Construction · Ireland

Top 10 construction site safety risks

Irish construction remains a high-risk sector. These ten issues still drive injuries, stoppages and HSA interest. They should sit in every RAMS review and PSCS inspection.

1. Working at height — incomplete edge protection, ladders used as a workplace, fragile roofs.
2. Plant and vehicles — reversing, poor segregation, banksman not used.
3. Lifting operations — no lift plan, unknown loads, incomplete exclusion zones.
4. Temporary works — excavations, falsework and propping without design or inspection.
5. Electricity — overhead lines, buried services, live boards during fit-out.
6. Collapse and structural instability — demolition, refurbishment and alterations.
7. Fire — hot works, incomplete detection, blocked escape during occupied works.
8. Manual handling and MSDs — blockwork, MEP installs, poor mechanical aids.
9. Occupational health — silica, noise, HAVS, and inadequate RPE face-fit.
10. Contractor interfaces — RAMS not reviewed, inductions skipped, permits not closed.

SM Safety Solutions supports PSDP, PSCS, site inspections and method statements so these risks are controlled before they become incidents. Construction services.