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Health & Safety in Construction. Key Issues for Designers, Managers & Contractors. NOT MY FAULT !. IT WAS HIM !. SHE LET IT HAPPEN !. Where does the root cause of all construction accidents lie?. Over 60% accidents due to decisions before work began!.
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Health & Safety in Construction Key Issues for Designers, Managers & Contractors.
NOT MY FAULT ! IT WAS HIM ! SHE LET IT HAPPEN ! Where does the root cause of all construction accidents lie? Over 60% accidents due to decisions before work began!
What Sort of Accidents Occur on Construction & Civil Engineering Sites?
Reasons ? • During construction the ‘work place’ and activities are constantly changing. • Designers are looking ahead to work which will be undertaken by others (employees/ sub-contractors) in a manner managed by others (main contractor).
Constant Change? • Prototype nature of work • Lack of standardisation of components • Diverse sites and locations. • Constantly changing workforce. • Loss of traditional apprentice training • Influx of foreign workers with poor command of English • Pressures to meet deadlines. • Habit of sub-contracting • Low returns on capital outlay
Founding Legislation • 1974 Health & Safety at Work Act • Enables a framework of supporting ‘Regulations’ with ‘Approved Codes of Practice’ for guidance. • Goal setting • European Union Directive ‘Temporary & Mobile Construction Sites’ • Takes precedence over UK law • But enacted through UK legislation
Main Enabled H & S ‘Regulations’ for Designers & Managers on Construction Projects. • Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2009 “CDM” • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 “MHSW”
Construction Design & Management Regulations • Places a duty on Clients, Designers & Contractors to place H&S first, to co-ordinate and mange throughout all stages from inception to completion. • This includes: • Conception, design & planning, execution of site works, following maintenance & repair, even to final demolition & removal.
Duty Holders under CDM • Client • Planning Coordinator • Designers • Principal Contractor • Other Contractors
Main Features of CDM • Competence & Adequate Resources • Risk Assessment • Co-operation & Co-ordination • Production of Information • H&S Plan - in advance of work happening • H&S File - as an ‘owners’ handbook
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 • required to undertake Risk Assessments; • appoint competent people; • set up emergency procedures; • provide clear information and training to employees; • work together with other employers sharing the same workplace.
What are the hazards? Who could be harmed & how? What is the risk? What are you already doing? What further action is necessary? By who and when? Hazard is something that can cause HARM! Risk Assessment Considerations: Operatives, Other workers & the public! Chance vs. Severity ? High / Medium / Low Examine your control measures
Key Issues: Health & Safety in Construction • The Construction Industry is a hazardous environment; • H&S is everyone’s responsible whether a designer, planner or contractor; • Every aspect of a project needs to be assessed for risk; • Control measures need to be in place and need to be checked & audited.
