Category: health and safety
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Managing safety risks during excavation work
Most excavation work requires some form of work at height and it is now commonplace for companies to hire rescue equipment such as davit arm systems. However, it is extremely rare for individuals to hold a recognised qualification for excavation rescue. Rescue plans often sit within the site office, are not shared with the workforce,…
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Safety watchdog warns over uncertified emergency exit doors
“To conformity mark an external door set that is neither fire-resisting nor an emergency or panic exit, no third-party certification is required,” the federation explained. “Other performance characteristics, such as watertightness and resistance to wind load, will typically require third-party testing from a notified or approved test body, but not third-party certification.” View the original…
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How to embed a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety
In the second article in his series, the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s Alex Minett looks at how construction project managers can implement continuous improvement in health and safety on site. Image: Dreamstime Health and safety in construction is grounded in key UK laws such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) and the…
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Warning issued over use of AI to comply with lifting regs
“We’ve already seen cases where AI has provided misleading information about Thorough Examinations, leaving businesses with a false sense of compliance. To ensure your equipment meets legal requirements, always check official Health and Safety Executive or UK Material Handling Association guidance or, better still, speak to a CFTS-accredited examiner.” View the original article and our…
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Chartered company achieves health and safety milestone in major project
More than 2,500 people have been inducted into the project. The project has recorded more than 12,500 training hours, over 600 ‘toolbox talks’, 7,000 daily briefings and biannual safety stand-downs. An entrance tunnel is decorated to focus on site safety and ‘getting home safe every day’. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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Combatting common MEWPs and MCWPs accidents
Mark Keily, member and former chair of IPAF’s International Safety Committee, explores the latest safety trends and explains why accident reporting has never been more important. Improving powered access safety is a fundamental priority for IPAF. As part of this commitment, the federation has collected accident data since 2012, providing insights that support the development…
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How to step up construction welfare standards
This month, Alex Minett from the Considerate Constructors Scheme starts a new column in CM, sharing best-practice ideas and case studies for managing construction sites, based on the CCS assessment. In his first article, he explains how to ensure welfare facilities are suitable, hygienic, and well-maintained. UK law mandates adequate welfare facilities under the Construction…
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Construction firm fined after ignoring deep excavation safety warnings
Greenlife Property Developments Ltd, of Gurnos Estate, Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale, Gwent, Wales, was found guilty of breaching Section 33(1)(c) and two breaches of Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £5,812.57 in costs at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on 20 January 2025.…
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Safety experts warn of lithium-ion batteries risks in construction
CROSS-UK advises managing these risks by implementing safety measures such as the use of a battery management system, installation of fire detection and suppression systems, safe storage and disposal practices, adequate ventilation, regular inspection and maintenance, and proper emergency procedures. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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Train derailment caused by Colas workers leaving rail on tracks
The site of the derailment near Walton-on-Thames (Image: RAIB) A train derailment in Surrey last year was caused by maintenance workers leaving a redundant rail across the tracks. A Rail Investigation Accident Branch (RAIB) investigation found that the passenger train struck the rail near Walton-on-Thames at around 05:40 on 4 March 2024, when travelling at…