What training do construction workers need?

Posted 3 years ago

Ensuring your construction team has the right training can feel overwhelming. With legal requirements to meet, varying job roles to consider, and a strong focus on both safety and skill development, there’s a lot to think about. From essential health and safety training to specialised courses for different trades, getting it right is key to maintaining a safe, compliant, and efficient work site.

This guide breaks it all down for you, covering the must-have training for construction workers, why it matters, and how to keep your workforce up to date. Whether you’re managing a team or working in the industry yourself, you’ll find everything you need to navigate construction training with confidence.

Why is training important for construction workers?

Training is a necessity in the construction sector. Beyond compliance, it’s also about safeguarding lives, enhancing productivity, and ensuring project quality.

A lack of proper training can lead to increased accident rates, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities, which is the last thing you want for your team or your business. For example, improper scaffolding techniques can lead to falls, and incorrect use of heavy machinery can cause devastating accidents. Additionally, failure to comply with safety regulations can result in substantial fines and project delays, which can permanently damage a company’s reputation.

Sufficiently trained workers are more efficient and productive. They understand how to use tools and equipment safely and effectively, minimising errors and rework. Training also boosts morale, as workers feel valued and competent, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention.

Employers also have a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. These regulations state that employers provide adequate training, information, instruction, and supervision to ensure the health and safety of their employees. Failure to comply can result in prosecution and substantial penalties.

Proper training can also positively impact insurance premiums. Insurers often view companies with robust training programs as lower risk, which can lead to reduced premiums.

What training for construction workers is mandatory?

When determining your staff’s training needs, mandatory training is the best place to start.

All construction workers must receive Health & Safety training to comply with legal requirements, but depending on their roles, additional specialised courses may also be necessary. Employers need to ensure their team has the right certifications to meet industry regulations and maintain a safe working environment.

Fire Awareness & Warden training

Regardless of their role on the site, it is a legal requirement that all employees receive adequate fire safety training, as well as instruction from their employer. This training typically covers fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and the use of fire extinguishers.

Employers also have a duty to provide specialist Fire Warden training to appointed members of staff. This training includes advanced fire safety knowledge, emergency response coordination, and leadership during evacuations.

Finally, employers should also provide their workers with an up-to-date fire risk assessment so that they are all familiar with any known fire risks. This also gives them an opportunity to raise potential new risks.

Manual Handling training

Employees who are required to lift, lower, pull, or push as part of their work should be provided with manual handling training to help alleviate the risk of injury. This training typically covers:

Safe Lifting Techniques: Proper posture, bending, and lifting methods to minimise strain.
Risk Assessment: Identifying and evaluating potential hazards associated with manual handling tasks.
Ergonomics: Understanding how to design workspaces and tasks to reduce physical stress.
Use of Lifting Aids: Safe operation of equipment like trolleys, hoists, and forklifts.

DSE (Display Screen Equipment) training

Any person who is regularly required to use display screen equipment (DSE) such as laptops must legally be given DSE Training.This training covers workstation setup, posture, eye care, and the risks associated with prolonged DSE use. If you’re unsure what is considered DSE or whether your staff are considered DSE users, see our blog Am I A DSE User.

Organisations that are just looking to cover mandatory training can check out our mandatory training bundle.

Other additional training for construction workers

Mandatory training will only take you so far. To get the most out of your team, investing in additional training and upskilling is an excellent way to help them thrive. Whether they are working on-site, working on the business behind the scenes or looking to grow their roles within the company, below we have listed out some other essential training courses that will not only benefit your workers but your company too.

Health & safety training in construction

COSHH – Despite the fact that training in this area is not strictly a legal requirement, it is highly advised that employees who regularly work with hazardous substances should be provided with effective training and instruction to help them mitigate any risks associated with their work.

Slips, Trips, and Falls – The construction sector is considered high risk when compared to other industry sectors, and slips, trips, and falls account for many workplace injuries. Providing slips, trips, and falls training is a good way to help staff recognise risks and avoid injuries.

First Aid – Every organisation requires ‘adequate and appropriate’ first aid provisions. This includes facilities, equipment, and personnel. First aiders must be provided with adequate training, including face-to-face training every three years, and regular refresher training in between.

Risk Assessment – As stated before, organisations with five or more employees are required to document their risk assessments. Those who carry out the assessments must be competent in doing so, and effective training will help.

Accident Reporting – Accident reporting is a legal requirement. Any accidents that occur in the workplace must be recorded, regardless of how big or small they might be. An organisation’s appointed person should have a comprehensive understanding of how to properly report an incident, and what can be done to ensure the incident doesn’t occur again.

Working at Height training – Any person who is working from height, or supervising somebody that is, should be provided with an understanding of their legal responsibilities and Health & Safety principles.

Asbestos Awareness – Working in the construction sector often means working in a number of different environments. Many of those working in the sector are at risk of being exposed to asbestos. These employees must be provided with competent training to ensure they know what to do in order to avoid being exposed and if they have already been exposed.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Employees who are required to wear protective equipment as part of their job should be provided with an understanding of how to wear it correctly and look after it properly.

CDM Regulations – These regulations cover everything those in the construction sector need to know about maintaining everyone’s safety throughout a construction project. It’s a good idea to ensure all employees are familiar with these regulations.

LOLER Training – The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 are in place to ensure that safe lifting operations are carried out to reduce the chance of accidents occurring when lifting. All employees involved in lifting operations should have a complete understanding of their responsibilities under the regulations.

