HSE International Issue 101 by HSE International Magazine

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ISSUE 101

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FOREWORD: ISSUE 101

ISSUE 101 CONTENTS

In this issue of HSE International: News:

Spotlight: 10 MRS Training & Rescue:

Working At Height: PASMA

Construction:

BuildUK

CHAS

Considerate Constructors Scheme

CONSTRUCT

Alcumus®SafeContractor

Real Estate:

Land Securities

elcome to our ‘Construction’ special issue. The construction sector accounts for 6.1% of total economic output in the UK and is one of the largest industries globally. Furthermore, the industry is forecast to grow by over 70% within the next 10 years. Every year more working days are lost due to work-related illness compared to injuries. The statistics reveal that construction workers have a high risk of developing diseases from a number of health issues including occupational cancer, hazardous substances and physical health risks. HSE International spoke to Clive Johnson, Group Head of Health & Safety at Land Securities to hear how they are leading the way with health in construction. Johnson commented: “Health in construction is an area that I personally have been heavily involved in. In terms of health and wellbeing at Land Securities, we want to ensure that the people working on our projects are not exposed to the risks of occupational disease so they can enjoy longer, healthier and happier retirements.”

As part of our in-depth coverage we spoke to some of the key trade organisations representing the industry and promoting best practice, including Build UK, CHAS (The Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme), Considerate Constructors Scheme, CONSTRUCT (Concrete Structures Group), Alcumus®Safecontractor and PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association). Also in this issue, we are pleased to introduce a new exclusive, regular feature in HSE International. We present MRS Training & Rescue. For over 100 years, MRS Training & Rescue (formally Mines Rescue Service) has developed its specialist skills, experience and knowledge gained from working in difficult and potentially dangerous environments. Training Centre Manager, Errol Parrish said: “We offer realistic training in a safe environment, and our facilities include a specially designed training tower that provides our clients with the most realistic scenarios possible. We engage with organisations and key stakeholders to highlight the courses available; encouraging skill development to support people to working safely at height across all sectors.” Jonathan Seale Magazine Manager

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Contributors CHAS CCS MRS Training & Rescue CONSTRUCT Alcumus®SafeContractor

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NEWS “Those in the front row suffered the greatest physical injuries and were life-changing in many cases.” Simon Antrobus, the barrister entering the plea on behalf of Merlin, said: ``I’m duly authorised on behalf of the company to enter a guilty plea to the charge. “That will be subject to a basis of plea and will be for discussion and prior agreement with the prosecution in due course. “The company is accepting additional reasonable and practicable measures could have been taken to guard against the safety risk that arose on the day.”

ALTON TOWERS OWNER PLEADS GUILTY OVER SMILER CRASH Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd has pleaded guilty to charges for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act following the Smiler rollercoaster crash in June 2015, which resulted in 16 people being injured.

ive of the most seriously hurt victims, Vicky Balch, Chanda Chauhan, Joe Pugh, Daniel Thorpe and Leah Washington, suffered life changing injuries and attended the hearing, which took place on Friday 22 April at North Staffordshire Justice Centre in Newcastle-UnderLyme. Merlin is the second-largest visitor attractions group in the world after Walt Disney, and John McGarva, District judge said the firm faces “very large fine” when it is sentenced at Stafford crown court on 20 May. On June 2, the carriage of the rollercoaster collided with another stationary carriage on the same track, and as a result of the crash, two of the victims had legs amputated. Merlin carried out an internal investigation following the incident on and has previously accepted responsibility for the incident. In November 2015, the company found that the crash was caused by human error. “From the outset, the company has accepted responsibility for what happened in June last year and it has cooperated fully with the Health & Safety Executive in its investigation,” Merlin said on Friday. During the hearing, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) outlined its case against the park’s bosses. HSE prosecutor Bernard Thorogood explained there had been an “absence of a proper settled system” for staff to work through problems on the ride as and when they occurred,

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and the ride’s operatives “overrode” the controlling computer system’s actions to stop the ride. He told the court: “The Smiler rollercoaster came into operation in 2013 in May and in our schedule, ran from then until the time of the accident at the beginning of June 2015 in a way that was not as safe as it should have been. “The mechanical and computer-related operation of the ride were found to be without any fault at all. It was a mechanically sound computer-operated ride which required human intervention at many points during operation. “There was an absence of a proper settled system for staff to work to in certain situations, and one of those was that when one of the up-to-five trains came to a halt around the system in one section, there was not a good enough system for staff to interact with that problem or a proper procedure to sort it out. “The upshot was that on June 2, although the computercontrolled system was correctly showing one of the farthest parts of the ride, on the Cobra Loop, there was a stationary train - staff didn’t see it and there wasn’t a system to see it. “They overrode the computer block on the system and sent the train with some of those sitting here today around the ride. “As a result, those in the train were injured when their train came into collision with the stationary train.

Outside of court, Neil Craig, head of operations for HSE in the Midlands, said: “We welcome the guilty plea entered by Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd. Merlin has acknowledged that it failed in its legal duty to protect people on the Smiler ride. “Those injured on 2 June last year had every right to expect a carefree and fun day out. “The incident was profoundly distressing for everyone involved, both physically and mentally. It left some with life changing injuries. “We hope this first milestone will help those affected to continue their recovery from this tragic incident.” On 19 March 2016, the Smiler rollercoaster re-opened at Alton Towers.

IKEA REISSUES SAFETY WARNING AFTER THIrD CHILD IS KILLED BY MALM FURNITURE Ikea has issued repeated safety warnings after 22-month-old Ted McGee was crushed to death when a chest of drawers fell on top of him.

n July 2015, Ikea was forced to issue advice about the range after two children were killed in separate incidents in 2014. In February 2014, a two-year-old boy from Pennsylvania was killed when a Malm chest fell on him and pinned him to a bed. Three months later, a 23-month-old child from Washington died when a three-drawer Malm chest also tipped over. This is the third death caused by Ikea’s Malm budget furniture range, which is available online and in stores across the world, including the UK and US. The latest tragedy happened in February at the child’s home in Minnesota.

Ted McGee. Photograph: Philadelphia Inquirer

An investigation into the incident has been launched by federal safety regulators in the US, 7 months after the Swedish company disclosed that millions of the chests were at risk of falling forward if not properly stabilised. Following the recent death, the retailer said the selfassembly chest was not fixed to the wall and issued another safety warning to parents. Although no deaths have been reported in the UK, Ikea has reissued the safety warning globally and parents are being urged to use the wall restraints and fittings that come with the flat-pack furniture to fix it to the wall. An Ikea spokesperson said: “We at Ikea offer our deepest condolences to the McGee family. At Ikea, we believe children are the most important people in the world and the safety of our products is our highest priority. Upon being informed of this incident Ikea US immediately reported it to the authorities and an investigation is taking place. Ikea US has been advised that the product was not attached to the wall, which is an integral part of the products’ assembly instructions. “We wish to emphasise that the best way to prevent tipover of chests of drawers is to attach products to the wall with the included restraints and hardware per the assembly instructions. Ikea has included restraints with our chest of drawers for decades, and wall attachment is an integral part of the assembly instructions.” Consumers in the UK worried about the furniture are urged to contact Ikea on 0203 645 0010 to request a free restraint kit.

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NEWS

SOLAR POWERED PLANE ONE STEP CLOSER TO COMPLETING HISTORIC TRIP AROUND THE WORLD

For the first time in history, a solar-powered plane is flying around the world — all without a drop of fossil fuel.

Photograph Solar Impulse

Photograph: AFP / Marwan Naamani

ince starting their journey in Adu Dhabi in 2015, two Swiss pilots, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, have flown the Solar Impulse 2 more than 12,000 miles without a drop of fossil fuel. Solar Impulse 2 recently resumed flight, and on 13 April, achieved another milestone on its mission to fly around the world when Piccard landed the plane in California’s San Francisco Bay area. Piccard flew nonstop for 62 hours after taking off from Hawaii. This was the ninth leg of the circumnavigation, following a nine-month hiatus for repairs after the pilots broke the record for longest nonstop solo flight (between Japan to Hawaii), but “fried the plane’s batteries”. With the limited places where the solar plane could make an emergency landing, the trans-Pacific leg of its journey was the riskiest part of the plane’s global travels. After the landing in California, Piccard said: “You know there was a moment in the night, I was watching the reflection of the moon on the ocean and I was thinking ‘I’m completely alone in this tiny cockpit and I feel completely confident…I was really thankful to life for bringing me this experience.” The top of the experimental craft is lined with 17,000 solar panels that provide all its energy, so no additional fuel is required. The panels charge batteries to power the plane’s propellers during the night. The plane has a wider wingspan than a Boeing 747, weighs as much as an SUV, and travels at just 43 mph. The pilots must also battle exhaustion as they get just three hours of rest per day broken up into 20-minute sessions while the craft is flown by autopilot. Piccard and Borschberg take turns to fly the plane. The Solar Impulse 2 is highly sensitive to winds and the team have had to wait for favourable weather to make their latest journey. Flying produces more CO2 per passenger mile than any other form of mass transit and the pilots hope to promote clean energy in aviation.

