Top 10 Construction Site Hazards That Get Flagged in UK Safety Inspections

Andrew Gillian

Sat, 04 Oct 2025

At SEI Tech International, we've conducted thousands of safety audits on building sites of all sizes. Although each site is unique, the risks we identify during a construction site safety inspection in the UK are usually familiar territory.

If you're the person in charge of health and safety on-site, here's what you should be on the lookout for before the inspector arrives.

●      Working at Height Without Proper Protection

Slip, trip, and fall hazards are still among the most common causes of severe injury in construction work. Too often, we see missing edge protection, insecure ladders, or no harnesses on employees.

●      Trespassing Housekeeping

Trip hazards such as loose tools, dangling cords, and walkways clogged with materials may be insignificant, yet get recorded right away and justifiably so. A clean site is a secure site.

●      Incomplete Risk Assessments

A generic risk assessment that is not representative of site conditions is a warning sign. We expect explicit documentation, task-specific controls, and regular revision.

●      Unprotected Excavations

Exposed trenches or excavations without barriers, signage, or edge protection are high-risk hazards. Even shallow pits can lead to injury if neglected.

●      Unsafe Scaffolding

Lacking toe boards, unstable frames, or a lack of inspection records are typical problems. Keep in mind, scaffolding needs to be inspected weekly and after severe weather.

●      Poor PPE Adherence

We too frequently see employees without their eye protection, gloves, or hearing protectors, even when clearly necessary for the work. PPE only protects if it's on and being used correctly.

●      Exposure to Asbestos or Silica Dust

Most sites don't control airborne hazards successfully. Inadequate ventilation, no masks, or no COSHH documentation to state what's done and why can all result in enforcement.

●      Temporary Electrics and Cabling

Loose connections, trailing cables, or overloaded extension leads are actual risks. All electrical installations should be inspected, tagged and supervised by a qualified individual.

●      Poor Fire Prevention

We often highlight blocked fire escapes, missing fire extinguishers, or no site-specific fire strategy. Fires on sites can spread quickly, and this section cannot be overlooked.

●      Poor Welfare Facilities

Welfare is not a want, it's a statutory requirement. We seek clean toilets, running water, rest facilities and clear signs. Far too many sites fall short.

For every construction site safety inspection in the UK, SEI Tech International aims to detect potential risks before they escalate into incidents. If you want to know where your site is at, we can evaluate, advise, and assist in bringing the standard higher, without interruption to your operations.