The Health and Safety Blog

If it is accepted that good management involves;

• The use of competent persons/organisations

• The availability of background information

• The pre-planning of work activities

• The recording of crucial data

• Reviewing work on completion to learn from mistakes and experiences

Then one needs look no further than the CDM Regulations for an ideal management model to follow (notwithstanding the statutory obligation to do so). Pragmatic application of the Regulations will bring business benefits as well as compliance and will also go a long way to achieving the aims of the ‘rethinking construction’ agenda.

The Approved Code of Practice for the CDM Regulations makes it very clear that the client has a major role to play in the management of risk. This is particularly so during the design stage when the tone of the project is often set by the client, and a number of important actions are carried through, for example,

• Appointment by client of competent organisations

• Provision of information

• Provision of any existing Health and Safety Files

The Client may have little involvement during the construction phase, unless the site is an integral part of his business – or undertaking as the HSW Act calls it – when there will be an obligation to monitor the contractor to a greater extent. The law is complex in the area of monitoring and checking of those engaged to undertake work and has been largely determined by various landmark cases  (see Port of Ramsgate Case: ‘Ramsgate Walkway Collapse: Legal Ramification’ The Structural Engineer Vol 76, No 1, Jan 98 ).

Designers are, of course, at the heart of the process during the design stage; in most projects however they are also still involved during the construction phase, as not all design is complete prior to commencing on site. Their responsibilities however stretch beyond these phases into the operational life of the facility and its eventual de-commissioning.

It is the manner in which this responsibility for risk is managed that makes the difference between a mediocre designer and a good one. The latter will:

• Think as a contractor or maintenance engineer when considering the risks introduced as a consequence of his design. (How would I wish to construct/maintain this item safely?)

• Liaise with other designers, and if at all possible the contractor and specialist suppliers, in order to ensure that the best expertise is brought to bear and that issues are viewed from a broad perspective.

• Consult with the client and end user, if known, in respect of assumed maintenance philosophies.

• Have a particular regard to site wide issues (site access, contamination, adjacent third parties) and the adequacy of the site and its services for the contractor.

This holistic approach is often best implemented through ‘risk management’ meetings where all those present may contribute, and ‘thinking out of the box’ is encouraged.
The role of CDM Coordinators is largely one of Management; it is the duty of the CDM Coordinators for example to ‘ensure that designers communicate and co-operate’. The effective CDM coordinator therefore is able to significantly influence the management of risk and encourage best practice.

The role of Principal Contractor is wholly devoted to the management of risk. Although the duty holder will often also be the ‘main contractor’, and hence be involved in construction itself, there is no requirement for this. As is the case for the CDM Coordinator, the manner in which this role is implemented has a major impact upon the management of the project. A pro-active principal contractor that understands the needs and benefits of good health and safety management will bring the same added value to the project as has been described elsewhere. This is likely to be manifested through:

• Regular meetings with sub contractors to discuss work activities, interfaces, access to the workplace etc.

• Involvement of the workforce.

• Review of accidents and near misses.

• Provision of training and appropriate inductions.

Contractors, as employers in their own right, will have their internal procedures for managing health and safety risk, and are also obliged to liaise with other contractors and the principal contractor. The good contractor will see this obligation as a benefit rather than a burden, and will seek to gain advantage from close working relationships.

The essence of good management is clearly set out in the Management of Health and Safety at Work (MHSW) Regulations, Regulation 5 ‘Health and Safety Arrangements’ which emphasises that the arrangements should be integrated with management for other purposes. The four elements are, quoting from the Regulations:
Planning:
Adopting a systematic approach which identifies priorities and sets objectives. Whenever possible, risks are eliminated by the careful selection and design of facilities, equipment and processes or minimised by the use of physical control measures.
Organisation:
Putting in place the necessary structure with the aim of ensuring that there is a progressive improvement in health and safety performance.
Control:
Ensuring that the decisions for ensuring and promoting health and safety are being implemented as planned.
Monitoring and Review:
Like quality, progressive improvement in health and safety can only be achieved through the constant development of policies, approaches to implementation and techniques of risk control.
It will be noted that although this advice is directed at health and safety issues, it will apply equally to any aspect of management eg ordering goods, employing sub contractors, programming the works. This again emphasises the benefits of treating health and safety risk as an integral part of project risk management.

Now here’s the summary

Construction projects are complex technological processes involving the management of people, processes and products. Although in respect of health and safety issues there is a legal obligation to manage the risks emanating from the project, this note demonstrates that there is a business advantage in doing so, and furthermore, that health and safety frameworks such as the CDM regulations, provide an excellent tool for achieving this overall aim.

