The Construction Division

The Construction Division is part of the Field Operations Division (FOD) and includes:

• Operational Units
• Construction Sector
• Technology Unit
• Policy Unit

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Operational Units

HSE’s operational inspectors deal solely with the construction industry and seek improvements in health and safety standards using a range of methods including:

• Site inspections.
• Planned interventions.
• Investigation of accidents and complaints.
• Providing guidance and support at visits, by phone or at trade events.
• Educational and promotional activities.
• Enforcement where necessary.

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Construction Sector

The Construction Sector takes an active role in dealing with the industry and key stakeholders. Its role includes:

• Providing support, advice and guidance at a national level to the HSE operational inspectors.
• Developing and helping deliver HSE's plan of work for construction.
• Developing strategies to meet the Governments Revitalising H&S targets for construction.
• Gathering intelligence about the health and safety performance of the industry.
• Working with key industry stakeholders to improve health and safety.
• Working with national and European bodies in the development of standards (CEN. BSI, etc.).
• Producing guidance for the industry.

The Construction Sector is made up of several units:

Programme Office, Research, Intelligence, Knowledge and Statistics

This unit oversees:

• the Construction Intervention Strategy and Work Programme (which sets out how we will interact with the industry)
• Evaluation of our work programmes
• Research coordination
• Intelligence and statistics

Communications and Strategic Outreach

This unit is responsible for:

• The Division’s Communications Strategy
• Stakeholder engagement
• Behavioural change/Human Factors
• Worker engagement

This unit also provides HSE input to the Working Well Together campaign.

Health

This unit oversees:

• Occupational Health risk management
• Supply chain initiatives

CDM Dutyholders and Construction Management

This unit’s area of responsibility includes;

• Operational CDM issues
• Design and related issues
• Interface with client bodies

Safety Unit

This unit deals with

• technical and policy issues related to safety.
• Safety Portfolio Projects - Work at Height, Slips and Trips
• developing standards
• provides support and training to operational inspectors.

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Technology Unit

The Technology Unit provides specialist technical support to the Construction Division as well as overseeing research on technical issues. This unit also works with national and European bodies in the development of standards (CEN. BSI, etc.).

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Policy Unit

The Policy Unit’s role is:

• developing new construction legislation
• dealing with wider policy initiatives
• follow up to the Construction Summit
• interface with other Government Departments
• provision of support to CONIAC (Construction Industry Advisory Committee) and the Chief Inspector of Construction.