health and Safety Executive or your local authority. In serious cases you may be liable for prosecution.

Find more guidance and advice on health and safety here.