Project Site Safety Training

Project Site Safety Training

Stay Alert. Stay Safe. Everyone Home, Every Day

EBRD Corporate Travel Safety Management

Business travel is usually straightforward, but health and safety risks still need careful attention—especially when travelling internationally. Different countries pose different challenges, from unfamiliar environments and transport systems to varying medical standards and local regulations. Even minor incidents like slips or food-related illness can disrupt plans, while more serious risks such as road accidents or civil unrest require proactive preparation. To travel safely, staff should be informed about local customs, health risks, and emergency procedures. Employers have a duty of care to provide the right support, including travel insurance, emergency contacts, and clear reporting processes. The EBRD’s corporate travel safety framework outlines key measures to help staff stay safe—select the elements on the left to learn more. Travel Safety Training is available via Elsy and is strongly recommended for all staff undertaking official travel.

Why Project Site Safety Matters

Project sites, whether in construction, infrastructure, or manufacturing, present a unique set of health and safety challenges. The ever-changing nature of these environments means hazards can arise from heavy machinery, working at height, moving vehicles, and unpredictable site conditions. Even with robust procedures in place, the risks to staff and contractors remain significant, ranging from minor injuries to life-threatening incidents. Providing comprehensive training is not just a legal requirement but a moral responsibility, underpinning the organisation’s duty of care and its commitment to operational excellence. Project Site Safety training plays a vital role in addressing these challenges by making essential safety knowledge accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or role. By ensuring all individuals are equipped to identify risks, follow critical procedures, and respond effectively to emergencies, this approach not only reduces operational and reputational risk but also fosters a proactive safety culture. Everyone is empowered to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues. Embedding safety into daily practice through engaging, interactive modules strengthens compliance with legal standards and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to ensuring everyone returns home safe, every day.

Project Site Safety in Numbers

The construction industry accounts for approximately one in five workplace fatalities worldwide, making it one of the most hazardous sectors.

Each year, there are an estimated 2.78 million work-related deaths worldwide, with a significant proportion occurring on project and construction sites.

According to the ILO, construction workers are three to four times more likely than other workers to die from accidents at work. In developing countries, the risks may be three to six times higher.

Hierachy of Control Explained

Hierachy Of Control

Most Effective to least Effective - Click on the images below to discover more

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Substitution

Engineering Controls

Administrative Controls

Elimination

Key Project Site Safety Hazards

KEY RISKS

Moving Vehicles

Working at Height

Rail Sites

Analysis has shown key health and safety risks exist across EBRD Project Site Locations. Click on the pictures to the right ot find out more.

Confined Spaces

Electrical Hazards

Confined Space - Know your hazards

Each year, thousands of lives are lost due to incidents involving confined space entry. If you're visiting a site where confined spaces may be present, it's essential to understand what they are so you can recognise and avoid them. Awareness is the first step in preventing serious harm.

A confined space is any enclosed or partially enclosed area where there is a foreseeable risk due to:

• Limited access or ventilation
• Hazardous substances or oxygen deficiency
• Potential for sudden changes in conditions
• Examples include tanks, silos, pits, sewers

No staff may enter a confined space without:

• Written approval is obtained from the Head of Department or senior Line Manager.
• A competent confined space expert completes a full risk assessment.
• Final authorisation is granted by the Health and Safety Unit.

Definition

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Entry Restrictions

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What are Confined Spaces?

• Always use approved personal gas detectors issued by the Health and Safety Unit.
• Never use personal or third-party devices without prior approval.
• If in doubt, do not enter and contact the Health and Safety Unit immediately.
• A site-specific risk assessment and emergency rescue plan must be in place before entry.

Confined spaces may contain or develop:

• Toxic or flammable gases (e.g. methane, hydrogen sulphide)
• Oxygen-enriched or oxygen-deficient atmospheres
• Combustible dusts (e.g. flour)
• Fumes from cleaning agents or welding
• Leaks from nearby equipment

Control Measures

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Hazards

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Only applicable if pre-approved

Construction Sites - Ten Rules, One Goal: Everyone Home Safe.

Click on the green circles for more information

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Demolitions

Collapse and Ground Instability

Excavation Risks

Site Access and Induction

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Ingesting Hazardous Substances

Working at Height

Cranes and Lifting Operations

Confined Spaces

Construction Dust

Common Hazards Present in Key EBRD Investment Areas

Click on the following icons to find out more

Urban Transport Projects

Electrical Transmission and Distribution Upgrade

Solar (PV) Sites & Wind Farms

Water and Wastewater Treatment

Solid Waste Management

District Heating Sites

Food Processing

Mines

Logistical Distribution Sites

Retail and Hotel Construction

Offshore Locations

Factories, Industrial Parks, Manufacturing Plants

HST Portal One Stop Shop for Information

All Health and Safety information and guidance is provided within the Health, Safety and Travel Portal on Ask ASD. If you have any health, safety or travel queries or requests, please look for the information via the HST Portal in the first instance. This allows you to access information immediately, as opposed to waiting for an email response.If you cannot find the information on the HST Portal please contact the Health and Safety Unit via group-healthandsafety@ebrd.com

HST Portal

Further Gudiance

Cranes and Lifting Operations All Board Officials, Bank Personnel, and CCTs must be briefed on the location and operation of cranes upon arriving at a site. Never walk beneath a suspended load, and do not cross barriers into areas where lifting operations are taking place.

