The Construction Division

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

• Operational Units
• Construction Sector
• 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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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.