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Back to: Construction Dust

Small Builders

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

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CONTRACTOR

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.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CONTRACTOR?

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.

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:

  1. Assess (the risks)
  2. Control (the risks)
  3. Review (the controls)

HEALTH & SAFETY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

HSE has a long-term commitment to improve the health of workers in the construction industry. Find out more about how you can meet your legal responsibilities as an employer and protect your workers from short and long-term harm.

Find out more: Construction – Health and safety for the construction industry (hse.gov.uk)

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

Under the Construction, Design and Management regulations, a construction phase plan is required for every construction project. This does not need to be complicated. If you are working for a domestic client, you will be in control of the project if you are the only contractor or the principal contractor. You will be responsible for: preparing a plan; organising the work; and working together with others to ensure health and safety.

Construction dust - what you need to know as a busy builder

Contact Details

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Merton Rd
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L20 7HS
campaigns@hse.gov.uk
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