Safer-Construction News Bulletin

The news bulletin section of the safer-construction.co.uk web page is aimed at promoting the innovative safety solutions and systems we use on our sites. However, the news bulletin will also highlight any errors or dangers that have been spotted by our SHE Manager with regards to Health, Safety and Environmental issues on our sites. The safer-construction.co.uk newsletter bulletin(s) can be found below:

• Staybill Scaffolding Site Bulletin (Issue 1)
• Scaffolding Check List Site Bulletin (Issue 2)
• Personal Protective Equipment (Issue 3)
• Cranes and Lifting Appliances (Issue 4)
  

At Warden Construction Limited we adopt a fresh practical approach towards Health & Safety on site. Safer-construction.co.uk is about communicating a safety mindset throughout the company and beyond. As part of ‘safer-construction’ we continually operate ongoing initiatives relating to safety on construction sites.

KISS (Keep It Safe on Site)

January 2007 saw the launch of safe behaviour discussions (SBD) on all our construction sites. These discussions will form part of every senior manager’s visit to every site and the results documented. The SBD is not a policing exercise but instead an informal opportunity for a senior manager to discuss the activity that an operator is undertaking and by breaking the task down into stages and looking at what possible accidents or incidences could occur.

The SBD is all about getting our operational staff to review the tasks they are undertaking and start to look at equipment specifications or PPE etc. Outcomes could include “well if we had used this item of plant we could have reduced personal HAV exposure” etc. Where actions are identified by the manager or operative then the visiting manager will arrange for those actions to be implemented. For those of you not used to SBDs as operated under the SUSA banner at some of our undertakings; these discussions may at first appear a little alien but you will soon become accustomed and begin to welcome the opportunities.

Remember that the end outcome is firstly; to embed, a questioning approach into all site operational staff and secondly to develop the safety culture from site operatives to senior management.

New SHE procedures to be launched

January 2007 also saw the launch of the companies new Safety, Health and Environment procedures or SHEPs. These documents are individually tailored to particular activities or hazards such as working at height, breaking the ground and COSHH etc. They are written in plain English and document procedures and responsibilities for all levels of company staff from operatives to directors. These documents will replace the current company Health and Safety policy that each site manager has in his possession and to which every employee should be exposed. Training is being programmed prior to launch to give the site managers time for exposure and gain familiarity. There are a number of new company forms that are appropriate to certain SHEPs. Once launched the use of SHEPs and new forms will be monitored and audited but given the simplicity of the documents; no compliance issues are expected.

Site Manager continuing professional development (CPD)

The first training workshop in the CPD programme for our site managers was held in January 2007 at our undertaking to construct the Global Technology Centre for Victrex (Invibio) at their Thornton headquarters. This workshop to train and validate all site managers in the use of cable avoidance tools is considered a valuable asset for the business and a demonstration of our commitment to develop our existing personnel. All of our site managers attend the 5 day site managers training course as soon as possible after commencing employment with us and these further courses are designed to expand the knowledge and competence.

Site Operator continuing professional development (CPD)

All of our Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) operators are undergoing harness inspection and use training. Across the industry we recognised that whilst many MEWP operators were in possession of IPAF and CPCS licences to operate the plant; the majority had not received any training in how to correctly inspect and wear their full body harnesses for use in boom type lifts. In response to this we developed a course in line with IPAF requirements and are delivering it throughout Jan 2007. The training enables our operators to select the appropriate lanyard for the task, inspect all their harnesses and then adjust their PPE correctly to offer the maximum protection.
All of our site operatives receive continuing professional development throughout their careers demonstrating our commitment to all our employees.

SHE improvement plan for 2007

2006 saw yet another reduction in our reportable and all injury frequency rates but that does not mean we can rest on our laurels. It is the companies intention that we do not injure any personnel with our undertakings and 2007 sees us looking forward to driving our SHE performance forward to compete with the very best of the UK construction industry. The introduction of our new SHEP system and the KISS program will be embedded during the year and regular feedback with supporting audits performed to review the drive forward.