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FIFA PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES WORKER WELFARE BODY FOR QUATAR WORLD CUP 2022

Photograph Solar Impulse

The Solar Impulse 2 creation process brought about a number of scientific innovations. Researchers have developed maximized power from solar cells, lighter metals and plastics and designed an ergonomic cockpit with sensors that monitor the pilot’s health. On Earth Day, (22 April), Piccard spoke with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon from the cockpit, after 175 nations signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change “Energy efficiency, solar power, and modern technology can achieve the impossible.” “If an airplane like Solar Impulse 2 can fly day and night without fuel, the world can be much cleaner.” Piccard said. In a later celebratory comment, he said: “It is more than an airplane, it is a concentration of clean technologies, a genuine flying laboratory, and illustrates that solutions exist today to meet the major challenges facing our society.” His partner André Borschberg said: “Just imagine your energy reserves increasing during flight and available day after day! This is what we may be doing in our communities, our cities and our countries.” The Solar Impulse 2 is now back up in the sky and the team expect to complete their trip in the Middle East later this year.

On 22 April, concluding his two-day visit to Qatar, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the creation of an oversight body with independent members, which will monitor systems and accelerate improvements of the safety and labour conditions at FIFA World Cup™ stadiums.

atar, the tournament’s first Arab host, supported the monitoring initiative, Infantino said. In March this year, Amnesty International reported on a wide range of abuses in Qatar’s preparations for the World Cup, based on the accounts of 132 workers at the sites. It found construction workers from India and Nepal had been charged recruitment fees and housed in appalling conditions. Hassan al-Thawadi, head of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, has said Doha is working to reduce abuses he described as occurring on construction sites all over the world. Infantino faces pressure from human rights groups to press for reform of labour laws in Qatar including its “kafala” sponsorship system, whereby employers effectively control a worker’s freedom to leave the country. Infantino said he had told Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser al-Thani that measures taken by Qatari authorities to ensure fair working conditions were going in the right direction. He said: “Over the last few weeks I have been following very closely the discussions on FIFA and human rights, particularly around the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“I, of course, discussed with the prime minister about this topic, about the Kafala (sponsorship) legislation, about how it will be, or how it is going to change with regard to the workers. “I have seen the measures taken by the Supreme Committee and I am confident that we are on the right track. An encouraging example is the Supreme Committee’s response to issues that have occurred, such as the ones raised by Amnesty International in its latest report, which were already tackled by the Supreme Committee prior to the release of the report. This shows that the mechanisms in place are working related to FIFA World Cup construction although challenges remain,” he said. “FIFA’s primary responsibility is to serve the game and stage football events. However, labour issues especially in the construction sector are a global challenge and we understand that everybody involved has a shared responsibility. “The hosting of the FIFA World Cup is an opportunity to set a benchmark in terms of sustainable and fair conditions for all workers in Qatar. We take our responsibility seriously and are committed to playing our part. “I acknowledge very much the efforts which are being done. I want to see these efforts now being put in practice. Of course we will not just sit and wait.”

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SPOTLIGHT

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 28 April 2016 Theme: Workplace Stress: a collective challenge

his year, “Workplace Stress: a collective challenge” is the theme of the campaign of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The report will draw attention to current global trends on work-related stress and its impact. Today, many workers are facing greater pressure to meet the demands of modern working life. Psychosocial risks such as increased competition, higher expectations on performance and longer working hours are contributing to the workplace becoming an ever more stressful environment.

ALTRINCHAM BUILDING CONTRACTOR SENTENCED OVER BLOCK COLLAPSE AND MULTIPLE UNSAFE WORKING PRACTICES A Cheshire building company has been sentenced for safety failings at a building site in Altrincham where they were building residential houses and apartments.

ltin Homes Limited was running the building works at the former petrol station on Woodlands Road, Altrincham, Cheshire. The company was in control of all construction works and acted as client and main contractor employing numerous trade workers and labourers on site. The site first came to HSE’s attention in June 2014 following the collapse of building blocks across the pavement and cycle lane on Woodlands Road. When HSE investigated the collapse of building blocks it was noted that there were other poorly stored blocks on site which were at risk of crashing through the hoarding for

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Work-related stress is now generally acknowledged as global issue affecting all countries, all professions and all workers both in developed and developing countries. In this complex context, the workplace is at the same time an important source of psychosocial risks and the ideal venue to address them in order to protect the health and wellbeing of workers. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is held on 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003. 28 April has also long been associated with the world’s trade union movement’s commemoration of the victims of occupational accidents and diseases. Every year some two million men and women lose their lives through accidents and diseases linked to their work. In addition, there are 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million occupational diseases each year, incurring US$ 2.8 trillion in costs for lost working time and expenses for treatment, compensation and rehabilitation. Fatalities, accidents and illness at work are highly preventable and we have an obligation to act. A national occupational safety and health culture is one in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels, where governments, employers and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities and duties, and where the highest priority is accorded to the principle of prevention.

a second time. The company was told to remove them as soon as possible to reduce this risk. The HSE inspector served two Prohibition Notices and two Improvement Notices, along with a Notification of Contravention during the first site visits. Trafford Magistrates’ Court heard that some of the issues had been satisfactorily dealt with by Altin Homes following HSE’s first intervention but on a second visit a fortnight later, they had failed to remove the unsafe blocks which had caused the original incident. In essence they had ignored the recommendations of the inspector and had put their own workers and members of the public at continual risk. Altin Homes were charged with failing to protect the safety of their employees, failure to protect the safety of others including subcontractors and members of the public and one count of failing to plan, manage and monitor construction work so that it was carried out in a safe manner. Altin Homes Limited of Altin Court, 1a, Woodlands Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1HG pleaded guilty at Trafford Magistrates Court to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 22(1)(a) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and was fined £40,000 with £3,000 costs. HSE inspector Matt Greenly said after the case: “Altin Homes Limited failed in their duty to protect their workers, subcontractors and members of the public passing by this site from a foreseeable risk of serious harm. “Luckily no one was injured when the blocks fell through

TWO CONSTRUCTION FIRMS FINED FOR SAFETY BREACHES Two Derbyshire-based construction firms were fined for safety breaches as a result of separate investigations into reported cases of carpel tunnel syndrome and hand arm vibration syndrome to employees.

Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/safeworkday/

Photograph: PA

the site hoarding but, given the size and weight of the building blocks that fell onto the pavement and highway, there was the potential to cause serious injury or even death to both employees and the general public. It was nothing other than good fortune that no pedestrians were passing along the pavement when the blocks fell.”

erby Crown Court heard how employees at Sandvik Mining and Construction Limited and Sandvik Construction Mobile Crushers and Screeners Limited were regularly exposed to hand arm vibration through the use of a range of vibratory tools in the assembly and servicing of crushers and screeners. Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the activities of both companies found that Sandvik Mining & Construction Ltd between July 2005 and March 2014 and Sandvik Construction Mobile Crushers and Screeners Ltd between 2007 and February 2013, failed to adequately manage the risk to employees from exposure to vibration including failing to carry out suitable and sufficient assessments for the risk from vibration, and had not made reasonable estimates of employee’s exposure. Sandvik Mining and Construction Limited of Heathcote Road, Swadlincote, Derbyshire Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,246. Sandvik Construction Mobile Crushers and Screeners Limited of Heathcote Road, Swadlincote, Derbyshire Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £280,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,246. HSE inspector Edward Walker said after the hearing: “There is a well-known health risk associated with exposure to hand arm vibration and it is important that measures are put in place to manage the risk. Exposure to hand arm vibration can cause debilitating affects which could have been avoided.”

Source: http://press.hse.gov.uk/2016/altrincham-building-contractorsentenced-over-block-collapse-and-multiple-unsafe-working-practices/

Source: http://press.hse.gov.uk/2016/two-firms-fined-for-safety-breaches/

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SEE ACHIEVES ROSPA GOLD AWARD FOR THE FOURTH YEAR RUNNING

SPOTLIGHT

SEE PLC has been successful in the 60th year of the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2016.

