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.
Do You Provide the Necessary Facilities for Your Employees?
You may think that all businesses will at least provide the bare essentials for their employees. Unfortunately there are employers who fail to consider the health and welfare of their workers, and this only leads to prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive and more than likely a very bad reputation too.
One of the very basic requirements is to provide adequate rest room facilities for employees. This is especially important when the duties of the day involve substances and materials which can cause dermatological problems if left on the skin for long periods of time. One industry where this is a concern is the construction industry. It is essential that workers on these sites has the ability to use a room to clean up where there is hot and cold running water, soap and hand drying facilities. In addition to this it is essential to provide working and clean toilets.
Know Your Legal Duties
One firm, CR Construction SW ltd, has been prosecuted by the HSE this week after their facilities were found to be well below the expected standard. The requirements are clearly set out in Regulation 22 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 which state that it is the duty of the principal contractor to ensure that there are sufficient facilities which are provided throughout the construction phase. In addition to this there is also a Section, number 33(1) (c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act which says that it is an offence to contravene any of the health and safety regulations.
At a hearing at the Bristol Magistrates Court the HSE prosecuted CR Construction Ltd for failing to provide adequate wash room and bathroom facilities. Their investigation showed that the firm had not provided good facilities for the duration of one year and there were up to sixteen workers at a time that had to use poor facilities over that period.
Fine for Construction Firm Who Provided Poor Facilities
Bristol Magistrates Court fined CR Construction Ltd £2,000 and an additional £2,014 in costs for not considering the welfare of the workers on site in Clifton. The HSE inspector, Sue Adsett, spoke to the press after the hearing and said that workers not only need adequate toilets and washing facilities there is also a legal requirement which states that a heated room must be available to workers on site where it is possible to make a hot drink, food, have a break and get changed.
Health and Safety Consultants Can Help You Know Your Legal Duties
If you are in any doubt about the facilities you provide your employees or any of the other legal requirements set out to protect the welfare of others a health and safety consultant can help. There are many health and safety services which can prove to be educational and informative and prevent problems with the HSE and accidents in the future.
Call 0800 1488 677 to find out more about the current health and safety services provided to all industries by the Health and Safety consultants, Veritas Consulting.
A Brief History of Health and Safety in the Workplace
It is possible to trace the formation of a structured health and safety system back to 1833 when the Factories Act began. It was the duty of inspectors to help to prevent injuries to young children working in terrible conditions and also to try and prevent overworking. In these early days the inspectors faced a lot of negative reactions from the politicians of the day. Despite the lack of support the Factories Act was able to bring in certain laws and regulations which helped the Act to be enforced.
The Factories Act 1833 also led to some lifesaving regulations being introduced some of which are still important in modern life. Two of these legislations include having guards on dangerous machinery to prevent injuries as well as the reporting of accidents. Between 1860 and 1871 the Factories Act was extended and covered almost all workplaces. As well as enforcing the new regulations and laws the 35 employees who worked as inspector or sub inspectors were also able to give advice to owners to help ensure the laws were understood and followed.
Women Join the Factory Inspectorate
Almost 60 years after the first Act was created the first women joined the team of inspectors. The Women’s Protective and Provident League were joined by other groups including the London’s Women’s Trade Council to campaign for the rights of females to be employed in this sector. In 1893 they were successful in their campaign and as a result two women, Amy Abraham and Mary Paterson were awarded positions in the inspectorate and were paid £200 per year helping to enforce the Truck Acts. Their roles included making sure that the health and safety laws and regulations were enforced as well as monitoring the hours of women’s employment.
Between 1833 and 1900 other Acts were formed such as:
- The Mines Act 1842 which was a result of the 1840 Royale Commission aimed at investigating the working conditions of miners.
- In 1895 the Quarry Inspectorate was formed to investigate and enforce health and safety at Quarries where steam machinery was being used. Two Acts were introduced, the Quarries Act and the Metalliferous Mines Regulation 1872 which led to the formation of the Quarry Inspectorate.
Between 1900 and 1974 there were further Acts created:
- Agriculture – The Agriculture (Safety Health and Welfare Provisions) Act 1956
- Nuclear Power – Nuclear Installations Act 1959
One of the Acts which is most commonly known was formed in 1974 which was the Health and Safety at Work Act. Both employers and their employees were consulted in the formation of the Act which was considered to be a major move away from current legislations. This act led to the establishment of the Health and Safety Commission and in 1974 the Health and Safety Executive were also established. The HSE are still the major authority when it comes to enforcing health and safety today along with local authorities.
