Carpentry presents a range of occupational health hazards that workers should be aware of. These include the inhalation of wood dust, injuries from manual handling, falls from elevated positions, and potential contact with hazardous chemicals and asbestos. Implementing robust safety protocols, notably the consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), is key to reducing these risks.

This article takes a closer look at the primary risks and recommended safety measures, providing a list of key topics for your toolbox talks.

Fire is a terrifying and pervasive risk on construction sites, and although loss of life is thankfully rare, Home Office statistics reported 1,851 fires on construction sites in England between 2014 and 2019. These fires cause £millions in damage each year and pose a direct risk to public safety, as well as the lives and health of workers.

10-16 June 2024 is Men's Health Week. Did you know that men are less likely to seek mental health support, and they account for 75% of all suicides worldwide? Men make up over 90% of those working on a construction site and workers in construction are at some of the highest risk of suicide in the country, with rates in the industry over three times higher than the national average.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral that was used in construction in insulation, flooring, and roofing until the late 1990s. It has become infamous for causing life-limiting health complications, including asbestosis (the scarring of lung tissue), mesothelioma, and lung cancer, particularly among workers who were in close contact with the material during construction and demolition projects.

Working outside in construction can be a real slog over the winter, let’s be completely honest, so it always raises our spirits when the warm days of spring and summer arrive. With everyone else stifling in their offices and workshops, summer weather makes us realise why we entered this glorious industry in the first place! However, in many ways working outdoors in hot weather is as unpleasant, and certainly more dangerous, than working outside in winter.

With the nights drawing in and the weather getting colder each day, being outside for long periods of time is becoming less and less on people’s agenda. However, for people who work in construction on site, winter working isn’t something that can be avoided. This will allow you to adjust your work schedule and prepare the necessary tools and materials to keep everyone safe and warm.

SC4 Carpenters Ltd takes working at height very seriously. So we have put together a blog of videos on safe working at height, including timber frame installation videos from Taylor Lane Timber Frame Ltd. With the installation of top hat trusses considered a hazardous work at height operation, Taylor Lane's Top Hat Gantry Walkway Method aims to minimise these risks.

In this article, we will explore the dangers of sleep deprivation in the construction industry and how it can put workers at risk.‘Sleeping on the job’ is never safe in any sector, but in many construction roles, sleep deprivation can be extremely dangerous and have severe implications on a person’s physical and mental health, as well as increasing the risk of dangerous and potentially fatal injuries.

In this article, we will look at six ways that you can limit yourself and your team from injuring yourselves or others. Falls from height are one of the leading causes of injury on UK construction sites for a variety of reasons, from careless behaviour on the part of the worker, to a walkway not being cleared properly and causing them to trip. That's why it's crucial to take extra precautions when working at heights.

Long working hours, heavy lifting, and exposure to the elements can all take a toll on your well-being. Here are five ways you can look after your body and physical health while on or off the job. Looking after your body when working in construction is one of the most important things you can do. After all, your body is your most important tool in the day-to-day. 

Working in construction during the heat of the summer can lead to increased risk of injury from falls and other accidents and incidents as concentration wavers due to heat-related illnesses (HRI), tiredness, dizziness, disorientation or confusion. It can also result in heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, fainting and heat stroke leading to serious illness or even death.

Read more for some tips on how to stay safe in the heat.

SC4 are continuing our Keeping Safe and Healthy in Construction campaign this month, with a focus on Working in Cold Weather.

SC4 have started a NEW campaign titled "Keeping Safe and Healthy in Construction." We hope to raise awareness of the Health and Safety issues in the industry.