ROSPA’S NEW LOOK REFLECTS SHIFT IN FOCUS WITH CONVERSATION KEY IN ACCIDENT PREVENTION On 4 April, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) revealed its new look, as the family safety charity shifts its focus in a continued drive to save lives and reduce life-changing injuries.

fter more than 20 years, RoSPA is saying goodbye to the “red square” logo that has become synonymous with accident prevention at home, on the road, at work, in the water and at leisure facilities, and, through the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards, is internationally-recognised as the mark of quality for workplace health and safety. Its new logo - which features overlapping speech marks - represents the importance of conversation in accident prevention, drawing on people’s and organisation’s own experiences and the value of these experiences in helping others prevent accidents. And a new strapline - “Accidents don’t have to happen” - tackles head on the commonly-held misperception that accidents are “just one of those things” and simply cannot be avoided. The refined focus comes as RoSPA continues its almost 100-year evolution to meet the changing challenges presented by accidents in the UK and around the world. The charity will continue to work across its traditional sectors and with its valued partners and members, with the new emphasis on sharing experiences being at the heart of its relationships.

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Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA chief executive, said: “Accidents don’t have to happen, and RoSPA has proved that with the fantastic leaps it has made over the past 100 years, particularly on the roads and in the workplace. “But accidents remain the biggest threat to people for most of their lives, and particularly children, with around 450,000 under-fives ending up in A&E every year following an accident in the home. “We aim to build a nationwide movement committed to reducing life-changing accidents through sharing stories and experiences, through open conversation, working with individuals, families, communities and businesses.” RoSPA’s website and other materials will now display the new logo, while the website will feature new elements such as Your Stories, where those who have been affected by accidents will be able to share their experiences to help others. Further changes will be announced soon, including the launch of LifeLine – a service for those seeking information on how to protect themselves and their families from lifechanging accidents. To explore RoSPA’s new look and focus, please visit: www.rospa.com

he company, based in Hainault, achieved the Gold award in the prestigious annual scheme run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). They will be presented with the award during a ceremony at the ExCeL, London, on June 21, 2016, as the event marked its diamond anniversary. The RoSPA Awards is celebrating 60 years of presenting highly-regarded and sought after accolades to businesses and organisations which have shown commitment to accident and ill-health prevention. Through the scheme, which is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas, judges consider entrants’ overarching occupational health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement. Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events, said: “To win an award at such a highly-regarded event as the RoSPA Awards is a great achievement for our winners. It recognises their commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record and raises the bar for other organisations to aspire to. We offer them our congratulations. “This year was doubly special for our winners as their achievements were recognised as the RoSPA

Awards celebrated its diamond anniversary, which is a ringing endorsement of the thousands of businesses and organisations that have committed to continuous improvement in accident and ill-health prevention.” Pat Davey, Managing Director for SEE Plc said: “We understand the importance of health and safety within our industry and strive to perform safely in all activities, we are delighted to have received the award for the fourth year running and will continue to promote a safety culture within our workforce and the wider community.” The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Gold medals, president’s awards and orders of distinction are presented to organisations sustaining the high standards of the gold level over consecutive years. Competitive awards go to the best entries in 24 industry sectors including construction, healthcare, transport and logistics, engineering, manufacturing and education. There are specialist awards for occupational health, environmental management and fleet safety, and excellence trophies for the best international, new entry, workforce involvement and organisation operating or based in Scotland. RoSPA’s top accolade is the Sir George Earle Trophy.

Headline sponsors of the RoSPA Awards 2016 is NEBOSH - the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health - for the 11th consecutive year.

HSE APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN Martin Temple has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

rom 1 May, Martin Temple replaces Dame Judith Hackitt after 9 years as HSE Chair, and Hackitt takes up Martin’s former post as chair of the EEF manufacturers’ body. Upon his new position, Temple said: “I am delighted to be appointed as HSE Chair. I hold a long-standing interest in Health and Safety and look forward to working with HSE and the board to build on its success as a worldleading workplace health and safety regulator and I look forward to this challenge and the opportunities ahead.”

Temple is an experienced director, having served on a number of boards in the public and charity sector. He is currently: Chairman of the Design Council; a non-executive director of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust; on the Council of the University of Warwick; and Chairman of the Advisory Board of Warwick Business School. He has previously worked with HSE, having led an independent triennial review of the Health and Safety Executive in 2014.

Martin Temple

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SPOTLIGHT

PUTTING OCCUPATIONAL CANCERS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Shocking statistics highlight need for greater awareness and early intervention

Mike Petter, Chairman, Considerate Constructors Scheme The Considerate Constructors Scheme ‘Spotlight On’ series of campaigns aims to raise awareness of critical issues throughout the construction industry. The Scheme was established by the construction industry to improve its image - and as we know, image is far more than just appearance. By highlighting key issues that affect the workforce, the Scheme plays a vital role helping to raising standards across the industry. The latest ‘Spotlight On’ focuses on occupational cancers. Scheme Chairman Mike Petter outlines how the industry can help to safeguard its workforce against occupational cancers - as early intervention is critical - before it’s too late. Construction is by its very nature, a physically demanding industry - with many of the workforce being on site, up ladders, underground, drilling, demolishing and creating safe structures for society’s future. Whilst construction work is visible, many of the health risks for the workforce are not always obvious - especially those that are completely undetectable, often remaining dormant for decades. The construction workforce is at a greater risk of developing cancer at work compared with any other industry group, if the risks posed fail to be appropriately managed. The two main types that significantly affect individuals working within the construction industry are skin and lung cancer. They can be caused by exposure to carcinogens and UV radiation in the workplace over a prolonged period of time. The causes can also take various forms from solid substances to gases and dust. A number of substances potentially causing risk are asbestos, silica, diesel engine exhaust emissions, paint and prolonged exposure to UV radiation. Without appropriate control measures in place, the workforce can be harmfully exposed breathing these substances in or absorbing them through the skin.

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SHOCKING STATISTICS • Construction workers have a 6 times greater risk of developing skin cancer than the general population (Construction Enquirer, 2015). • In the UK there are 14,000 newly occurring cases of occupational cancer per year (IOSH, 2015). • In 2015, an estimated 3,500 construction workers will die from cancer caused by past exposures to asbestos, 500 more from silica dust, and another 5,500 will be diagnosed with occupational cancer (Breathe Freely, BOHS, 2015). It is difficult to determine the true extent of occupational cancers as in many cases individuals fail to develop any noticeable symptoms of either skin or lung cancers until many years later. Therefore, they are often not viewed as a high risk health and safety issue immediately affecting the workforce. AWARENESS AND EARLY INTERVENTION It’s essential to raise awareness amongst the construction industry, and understand how early intervention can help to mitigate / reduce risk of exposure. 1. Proactively remove carcinogenic and hazardous substances If complete elimination isn’t achievable, working methods and equipment must be substituted for safer alternatives. 2. Isolate high risk areas Specific areas should be designated at a distance from main working areas or workers should be removed from areas of hazardous operations. Those who are exposed can be properly protected during operations, such as cutting timber or cement blocks. 3. Controls to reduce exposure Measures to minimise exposure to dust and fibres include implementing a ventilation system or installing local exhaust ventilation systems on woodworking machinery. Dust bags can be integrated on power tools for

sanding and cutting, and spray booths can be installed for particularly hazardous operations. Certain controls can be employed to reduce the amount of harmful exposure operatives have to UV radiation such as providing shade, sun cream protection, reflective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), modifying reflective surfaces and using window tinting on vehicles. 4. Review and update safe working procedures Outdoor work can be rescheduled to ensure that it does not take place in the middle of the day when UV levels are at their strongest. Jobs could be moved into shaded areas, outdoor tasks shared and staff rotated so the same person is not always working outside in the sun. 5. Adapt to match the working conditions PPE could be used alongside other control measures such as dust masks and respirators to protect against fumes. Gloves, overalls, neck protectors, sun cream and sun hats could also be provided for the workforce. 6. Raise awareness, provide support and advice The construction industry should be aiming to acknowledge and address dust and UV related issues. Sites should educate and inform the workforce about the dangers of occupational cancers via regular toolbox talks, nurse visits, posters and leaflets. A clear message needs to be communicated to everyone and equipment should be provided and made available to ensure that workers are able to protect themselves. The importance of protection for the long-term health of the workforce has to be carefully considered and reinforced amongst workers. The industry has to better safeguard against occupational cancers, providing more awareness, guidance and support is essential to achieve this goal. If the industry wants to attract talented, new recruits, it must ensure it is doing everything it can to provide a safe working environment for today and the future, considering both the short term and long term health impacts and risks involved. Further information is available at: http://www.ccscheme.org.uk/index. php/spotlight-on-occupational-cancers.

