How The 2012 Olympic Park Has Helped Improve UK Construction Site Safety
Improved safety standards during the construction of the 2012 Olympic Park, London has helped reduce construction site deaths in the UK. Yet global site safety is still shockingly remiss.
A construction site is one of the most dangerous workplaces in the UK. However, on-going Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations are constantly updated to improve worksite safety and avoid fatal injuries and work related illnesses.
In 2015, the 2007 Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations were revised to set a new framework that was easier for construction workers to adhere to. The idea was, rather than hindering a project, health and safety became an integral part of the project, from the design process right through to completion.
The revised regulations aim to make all workers, not just project owners and supervisors, responsible for worksite safety of themselves and others. CDM plans include on-going training for supervisors and workers, health and safety plans that are updated throughout the project and continuous assessment of common risks, worker involvement, communication, and the health and safety of migrant workers.
One of the major influences in improving UK construction site safety has been the success of the 2012 Olympic Park project. Here’s a look at how the mammoth project was used as an example to improve safety standards for all construction sites in the UK.
London 2012
Zero fatalities during the construction of the 2012 Olympic Park prove that Britain is one of the safest places to work in the world. This is a fantastic boost for the economy and has secured Britain’s place as a global leader in the construction industry.
The key to good health and safety was the empowerment and collaboration of all workers and companies involved in the project. Each company developed and applied their own health and safety programmes while also adhering to a larger framework set out by the HSE.
Another major factor was the important role of supervisors as communicators between contractors and workers. By working together, companies learned by their mistakes and early incidents were used as examples to make improvements during the build.
The ‘Olympic Effect’ has risen the level of safety on all British construction sites and the on-going collaboration within the UK construction industry to reduce fatalities is notable. HSE statistics record 35 deaths in 2014/2015 compared to 50 in 2010/2011. A key improvement in the UK is seen in the widespread use of construction safety signs.
Unfortunately, health and safety standards during the construction of other Olympic venues and World Cup stadiums around the world continues to be shockingly poor.
Qatar 2022
The official number of fatalities during the construction of the stadiums for the FIFA 2022 World Cup is uncertain. However, poor site safety, unreported accidents, lack of collaboration between companies and the inexperience of workers, many who come from the Indian sub-continent and are forced to work in extreme heat, have led to a damning report published by Amnesty International on abuse of labour and appalling work conditions.
Rio 2016
11 workers died as a result of lengthy delays, accelerated projects, immense pressure to meet deadlines and bad management according to The Guardian. The same reasons led to 8 deaths in the preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics
According to BWI, more than 60 deaths occurred over the 7 years it took to prepare for the 2014 winter Olympics in Russia.
However, by raising construction industry standards, it’s hoped that the UK can build on its worldwide reputation as a leader in health and safety, and therefore encourage other countries to raise their own safety levels.