Clampdown on Construction Sites in the West Midlands
Throughout the whole of the West Midlands the Health and Safety Executive are clamping down on construction sites. The aim is to reduce the amount of deaths, ill health and injuries by carrying out a number of spot checks carried out by the HSE inspectors.
The clampdown inspections will be carried out at any time during the next four weeks. The main areas where the inspections are known to be carried out in the West Midlands include:
- Shropshire
- Birmingham and the Black Country
- Staffordshire
- Worcestershire
- Coventry
The whole of the UK is going to be subjected to these checks too and construction workers should be prepared to prove their health and safety on site is up to date and confirms with the current regulations and legislations. The sites which will be targeted will be concentrated on jobs which are involving refurbishment work or repairs. It is the hope that the inspections will help to identify areas of weakness and improve the health and safety in one of the worse industries for work related deaths, injuries and ill health.
Prosecution and Enforcement is Possible During the Clampdown
If the health inspectors discover any problems and lapses on the sites they attend it is possible that the sites will be instantly closed down until Notices have been adhered to. There is also the possibility that prosecutions could follow. The HSE want to point out the fact that poor standards in construction health and safety will never be tolerated.
During 2010/2011 many workers were seriously injured in the West Midlands on construction sites. The figures published by the HSE are a total of 3 deaths and a total of 210 serious injuries in the West Midlands alone. The Nationwide month long inspections will hopefully improve many problems and reduce these figures dramatically.
Health and Safety Services for the Construction Industry
As the construction industry is considered one of the most dangerous of all industries it is vital that high levels of safety are maintained at all times. Health and Safety consultants provide you with a wide variety of services which can help you to improve your safety on site and make sure you are following the law at all times.
Health and Safety Services for construction sites include:
- CSCS Card and card testing training
- CSCS card tests and books
- Construction phase plan
- CHAS Registration
- Health and safety file
You can also find help regarding:
- Fire risk assessments
- Asbestos surveys
- Health and safety training
You can request any or more of these services to help you update your current construction safety. It is vital that you do everything possible to create a safe working environment for your employees and for the public. If you wish to find out more about the health and safety services which are available to companies in the West Midlands and surrounding areas contact the consultants today.
Call 0800 1488 677 and find out more about what help and advice is available to all businesses and industries today from health and safety consultants.
Stress and the Work Place
Many people are aware of health and safety issues in the work place caused by poorly maintained machinery, the lack of risk assessments or slipping and tripping dangers. One of the other concerns found in work place safety is concerning stress. Work related stress is caused when a person is no longer able to cope with their workload or the demands being placed on them by their employer or their duties.
Many Problems Are Caused By Stress
Work related stress can lead to long absences from work and even lead to serious diseases and health conditions. This problem can also lead to underperforming departments and human error. This is why stress has become an issue for health and safety in the work place. It needs to be managed and prevented. There are no specific industries which are recognised as having more stress related problems than others, it is a UK wide problem which needs to be looked at on a few levels to help prevent employees from being affected, as much as possible.
There are two ways that work related stress can be handled. One is to have the employee formally diagnosed. This can then be followed by a course of effective treatment and perhaps rehabilitation if necessary. The other method is to see what has led up to the stress and try and determine if the job can be altered to prevent anyone else suffering from the same effects. The second method also needs to recognise that the individual circumstances and interventions also need to be looked at.
Management Standards for Stress
The way that the Health and Safety Executive try and approach work related stress is through their management standard approach. These are conditions which can help to create good health, organisation and well-being in employees. By following these conditions it is possible to prevent illnesses and diseases caused in employees. The management standards include six areas which are considered to be the most common causes of stress:
- Demands –This is directly related to the workload, environment and working patterns of employees
- Control – The amount of control and say an employee has over their work
- Support – The amount of resources available to employees and the encouragement they can receive through their managers and fellow colleagues
- Relationships – Positive attitudes in the workplace being promoted to avoid conflict
- Role – Making sure that all employees understand their duties within the workplace
- Change – Managing and communicating modification in the workplace
Legal Requirements
Stress is a difficult area which is constantly changing but it does need to be addressed and it is a legal issue noted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and also in the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999. All levels of employees and employers have duties to abide by in managing, preventing and assisting the work place to deal with stress.
