Health and Safety in the Finishes and Interiors Sector
It is a core objective of FIS to help reduce risk and create a healthier and safer construction environment for all.
It is mandatory for FIS members to maintain an active focus on all elements of H&S and this forms a vital part of our code of conduct audits.
“In terms of operational safety, construction has made significant strides in the past decade. But we cannot afford to be complacent, accidents still happen and there remain around 82,000 work-related ill health cases (new or longstanding) every year, with 62% attributable to musculoskeletal issues and 25% related to stress, depression or anxiety. It is a terrifying statistic that suicide rates in construction are double the national average.”
FIS H&S Working Group Chair, David Cant
FIS Health and Safety Toolkit
In addition to resources available here, Members have access to our H&S Helpline that they can access via 0121 707 0077.
Latest FIS Guidance: The Use of Board Lifters
The guidance provides contractors, clients, principal contractors and duty holders with a practical, risk-based approach to the use of board lifters.
Health & Safety Working Group
Notes from the last meeting in April 2026 available here
Health and Safety Handbook
The Health and Safety Handbook is designed for distribution by members to site operatives as a tool to help remind them of the hazards that they may encounter every day in their job and assist them in meeting company health and safety requirements.
Members can purchase bulk copies overprinted with their company logo. For more information email: info@thefis.org
FIS H&S Guidance Notes
- Asbestos Control – Factsheet
- Asbestos Control Webinar: Dangers of asbestos
- Electrical Equipment (inspection and testing)
- Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
- Hand hygiene
- Knives and Cuts Campaign
- Knife Cut Injuries and how to avoid them
- Manual Handling Guide: Safe handling of plasterboard
- Manual Handling Guide: Recommendations for the safe ingress of plasterboard
- Manual Handling: The Use of Board Lifters
- Manual handling assessment charts (the MAC Tool)
- Noise: Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
- Removal and replacement of mould contaminated plasterboard
- Working in high temperatures
H&S Policies and Regulatory Guidance
- Accidents – how to deal with them
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Workplace
- Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
- Fire Prevention on Construction Sites: The Joint Code of Practice on the Protection from Fire of Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation
- Fire Safety in Buildings: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Hazardous Substances: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
- Health and Safety Policy
- Hot Works Protocols
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022, their impact on our sector
- Safe Work Practices for Wall and Ceiling Industry Construction Workers (AWCI)
Your obligations under Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM)
CDM are the main set of regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects. They also define critical roles and help to determine who has design responsibility at each stage of a construction project.
Key publication: Managing health and safety in construction – Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 – (L153)
(External link – Opens in a new tab or window) on the legal requirements for CDM 2015.
- CDM 2015: Interpreting the Term – Construction Work
- CDM 2015: Self Build Projects
- CDM 2015: Principal Designer – Design & Build Project
- CDM 2015: Principal Designer Appointment
- CDM 2015: Notification under CDM 2015
- CDM 2015: Maintenance Work
- CDM 2015: Maintenance Term Contract with a Maintenance Provider
- CDM 2015: CDM Advisors
You can download some useful supporting resources such as planning documents, site posters and FAQs from the CITB website here.
Expert health and safety consultant service
FIS Associate Member, Citation, offers a range of advice and guidance at preferential rates for FIS members. Their Health & Safety service includes a dedicated local consultant, 24/7 advice line, and 100s of model documents and templates.
Get in touch to find out more or book a free consultation
Call 0345 844 1111 today to speak to an advisor about your Citation member benefit, leave your details on this page, or click here to find out more.
Remember to let them know you’re enquiring through FIS.
Mental Health Hub
Mental health is such a prevalent issue within the construction sector.
Did you know that:
- Every single working day in the UK two construction workers take their own life
- Stress, anxiety and depression account for a fifth of all work-related illness
- Every year there are over 82,000 new cases of work related illness that can be directly attributed to working within construction
- Every year over 2.4 million days are lost through injury or illness in our industry
You will find all of our mental health resources in our mental health hub, please click here
Health and Safety Alerts
Two major ccompanies sentenced over death of man killed by window falling from luxury penthouse
FIS Health and Safety Guidance Note – changes to PPE Regulations 1992
Fit-out contractor fined £1.1m after worker injured in fall from height
Construction company fined after member of public injured by a collapsed hoarding at Kings Mall
Company fined after worker suffers broken hip
Construction company fined after worker falls from platform
Company director sentenced for safety failings
Industrial staircase installer fined after worker trapped – A company specialising in the manufacture and installation of industrial staircases has been fined following an incident where a worker became trapped at a site on Fenchurch Avenue in London.
Joinery manufacturer fined after worker suffers life changing injuries to her face
Company fined after worker falls through collapsed stairs
Unprotected stairwell – company fined £20,000 after worker suffers multiple injuries in fall
Retaining Wall Collapse – Building firm fined £900,000 (plus over £60k costs) after fatal wall collapse
Useful Health and Safety Articles
An Introduction to Manual Handling for Dryliners
This e-learning course will equip learners with the knowledge and practical skills to carry out manual handling safely in drylining activities, reducing the risk of injury.
Q&A - Preventing deaths from cardiac arrest
The difference between life and death can be so small in the event of a cardiac emergency the importance of remaining calm and having the right information is impreitive.
See a full list of questions and answers with links about where to find out more.