Since then there have been numerous changes and Acts introduced including but by no means limited to:
- Safety Representatives and Safety Commissions Regulations 1977
- Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1980
- Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1980
- Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1991
- Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983
- Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1997
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2007)
- Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010
Health and Safety at work has a rich history which has evolved with changes in technology, industry and scientific advancement. To this very day the HSE is continuing to enforce the laws and regulations to try and prevent accidents and work related deaths.
Health and Safety consultants are able to assist you by providing you with accurate advice surrounding the numerous Acts now in place. For further assistance call 0800 1488 677 and speak to advisors about the many health and safety services built around the current laws and legislations.
Health and Safety Risk to Social Workers
One of the problems which are faced by health care workers is being exposed to violence. In order to help minimise the dangers to employees in this sector it is essential to have management systems in place. These need to be created in order to reduce this risks of being physically harmed while working and also to help try and control the dangers of health care workers from becoming stressed and depressed due to their daily duties.
Attacked on the Job
Health and safety inspectors have recently prosecuted the non-profit organisation Dimensions UK after one of their employees was attacked on the job. Dimensions UK works with those with learning difficulties offering support and therefore need to have adequate procedures in order to reduce the risks that clients pose to the employees.
In December 2009 one of the workers at Dimensions was attacked by an unnamed client. The employee was kicked in the eye and this incident started an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive. The inspectors discovered that this was not the only incident and some other employees had also come into danger at the hands of the same client.
Risk of Violence Not Managed Effectively
Although it is common for health care workers to be put into risky situations Dimensions had not put into place an effective management system and as a result of this their employees were put in danger. The client had a history of violence and therefore ways to manage this particular client needed to be put in place to reduce the risks. There were many indicators which made it clear that this client was a possible threat and these were not acted upon.
The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted Dimensions Ltd for their breach of Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Section 2(1) relates to the stated duties of each employer to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees, so far as is reasonably practical. Section 3(1) says that employers need to conduct his undertaking in a way which is practical to ensure people who are not in his employment are not exposed to risks to their own health and safety.
Fined for Failing their Employees
Newcastle Magistrates Court fined Reading based organisation Dimensions Ltd the sum of £14,000 and was also ordered to pay costs of £30,000. In addition to these fines which were related to their employees and the agency workers affected by the violent client Dimensions also were charged a £15 surcharge for the victim. This money is to be spent on providing services to the victims and those who witnessed the violence.
Management Systems Can Reduce Risks
Health and safety consultants are able to help you with your management systems to check that everything possible is being done to ensure the safety of your employees. Two of the useful health and safety services are the audit and the training which can be used to spot areas which are failing and also ensure the health and safety is being addressed and implemented into everyday work life.
Call 0800 1488 677 today and find out how health and safety consultants can help you and your employees.
Famous Chocolate Retailers Thornton’s Prosecuted After Accident
Even large, well-known companies are failing their employees when it comes to health and safety. These large high street chains are well aware of what is required of them by law, and know where to go when look for a health and safety consultant to help ensure their workers are well looked after and protected as they go about their duties. Unfortunately even with this knowledge some retailers breach the regulations and someone ends up injured, or worse.
Finger Caught in the Parts of a Machine
Ellen Yardly was going about her duties as she worked for Thornton’s and their factory in Somercotes. The 37 year old was operating a machine which wraps the chocolates and drops them into a tray below through a chute. The chute had become covered in caramel so while the machine was still running she decided to use a cloth to give it a quick clean before the next batch of chocolates came through to be wrapped.
The cloth became entangled in some of the parts which were still rotating inside the machine. As a result Ms Yardly’s hand was pulled into the machined and her finger fractured as it came into contact with the internal parts. The injury meant that Ms Yardly was unable to work and needed to have ten weeks off to recover.
Inadequate Protection on the Wrapping Machine
The Health and Safety Executive carried out an investigation into the accident to discover what went wrong. They found that there was a guard placed on the wrapping machine, but it was not adequate and did not provide full protection. The HSE then investigated further by carrying out an audit on all of the machines in the factory. This audit showed that many of the machines were in need of attention such as by replacing or repairing guards to ensure the dangerous parts could not be accessed unintentionally.
Thornton’s were prosecuted at the Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court where they pleaded guilty to breaking two regulations which were:
- Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The court proceeded to fine Thornton’s £20,000 and they were also made to pay the costs of the claim which totalled £7,680.
Request an Audit from Health and Safety Consultants
One of the health and safety services that can be requested is a full health and safety audit. An audit is an excellent way of fully examining your work place and located areas where the health and safety policies are lacking.
Health and Safety consultants offer audits to businesses looking to protect their workers and make sure that they are staying on the right side of the legislations, regulations and laws concerning health and safety. By seeing what is lacking it is possible to implement positive changes that will result in a safe environment for everyone. To find out more about the health and safety services such as an audit contact the experts at Veritas Consulting, call 0800 1488 677 today.