Health and safety training is a good way of ensuring line managers and supervisors have the skills and know-how of working in a safe environment and managing others effectively. Contact the health and safety consultants on 0800 1488 677 to find out more about health and safety services.
Fine for London Construction Firm
An unfortunate incident has changed the lives of one construction worker who was severely injured while working in Belgravia. Vasile Lonel Vatca, a 28 year old man from Romania, was working on the refurbishment project which included replacing the roof and constructing a new basement. Mr Vatca was working on the roof making sure the area was clear of debris after some work had been completed. It was during this task that he fell seven meters to the floor.
The Health and Safety Executive investigated the accident and found that the roof which Mr Vatca was working on no longer had the scaffolding in place which was there previously. The scaffold had been put in place to protect the contractors while they worked on the roof but had been taken down a month before the accident. There was some fall safety equipment being used but this was found to be inadequate.
Tragic Incident Resulted in Life Changing Injuries
As the scaffolding had been removed before Mr Vatca began clearing up the debris the employee was using a ladder to get up and down. As he began his descent down from the roof the ladder came away from the building which resulted in Mr Vatca losing his footing and falling approximately seven meters to the floor below.
As a result of the fall the employee was left with a broken leg, a broken heel and a broken wrist. He spent a week in the hospital and has not been able to return to work since the accident which happened back in March 2011. Mr Vatca has since been registered as disabled and the judge took the extent of his injuries into account when sentencing the London construction firm, R & G Construction Ltd.
Construction Specific Health and Safety Services are Available
Speaking after the sentencing which took place at Westminster Magistrates Court a HSE inspector spoke about the duties surrounding construction firms when it comes to health and safety. It is the duty of companies to protect their workers from falls and safety equipment must be used to reduce the risks. Planning, organising and risk assessments can all help to prevent accidents and these simple procedures could have prevented the incident which has changed Mr Vatca’s life.
R & G Construction Ltd based in Harrow were fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £7,515 in costs after they were found guilty for breaching two regulations of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. If the firm had invested a little more time and money into their health and safety services the whole incident could have been avoided.
Take Action and Protect Against Injuries and Work Related Deaths
If you are in the construction industry it is a good idea to do all you can to follow the laws and regulations regarding safety. A good idea is to ask health and safety consultants to carry out an audit to show areas of your strengths and any weaknesses which need attending too. Call 0800 1488 677 to request an audit to find out more about the construction health and safety services which are readily available.
Stay Gas Safe When Renting Property
Gas safety is important whether you run your own business or have a supply into your home. Many students who move into their first rented accommodation are not aware of the risks and preventative measures which can save their lives. If you are a student it is important to know your rights and be aware of the signs which can signal a leak in your flat, room or house.
One of the biggest dangers of gas is carbon monoxide poisoning. The Health and Safety Executive have released statistics which state that about 15 people per year die from carbon monoxide poisoning, and all of these deaths could have been prevented.
The Duties of the Landlord
When you rent it is the duty of your landlord to organise yearly gas safety checks with a competent gas man who is listed on the Gas Safe Register which has now taken over from the CORGI register. When you sign your new contract be sure to ask about the gas safety checks and you should be supplied with a copy of the latest check, and provided with a copy with every subsequent check which is performed during your tenancy.
By law the landlord must give you a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days of you moving in. Although you will have many exciting new developments happening in your life it is essential to know your rights and demand that you have your copy which shows the gas has been checked. If you are present during the gas check ask to see the workers ID before work commences. If your landlord does not arrange the gas checks you should report them to the Health and Safety Executive as they are breaking the law and putting loves in danger.
Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
There can be some signs which indicate carbon monoxide poisoning. The problem is that many people mistake them for hangovers or illnesses and so the signs go unnoticed. Here is a list of the symptoms to help you become aware of the signs.
