New Construction H&S Seminar season for Bernard Sims Associates
You are most welcome to join us for our Health & Safety Update Seminars in 2010. The next one is near Birmingham on the 23rd March 2010 at The Hilton, Bromsgrove - Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove B61 0JB which is just off Junction 1 of the M42 or Junction 4 of the M5.
Meet the team at 6.00pm (for drinks and sandwiches) for a 6.30pm start. The formal program finishes at 8.00pm but there will be an informal networking and catch up session afterwards (in the bar).
Our team will talk about:-
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The HSE are actively reviewing the CDM Regulations 2007 against a backdrop of a recent 'spike' in fatalities (up to 13 in 2 months v 18 in the previous 6 months). We review the good and the bad and how possible changes may affect you.
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According to the HSE, Designers and Clients need to engage with Health & Safety in a proactive manner - we explain how this can work in practice.
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New Regulations are due out for Cranes in April 2010 - certain types need to be notified to the HSE
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.....and just in case Health & Safety isn't enough, we'll give our view of what needs to be done about Site Waste Management Plans
The cost is £25 for up to 3 people from the same organisation. Click here for the booking form
Future seminars will be held at
Brentwood 18/5
Guildford 14/9
Brighouse 5/10
Haydock 6/10
Bristol 9/11
Booking forms will be available here but if you wish to register your interest in advance - please email dan.s@bsims.co.uk with your name, company and particular area of interest.
All seminars subject to availability. We reserve the right to change venues, times or dates or call off seminars if necessary but we are unlikely to do so!
H&S Policies - What's the point?..............
During recent meetings with two of my Clients I asked, "do you have an up to date policy?" swift positive replies where received; "Yes of course, we fully comply with the law". "That's great, so how do you share the information with your
workforce?" I asked. This seemed to throw a spanner into the works as the response was rather less convincing. It boiled around the policy was composed, signed off by the most senior person and then.......well, nothing. It was put on a shelf and left for the next H&S person to look at on their next visit, that is if they bothered to ask.
This reminded me bottles of herbs and spices being bought with good intentions, to use in some culinary delights and then being abandoned at the back of the cupboard. Or the tin of John West Tuna bought for Christmas and being rediscovered again, like a long lost relative, the following Christmas.
Yes, the law does say you must have a H&S Policy. But do not forget, it also states (repeatedly) that the every employer must make the policy and information available. The Policy is not just something you must have. In fact, it is the corner stone, the key to you company's success. If done correctly and made available, it will share vital information on the specific hazards faced by your employees in their workplace. It will tell them how to act/behave to keep themselves and their colleagues safe. It has been proved that when followed, the information will not only help prevent / reduce accidents it will help to improve efficiency and production levels....and who would not want that in these times?
There are a number of ways to do this. At BSA we have developed a short handbook to accompany the Health & Safety Policy. The book is deliberately kept short with interesting pictures to help grab the attention. The text contains everything your employees need to know. It can be given out either by yourselves or one of our officers could hold a briefing session. It is entirely up to you.... This is about you, being a responsible employer and fulfilling your duties.
Contact me at Glenn.c@bsims.co.uk if you would like any further advice or to request some booklets.
Yet more fatalities - Not just statistics
Two Construction workers have sadly lost their lives in falls from Scotland's Forth and Tyne bridges. It would appear that the fatality (a painter) at the Forth bridge fell some 50m from a ladder whilst the other fell from a ledge. HM Railway inspectorate and the Office of Rail Regulation are investigating.
Falls from height is still the most common cause of fatality in the UK construction industry so needs particular emphasis in any risk assessment.
Attention- Client prosecuted under CDM 2007
In what is expected to be the first of many, a Client (Frank Bruce and Company Ltd) has been found guilty and ordered to pay over £25,000. The company had organised refurbishment works in an industrial park which involved removing asbestos materials. They failed to appoint a Principal Contractor or CDM Co-ordinator under Regulation 14 of CDM 2007 and they failed to plan and removed the asbestos correctly. The removal operation was taking place with works ongoing around them. It is widely believed that at least seven people on site were exposed to the harmful materials.
Sure, some may say it couldn't / wouldn't happen to them. But we all know the pressures people come under, to get the job running, to bring it in on time, to stick to the budget...
At BSA, we are fortunate to have many good, educated clients, who now understand their duties, but we still do (too regularly) come across those who do not appreciate their role and the dangers they could potentially expose others to.
At BSA we try our best to provide clear practical help to new (and existing clients) in regard to the CDM and Asbestos Regulations. Sometimes this is an upwards battle, however it is refreshing when we see the light bulb moment when someone takes on board what we are saying.
So what is needed? As Tony Blair used to say, Education, Education and Willing (ok, I added that bit). Education, contact us and we will take you through, step by step, either one to one or maybe during a training session at your work place. Willing? Yes, a willing to learn, willing to listen, willing to implement your knowledge, willing to share and a willing to ask questions. Remember BSA are here for you and your contacts!
Record Fine for Fire Offence
The well known fashion retailer, 'New Look' has been fine a whopping £530,000 following a successful prosecution, taken by the London Fire Brigade under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The fine is the largest under the order, to date.....and by the way, there have been over 150 prosecutions in England and Wales under the Order.
There was a major fire at the retailer's flagship Oxford Street store, approximately two years ago. Around 30 fire appliances and 150 firemen attended the scene. There was a crew presence on site for three days. In sentencing, the judge slammed the retailer for serious breaches of fire regulations.
Readers should be aware that the fine alone for failing to provide a suitable risk assessment amounted to £250,000. Yes, you did read that right.....
HR and Employment Law:
Within the work place, a sensible and practical approach to Heath & Safety can be achieved by working with 'competent advisors' such as BSA. Similarly, an awareness of HR and employment law is also necessary for most businesses and The Howarth Partnership are offering an five day introduction to HR and Employment Law in June at the Great Hotel, Bradford. For more details click here.
The Howarth Partnership have also offered clients of BSA a 10% reduction in fees so if you want to know more, please ring Tracey Hopkins on 01274 864 999
Remember - A small investment in Health and Safety or awareness of potential HR or Employment Law issues can help avoid major disruption and cost in the future!
Tracey Hopkins
HR and Employment Law Solutions
The Howarth Partnership Ltd
Beckshaw House
Law Street
Cleckheaton
BD19 3QR
Plant Safety Alert!
Since our last addition of High Viz we have been alarmed by this Safety Alert: Look at the photograph below. 'Now you see it, now you don't'..... Due to an optical illusion the operator of this crane lost sight of the high power overhead power lines when he looked out of the glass sun roof. Clearly seen in this photograph, the lines just disappear when looking through the roof.
If you have any cranes on your site please check for this and make this known to your plant operators, site managers etc... This is of very serious concern that could expose operators and others to harm.
