Health & Safety in Construction Key Issues for Designers, Managers & Contractors.

Where does the root cause of all construction accidents lie? Over 60% accidents due to decisions before work began! NOT MY FAULT ! IT WAS HIM ! SHE LET IT HAPPEN !

What Sort of Accidents Occur on Construction & Civil Engineering Sites?

Which sectors of industry are affected the most?

Reasons ? During construction the ‘work place’ and activities are constantly changing. 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). 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 Prototype nature of work Lack of standardisation of components Lack of standardisation of components Diverse sites and locations. Diverse sites and locations. Constantly changing workforce. Constantly changing workforce. Loss of traditional apprentice training Loss of traditional apprentice training Influx of foreign workers with poor command of English Influx of foreign workers with poor command of English Pressures to meet deadlines. Pressures to meet deadlines. Habit of sub-contracting Habit of sub-contracting Low returns on capital outlay Low returns on capital outlay

Founding Legislation 1974 Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 Health & Safety at Work Act Enables a framework of supporting ‘Regulations’ with ‘Approved Codes of Practice’ for guidance. Enables a framework of supporting ‘Regulations’ with ‘Approved Codes of Practice’ for guidance. Goal setting Goal setting European Union Directive ‘Temporary & Mobile Construction Sites’ European Union Directive ‘Temporary & Mobile Construction Sites’ Takes precedence over UK law Takes precedence over UK law But enacted through UK legislation But enacted through UK legislation

Main Enabled H & S ‘Regulations’ for Designers & Managers on Construction Projects. Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2009 “CDM” Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2009 “CDM” Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 “MHSW” 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. 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: This includes: Conception, design & planning, execution of site works, following maintenance & repair, even to final demolition & removal. Conception, design & planning, execution of site works, following maintenance & repair, even to final demolition & removal.

Duty Holders under CDM Client Client Planning Coordinator Planning Coordinator Designers Designers Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Other Contractors Other Contractors

Main Features of CDM Competence & Adequate Resources Competence & Adequate Resources Risk Assessment Risk Assessment Co-operation & Co-ordination Co-operation & Co-ordination Production of Information Production of Information H&S Plan - in advance of work happening H&S Plan - in advance of work happening H&S File - as an ‘owners’ handbook H&S File - as an ‘owners’ handbook

Application of the CDM Regulations

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.

Risk Assessment Considerations: What are the hazards? What are the hazards? Who could be harmed & how? Who could be harmed & how? What is the risk? What is the risk? What are you already doing? What are you already doing? What further action is necessary? What further action is necessary? By who and when? By who and when? Hazard is something that can cause HARM! 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; The Construction Industry is a hazardous environment; H&S is everyone’s responsible whether a designer, planner or contractor; H&S is everyone’s responsible whether a designer, planner or contractor; Every aspect of a project needs to be assessed for risk; Every aspect of a project needs to be assessed for risk; Control measures need to be in place and need to be checked & audited. Control measures need to be in place and need to be checked & audited.

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