Visit the Scheme’s Best Practice Hub: http://bit.ly/bestpracticehub - a unique database available to anyone free of charge. The Hub hosts a wealth of best practice examples, innovations and case studies to help the construction industry learn from their peers and raise standards

JOIN THE CONVERSATION. CONTACT US TODAY!

throughout the industry.

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NEBOSH The company is approved by RenewableUK (RUK) and the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) for the range of courses available to the renewable industry. The training MRS Training & Rescue provides was recently recognised when the company won the ‘Green Energy Award’ for contribution to skills.

Falls from height E

very year hundreds of accidents and incidents are recorded as a result of working at height activities. Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries in the UK and accounted for nearly three in ten fatal injuries to workers (41 out of 142) during 2014/15. Almost half of fatal falls took place in construction (20 out of 41 fatal fall injuries). Work at height means work in any place where, if there were no precautions in place, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. Risk is fairly obvious in certain workplace environments such as working on a roof or ladder. In other environments, risk may be less obvious; if you could fall into a hole in the ground, for example. Employers and those in control of any work at height activity must make sure the work is properly planned, supervised and carried out safely. This includes using the right type of equipment for working at height and ensuring that any people engaged in the work are ‘competent’. How do you decide if someone is ‘competent’ to work at height? Employers should make sure that people have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to perform the task, or, if they are being trained, that they work under the supervision of somebody competent to do it. MRS Training & Rescue is a leading nationwide (ISO 9001:2000 approved) Health & Safety training provider to many businesses and industries throughout the UK. They offer first class facilities to deliver a range of key height related training courses for people who are engaged in this safety critical work.

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Training Centre Manager, Errol Parrish said: “We offer realistic training in a safe environment, and our facilities include a specially designed training tower that provides our clients with the most realistic scenarios possible. We engage with organisations and key stakeholders to highlight the courses available; encouraging skill development to support people to working safely at height across all sectors.” Working safely at height may not require the use of complex equipment and procedures as a suitable solution; take a sensible approach when considering precautions for work at height. There may be some low-risk situations where common sense tells you no particular precautions are necessary and the law recognises this. There is a common misconception that ladders and stepladders are banned, but this is not the case. There are many situations where a ladder is the most suitable equipment for working at height. Before working at height you must work through three simple steps: 1. Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so. 2. Where work at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls using either an existing place of work that is already safe or the right type of equipment. 3. Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, by using the right type of equipment where the risk cannot be eliminated. In the case of low-risk work, such as using ladders for short duration tasks (less than 30 minutes), competence requirements may be no more than ensuring employees receive instruction on how to use the equipment safely (eg how to tie a ladder properly) and appropriate training. Training often takes place on the job; it does not always take place in a classroom. When a more technical level of competence is required, a more advanced and appropriate level of training would also be necessary. This includes the use of particular working at height safety equipment such as fall arrest and fall restraint devices, safety harnesses, work positioning lanyards, descenders and rescue equipment, for working on towers, high platforms and roofs etc. Errol added: ‘’MRS Training & Rescue realise that no single solution is fit for all working at height situations. Therefore, we also offer bespoke courses by working closely with our clients to design and develop training specifically to meet their needs. Safety, quality and professionalism are always at the forefront of our minds’’.

You can find out more about MRS Training & Rescue by visiting their website at: www.mrstrainingandrescue.com or by calling Errol on 01383 510766.

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WORKING AT HEIGHT: PASMA

“The association is an important contributor to the development and enhancement of standards governing the construction, use, inspection and maintenance of mobile access towers – not just nationally but internationally.”

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MAKING SAFETY WORK F

ounded in 1974, the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA) is the recognised focus and authority for mobile access towers. PASMA advances safety, standards and best practice across a wide range of sectors and represents the interests of its members in the UK, South Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East. Whatever the need, PASMA has tower information, facts and expertise to impart at a level to suit everyone – from first time users to major contractors. Independent and selffinancing, the association shapes and supports the future of the industry through the knowledgeable and enthusiastic involvement of its members; suppliers, specifiers and users. Working in collaboration with other trade and professional bodies, industry regulators and key decision makers, PASMA fulfils a number of distinct roles, which include: • Providing and governing the industry standard training scheme for mobile access towers and delivering proficiency and competence as required by the UK Work at Height Regulations. For many, the PASMA certificate and ID card are the only acceptable proof of competence. • Acting as a single, central source of information on all aspects of mobile access towers. DVDs, pocket cards, guidance notes and posters provide a wealth of information, as does the PASMA Code of Practice, the definitive reference for users, their supervisors and managers. • Sponsoring research, innovation and best practice. Most, if not all, training and technical advances in towers and tower use have involved PASMA and its various specialist committees. These are made up of experts who know and understand towers and speak the language. • Helping to set the standard. The association is an important contributor to the development and enhancement of standards governing the construction, use, inspection and maintenance of mobile access towers – not just nationally but internationally. It works closely with the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and other organisations, including Access & Scaffold

Industry Association (ASIA), Hire Association Europe (HAE) and is a member of the Access Industry Forum (AIF). • Playing a major part in promoting mobile access towers for temporary work at height - not just in construction and building maintenance, but in facilities management, the local government sector and retail. Taking part in conferences, seminars and workshops is an essential part of the association’s educational remit. Peter Bennett, Managing Director said, “The association is committed to delivering world-class support to all corners of the industry. Providing practical skills and knowledge are central to meeting this objective.” MISSION STATEMENT • As the world’s sole industry body for mobile access towers, PASMA’s mission is to: • Promote best practice and the safe use of mobile access towers by providing freely available expert advice and continuing the success of its flagship training scheme. • Advance product standards globally by providing technical expertise and liaising with other organisations including health and safety authorities and standardisation bodies worldwide. • Provide advice, guidance and support to its many members to develop the industry in general.

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WORKING AT HEIGHT: PASMA

“The association is committed to delivering world-class support to all corners of the industry. Providing practical skills and knowledge are central to meeting this objective.”

PASMA TRAINING COURSES PASMA is committed to the highest standards of practice and operates the industry standard training scheme which trains thousands of delegates each year through a select network of approved training centres. All PASMA training centres are audited annually to ensure that they continue to meet the stringent standard set by the association. In addition to the renowned Towers for Users course, the association also delivers a range of specialist courses. These courses enjoy an enviable reputation amongst management and health and safety practitioners, who seek objective proof of competence for staff engaged in the assembly, use, inspection and dismantling of towers. The Association currently offers nine different training courses covering everything from the essentials of working at height and low level access, to advanced courses such as Towers on Stairs and Towers for Riggers - which is a specialist, intensive course designed for professional tower riggers. PASMA SMASHES TRAINING RECORD Figures show that for the fifth consecutive year, PASMA has exceeded its previous year’s total for the number of delegates trained. Nearly 71,000 delegates were trained during 2015, an increase of 5.5 per cent on the previous year. Since the beginning of 2011, almost a 1/3 of a million delegates have qualified for a PASMA photocard and certificate, issued at PASMA-approved training centres worldwide. Significantly, the figures for January and February 2016 have already exceeded those for the corresponding months in 2015, putting 2016 on the path to break the record yet again. PASMA’s Marketing and Communications Officer, Gary Chudleigh, commented: “As these latest statistics show, the Association continues to make a major contribution to working at height safety, positioning it as the premier provider of specialist training in the sector.

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“The PASMA photocard is widely regarded as authoritative evidence of training, which is an essential element in demonstrating competence as required by the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Due to this, it is clear that each year more and more people decide they need one.” PASMA LAUNCHES NEW TRAINING COURSE – ‘TOWERS WITH CANTILEVERS’ As part of its ongoing commitment to improving safety and standards in the international mobile access tower industry, the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA) has launched a new advanced training course: Towers with Cantilevers. Developed after extensive consultation with PASMA members and the tower-using industries, and enjoying the unqualified support of manufacturers, who, together with PASMA’s technical and training committees contributed wide-ranging expertise, ‘Towers with Cantilevers’ is the latest in a series of advanced courses that reflects the fast growing use of towers in more complex and demanding applications. It is aimed at a diverse range of industry sectors including construction, refurbishment, cleaning and facilities management - where access is required over fragile surfaces and large or awkward structures. Developed specifically for the more experienced tower user, ‘Towers with Cantilevers’ explains and illustrates the essential principles of counter balance when using kentledge/ballast in cantilever calculations. It also interprets and explains the relevant sections of BS 1139-6:2014, the standard that specifies the requirements for complex structures such as towers with cantilevers that are outside the scope of BS EN 1004, the European product standard for normal towers. PASMA points out that ‘Towers with Cantilevers’ focuses entirely on how to assemble and dismantle these advanced tower structures - together with their limitations – in standard configurations supported by the relevant manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Available only from PASMA approved training centres, the course is open to anyone with experience of assembling, dismantling, altering, moving and inspecting mobile access towers and who has successfully completed the Association’s ‘Towers for Users’ course. Director of training, Stuart Hopkins comments: “This training course, which combines both theory and practical, serves to further enhance the competency of tower users across the access industry.” “It joins a growing portfolio of courses designed to keep people safe and productive - and which will shortly be joined by other PASMA advanced courses to complete the portfolio of training to support advanced tower use.” CODE OF PRACTICE The PASMA Code of Practice incorporates the fall protection principles of the UK Work at Height Regulations and the completely updated methods of assembly, dismantle and alteration recommended by PASMA, in cooperation with the UK’s Health & Safety Executive (HSE). It serves to underline PASMA’s and the HSE’s assertion that no-one should ever have to stand on an unprotected platform. In addition to its function as a standalone reference document for users, their supervisors and managers, as well as health & safety professionals, it is also intended to supplement PASMA approved training courses by serving as an invaluable reminder of the best practice that delegates have learned during training and work experience. By following the practical guidance of this revised Code of Practice, the operative is able to call on the combined experience of the entire mobile access tower industry, since PASMA’s members, with a wealth of experience between them, have contributed to its production.