Offshore Locations

EBRD has established specific requirements to mitigate these risks. All personnel travelling offshore must:

• Notify the Health and Safety Unit in advance of travel.
• Complete mandatory training, including Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) for overnight assignments, Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) for helicopter transfers, and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Offshore Training for wind farm visits.

The assocaied gudiance must be read by anyone intending to travel offshore.

Logistical Distribution Sites

• Vehicle and forklift movement
• Manual handling (lifting, repetitive strain)
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Racking collapse
• Working at height (mezzanines, racking access)

Retail and Hotel Construction

• Working at height (scaffolding, ladders)
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Moving plant and vehicles
• Electrical hazards (temporary supplies)
• Falling objects

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Construction sites pose a wide range of hazards to staff visiting. High visibility clothing, safety boots and a hard hat are mandatory minimum PPE for all staff attending a construction site, regardless of local policy (five point PPE).

Request PPE

Engineering Controls

Physical changes are made to isolate people from hazards, such as barriers, guardrails, or ventilation systems.

Barriers, fencing, and designated walkways are there to keep you separated from dangerous areas or equipment. Always stay within marked visitor routes and never cross barriers or remove covers, as these are essential for your protection.

Elimination

The hazard is completely removed from the environment.

If a risk has been eliminated, you won’t encounter it during your visit. For example, if a hazardous area is closed off or a dangerous process is not running, it’s because the risk has been removed for everyone’s safety. Always respect restricted areas, as these are places where hazards may still exist.

Mines

You must inform the Health and Safety Unit if you are intending to visit a mine.

• Ground instability (collapse, rockfall)
• Confined spaces (shafts, tunnels)
• Working at height (pit edges, ladders)
• Dust, noise, vibration
• Hazardous atmospheres (gas, low oxygen)

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Confined spaces on construction sites pose serious risks due to limited access, poor ventilation, and the potential presence of hazardous substances. These spaces—such as tanks, pits, sewers, or even plant rooms—can quickly become dangerous, especially during tasks like welding or chemical use. Entry must only occur with proper authorisation, risk assessment, and safety controls in place. Unauthorised access is strictly prohibited to prevent injury or fatality.

Site Access and Induction Personnel must be escorted at all times unless they have: Completed a formal site Health & Safety Induction Familiarity with the site layout and hazards

Electrical Hazards

Electrical hazards on construction sites include live power cables, contact with overhead lines, and faulty equipment, all of which can cause shock, arc-flash, or fire. Staff must stay alert, report concerns, and maintain safe distances—especially near high voltage sources and solar PV systems. Never approach damaged equipment or live circuits without proper training and approval. Always follow site safety procedures and emergency guidance.

Further Guidance

Administrative Controls

Procedures, rules, and training are used to reduce risk, such as safety briefings, signage, and restricted access.

You may be required to attend a safety induction, follow specific instructions, or be accompanied by a site escort. Always read and obey warning signs, and follow the guidance of your host or supervisor to ensure your safety. However, by their very nature they are only of limited effect.

Substitution

Replacing a hazardous material, process, or equipment with a safer alternative.

You might notice safer products or equipment being used (such as non-toxic chemicals or quieter machinery). This reduces risk for everyone on site, including visitors. However, you should still avoid touching or interacting with any site materials or equipment.

Urban Transport Projects

• Traffic (vehicle/pedestrian interface)
• Excavations and trenches (confined space risk)
• Working at height (bridges, elevated tracks)
• Noise, dust, vibration
• Utilities strikes (gas, electric, water)

Hazardous substances can be accidentally ingested if transferred from hands to food, drinks, or cigarettes. To prevent this: Always wash your hands and face before eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet—and again after. Only eat, drink, or smoke in designated safe areas, away from the work zone.

Rail Sites

Moving around a rail construction site carries serious health and safety risks, including being struck by trains or vehicles, tripping hazards, and exposure to live electrical equipment. Formal approval from Line Management and the Health and Safety Unit is required before approaching any active lines or entering areas with shunting activities.No Bank personnel are authorised to step onto a live rail track where moving trains may be encountered without prior business-critical approval.

