Health & Safety in Health & Safety in ConstructionConstruction

Key Issues for Designers, Key Issues for Designers, Managers & Contractors.Managers & Contractors.

Where does the root cause of all Where does the root cause of all construction accidents lie?construction accidents lie?

site management failures 37%

poor planning 28%

unsafe design35%

Over 60% accidents due to decisions Over 60% accidents due to decisions before work began!before work began!

NOT MY FAULT !

IT WAS HIM !

SHE LET IT HAPPEN !

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

Which sectors of industry are Which sectors of industry are affected the most?affected the most?

13%

10%

13%4%

3%

3%10%

6%

3%

8%3%

9%

7% 7% 8%

28% 29%22%

21% 19%29%

16%9%20%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%Other/demolition

Civil Engineering

Roadworks

New build-industrial

New build-commercial

New build-housing

Refurb/Rep/Maint-domestic

Refurb/Rep/Maint-nondomestic

2005/06 2006/07 2007/08

Reasons ?Reasons ?

During construction the ‘work place’ and During construction the ‘work place’ and

activities are constantly changing.activities are constantly changing.

Designers are looking ahead to work Designers are looking ahead to work

which will be undertaken by others which will be undertaken by others

(employees/ sub-contractors) in a manner (employees/ sub-contractors) in a manner

managed by others (main contractor).managed by others (main contractor).

Constant Change?Constant Change?

Prototype nature of workPrototype nature of work

Lack of standardisation of componentsLack of standardisation of components

Diverse sites and locations.Diverse sites and locations.

Constantly changing workforce.Constantly changing workforce.

Loss of traditional apprentice trainingLoss of traditional apprentice training

Influx of foreign workers with poor command of EnglishInflux of foreign workers with poor command of English

Pressures to meet deadlines.Pressures to meet deadlines.

Habit of sub-contractingHabit of sub-contracting

Low returns on capital outlayLow returns on capital outlay

Founding LegislationFounding Legislation1974 Health & Safety at Work Act1974 Health & Safety at Work Act

Enables a framework of supporting Enables a framework of supporting ‘Regulations’ with ‘Approved Codes of ‘Regulations’ with ‘Approved Codes of Practice’ for guidance.Practice’ for guidance.

Goal settingGoal setting

European Union Directive ‘Temporary & European Union Directive ‘Temporary & Mobile Construction Sites’Mobile Construction Sites’Takes precedence over UK law Takes precedence over UK law But enacted through UK legislationBut enacted through UK legislation

Main Enabled H & S ‘Regulations’ for Main Enabled H & S ‘Regulations’ for Designers & Managers on Construction Designers & Managers on Construction

Projects. Projects.

Construction (Design & Management) Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2009 “CDM”Regulations 2009 “CDM”

Management of Health and Safety at Work Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 “MHSW”Regulations 1999 “MHSW”

Construction Design & Construction Design & Management RegulationsManagement Regulations

Places a duty on Clients, Designers & Places a duty on Clients, Designers & Contractors to place H&S first, to co-Contractors to place H&S first, to co-ordinate and mange throughout all stages ordinate and mange throughout all stages from inception to completion.from inception to completion.

This includes:This includes:Conception, design & planning, execution of Conception, design & planning, execution of

site works, following maintenance & repair, site works, following maintenance & repair, even to final demolition & removal.even to final demolition & removal.

Duty Holders under CDMDuty Holders under CDM

ClientClient

Planning CoordinatorPlanning Coordinator

DesignersDesigners

Principal ContractorPrincipal Contractor

Other ContractorsOther Contractors

Main Features of CDMMain Features of CDM

Competence & Adequate Resources Competence & Adequate Resources

Risk AssessmentRisk Assessment

Co-operation & Co-ordinationCo-operation & Co-ordination

Production of InformationProduction of Information

H&S Plan - in advance of work happeningH&S Plan - in advance of work happening

H&S File - as an ‘owners’ handbookH&S File - as an ‘owners’ handbook

Application of Application of the CDM the CDM

RegulationsRegulations

Management of Health and Safety Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999at 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:Risk Assessment Considerations:

What are the hazards? What are the hazards?

Who could be harmed & Who could be harmed & how?how?

What is the risk?What is the risk?

What are you already What are you already doing?doing?

What further action is What further action is necessary?necessary?

By who and when?By who and when?

Hazard is something Hazard is something that can cause HARM!that can cause HARM!

Operatives, Other Operatives, Other workers & the public!workers & the public!

Chance vs. Severity ?Chance vs. Severity ?High / Medium / LowHigh / Medium / Low

Examine your control Examine your control measuresmeasures

Key Issues: Health & Safety in ConstructionKey Issues: Health & Safety in Construction

The Construction Industry is a hazardous The Construction Industry is a hazardous environment;environment;

H&S is everyone’s responsible whether a H&S is everyone’s responsible whether a designer, planner or contractor;designer, planner or contractor;

Every aspect of a project needs to be Every aspect of a project needs to be assessed for risk;assessed for risk;

Control measures need to be in place and Control measures need to be in place and need to be checked & audited.need to be checked & audited.

THE ENDTHE END