MEMBERSHIP Membership of PASMA is currently open to Manufacturers, Hirer/Dealers, Hire Assembly and Training companies. The association also offers an Associate category for individuals/organisations that have an interest in keeping up-to-date with all the latest industry news and developments. This membership category also includes Freelance Instructors, i.e. PASMA approved instructors not directly employed by PASMA registered Training Members. BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP • Members stand out from the crowd as organisations that actively support safety, standards and best practice. • They benefit from access to the latest and best information on technological developments and legislation from a full-time secretariat. • The PASMA website plus regular eBulletins keep members up-to-date and informed. • PASMA maintains a high profile in trade and professional press and actively promotes the work of its members and the industry. • Members keep in touch, network and exchange views and experiences. • The Association vigorously lobbies and makes representations to the relevant authorities on issues of concern to its members. • Members benefit from a free subscription to Cranes & Access magazine and preferential discounts on PASMA related products. • Members have the opportunity to help influence the direction of the industry by joining a PASMA committee. • A dedicated insurance package, developed specifically for the industry, offers market leading cover at attractive rates. • Members can expand their portfolio and can apply to become an approved training centre. For more information, please visit: www.pasma.co.uk

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CONSTRUCTION: BUILD UK

UNITED WE STAND Build UK provides a strong collective voice for the contracting supply chain in construction.

reated in 2015, Build UK is the result of a merger between the National Specialist Contractors’ Council (NSCC) and UK Contractors Group (UKCG). This union brought together all 27 Main Contractors and 40 Trade Associations representing 11,500 Specialist Contractors in membership of UKCG and NSCC. Build UK focuses on key industry issues that can deliver change and enable the contracting supply chain to improve the efficiency and delivery of construction projects to the benefit of the industry’s clients. Providing influential and dynamic leadership, Build UK ensures a concerted approach from the supply chain, making it the ‘go to’ representative organisation for industry stakeholders. ISSUES Construction is faced with a number of long-standing issues that require bold new approaches in order to be tackled. By bringing the supply chain together, Build UK is ideally positioned to promote collaboration and provide industry-wide solutions for the benefit of everyone. Agreeing and implementing best practice can drive a lasting culture shift that will improve productivity, deliver growth and make the industry fit for purpose. IMAGE OF CONSTRUCTION Construction is a diverse sector that offers a huge range of job opportunities: anyone can find a rewarding lifelong career, whatever they want to be. The industry needs to actively compete to recruit and retain a workforce capable of delivering the wide range of projects required across the UK.

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Build UK will focus on inspiring young people and those looking for a change of career to choose construction, whilst at the same time, motivating the workforce to stay within the industry. THE INDUSTRY’S SKILLS NEEDS With an increasing demand for construction projects, it is essential that the industry knows what skills are required and when and where they will be needed. A comprehensive training and qualifications structure capable of delivering the necessary skills together with an integrated relationship between the education system and employers is critical. Build UK will ensure that the outcome of construction training and qualifications delivered by or on behalf of the industry meets the needs of employers, and that sufficient employment and apprenticeship opportunities are available to maintain a skilled and professional workforce. EFFECTIVE PRE-QUALIFICATION Clients and contractors require assurance that the construction supply chain on their projects is competent. Companies also need to provide information in order to operate effectively. The industry needs to establish an efficient and effective means of fulfilling these requirements which will release valuable resources to improve productivity and output. Build UK will develop and implement a solution to the current bureaucratic and repetitive process of prequalification that meets the needs of clients and other stakeholders and is beneficial to the construction supply chain.

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CONSTRUCTION: BUILD UK

“Build UK will develop and implement a solution to the current bureaucratic and repetitive process of pre-qualification that meets the needs of clients and other stakeholders and is beneficial to the construction supply chain.”

HEALTH AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE Continuously improving the management of safety and the impact of its activities on workers’ health is essential for any world class industry. A consistent approach to recognised standards across construction will enhance performance, facilitate a more efficient use of resources, and allow the industry to focus on eliminating, reducing and managing risks at all stages of a project. Build UK will identify where common standards would significantly improve health and safety performance, take the opportunity to address some long-standing customs to eliminate waste and demonstrate the value of sharing best practice in reducing accidents and ill health. FAIR PAYMENT PRACTICES Fair and transparent payment practices are essential for a successful construction industry with a strong and sustainable supply chain capable of meeting its clients’ needs. Determining appropriate business models that deliver outstanding performance and productivity will enable businesses of all sizes to confidently deliver an excellent level of service each and every time and will result in first-class projects. Build UK will bring together the contracting supply chain to consider what best payment practice in construction looks like, and present appropriate business models that will result in a thriving construction industry capable

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CONSTRUCTION: BUILD UK

“George Osborne said that ‘the future favours the bold’ and Build UK enables us to be bold. It enables us to have the honest conversations we need to have if we really want a different industry. In just six months, we are already showing that by bringing together the right people and setting clear objectives we can make a difference.” “One organisation bringing together main and specialist Contractors, providing a strong collective voice from the contracting supply chain, offering influential and dynamic leadership, and creating the conditions for supply chains to thrive.”

of delivering the necessary infrastructure and built environment across the UK.

Addressing guests at the event, Build UK Chairman Kevin Louch said:

OUR VISION “One organisation bringing together main and specialist Contractors, providing a strong collective voice from the contracting supply chain, offering influential and dynamic leadership, and creating the conditions for supply chains to thrive.”

OUR MISSION Build UK will: • Provide leadership for a vibrant and diverse industry • Demonstrate the importance of construction to the UK • Improve the image of the industry • Enable the right skills in the right place at the right time • Facilitate collaboration within the supply chain • Develop and implement best practice

Build UK is already making a difference in the area of skills in construction. It is essential for the industry to recruit, train and retain a workforce to deliver now and in the future and presenting a consistent and exciting message to young people and those looking for a change of career is crucial. Build UK is supporting Go Construct as the industry’s ‘one stop shop’ for careers information and will be running a revitalised Open Doors initiative in June 2016, providing an exclusive opportunity for people to take a look behind the scenes of a range of fantastic ‘live’ construction sites. Build UK has also developed a brand new film, ‘Get into Construction’, to promote the wide range of opportunities available within construction and to inspire people to consider a career in the industry.

BUILD UK CELEBRATES SUCCESS AT ICONIC ‘CHEESEGRATER’ On Wednesday 2 March at the Leadenhall Building in London, Build UK held its first major event to celebrate initial achievements following the coming together of the contracting supply chain in construction. The event showcased what can be accomplished now and in the future; the potential of a successfully united and productive construction sector. Over 200 industry guests attended the Champagne Reception, including contractors, clients and key stakeholders. The event provided the perfect platform to showcase how bringing together Main and Specialist Contractors is enabling Build UK to make progress on longstanding industry issues, and present collective solutions to clients. Working in partnership with CECA (The Civil Engineering Contractors Association), Build UK has developed a proposal for a more efficient and cost effective prequalification process, which has support from members, the Cabinet Office who will include it within their procurement documents, and private sector clients. Build UK has also confirmed its support for the principles of the Construction Supply Chain Payment Charter, which include payment terms of 30 days by 2018 and no cash retention by 2025, ahead of the re-launch of the Payment Charter this April.

