The role of the safety and health coordinator on construction sites
Within the European Union, the Most fatal accidents at work occur in the construction sector.. The most common cause of accidents is falling from heights. According to a study commissioned by the European Union, „two-thirds of construction accidents are due to design errors, poor construction management, or the work of different companies." can be attributed to faulty coordination; errors that can be traced back to decisions made before construction even began.”
To remedy this situation, the EU issued Directive 92/57/EEC, which was transposed into Hungarian law as the „Minimum Safety and Health Requirements for Construction Workplaces and Construction Processes.” Joint Decree No. 4/2002 (II. 20.) of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and the Ministry of Healthwas transplanted.
Who can perform the duties of coordinator?
According to Joint Decree 4/2002. (II. 20.) SZCSM–EüM on minimum occupational safety requirements to be implemented at construction sites and during construction processes, the tasks of the safety and health coordinator are as follows occupational safety specialist activity are considered. Therefore, the coordinator's tasks are at least with secondary education in occupational safety may be performed by a natural person.
When should a coordinator be involved in the work?
The coordinator has already been employed since during planning is inevitable. According to the regulation, the designer is obliged to use a coordinator when preparing construction design documentation (employ or commission). The coordinator shall perform the tasks specified in the regulation and does the professional preparation of implementation plans from the perspective of occupational health and safety necessary recommendations.
What is the coordinator's role?
- Prepares the safety and health protection plan, which specifies the health and safety requirements applicable to the workplace and the work performed, taking into account the specific characteristics of the construction site in question.
- It defines the measures that elimination of hazards serve.
- Based on the safety plan, it compiles the occupational safety training materials.
- Coordinate the implementation of general principles of prevention and safety, at the same time, or only in the order of work phases that can be performed one after the other, and professionally ensures that the safety and health protection plan complies with the law.
- In time and space coordinates the activities of those working together on construction and implementation projects.
- Due to the progress of the work and changes in circumstances amends and updates the safety and health plan.
- Performs work processes for occupational safety purposes regular, continuous monitoring.
- It shall take the necessary measures to ensure that Only authorized persons may enter the construction site..
Therefore, the safety and health coordinator plays a very important role during the planning phase in ensuring that accidents can be avoided during the work, thereby guaranteeing the success of the project.
source: www.ommf.gov.hu
