Health and Safety Coordinator during construction: functions, regulations and why it is essential
In any construction project, the safety of workers and the proper organization of the work are top priorities. To ensure this, there is a key role within the construction process: the Health and Safety Coordinator (HSC).
The Health and Safety Coordinator during the construction phase is the professional responsible for coordinating and supervising that all companies and workers involved in the project comply with the occupational risk prevention measures established by current regulations.
Their main function is to ensure that the construction work is carried out under safe conditions, minimizing risks, preventing accidents and guaranteeing compliance with the Health and Safety Plan.
What is the Health and Safety Coordinator (HSC)
The Health and Safety Coordinator is the technician appointed to coordinate the application of occupational risk prevention principles during the execution of a construction project.
Their role is to verify that the contracting companies correctly apply the approved Health and Safety Plan, as well as to promote good safety practices in order to reduce accidents on site.
The HSC supervises compliance with occupational health and safety regulations and ensures that the necessary measures are taken in the event of any risk situation. The objective is to ensure that all workers can carry out their activities under safe conditions and without unnecessary risks.
Regulations of the Health and Safety Coordinator
The obligations of the Health and Safety Coordinator are regulated by Royal Decree 1627/1997, which establishes the minimum health and safety provisions for construction works.
According to this regulation, the HSC must coordinate the application of the general principles of prevention during the execution of the construction project.
This includes organizing the work so that:
- sufficient time is available to carry out each task safely
- dangerous interference between different activities is avoided
- preventive measures are correctly applied
The Health and Safety Plan on a construction site
One of the most important documents in a construction project is the Health and Safety Plan.
The Health and Safety Coordinator is responsible for reviewing and approving this document before the start of the works.
The Health and Safety Plan identifies:
- the risks associated with each phase of the construction work
- the preventive measures that must be applied
- the safe working procedures
This document serves as a guide to ensure that the construction work is carried out within the required safety standards.
The Site Incident Logbook
The Health and Safety Coordinator is also responsible for keeping the Site Incident Logbook.
This document records all observations related to health and safety during the execution of the project.
Entries in the Incident Logbook allow the following to be documented:
risks detected
corrective measures applied
safety incidents on the construction site
This record is essential for properly monitoring safety conditions throughout the project.
Why the Health and Safety Coordinator is essential on a construction site
The Health and Safety Coordinator is an essential role in any construction project.
Their work ensures compliance with occupational risk prevention regulations, proper coordination between companies, and a reduction in the likelihood of workplace accidents.
In addition, their involvement helps improve the organization of the work and ensures that all activities are carried out safely and in a coordinated manner.
In short, the Health and Safety Coordinator is not only a legal requirement, but also a guarantee to protect workers and ensure the proper development of the construction project.