Delighted to launch ‘Get into Construction’ at the event, Build UK Chairman James Wates said: “Build UK was challenged by Nick Boles to show leadership on the issue of skills and it is our responsibility to show the next generation of construction workers that they can have a vibrant and exciting career for life if they join us. The war for talent is one I want to win and we stand a better chance of doing that by working together as Build UK.” For more information, please visit: www.builduk.org To view the new Build UK film, ‘Get into Construction’, please visit: www.builduk.org/get-into-construction/ For more information on Open Doors and to book a site visit, please visit the Open Doors website.

Build UK

T: 0844 249 5351

6-8 Bonhill Street

E: info@BuildUK.org

London

W: BuildUK.org

EC2A 4BX

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: @BuildUK

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CONSTRUCTION: CHAS

The SAfe choice I

n 1997, a group of health and safety and procurement professionals from across Great Britain worked with the Association of London Government (ALG) to develop The Contractors Health & Safety Scheme (CHAS). In 2001 CHAS became a web-based system. In 2013, CHAS became a limited company and is wholly owned by the London Borough of Merton. The scheme has now become the largest and fastest growing Health & Safety Assessment Scheme in the UK. With 720 buyer members, over 62,000 suppliers on its database and 130 freelance assessors, CHAS is established as the market leader for health and safety pre-qualification. It is available to suppliers (those who provide goods and services) and to organisations (buyers) looking for suitably competent suppliers. PRINCIPLES AND PURPOSE CHAS started with two main aims: • To improve health and safety standards across Great Britain • To reduce duplicated safety applications for both suppliers and buyers Today, CHAS members include more than 500 public and private sector buyer organisations such as councils, housing associations, emergency services and NHS trusts, including a growing number of large private companies who employ sub-contractors.

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Each month, thousands of contractors and consultants (suppliers) apply for work with public and private sector organisations (buyers), and to win work, they must meet the buyer’s health and safety standards. CHAS completes the initial Health & Safety application process for buyers, saving time and resources for all involved in the process.

• • • •

CHAS assesses applicants: Health and safety policy statement Their organisation for health and safety Their specific health and safety arrangements to a standard acceptable to our buyers and to others Assessing suppliers’ health and safety competence is usually a lengthy and time consuming process. Suppliers can sometimes meet one buyer’s Health and Safety standards but not another. Being CHAS approved reduces duplication as suppliers’ compliance is accepted by all CHAS buyers.

HEALTH & SAFETY Health and safety is of paramount importance in any industry and as a health and safety supplier assessment scheme, it is vital to CHAS; both in terms of ensuring its own compliance with legislation and best practice and ensuring that the service it provides to Buyers and Suppliers is fit for purpose. Sarah Still, Business Development Manager Assistant at CHAS commented, “We undertake quality assurance checks

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CONSTRUCTION: CHAS

quality management to ISO:9001 standard and health and safety pre-qualification to the HSE approved standard. “Over the last 6 years, SSIP activity has increasingly been able to cut health and safety assessment costs and bureaucracy in the supply chain. With the ever-present prospect of government legislation to reduce wasteful and excessive procedures, SSIP is concentrating on making cross-recognition of member schemes as effective as possible, and on highlighting the resulting savings to the supply chain.”

“Over the last 6 years, SSIP activity has increasingly been able to cut health and safety assessment costs and bureaucracy in the supply chain.”

on a percentage of CHAS Assessments that are carried out, to ensure (as far as possible) that all of our assessors are working to the same standard.” SSIP FORUM CHAS were founding members of Safety Schemes In Procurement (SSIP Forum). In April 2007, an initial meeting was held at the Health & Safety Executive’s Headquarters with various industry representatives including CHAS, Constructionline, Exor and the National House-Building Council (NHBC), to discuss the potential for the SSIP Forum. During the successive 2 years, regular meetings were held and subsequently, the SSIP Forum founder members agreed and signed up to an ethos that it should act as an umbrella organisation to facilitate mutual recognition between health and safety assessment schemes, wherever it is practicable to do so. SSIP assessments are all judged on core criteria approved by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These core criteria describe what it means for a construction business to comply with basic health and safety law. Sarah continued: “For us to achieve and maintain our SSIP registration, we, like other schemes (including new schemes as and when they join), must exhibit and maintain the standards required by HSE through an annual independent third-party audit. The audit is in two parts and we must demonstrate

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CDM 2015 - PAS 91 PAS 91 is the standard for construction related procurement and contains prequalification questionnaires. The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme fully reflects the changes to the CDM Regulations and meets the requirements of the Core Criteria which have been adopted by the SSIP. CHAS also fully satisfies the health and safety assessment requirements of PAS 91. CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY CHAS is audited annually by the UKAS accredited certification body BM TRADA Certification to both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2004 standards, thus ensuring their quality and environmental management systems continue to deliver a high quality service and operate in an environmentally friendly manner. Sarah commented: “In our endeavour to minimise the impact on the environment caused by our activities, in 2015, we implemented a new and efficient electronic application process - EFORMS. Applicants complete the application form online and upload the relevant supporting evidence to a web portal. This means that information and any requests for additional information are transferred electronically; reducing the number of paper based applications helps reduce our carbon footprint in terms of the postal service and saves on paper and packaging. Not only does this new process make it easier for applicants to submit information to CHAS, it also saves time and money.” The main benefits of the Eforms system are: • New efficient online process • Upload documentation electronically • Save and retrieve your application at anytime • An electronic certificate will be emailed instantaneously upon successful completion of your assessment. (A hard copy will be posted within 10 working days) • Instant email alerts throughout your application process from start to completion • No more large / multiple emails • Save on unnecessary trips to the post office & postage costs • Eforms uses a secure (3d secure Visa verified) online card payment system

CHAS MEMBERSHIP As a web-based system, direct assessment by CHAS is carried out as a desktop assessment; there are no visits to a company’s office or site. The Stages of Assessing Competency There are three stages in the assessment process from the time a supplier applies for a CHAS assessment, through to working for a buyer: • The CHAS assessment: if a supplier passes this assessment, they have shown they can adequately manage health and safety. • The employer (buyer) checks a supplier has the ability, experience and resources to carry out the specific work they have applied to do. The buyer will look at things like method statements, specific risk assessments, references, examples of previous similar work, training and available resources. • Monitoring the supplier when they are doing the work. Buyers will check suppliers are: managing the work safely, carrying out the method statements properly, have enough resources, liaising properly, managing the site effectively and providing enough supervision. The level of assessment at stages 2 and 3 are normally proportionate to the level of risk they carry. Buyers have a responsibility to monitor suppliers, making sure they are working safely, in order to protect staff and everyone who may be affected by the work. Participating in the CHAS scheme helps both Suppliers and Buyers: • Suppliers show compliance with important parts of health and safety law (the core criteria as described in the ACoP to the CDM 2007 regulations and since adopted by the SSIP in 2015, at HSE’s request) • On achieving compliance, a supplier is approved to work for all of CHAS buyers • Inconsistencies are reduced where some suppliers may be judged compliant by one buyer but not another • CHAS gives guidance on any weaknesses in a supplier’s safety management, including how they can improve • Being a CHAS supplier or buyer saves both time and resources In 2016, CHAS will be exhibiting at numerous events across several different sectors throughout the UK, including: The Safety & Health Expo, Toolfair, PHEX+ (The Plumbing & Heating Exhibition), LGA (Local Government Association) Conference and Homes 2016. For more information on The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme, applying for a CHAS assessment, upcoming events and more, please visit: www.chas.co.uk

“CHAS is also committed to continuous improvement of the environmental efficiency of our transport and travel. All surpluses are ploughed back into supporting public services,” Sarah added.

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CONSTRUCTION: CONSIDERATE CONSTRUCTORS SCHEME

Why Image Matters Mike Petter of the Considerate Constructors Scheme explains why it’s vital for those working across the construction industry to be considerate.

n today’s world, we’re continuously faced with a barrage of information, advice and guidance - much of which can often lead to confusion, rather than being helpful. The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) has, reassuringly, a clear and simple objective: to improve the image of the construction industry and encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements. The not-for-profit Scheme was established by the industry back in 1997, and has become the recognised force for improvement within construction. That’s a pretty important role given construction contributed £92 billion in economic output in 2014 (6.1% of the total)*. Furthermore, the industry is forecast to grow by over 70% within the next 10 years. Great growth opportunities and playing a pivotal part in the nation’s economy are, however, met with steep and urgent challenges: construction faces a dearth of workers – over 200,000 more are needed in the next five years, women continue to be underrepresented, and there’s growing pressure on the environment in order to meet the demands of an ever-expanding population. The industry recognises the Scheme’s impact on helping to tackle these challenges, so much so that it has become a tendering condition for a large number of publicly and privately funded projects. How does it work? The Scheme works through the voluntary registration of construction sites, companies, sub-contractors and suppliers. These organisations agree to abide by the Code of Considerate Practice. They are monitored by industry professionals on their performance in three areas of the Code: consideration towards the general public, the

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workforce and the environment. Every year, the Scheme registers around 8,000 sites and makes over 13,000 site visits. By displaying Considerate Constructors Scheme posters around the site, companies can promote their registration. The posters also provide a name and telephone number of the site manager or company contact and a Freephone number of the Scheme’s administration office should any passers-by wish to comment. Registered companies and suppliers can also display a vehicle sticker or magnet, showing their unique registration number, on every company vehicle used on the public highway. Striving for better The best performing sites and companies are recognised at the Scheme’s annual National Awards programme. The awards range from the top achievement of ‘Most Considerate Site or Company’ through to Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards. Being an award-winner is a real badge of honour, and the achievement is highly revered across the industry. Business benefits There are a number of compelling cases for gaining CCS membership: it can often support winning new business and help with the planning process, by demonstrating commitment to adding social value, minimising inconvenience for local communities and disruption to the environment. In many cases, registration with the Scheme is mandatory for some clients and the vast majority of major contractors register all of the sites with the Scheme.