- Headaches
- Breathlessness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Collapsing
- Losing consciousness
What You Can Do
Even if you have a competent landlord it is still a good idea to be aware of the symptoms and to help prevent tragic losses of lives. In D.I.Y stores you can find very cheap carbon monoxide detectors which change colour if the lethal gas is detected. For a few pounds more it is possible to find a battery operated detector which will sound an alarm to make you aware if the gas is present.
Carbon monoxide can leak from any gas appliance in the house and not just the gas boiler. Remember to ask the gas engineer to check your gas cooker and your gas fires and install detection devices close to these appliances throughout the home. Check the batteries in your audible alarm when you check your fire alarm and try and get into good habits regarding carrying out quick safety checks on a regular basis.
If you have any concerns about being a landlord or renting property contact health and safety consultants for assistance. Call 0800 1488 677 for more information about the health and safety services available.
Following Health and Safety Regulations during Times of Refurbishment
It is important to make sure that any activities in your work premises are carried out in accordance to the multiple health and safety Acts currently in place. The Health and Safety Executive will prosecute your company if they discover that during any time you have not been following good practices which are designed to keep you and others safe.
Not only do you need to carry out safe procedures during normal working routines, additional vigilance is required at times when work is being carried out in the premises. One hotel has made the news this week after reports have been released that health inspectors visited the site and discovered a number of areas of safety negligence. The Allesley Hotel in Coventry has now been charged over £50,000 after admitting their breaches of the health and safety regulations during a period of maintenance.
Series of Errors Discovered
The hotel was inspected back in December 2010. It was discovered that while extensive refurbishment was being carried out the hotel was still open and receiving guest. Both the guests and the employees were at risk from harm as they were forced to manoeuvre around the work being carried out.
In one of the function rooms the flooring had been disturbed. There was exposed wiring, building materials and the unfinished flooring which had to be negotiated by the staff and the guests. These slip and trip hazards could easily cause a serious injury and there are regulations in place to limit these risks.
Another serious issue was found in the kitchen of The Allesley Hotel. The builders were mixing their materials in the kitchen, such as plaster and grout, which cause dust. The food being served to the guests was being carried through the kitchen which could have caused contamination. Furthermore there were cables and gaps in the flooring which again was a hazard for anyone walking through the room. In the bar the inspectors also found a lot of dirt and plenty of waste materials left lying around.
Health and Safety Consultants Could Have Helped Avoid the Situation
Five months after the initial inspection the HSE returned and discovered many more issues. One of these was a function being held in a room while the lights were being installed. During the function there were exposed electrical cables hanging down into the room, a blocked stair case and ladders on the stairs. The inspectors also discovered that broken glass had been swept under the table and that the contractor working on the light was not wearing the appropriate safety equipment as he worked on the roof. Other workers were using tables piled up to fit a chandelier.
Use Health and Safety Services
These numerous serious breaches are shocking, and as a result the hotel admitted their errors in front of a court where they were charged. Health and safety is a serious matter but it doesn’t need to be confusing. Find reliable health and safety consultants to help you carry out any kind of maintenance in the correct manner.
Health and Safety services are able to help teach you how to understand your responsibilities to your guests, employees and contractors. Call 0800 1488 677 for more information about staying within the law in your work premises.
Dealing with Snow and Ice Safely
The recent spell of wintery weather has caused a lot of chaos in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. There are many concerns about the dangers of ice and snow. Obviously the risks of slipping over are greatly increased and the amount of road accidents dramatically rises due to the ice on the roads, freezing fog and falling snow.
Anyone Is Able to Clear Away Snow from Public Pathways and Pavements
One common health and safety myth surrounding snow is that members of the public are not allowed to clear the paths and public places of the accumulation of snow. However this is not the case, anyone is able to help reduce the risks of slips and falls by clearing away the snow and ice from any pavement either in their home or outside public places.
