BEH/Specific/TBT-BEH-024

Mobile Phone Use on Site

Behavioural Safety & Leadership › Specific › Mobile Phone Use on Site

Presenter		Project
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Mobile phone distraction is increasingly recognised as a contributing factor in construction site accidents and near misses.
Using a phone while walking, climbing, or working near hazards significantly reduces situational awareness and reaction time.
Most construction sites now operate a mobile phone policy restricting use to welfare areas and designated safe zones.
Earphones and earbuds are particularly dangerous as they block audible warnings from plant, alarms, and shouts.
Using a mobile phone while operating any plant or vehicle is treated as gross misconduct on most UK sites.
Texting while walking across a construction site creates the same distraction risk as texting while driving on a road.
HASWA 1974 Section 7 requires employees to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others.
Supervisors may need phones for coordination, but calls should be taken while stationary in a safe position.
Taking photos or videos on site without permission may breach client confidentiality and data protection requirements.
Emergency calls are always permitted regardless of site mobile phone restrictions for obvious safety reasons.

Prevent distraction injuries	A two-second glance at a screen is enough to miss a reversing vehicle, open excavation, or swinging load overhead.
Maintain awareness	Construction sites are dynamic environments where hazards change constantly — full attention is essential at all times.
Disciplinary consequences	Breaching the site mobile phone policy can result in formal warnings, removal from site, or dismissal for repeat offences.

Don't

Keep your phone on silent or vibrate during working hours in active work areas.
Make and receive personal calls only during breaks in the welfare cabin or safe zone.
Stop walking and move to a safe position before checking any message or notification.
Follow the site-specific mobile phone policy as briefed at induction without exception.
Use two-way radios for work communication instead of mobile phones where provided.
Inform family and friends of your break times so they know when you can be contacted.
Report any safety concern about phone distraction you observe to your supervisor.
Store your phone securely so it does not fall from height or into excavations.
Use your phone camera for safety purposes only when authorised by the site manager.
Lead by example — supervisors following the rules encourages compliance from everyone.

DON'T use your phone while walking through the site or any active work area.
DON'T wear earphones or earbuds at any time outside the welfare cabin on site.
DON'T use a phone while operating any plant, vehicle, or powered work equipment.
DON'T take personal calls or texts while working at height or near open excavations.
DON'T take photographs or videos on site without written permission from the client.
DON'T post site images on social media — this may breach confidentiality agreements.
DON'T ignore a colleague's phone distraction — challenge it constructively for their safety.
DON'T keep your phone in a top pocket where it could fall onto workers below.
DON'T use your phone near ATEX zones or areas with flammable vapours or gases.
DON'T assume a quick glance is harmless — most distraction incidents happen in seconds.

See also: Behavioural Safety Awareness | Situational Awareness on Site

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