Considerate Constructors Scheme Code of Considerate Practice All organisations registering with the Scheme agree to abide by the Code of Considerate Practice: Care about Appearance Constructors should ensure sites appear professional and well managed Respect the Community Constructors should give utmost consideration to their impact on neighbours and the public Protect the Environment Constructors should protect and enhance the environment Secure everyone’s Safety Constructors should attain the highest levels of safety performance Value their Workforce Constructors should provide a supportive and caring working environment

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CONSTRUCTION: CONSIDERATE CONSTRUCTORS SCHEME

Improving our image and our future Thousands of construction sites, companies and suppliers voluntarily register with the Considerate Constructors Scheme each year making a commitment to care about appearance, respect the community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety and value their workforce. The Scheme encourages the construction industry to continuously strive for excellence by providing guidance, sharing best practice and recognising the UK’s most considerate constructors.

M o g rin to ni

Mike is Chairman of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, the organisation established by the construction industry to improve its image. Mike is a Chartered Civil Engineer, who has over 30 years

nce da i u

Improving the image of construction

g pr a n d ac tic e

in fy t nti s Ide g be in shar

Mike Petter

working in the construction industry, and has monitored over 1000 construction sites registered with the Scheme. Mike began his career at Geoffrey Osborne Ltd, working on a variety of construction projects before becoming Managing Director. He was also Regional Director at Alfred McAlpine Civils. Prior to joining the Scheme in 2008, Mike was Managing Director for Five Dimensional Management Ltd, a well-established consultancy firm specialising in construction. Mike also holds nonexecutive roles within health and housing.

The next generation The Scheme plays a vital role in making construction an exciting, challenging and rewarding place for the next generation of employees. The Scheme developed the industry mascot, Ivor Goodsite, a costumed character for construction companies to use to engage with a younger audience to encourage safety on and around construction sites and to promote all that is positive about the UK construction industry. The Scheme also works directly with secondary schools, colleges and universities to speak to young people to get the message across that the industry offers great career opportunities - whether its skilled technical careers on site or across fields including surveying, architecture, planning, finance, HR, marketing and management.

Improve our image, improve our future.

Sharing best practice With over 18 years of monitoring construction sites, the Scheme has collected a vast library of examples of best

practice which exceed the requirements of the Scheme’s Code. Examples come from a range of organisations and project sizes, covering huge billion-pound projects right through to small scale building works. Earlier this year, the Scheme introduced the Best Practice Hub to share these examples with the industry. Any organisation can use the Hub and, once registered, can update it with their best practice examples, case studies and tips.

The advice and guidance provided during site visits has been instrumental in helping construction sites to become more efficient, whether it’s in how they communicate with their workforce through to developing stronger relationships with their supply chain.

Through the cycle of considerate construction, the industry will become progressive and inspirational, attracting and retaining the skilled and diverse workforce required for its ongoing success.

R e co g

n iti o

For further information about the Considerate Constructors Scheme visit: ccscheme.org.uk.

* Construction industry: statistics and policy, House of Commons, 2015. ** Construction Skills Network Forecast, CITB, 2015.

To find out more call 0800 783 1423 or visit www.ccscheme.org.uk

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CONSTRUCTION: CONSTRUCT

THE VOICE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY C

ONSTRUCT was formed over twenty years ago as a trade association for concrete frame contractors. Initially it concentrated on commercial topics but quickly moved onto practical issues which were inhibited good and safe practice on site. At the turn of the century, it took part in the Cardington experiment (a series of large-scale fire tests conducted in real structures), from which lessons on the behaviour of steel-framed composite structures in fire conditions were learnt and soon transferred into reality. As a large consumer of concrete, it drew up a National Specification for Structural Concrete, which is now in its fourth edition. CONSTRUCT is guided by an elected Council from its membership which now also includes leading industry suppliers. With onsite accidents throughout the construction industry at unacceptable levels, CONSTRUCT was keen to ensure that its members were properly trained and were able to return home safely at the end of each working day. The organisation set up a Health and Safety group which meets four times a year, to not only identify areas which needed improvement, but to also share best practice amongst members. This group has also extended its remit to include environmental and sustainability issues. As an organisation, CONSTRUCT is positioned to directly and specifically improve the concrete frames and structures industry; to constantly evaluate and respond to industry needs, and to influence developments in speed and economy.

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CONSTRUCT acts as a forum for members, encouraging discussion and collaboration. The organisation invites participation in focussed groups, such as the Formwork Group and Training Committee, to address opportunities or issues that members experience. Wherever appropriate, CONSTRUCT acts as the face of its membership, positively representing the industry with a united voice to the benefit of all. Robin Holdsworth, Executive Secretary commented: “CONSTRUCT was formed in 1993 and exists for the benefit of its members. We are acknowledged across the construction industry as a professional and proactive organisation which acts as an interface between member contractors, clients and suppliers, and between other elements of the construction industry with all its stakeholders. As such, membership is open to all those who have an interest in promoting excellence in concrete. “As Executive Secretary, I am responsible for the day to day running of CONSTRUCT. I represent CONSTRUCT on a number of bodies including Build UK and CARES. I have an MBA, am a Chartered Chemist and hold qualifications in concrete technology. I have run construction chemicals companies in the Middle East, Europe and the Far East. This has led to a wide range of different experiences within the construction industry.”

Robin Holdsworth, Executive Secretary

Terry Casbolt, HS & E Manager

CONSTRUCT COUNCIL The daily business of CONSTRUCT is managed by a Council of elected members from each category of membership. In addition, Champions and Task Groups focus attention on particular specialisms or industry themes. The Council of elected members meets quarterly. Strategy meetings plan ahead and set out targets and objectives, while sub-committees work tirelessly in members’ interests to make that vision into a reality. Action plans are drawn up and the responsibility for driving improvements in each of the strategic areas is shared by Council members. The outworkings of the plans are

Tracey Stafford, Training Manager

constantly reviewed and updated to take account of the ever-changing market conditions. CONSTRUCT is driven by four priorities, each led by a Champion within the organisation: • Improving safety and efficiency • Co-ordinating views and acting in members’ interests • Promoting innovation in the use of concrete • Identifying and addressing best practice and buildability Robin commented, “Our remit is broad and with members in all types of operation, we’re able to reach out  and influence all aspects of the industry.

