Where Are We at With Sticking Together in Health & Safety?

So, before you all come at me with perfect stories of how you all work together, and have perfect onsite and offsite offices - come on, please be honest!! Most of us are seeing that we are pulling in one direction, and on the other end of the big rope is the actual project. With time restraints, no due diligence checks, money tighter than a duck's arse, and somewhere a site manager curled up rocking in the corner.

The construction and engineering industries are at a pivotal point when it comes to health, safety, and wellbeing. While regulations are clear and expectations are well established, the real challenge lies in how consistently they are applied and supported across projects. The question is no longer just about compliance—it is about collective responsibility. Are we, as an industry, truly working together to uphold the standards we all recognise as essential? Are you actually checking through the PQQ, and even if they have worked on your sites before, are the subcontractors still compliant?

There remains a noticeable gap between intention and execution. HSE consultants, managers, project leaders, and site teams are all aligned in principle, yet in practice, there can be inconsistencies in how standards are interpreted and enforced. This is not necessarily a failure of individuals, but rather a reflection of fragmented communication and differing pressures across projects. Bridging this gap requires stronger alignment, clearer expectations, and a more unified approach to compliance—one that is understood and supported by everyone involved.

A key area for improvement is the engagement and integration of subcontractors within the wider safety framework. The industry continues to rely heavily on subcontracted labour, and with that comes the responsibility to ensure consistent standards of competence and training. While experience and practical knowledge are invaluable, they should be complemented by recognised qualifications such as CSCS cards and up-to-date training where required. Rather than viewing this as a barrier, it should be seen as a shared baseline that protects individuals, strengthens teams, and enhances overall project delivery.

Health, safety, and wellbeing must be positioned as enablers of performance—not obstacles to progress. When approached collaboratively, strong safety practices improve efficiency, reduce delays, and build trust across the workforce. Every individual on site, regardless of role or employer, contributes to the overall safety culture. Encouraging open communication, where concerns can be raised without hesitation, and best practices can be shared freely, is key to creating an environment where safety is owned collectively.

Project managers are central to this shift. Their influence on programme delivery, resource allocation, and site expectations places them in a unique position to champion a fully compliant and collaborative approach. By consistently supporting health and safety requirements and reinforcing their importance, they set the tone for the entire project. When leadership is aligned and visible in its commitment, it creates clarity, reduces ambiguity, and strengthens accountability across all teams.

Equally, HSE professionals have an opportunity to lead through collaboration rather than division. Presenting a consistent, supportive, and solutions-focused approach helps build credibility and encourages engagement from contractors and subcontractors alike. When safety advisors work together, share knowledge, and maintain consistent expectations, it reinforces the message that compliance is not optional—it is a shared standard that benefits everyone.

Ultimately, health and safety is not owned by one person, role, or organisation—it is a collective duty. Progress depends on moving away from siloed thinking and towards a more integrated, cooperative approach. By strengthening communication, supporting one another, and maintaining consistent standards, the industry can move closer to a culture where safety and wellbeing are fully embedded.

The path forward is clear: greater unity, stronger leadership, and a commitment to working together. When collaboration becomes the foundation of health and safety, compliance follows naturally—and most importantly, people are better protected.

Can I also please be the first to state - NOT compliant, NOT on site! Let's really start enforcing those high standards and safe practises. If we now have NHBC for quality, why are we not frequently checking CSCS, training certificates, Skill sets, and understanding? And not in 5-minute Monday morning toolbox talks or outdated inductions, but proper safety check-ins and questions about the work.

Anyone else with me about raising the health, safety and wellness bar?