Small Builders

NO JOB IS WORTH RISKING YOUR LONG-TERM HEALTH AND WELLBEING

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Self-employed builders, as well as small builders who employ workers, are contractors.

A contractor is anyone who directly employs or engages construction workers or manages construction work. The law requires that a contractor must have the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out work safely and without risk to health.

Contractors must plan, manage and monitor all work carried out by themselves and their workers, taking into account the risks to anyone who might be affected by it, including members of the public, and the measures needed to protect them.

If you have been appointed by the client to be in control of the construction project and there are other contractors working on the job, you will also be a principal contractor.

Find out more about your roles and responsibilities as a contractor under Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.

AS A SELF-EMPLOYED BUILDER YOU ARE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ANY SUB-CONTRACTORS YOU USE ON A JOB WHILE THEY ARE ON YOUR SITE.

THE LAW: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) cover activities which may expose workers to construction dust. There are three key things you need to do:

Assess (the risks)
Control (the risks)
Review (the controls)

HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM THE RISK OF DUST AS A BUSY BUILDER

Don’t just think of construction dust as a nuisance. It is a serious risk to your health and the health of those under your control. Whether or not you directly employ the people working on your site, there are essential health and safety tips available to you that you should follow.

Contact Details

Corporate Communications
2.2 Redgrave Court
Merton Rd
Bootle
L20 7HS

campaigns@hse.gov.uk