Current industry initiatives such as Rethinking Construction are providing additional management tools in the form of key performance indicators and benchmarking standards in order to facilitate the essential monitoring and review associated with all good management systems.

Another article by Veritas Consulting Health and Safety Consultants

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The UK has over 9 million people with some type of hearing loss. The reason for hearing loss amongst those varies from age related hearing loss to a medical condition related hearing loss. Some however have lost their hearing either fully or partially due to poor hearing health and safety practices. Loud noise is part of everyday life and it’s hard to escape from, however prolonged exposure to noise such as at the work place can lead to permanent damage. Here is a selection of hearing health and safety tips to help you reduce the likelihood of hearing loss.

Hearing Health and Safety Tips:

1. Prevention – Do not put yourself in extreme noisy situations if you can avoid it. For example, if riding a motorcycle is part of your work, consider wearing a full faced helmet as apposed to any other type as it will reduce the extreme noise generated by the wind at high speeds.

2. Wear hearing protection – If you are given hearing protection and trained on how to use them, be it muffs or ear plugs always wear them. This protection should be warn at all times while at work and removed only at safe areas as designated by the health and safety team or by the employer.

3. Care for the hearing protection – Products are only as good as the condition at which they are kept. Treat your hearing protection with great care, it will help you save your hearing. If you are unsure how to care  and maintain the protection which you are given then your employer will help explain.

4. Share your concerns – If you feel you are placed in a situation which exposes your hearing to loud noise without the appropriate protection, you must flag it up immediately. It pays to be proactive when it comes to your wellbeing.

5. Pay attention to instructions – Make sure you understand what is required from you and how you are meant to deal with loud noise. Follow any working methods that are put in place.

6. Test your hearing – If you suspect your hearing might be impaired consider seeing your GP for a hearing test. You might also consider taking an online hearing check, though this check does not replace an audiologist or GP hearing test

If you still have any unanswered questions about your hearing health and safety you can speak with a health and safety consultant, your health and safely team or your employer.

Tips by the team at Hearing Direct which offers a range of hearing protection as well as a wide range of hearing aids for those with a hearing disability.

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In order to protect your Company’s interests in the event of being served with a Prohibition or Improvement Notice, by an enforcement agency, it is essential that all supervisory staff understand correctly the measures necessary to comply with such a notice.

IMPROVEMENT NOTICE

Due to the nature of the work carried out in the construction industry, it is likely that many Improvement Notices will be served.  When they are for example, they are likely to be in respect of working at height, welfare, housekeeping, unsafe practices etc.  The principal of the Improvement Notice is to give the recipient time to improve whatever the Health and Safety Executive has criticised, within the time allowed on the Improvement Notice. If the fault cannot be rectified within the allotted time, then the Health and Safety Executive should be approached for an extension before the allotted time has run out, giving a reason why extra time is required.  Otherwise the improvement must be carried out as directed.

PROHIBITION NOTICE

Upon receipt of a Prohibition Notice the activity specified in the Notice must be ceased immediately or as otherwise specified and may not be re-started until such time as the contravention’s cited in the Notice have been remedied.  The above Notice will normally be issued to the senior person present and the Notice may be issued in his name and not that of the Company. This means that it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that the correct remedial action is taken. Being served with either an Improvement or Prohibition Notice does not mean that Prosecution will not follow, bearing in mind that the Notice will relate to statutory duties. Failure to comply with either an Improvement or Prohibition Notice is in itself a criminal offence. On receipt of either an Improvement or Prohibition Notice it is vital that the Operations/Project Director, Company Safety Advisor and the responsible Site Manager are informed by telephone immediately. Should you be issued with a Improvement Notice or Prohibition Notice and you need help on how to deal with this situation please get in touch with Veritas Consulting Health and Safety Consultants. here contact us.

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Since the role of the CDM Coordinator began, the objective has been to ensure that efficiency is at the heart of the CDM Coordinator Services we provide, Quality in the way we approach design risk management, quality in the way we organise and conduct ourselves and, above all, doing our best to ensure that the client receives the best advice and guidance they pay for.”

It is vital we believe that the role of CDM Coordinator is one that warrants in-depth knowledge of the construction process, careful attention to detail, an ethos of assessment and recording of salient information and the desire to ensure that performance and quality are paramount.

All these qualities exist within Veritas Consulting in our daily work and add to our performance as CDM Coordinators.

Our attitude to the role is a practical one – we believe in ensuring paperwork is precise and concise. This helps site operatives and management react more readily. Our emphasis is very much on the practical effects of Health and Safety control, rather than paper for paper’s sake.

Veritas Consulting have been successfully carried out the role of CDM Coordinator on a wide range of major and minor construction projects. We have the knowledge, experience and resources necessary to ensure successful service delivery to our clients regardless of the size or complexity of the construction project.