Guidance - Staying Safe on Rail Sites

Falls from Height

Falls from height cause 50% of all construction site fatalities and are the leading cause of fatal injuries to workers. Common risks include scaffolds, wind turbines, fragile roofs, and any area requiring specialist access equipment. Only visit areas at height if it is business critical, no safer alternative exists, and it is safe to do so. Prior authorisation is required from your Line Manager and the Health and Safety Unit, following a thorough risk assessment and any necessary specialist training.

Working at Height Guidance

Dont die for Instagram! Construction sites present numerous working at height hazards—and you don’t need to be doing construction to be at risk. Simply climbing a ladder or stepping onto scaffolding counts as working at height and must not be done without prior approval from the Health and Safety Unit. Remember: No photo or shortcut is worth your safety. Don’t risk your life for social media. Stay safe, stay grounded.

Solar (PV) Sites & Wind Farms

• Electrical shock (PV arrays, inverters)
• Working at height (wind turbine towers, roof-mounted PV)
• Manual handling (panels, components)
• Slips, trips, and falls (uneven ground, cable runs)
• Confined Space: Wind turbine nacelles and bases may be confined spaces.

Moving Vehicles

Moving vehicles are a major health and safety risk on construction sites. Hazards include collisions with workers, overturning, and accidents involving reversing or poorly maintained vehicles. Strict controls, clear site traffic management, and constant vigilance are essential to prevent injuries and fatalities. Ensure you stay away from moving vehicles when visiting project sites.

Food Processing

• Machinery (entanglement, cuts)
• Slips, trips, and falls (wet floors)
• Chemical exposure (cleaning agents)
• Confined spaces (silos, tanks, freezers)
• Biological hazards (bacteria, allergens)

Confined Spaces

A confined space is any substantially enclosed area where hazardous substances or conditions can cause serious injury. Examples include silos, tanks, sewers, utility vaults, and manholes. Risks include low oxygen, toxic or flammable gases, and most fatalities occur among rescuers. EBRD personnel should never enter confined spaces routinely—only in exceptional cases, with approval from the Line Manager and Health and Safety Unit. Entry requires detailed training, proper equipment, and thorough planning.

Confined Space Guidance

Water and Wastewater Treatment

• Chemical exposure (chlorine, acids)
• Biological hazards (pathogens)
• Confined spaces (tanks, pits, sewers)
• Slips, trips, and falls (wet surfaces)
• Drowning risk.

Specific Gudiance

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Individuals are provided with equipment to protect themselves, such as hard hats, high-visibility vests, or safety glasses.

EBRD Personnel must wear the following when visiting construction sites

• Hard Hat, Gloves, Safety Glasses, Boots and High Visibility Clothing

You may be asked to wear PPE during your visit. This is a critical last line of defense, so wear all required items correctly and keep them on at all times in designated areas.

Further Guidance

Demolition Zones Demolitions pose significant health and safety hazards and require careful management and training. No-EBRD personnel should enter a building or structure that is under demolition.

Collapse and Ground Instability Many serious injuries and fatalities occur due to ground collapse, falling materials, or contact with underground or overhead services. No ground can be assumed safe to stand unsupported—even one cubic metre of soil can collapse suddenly, weighing up to one tonne. Stay clear of all unsupported excavations and never assume they are stable.

Electrical Transmission and Distribution Upgrade

• Live electrical equipment (arc flash, electrocution)
• Overhead/underground cables (struck-by, trip hazards)
• Working at height (poles, towers, elevated platforms)
• Vehicle movements and plant
• Weather exposure (wind, lightning)
• Confined Space: Possible in cable vaults or substations.

Solid Waste Management

• Biological and chemical exposure (waste, leachate)
• Vehicle and plant movement
• Fire/explosion (flammable waste, landfill gas)
• Confined spaces (storage tanks, pits)
• Manual handling injuries

District Heating Sites

• Hot surfaces, steam, and pressurized systems
• Confined spaces (underground pipe tunnels, chambers)
• Working at height (pipe racks, plant rooms)
• Chemical exposure (water treatment chemicals)

Factories, Industrial Parks, Manufacturing Plants

• Machinery (unguarded moving parts)
• Chemical exposure (process chemicals)
• Noise, dust, vibration
• Confined spaces (vessels, pits)
• Working at height (maintenance, plant access)

Construction dust poses a serious risk to respiratory health. Regular exposure can lead to diseases such as lung cancer, asthma, COPD, and silicosis. High dust levels are common during many construction tasks and even walking near site traffic routes can expose staff to airborne dust—especially if dust suppression is poor. Be aware, avoid dusty areas, and contact the Health and Safety Unit if concerned.

Excavation Risks Excavations are common on construction sites, especially for major infrastructure projects like foundations, drains, and sewers. Every year, people are seriously injured or killed due to excavation-related incidents. Always keep a safe distance and treat all excavations as high-risk areas.