Construction is one of the highest-risk sectors in the UK. Workers on building sites, civil engineering projects, demolition sites, and infrastructure projects face daily exposure to serious hazards. There is a complex framework of health and safety law that may support a claim.
Common Causes
- Falls from height — scaffolding, ladders, roofs, excavations
- Struck by falling objects or moving plant
- Machinery and plant accidents
- Excavation collapses
- Electricity and power tool accidents
- Manual handling injuries
- Exposure to harmful substances including asbestos and silica dust
Who May Be Liable?
Depending on the circumstances, liability may rest with your direct employer, a principal contractor, a sub-contractor, a site owner, or a combination. Relevant regulations include the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Types of Injuries
- Fractures and crush injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Amputations
- Burns
- Respiratory disease
- Fatal injuries
Primary legal and safety sources
This guide is checked against official sources. The applicable law and limitation rules depend on where in the UK the accident happened.