Small site. Big responsibilities: why construction safety starts before work begins

Findings highlighted in Health & Safety Review offer a timely reminder that smaller construction projects need careful planning, clear responsibilities and effective safety co-ordination.

When we think about construction safety, major developments and busy building sites often come to mind. Yet a house extension, roof repair, farm building or commercial refurbishment can involve hazards with equally serious consequences.

The November 2026 issue of Health & Safety Review reports on the Health and Safety Authority’s review of construction fatalities in Ireland during 2022–2024. Of the 23 deaths examined, 19 occurred on sites with four or fewer workers. Five occurred where the person who died was working alone.

Behind every figure is a person, a family and a community. For those commissioning, designing or carrying out construction work, the findings deserve attention.

What the findings tell us

The article highlights a significant gap in project supervisor appointments. Appointments were required on 16 of the projects reviewed, but were made on only four.

It also reports that falls from height accounted for 15 of the 23 deaths, while five involved people being struck by plant or machinery.

The review cautions that the sample is small. These figures should not be used to calculate the relative risk of different site sizes or to conclude that a missing appointment caused a particular death. They do, however, reinforce the need to examine how safety is planned and managed on smaller projects.

A short programme, familiar task or small workforce should never be taken as evidence that the risks are minor.

Safety decisions begin before anyone arrives on site

Many decisions that affect site safety are made during the early stages of a project: the design, choice of materials, construction sequence, access arrangements and time allowed for the work.

Consider a roof refurbishment. Before work starts, the project team should understand how workers will access the roof, how falls will be prevented, whether fragile materials are present and how people below will be protected.

On an occupied commercial premises, the planning may also need to address how construction activities will be separated from employees, customers and deliveries.

Identifying these issues early gives the team an opportunity to change the design or working arrangements before people are exposed to the hazards.

Understanding the client’s responsibilities

In construction, the client is the person or organisation for whom the project is carried out. This can include a business commissioning a refurbishment, a farmer arranging building works or a homeowner undertaking an extension.

Clients need to establish which duties apply to their project and make the required appointments at the appropriate time. Where required, a competent and adequately resourced Project Supervisor Design Process must be appointed in writing before design work begins, and a Project Supervisor Construction Stage before construction starts.

Clients also have responsibilities relating to information, co-operation and allowing sufficient time and resources for safe delivery. Appointing project supervisors does not remove all of the client’s own duties. The HSA’s guidance for clients explains these obligations.

PSDP: co-ordinating safety through design

The Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) co-ordinates safety and health matters during the design process.

This includes bringing designers together to identify hazards, eliminate them where possible and reduce risks that remain. Relevant design assumptions, control measures and remaining risks must be communicated so they can be addressed during construction.

The role also includes preparing the preliminary Safety and Health Plan where required and preparing the Safety File for the completed structure. That file provides relevant safety information for subsequent work, such as maintenance, alteration or demolition.

For example, considering access for future maintenance during design can help avoid difficult or hazardous work later. Early involvement gives the PSDP greater opportunity to influence these decisions. Further detail is available in the HSA’s PSDP guidance.

PSCS: co-ordinating safety during construction

The Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) manages and co-ordinates safety and health matters during construction.

The role includes developing the Construction Stage Safety and Health Plan, organising co-operation between contractors and co-ordinating arrangements for managing risks as work progresses.

This matters even when different trades attend at different times. One contractor’s work can affect the safety of the next: an opening left unprotected, an altered access route or incomplete temporary protection can create risks beyond the original task.

Effective co-ordination requires the plan and site arrangements to reflect the work actually taking place. Contractors and employers retain their own safety responsibilities within that process. The HSA’s PSCS guidance outlines the role.

Where does a PSCS Co-ordinator fit?

A PSCS Co-ordinator supports the appointed PSCS in carrying out its duties. Depending on the agreed scope, this support may include contractor liaison, reviewing safety information, site monitoring and following up agreed actions.

The distinction is important: appointing a co-ordinator does not replace the PSCS appointment or remove the PSCS’s legal duties. The Construction Regulations provide for a competent health and safety co-ordinator to assist the PSCS. See the Construction Regulations 2013.

Everyone involved should understand who holds the formal appointment, what support is being provided and who has authority to address concerns.

Five questions to ask before work starts

Whatever the scale of the project, a useful starting point is to ask:

1. Have we established which appointments and safety arrangements are required?
2. Have the main hazards been identified and addressed in the design and work planning?
3. Have we selected people with the competence and resources for their roles?
4. Is it clear how contractors will share information and co-ordinate their activities?
5. How will we check that the agreed arrangements remain effective as the work changes?

These questions help move safety planning into everyday project decisions.

How SSG can help

At Safety Solutions Group, we help clients, designers and contractors understand their responsibilities and establish practical safety arrangements suited to their projects.

We provide advice and can undertake PSDP, PSCS and PSCS Co-ordinator roles, according to the project’s requirements and agreed scope.

If you are planning construction, refurbishment or maintenance work, speaking with SSG early can help clarify the appointments, information and co-ordination your project needs.

Small site. Big responsibilities. Plan early, clarify roles and co-ordinate safety.

Article findings attributed to Health & Safety Review, November 2026, reporting on the HSA’s review of construction fatalities in the Republic of Ireland during 2022–2024.