David Cameron Speaks Out about Health and Safety Changes
David Cameron has spoken to the Health and Safety Executive asking them to bring forward the proposed changes in Health and Safety legislation. The Prime Minister, who called Health and Safety “a monster”, wants the new methods of monitoring, recording and maintaining health and safety in the workplace as early as the end of 2012. By doing so he is hoping to bring an end to the confusion and problems caused by the extensive paperwork and help businesses deal with the red tape in a more productive manner.
Compensations fears a major concern according to David Cameron
One of the main reasons for bringing in the simpler rules is to help businesses to overcome their fear of health and safety. Many firms find it a daunting task to keep up with paper work and ensure that they maintain a safe environment for their workers. Many self-employed people find it hard to get the head around the duties and regulations which are relevant to them, and so the self-employed are likely to be taken out of the whole equation.
The Prime Minister put heavy focus on the fact that businesses are worried about being sued in this compensation seeking era. As it stands lawyers’ fees are carefully controlled in traffic accident claims where the compensation is less than £10,000. In the near future it is likely that this will be further increased to cover claims worth £25,000 and will also include any employees seeking compensation from their employers.
Inappropriate handling of vital services designed to protect lives
Not everyone approves of the way that David Cameron went about discussing the problems, especially when using the term ‘monster’. The head of policy and public affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Richard Jones spoke about the way that the government has exaggerated the fear of being sued which is being encouraged through marketing.
Mr Jones stated that the reason there is legislation is to protect workers from injuries and death on the workplace, and therefore the term ‘monster’ is unfair. The caps are in place on the amount of fees so that defendants do not need to concern themselves too much with the costs which may be involved, therefore reducing the fear.
Health and Safety Services still available to those confused about current legislations
Until the time when the new legislations come in to practice it is vital that businesses maintain their current policies and follow the rules and laws in place to protect employees and employers alike. Health and Safety services will be able to help by offering complete health and safety audits and other necessary services which will highlight problems which are not being correctly addressed.
Veritas Consulting health and safety consultants will also be able to provide training and help businesses understand, interpret and apply the new legislation once they have been disclosed. Call 0800 1488 677 to find out more about audits, training and the various health and safety services available to businesses of all sizes.
340 Bristol, Bath and Gloucester Workers Are Seriously Injured
Warning for Employers from the Health and Safety Executive
Statistics collected from the local authorities in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bristol show that during last year there were 340 serious injuries caused by accidents in the workplace. These shockingly high statistics have resulted in the Health and Safety Executive calling for employers to pay closer attention to health and safety in the form of a warning.
The high level of injuries combined with the increased amount of workplace deaths during 2010/2011 resulted in the fresh warning about the legal responsibilities which lie with employers in Great Britain. In total there were 171 deaths in Britain alone, and 24,700 serious injuries, 342 of which happened in Bristol, the South of Gloucester and Bath. The HSE are hoping that during 2012 the employers will work hard to improve the situation and make their health and safety procedures a top priority.
Getting Help to Prevent Accidents
The statistics show that in Great Britain one out of every million workers lost their lives in the workplace over a twelve month period. Half of the total 171 deaths happened in the industries which are known to be of high risk to workers. The construction industry saw 50 deaths, agriculture saw 34 deaths and there were also 9 deaths in the waste and recycling industries.
Health and Safety Consultants can be contacted by any employers who are looking at ways to help reduce the amount of accidents and lower the risk of loss of life within their workplace. There are many different services available depending on the sector the company is in. You can request specialist construction health and safety services and even help with office workplace safety.
Lives Need Protecting, and it is Your Responsibility as an Employer
Speaking about the statistics Nigel Long, a Health and Safety Executive Principal Inspector, stated that employers will need to focus their attention on the potential dangers which occur in their workplace. By spending their time on these real dangers and reducing the work carried out on some of the more trivial risks and the paperwork the number of accidents could be reduced.
Mr Long did mention the fact that Great Britain does have one of the lowest rates of deaths in the workplace in Europe; however one loss of life is too many. Businesses need to make sure that they are following the laws and regulations to cut down the amount of deaths in the next 12 months.
Contact the Professionals
If you are looking to improve the conditions and reduce risks within your company contact the Health and Safety Consultants for assistance. A simple phone call can help to establish what is needed to be done, whether it is a full Health and Safety Audit or training courses for you and your employees.
To speak to an advisor call 0800 1488 677, the experts will be able to give you an idea of the relevant health and safety services which are available. Make 2012 the safest year yet.
