Building a safer future

Introduction

Health and Safety is a cornerstone of the construction industry, ensuring that workers return home safely each day. For Elle Brown, a 2025 Graduate of Site Safe’s Health and Safety in Construction Programme, their interest in workplace safety began during their apprenticeship and led them down a path of further education in the field.

Finding purpose in health and safety

Elle first encountered formal Health and Safety training through the Foundation Passport course as an apprentice. The practical knowledge they gained proved invaluable, allowing them to implement lessons learned on the building site every day.

Over time, an opportunity arose within their company to take on dedicated Health and Safety responsibilities. Keen to upskill and play a more active role in fostering a safer workplace, they decided to enrol in Site Safe’s Health and Safety in Construction Certificate Programme.

Upskilling for a safer worksite

The programme offers a diverse range of courses, allowing learners to shape their educational pathway to match their needs. Beyond the course material, they found the support provided throughout the programme to be exceptional. The instructors were knowledgeable, engaging, and committed to helping learners succeed.

“I really enjoyed the programme. I think it’s great that there is a range of courses to choose from and that you can create a pathway that is relevant to the skills and knowledge you want to build,” says Elle.

“I particularly enjoyed the Accident Investigation and Prevention course as it gave an in-depth understanding of the purpose of Accident Investigations and their importance. The support provided for learners throughout the programme was also excellent, and that’s a huge credit to the team involved.”

Turning knowledge into action

The lessons learned didn’t remain theoretical. Almost every aspect of the programme translated directly into daily operations on-site — from conducting toolbox meetings and site inspections to developing Site-Specific Safety Plans (SSSPs) and Hazard/Risk registers.

With newfound confidence, Elle began sharing their knowledge with colleagues, contributing to a stronger Health and Safety culture within their workplace. Their ability to advocate for themselves and others in Health and Safety matters strengthened, leading to improved working relationships and heightened awareness among team members.

“These skills have definitely helped me to build my confidence when it comes to advocating for myself and others in matters relating to Health and Safety issues,” explains Elle.

“As a result of my time spent in the Programme, there have been several instances where I have felt empowered to raise issues with supervisors and project managers, which in turn helped to foster better working relationships, keep productivity up onsite, and most importantly ensure healthy and safe outcomes for myself and other workers.

A recommendation for industry professionals

For construction workers looking to deepen their understanding of Health and Safety or employers aiming to strengthen their workplace safety culture, Elle highly recommends Site Safe’s Certificate in Health and Safety in Construction Programme.

“The programme offers expert instructors who bring industry experience to their teaching, a manageable workload, even for those working full-time, and engaging and informative course content that makes a lasting impact,” says Elle.

“Upskilling in Health and Safety doesn’t just benefit individuals, it contributes to building a stronger, safer industry,” adds Elle.