Veritas Consulting are registered CDM Coordinators, but what does it mean to you? being registered CDM Coordinators means that we can demonstrate Design Risk Management skills and a deep knowledge of construction because we belong to The Association for Project Safety – the regulating body.

For a quotation please contact us or call 0121 249 1281

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Year after year over 3000 people die on the roads. So why is the construction industry so concerned?

Firstly, as a caring society, we are surely all concerned at any death or injury. We do not categorise deaths, some being more important than others. The Government does in fact have a policy for reducing deaths from whatever source but the means, and ease of achieving this inevitably varies. One of the biggest changes to driving habits that has brought about a reduction in death is the use of seat belts. This has come about not just through a change to the law, but more fundamentally through a change in culture. A similar case can be made in respect of drink driving. The issue of culture is very relevant to the construction industry which historically has suffered from a rather macho culture.

Secondly, the major difference between death on the roads and those in the construction industry is that most of those that occur in construction are of persons at work. ( some members of the public are also unfortunately killed as a consequence of work activities however). The law pays specific attention to persons at work, recognising that they are more prone to exposure to risk and that this can be further exacerbated by employers who neglect to treat health and safety seriously, The very first examples of health and safety legislation made in 1802 were to protect children at work in the mines and mills during the industrial revolution. The primary source of protection now to persons at work in the UK is the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. (Northern Ireland is in fact governed by a different Act, but the requirements are essentially the same).

Thirdly, construction is now the most dangerous industry there is in terms of deaths per annum.
Finally, although the law is framed primarily to protect people from a humanist viewpoint, there is another very important reason for controlling both health and safety risks. This is that the cost to the nation of work related accidents and ill health is estimated at £18bn per year. (Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy Statement published by DETR in June 2000)

This is a cost which the nation ie UK plc, cannot afford; in the same way companies and other organisations cannot afford to bear their proportionate cost. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch, and someone is paying the price for this in higher cost, insurance premiums, or in other ways. If we are to improve the standing of the industry, as a competitive world class player, we must tackle the causes of ill health and accidents.

The ‘business argument’ for strong health and safety management, integrated with other aspects of business management such as finance or environmental controls, is very strong and is increasingly recognised as a key element in corporate affairs.

So, in summary, the health, safety and welfare of persons at work is important from a moral perspective, a legislative viewpoint ie we must work within the law, and also from a commercial aspect ie the cost of accidents and ill health is unsustainable in a competitive market place.

Another great article from the Health and Safety Consultants

safetymatters Health and Safety Management Construction, health and safety

Asbestos Surveying – The grand scheme of things

In January this year, the HSE in print new guidance on asbestos surveying, which explicitly advocates the need for Asbestos Surveyors to be able to demonstrate and ensure competency.

The HSE estimates that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are still present in some 500,000 commercial properties in the UK. No one really knows how much asbestos still remains in UK buildings but those built before 1999, when asbestos was finally banned, are likely to still contain some, with those pre-dating 1985, when blue and brown asbestos were banned, causing the most concern.

The fact that some of the 6 million tonnes of imported asbestos remains in UK premises is the reason why the ‘duty to manage’ was introduced under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. Now Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, this requires duty-holders, i.e. those who own and/or occupy premises, to manage the ACMs in those premises.

Learn more details here Asbestos Management and Refurbishment / Demolition Surveys

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CDM Coordinator - a proactive integral member of the project delivery team and a key health and safety advisor to the client.

As client accepting low fees will increase your chances of risk management problems with your project. We believe our fee is probably the most competitive in the industry. Our costs reflects what’s necessary to carry out a full and proper CDMC function as required by the CDM Regulations and associated ACOP and industry guidance.

CDM Coordinators fee typical guide - 0.1% where the build cost is between £1.5m and £5m.  Fees are negotiable above £5million, whilst projects below £1.5m usually attract a fee of between £850 and £1,500.

If clients accept low fees then the following just will not happen.

What do our CDM coordinators costs allow?

• We will provide adequate resources to deliver the CDM coordinator Role.
• We will attend design team meetings,
• We will coordinate health and safety aspects of the design,
• We will liaise with principal contractors and manage pre construction information,
• We will produce health and safety files,
• We advise and assist our clients from start to finish.

It’s fair to say that the “cheapest price does not mean best value” what it means is that CDM coordinators will not be able to operate as efficiently and effectively as they should do as the key adviser to the client if the fee won’t allow them to do so.

By the way; any Designer, Architect or Engineer who recommends Veritas Consulting to their client can claim a 5% commission.

…expert CDM Coordinators Birmingham, West Midlands – learn more about the CDM C Service and make a quick online enquiry here.

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