The holder has completed training and passed the assessment across all 5 learning outcomes and 35 assessment criteria of PHW's Level 1 standard for Health and Safety in a Construction Environment: the principles of risk assessment, safe manual handling, working safely at height, risks to health in a construction environment, and working safely around plant and equipment. Assessment is knowledge-based: a written knowledge test and structured questioning against each learning outcome.
Learning outcomes assessed
LO1: Know the principles of risk assessment for maintaining and improving health and safety at work
1.1 State the purpose of risk assessments and method statements
1.2 State the legal requirements of risk assessments and method statements
1.3 State common causes of work-related fatalities and injuries
1.4 State the implications of not preventing accidents and ill health at work
1.5 State the meaning of accident, near miss, hazard, risk and competence in relation to health and safety at work
1.6 List typical hazards/risks associated with resources, equipment, obstructions, storage, services, wastes and work activities
1.7 State the importance of reporting accidents and near misses
1.8 State typical accident reporting procedures
1.9 State who is responsible for making accident reports
LO2: Know the importance of safe manual handling in the workplace
2.1 State the reasons for ensuring safe manual handling in the workplace
2.2 State potential injuries and ill health that may occur from incorrect manual handling
2.3 State the employee's responsibilities under current legislation and official guidance for moving and storing materials, manual handling and mechanical lifting
2.4 State the procedures for safe lifting in accordance with official guidance
2.5 State the importance of using site safety equipment when handling materials and equipment
2.6 List aids available to assist manual handling in the workplace
2.7 State how to apply safe work practices, follow procedures and report problems when carrying out safe manual handling in the workplace
LO3: Know the importance of working safely at height in the workplace
3.1 Define the term 'working at height'
3.2 State the employee's responsibilities under current legislation and official guidance whilst working at height
3.3 List hazards/risks associated with dropping tools and debris, stability of ladders, overhead cables, fragile roofs, scaffolds, internal voids, equipment, the working area and other people
3.4 State how hazards/risks associated with working at height can be controlled
3.5 State the regulation that controls the use of suitable equipment for working at height
LO4: Know risks to health within a construction environment
4.1 List substances hazardous to health under current regulations
4.2 List common risks to health within a construction environment
4.3 State the types of hazards/risks that may occur in the workplace linked with use of drugs and alcohol
4.4 State the importance of the correct storage of combustibles and chemicals on site
4.5 State the importance of personal hygiene within a construction environment
4.6 State the potential hazards/risks to the health of workers exposed to asbestos
4.7 State types of asbestos waste
4.8 State types of personal protective equipment (PPE) used when dealing with hazardous materials
LO5: Know the importance of working around plant and equipment safely
5.1 List ways in which moving machinery can cause injuries
5.2 State hazards/risks relating to the use of plant and equipment
5.3 State the importance of keeping a safe distance away from plant/machinery and equipment until clear contact is made with the operator
5.4 Outline how method statements can assist in ensuring the safety of workers where moving plant is in use
5.5 State ways to eliminate or control hazards/risks relating to working around plant and equipment
5.6 Identify hazard warning signs and symbols used around the use of plant and equipment
Assessment
Knowledge-based: a written knowledge test and structured questioning against each of the 5 learning outcomes and 35 assessment criteria above. Pass or fail, no further grading.
The assessor deemed Fred Bloggs competent across all 5 learning outcomes, and the course was awarded in August 2026.
The law it relates to
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974: the general duties that risk assessments, method statements and accident reporting sit under
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: the duty to assess risk and act on the findings
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015): the construction-specific legal framework overlaying the course's general content
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: avoiding, assessing and reducing the risk of hazardous manual handling
Work at Height Regulations 2005: avoiding, preventing and mitigating the risk of a fall from height
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH 2002): assessing and controlling exposure to hazardous substances
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: the risks of asbestos and the duty to manage it
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022): the provision and use of PPE when dealing with hazardous materials
About this course
The PHW Level 1 Course in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment is a knowledge-based course, trained and assessed by PHW against five learning outcomes and 35 assessment criteria mapped to the national Level 1 standard: the principles of risk assessment, safe manual handling, working safely at height, risks to health in a construction environment, and working safely around plant and equipment.
The full assessment record is issued with the operator’s pack.