Follow the Snow Code
The government released The Snow Code to help the public work safely while carrying out the work in order to reduce any risks involved. Here are the tips and advice which you should follow and use to help you if you decide to start clearing pavements during this wintery period:
- It is the responsibility of people walking on the ice or snow to be careful. It is highly unlikely that you will be sued if someone falls once you have responsibly cleared the path.
- Work early in the day. Freshly settled snow is a lot easier to shovel and scrape away than hard compacted snow. By getting out in the morning it is possible to remove the excess before it is walked on and should be a lot more manageable. If any ice remains cover it with some salt and the sunshine should help to quickly melt it away.
- If you are trying to make steps or steep paths clearer it is important to have plenty of salt. Add more than you would normally once the snow has been removed as an extra safety precaution.
- Do not use the salt found in salt bins by the sides of roads. This is salt which is used on the roads to help prevent traffic accidents. Any type of kitchen or dishwasher salt is ideal for pathways. If you have no salt ash or sand can also be used to help people grip to the path.
- Never use hot water to melt the ice. There is a high chance that the water will cause black ice which can cause many injuries. Black ice is extremely slippery and not visible.
- When spreading the salt be careful to contain it to the path and away from plant life or grass as it could cause damage.
- Pay attention to where you place the snow which has been removed from the paths. Make sure that you do not block any drains or other paths in the process of clearing the one you are working on.
- When you start working on the path start by shovelling the middle of the bath first. This means you have a good surface to work on.
- Be a good neighbour and friend and offer to clear away the paths of your neighbours who may need a little helping hand. Check on your elderly or disabled neighbours and make sure they are coping in the colder weather.
If you have questions regarding health and safety in the workplace, and the additional issues surrounding wintery weather, contact health and safety consultants for advice. Call 0800 1488 677 for further assistance.
Make your Building Site Safer with Specialist Insurance
Summary
If you work on different sites, with different equipment and contractors, it’s important that your insurance policy is kept up to date.
Make your Building Site Safer with Specialist Insurance
Everyone knows that building sites can be dangerous places. With the right safety precautions in place they can be made as safe as possible, but accidents can still happen. The nature of the construction industry means there’s a certain amount of risk with every job: heavy machinery driving around warehouses; cranes lifting awkward and heavy loads; and people working with dangerous equipment, mean that accidents are more likely to occur here than in other areas of the workplace. This means that warehouse insurance should be at the top of every construction firm’s list of priorities.
If insurance is one of your job responsibilities then it’s something you should pay very close attention to. If you think about it, the health and safety of the workers and any visitors that come onto the site are not just down to site security but also a result of the quality of your insurance. If there’s an unforeseen accident, the insurance company will have to deal with the claims and payouts so if the insurance isn’t there in the first place, the onus will be on you and your company.
If it’s time to get a new quote for your construction insurance, make sure you shop around and don’t just buy the first policy that appears to tick all the boxes. Look carefully at what’s included in the policy and think about using a company that specialises in your area of cover. For example, you’ll need full liability cover for your industry and you should also look out for comprehensive cover for your own equipment, as well as any hire-in equipment that might be used on site. Plus, think about the various contractors you use in the course of any one construction project. It’s important that you have insurance cover in place for them, as well. A specialist firm should be able to provide all these elements as part of your policy, so make sure you check this out before you commit your money.
It might also help to have flexible payment terms or different payment options to suit your business. For example, you might want to pay your premium in one installment, or you might prefer monthly payments, to spread out the amount during the financial year. Again, specialist providers will be well aware of the particular nature of the construction industry and are therefore more likely to offer more flexible payments options, to work with the specific needs of your business.
If you haven’t looked into your current insurance cover for a while then take some time out to check. It’s such an important part of the business that it shouldn’t be overlooked for any reason – in fact, it should be a priority. It will only take a few minutes of your time to ensure all your details and those of your business are up-to-date, and that your cover reflects the current nature of the work you do, the premises you operate from, and the staff you employ. It will be time very well spent.
