Working at height in the construction industry is one of the most high-risk tasks you can do, significant numbers of fatal or life-changing accidents in the workplace involve a fall from height. That’s why using the right access equipment and making sure it’s in good condition is a vital element of working at height with scaffolding on site in safety.
Temporary works is an expression that’s used in the construction industry for an engineered solution used to support or protect an existing structure or the permanents works during construction, or to support an item of plant or equipment, or the vertical sides or slopes of an excavation, or to provide access. Temporary works, just like other construction activities, will bring with them risks to the health and safety of workers on site and are subject to the BS 5975:2008+A1:2011 Code of Practice which provides practical guidelines on design, specification, construction, use of and dismantling of false work.
Construction company owners and supervisors have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of themselves, employees and any other person who may be affected by work activities onsite. Accidents and poor health represent “hidden” costs for businesses in lost time, lost skills, increased insurance premiums and, in some cases, legal proceedings which can result in hefty fines. No matter how small your building business is, safety management is an essential part of operations.
With the construction industry in Ireland facing a burgeoning skills shortage that’s predicted to get worse over the coming years, construction company owners often find it challenging to hire a workforce that has the skills and knowledge necessary to complete projects. A career in construction has not seemed an attractive option for school leavers in the past few decades and skills that were once taken for granted are becoming a rarity in some areas. As the ageing workforce has moved into retirement, finding replacements from a dwindling pool of qualified workers could lead to business owners turning down work because they don’t’ have the skilled staff to do the job.
The construction industry in Ireland recently embarked on a transition year (TY) drive to help students interested in working in Ireland’s most progressive construction companies, with students expected to take part in work experience opportunities in both the offices of construction companies and onsite.
The past decade has brought significant changes to the construction industry, with new technology, enhanced safety, equality and diversity, backed by increased salaries, all of which combine to make a career in the 21st Century construction sector a cool choice for youngsters contemplating their future. Jobs have changed, new jobs have been created in the wake of the construction industry’s adoption of digital technologies, and new skills are required by the sector if it is to fulfil the demand for new housing stock and infrastructure.
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Site Managers and Supervisors are the people who are responsible for overseeing the work on construction sites to ensure all Building Control Regulations are complied with. This key role need to understand the impact of the regulations and technical guidance have on new buildings, alterations and extensions. It is essential that all buildings comply with the regulatory standards of safety, accessibility, sustainability and design. The role will usually encompass responsibility for the following issues:
Implementing and tracking changes in human resource management (HRM) policies presents a challenge in the construction industry due to the large mobile workforce. HRM professionals often need to recruit qualified and experienced construction professionals on a project-specific basis and, with each project being uniquely different, finding the right talent takes both time and effort. By its very nature, the construction industry works to very tight timelines for delivery of projects, having the ability to attract and keep critical skill is an essential part of the business.
For many employees becoming a manager is a common goal on their construction career path. Business Management Skills can be vital to your success.
While construction workers are typically well versed in the type of hands-on training and practical skills needed on site on a day to day basis, the softer, macro skills necessary for effective management often take a back seat.
When it comes to moving up the career ladder, practical skills need to be combined with these ‘soft’ skills.
Our short programmes covering soft skills have been designed to ensure that those who demonstrate the ambition to further their career prospects, can get the training they need to succeed.
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The construction industry has traditionally been a risky industry in which to work and this is recognised by the amount of health and safety legislation that has been brought into play in a bid to protect workers from injuries in the workplace. There are so many activities on a construction site that pose a potential risk to construction personnel and today we’re going to take a look at Lifting.
Although PRINCE began as a standard for IT project management, PRINCE2 was developed to be more universally useful. This foundation programme providers learner with a platform to start their Construction Project Management career path.
According to the AXELOS 2016 PRINCE2 report, PRINCE2’s has been widely adopted in the construction industry in Ireland. PRINCE2 is also globally established. The AXELOS report also claims most survey respondents with PRINCE2 qualifications are from the broader European Union member states. Having a globally recognised qualification expands your network and the demand for your services.
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