Working in Confined Spaces – Anybody who works in a poorly ventilated confined space is exposed to a number of risks. Whether they work there all the time or only on some occasions, they should be provided with the correct training and guidance to minimise potential risks.

Legionella – With legionella bacteria often present on construction sites, it is crucial that employees are provided with the training and information they need to protect themselves and others from harmful Legionnaires’ disease.

Ladder Safety – Accounting for 40% of all falls from height, falls from ladders are far too common. Employees must be given proper instruction on how to use a ladder correctly, as well as given an understanding of their responsibilities under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Hand Arm Vibration – Although the effects of vibration exposure are irreversible, they can be prevented. Employees at risk of HAVS should be provided with training to ensure they understand how to reduce exposure to vibrations, their employer’s responsibilities under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, and how to recognise early signs of HAVS.

Noise Awareness – With hundreds of thousands of UK employees suffering from hearing loss as a result of work, it is crucial that those who work in loud environments are given a strong understanding of how to reduce risks associated with noise and noise limits under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations.

HR Training in construction

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion – Inclusive and diverse organisations tend to have better morale, staff retention rates, and reputation. There are many ways organisations can be more inclusive and diverse, and providing all employees with training is a great step towards this.

Disability Awareness – In the UK, there are over 4.1 million disabled people who are currently in work. Therefore, it is very likely that an organisation already employs a person with a disability. It is absolutely crucial that all employees are educated to understand the importance of creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture, including those with disabilities.

Bullying & Harassment – All employees should be able to feel comfortable in their place of work at all times. Making employees aware of what is considered bullying is a good starting point to prevent workplace bullying.

Sexual Harassment Awareness – Roughly 60% of UK adults believe that better training on the topic of sexual harassment would be an effective way of reducing it in the workplace. All employees should take sexual harassment awareness training to understand what they can do to notice the signs, and how to report sexual harassment if it occurs.

Drug & Alcohol Awareness – Each year, thousands of people suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. This results in roughly 17 million working days being lost each year. It is important to raise awareness of substance abuse to ensure that all employees know how to identify it and where they can find or point others towards help.

Bribery and Corruption Training

In most organisations working in the construction industry, there are a number of staff that likely have to frequently deal with external suppliers, clients, and other partners on a regular basis and could fall victim to bribery or corruption.

Often, employees unintentionally get caught up in this type of corruption, hence why it is so important that these employees understand what to look out for.

Mental health and wellbeing

Poor mental health in the construction industry accounts for over 200 suicides per year. This is simply not good enough.

Employers must do what they can to ensure all their employees feel supported when it comes to their mental wellbeing, and one of the best first steps in doing so is breaking the negative stigma surrounding mental wellbeing.

With the construction sector being an industry predominantly made up of males, there is a ‘macho culture’ attached to construction sites and workplaces, and this often puts pressure on workers to ‘suck it up’.

Providing employees with the tools they need to understand and improve their mental health and wellbeing not only allows them to take care of themselves but also helps them look out for their colleagues.

Soft skills

Soft skills courses are more important in the workplace than ever before. In fact, 93% of employees agree that they consider Soft Skills to be either an “essential” or “very important” factor in hiring decisions.

Some key soft skills include:

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

Confidence building

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Customer service

Mindfulness

How Bell Group Improved Their Construction Workers’ Skills With Online Training

Bell Group, a major UK player in the painting, decorating, and building maintenance sector, faced the challenge of efficiently training their large workforce of over 1,800 employees in crucial areas like Health & Safety and HR compliance. They found a powerful solution in iHasco’s eLearning platform, and the results have been significant.

Since 2018, Bell Group has utilised over 40 of iHasco’s online courses, leading to a demonstrable improvement in their workforce’s skills and understanding. According to Julie Lawrenson, National Training & Development Manager, the courses have been instrumental in ensuring all employees fully grasp their Health & Safety responsibilities.

Here are some key benefits Bell Group experienced:

Enhanced Safety Awareness: The online training has led to a more informed workforce, better equipped to handle on-site safety protocols. This is particularly vital in the construction industry, where potential hazards are prevalent.
Efficient and Cost-Effective Training: iHasco’s platform allows for flexible learning, minimising disruption to operations and reducing the costs associated with traditional in-person training.
Simplified Tracking and Reporting: The Learning Management System (LMS) provides Bell Group with clear insights into employee progress, ensuring compliance and identifying areas for further development.
Positive Employee Feedback: The high average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from Bell Group employees highlights the effectiveness and user-friendliness of iHasco’s courses.
Improved Incident Response Capabilities: Specific courses, such as Asbestos Awareness and Legionella Awareness, have equipped staff with the knowledge to react appropriately in emergency situations, safeguarding both employees and clients.

By embracing online training with iHasco, Bell Group has not only improved the skills of their construction workers but also created a safer, more compliant, and more productive work environment. This case study serves as a powerful example of how digital learning can drive positive change in the construction industry.

Want to know more? Find out how the Bell Group use iHasco to keep their staff safe, happy and productive.

Looking for high-quality, cost-effective training?

Here at iHasco, we support over 12,000 UK clients with our high-quality and cost-effective eLearning, many of whom work in the construction industry.

With a course library that hosts over 200 course titles, an easy-to-use Learning Management System, and unrivalled support, sorting workplace training has never been easier!

You can get started today with instant access to our entire course library! Alternatively, if you’re ready to get started you can request a quote and a member of our team will get in touch with you shortly to discuss your training requirements.