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CONSTRUCTION: CONSTRUCT

“As set out in our Charter, our ambitions are C L E A R: “Continue our alliance with the Concrete Society, Concrete Centre, BAR, BRE, clients, designers and stakeholders in the advancement, innovation and promotion of the use of structural concrete. “Lead the development of world class training provision for our members and create value and efficiency through our combined buying power and smarter data collection. “Enrol our clients, designers and stakeholders in working with us to create incident and injury free workplaces. “Actively engage with clients, designers and stakeholders to allow a better understanding of the value proposition that our members can bring through fairer trading policies. “Research and invest both time and energy in working with our supplier members to continuously improve and enhance the products, plant and equipment used in the production of our concrete structures.” HEALTH, SAFETY & THE ENVIRONMENT The health and well-being of the workforce is the number one priority at CONSTRUCT. Its vision is one of workplaces that are incident and injury free and where everyone returns home safely. CONSTRUCT works with designers, clients and other stakeholders to achieve this. CONSTRUCT’S H&S committee meets regularly to share best practice, to learn from incidents and to work together across the industry to produce publications and policies that are better for all. External organisations and other stakeholders within construction are also invited into the committee to present and share their views. Led by HS & E Manager Terry Casbolt and Steve Regan as HS & E Champion, this honest and open forum, above all, allows for substantial collaborative improvement. H&S POLICY • Pictorial reference library of best practice • Lifting operations plan template • Behavioural safety guide • H&S tool box talk video sessions

“Our current focus is on Occupational Health. We have been working with Constructing Better Health (the National Scheme for occupational health in the construction industry) and have developed a series of Educational Materials…”

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY • Environmental plan templates • Environmental case studies and How to guides “We encourage members to let us know those areas where we, as an organisation, can help. With a membership that includes all the main contractors nationwide, CONSTRUCT invites smaller companies to benefit from the wider knowledge that those big players have and are willing to share in the interests of improved safety for all,” Robin added. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RISK MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION In construction, there are many dangers that can harm workers. Statistics indicate that a construction worker is at least 100 times more likely to die from a disease caused or worsened by their work as they are from a fatal accident. By law, the employer must eliminate, prevent or control the risks. Robin continued: “Our current focus is on Occupational Health. We have been working with Constructing Better Health (the National Scheme for occupational health in the construction industry) and have developed a series of Educational Materials including Management and Employee Guides; Posters and Tool Box Talks. The posters illustrate various areas of potential occupational health issues such as dust inhalation and cement burns. “We are also engaged on developing further guidelines for lifting steel on site. We arrange many training courses covering site safety, temporary works and leadership and management for site supervisors.” TRAINING As the central hub of knowledge for the whole Concrete Structures industry, CONSTRUCT is committed to leading the way in the provision of world class training in construction. The organisation’s commitment to quality training continually expands, with new courses being added to transfer the knowledge that is critical to the ongoing development of the construction industry and the individuals operating within it.

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CONSTRUCT’s Training priorities are to: Discuss and pursue good practice Identify shortfalls in training and the provision of training Understand and communicate the availability of grants and funding Promote apprenticeships and qualifications

INNOVATION IN CONCRETE USE CONSTRUCT’S members purchase approximately 30% of all ready-mixed concrete produced in the UK, and the organisation is committed to actively promoting and leading innovation in the use of concrete. CONSTRUCT invests both time and energy in working with supplier members to continuously improve and enhance the products, plant and equipment used in the production of concrete structures.

Excellent alliances further support the work undertaken by CONSTRUCT with its members, including relationships with The Concrete Society, The Concrete Centre, BAR, BRE and universities who all work in the endorsement, advancement, innovation and promotion of the use of structural concrete. A Formwork Group meets regularly to discuss and agree on key areas of development and improvement that can be applied to Formwork and Falsework solutions. CONSTRUCT DAY Held annually in October, CONSTRUCT Day is a networking event for CONSTRUCT members of all membership categories. Facilities are available for contractors and suppliers to exhibit. On this day, CONSTRUCT runs its own awards ceremony to reflect excellence, capability and inventiveness in concrete construction. The awards cover a wide spectrum of activities associated with structural concrete, with previous winners being recognised for: new techniques overcoming specific challenges, innovative products and approaches which contribute to concrete construction, or the sheer scale of projects delivered. The CONSTRUCT Awards for 2016 will be changing and will focus on celebrating and recognising Success in the RC Frame Sector. “We hope that the new awards will encourage our members to come forward with entries, which will help us celebrate the success and achievements of our sector,” Robin added.

MEMBERSHIP CONSTRUCT’S members make up the vast majority of players of all sizes in the UK’s Concrete Structures industry; 93% of total spend in the concrete structures sector is completed by their members. Robin concluded: “Any membership organisation grows in strength on the credibility of its members, so we are particularly proud to represent 80+ market-leading organisations and as such are unarguably the central authority within our specialist sector. “CONSTRUCT membership is available to concrete frame contractors and their supply chain. It also has categories for consultants and clients. For a contractor to become a member they must have full insurance policies in place, have an approved quality assurance scheme and a comprehensive health and safety policy.” “Our vision though is to be the voice for the whole industry, and as such we are serious about encouraging new members to join.” For information on CONSTRUCT Membership, the Health & Safety Tool Box Talks & Videos, training, awards and more, please visit: www.construct.org.uk

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CONSTRUCTION: ALCUMUS SAFECONTRACTOR

Introducing: Alcumus SafeContractor Congratulations! You’ve made it. After years of hard graft, of late hours and stress, you’ve taken your business to the point where you’re expanding fast. More than that – you’re winning work with bigger and better companies. Isn’t it time to take it up a gear?

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hat are your choices? You can step back, stay small and accept that some jobs are just a bit too big. Or, could you afford to invest in your own in-house HR, audit, compliance and legal teams? There is a much better third option. With Alcumus SafeContractor you can now compete with the big players in your field, on process as well as product. SafeContractor is the end-to-end system designed specifically for the emerging SME and innovative new enterprise. We make it possible to dramatically improve your safety management, at low cost – and stay fully in charge. Step one: get accredited Accreditation with Alcumus SafeContractor comes with a wide range of benefits for you and your clients. Your customers will know what they are dealing with, and they’ll have the ‘peace of mind’ that comes with knowing that they are capable and compliant. Perhaps more importantly, so will you. You’ll be assigned your own dedicated auditor; each business is unique and so is our approach. Be it method statements, risk assessments, working-at-height analysis or environmental impact forms, SafeContractor’s highlyqualified auditors will work with you to make sure you not only meet but exceed core SSIP requirements. Throughout the process you’ll also benefit from expert tips and time-saving advice, access to templates and guidance on how to avoid the most common pitfalls. Because the biggest risk is often the simplest one, your auditor will provide you and your team training on how to use relevant systems. If time is of the essence, then we can ensure you are contacted by an auditor within 48 hours. Alcumus SafeContractor understands that sometimes things happen faster or differently than anticipated and we’re able to flex to support your need for accreditation in your timescale.

Step two: become part of our community So far, so good and many, if not most, safety management and audit services stop when the assessment is over. Alcumus SafeContractor is different. We understand that true value comes by providing ongoing support. We will continue to work with you to help you to remain current, to keep the accreditation you’ve worked so hard to gain, and above all, to improve your competitiveness. Upon accreditation you’ll gain access to a raft of additional membership benefits. These include: • Discounted insurance from Arthur J Gallagher; • Employment and commercial legal advice from Abbey Legal Protection – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; • Monthly bulletins to bring your attention to changes in legislation so you can stay compliant and focused on the job in hand; • SafeContractor TradePoint discount card, offering savings of up to 40% on over 12,000 products; • Access to the Screwfix benefits package which will help you ‘tool up’ for your next job without breaking the bank; • Further training – once accredited you’ll gain access to the whole range of Santia training courses at a 15% discount to help you invest even further in your workforce. Alcumus SafeContractor has over 25,000 members and is growing at a rate of over 400 members per month. In short, once accredited, you’ll find that you’ve become part of a whole new community. Membership will allow you to take full advantage of your new status as a SafeContractor and to make new business connections and win more work. As a result, the next time you tender for a big job, you can be sure that your chosen partner sits on the same firm foundations that you do. In over 20 years our approach to safety hasn’t changed and our goal hasn’t altered. That standard and consistency means, when your capability and compliance is accredited by SafeContractor, you can get on with your business.

Alyn Franklin

For more information, please visit: www.safecontractor.com or call: +44 (0) 2920 266749

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REAL ESTATE: LAND SECURITIES

HEALTH IN CONSTRUCTION LEADING THE WAY Clive Johnson, Group Head of Health, Safety and Security at Land Securities, spoke to HSE International about bringing the ‘Health’ back into ‘Health and Safety’.

and Securities is the largest listed commercial property company in the UK by market capitalisation and a member of the FTSE 100. Founded in 1944, Land Securities became a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in 2007 and now the company owns and manages more than 26 million square foot of property throughout the UK. With ownership of some of the highest profile buildings, the company’s retail portfolio covers 19 shopping centres, 17 retail parks, 19 million square foot of retail accommodation and approximately 1,600 retailers. In London alone, Land Securities holds 7.1 million square foot of office and retail space, accommodating around 50,000 people and 500 organisations. It’s London portfolio also includes 2800 acres of strategic land holdings ripe for regeneration. Clive Johnson is Group Head of Health, Safety and Security at Land Securities. On a day-to-day basis, Johnson and his team manage the health and safety compliance of shopping centres, retail parks, leisure complexes and developments, in accordance with the company’s health and safety policies and procedures. This includes over 700 Land Securities employees, its specialist service partners, development contractors and, most importantly, members of the public who use the company’s complexes. Johnson said, “Best Practice retailing relies on the public having a safe and healthy experience whilst shopping and relaxing, so much so that they visit us again. Best Practice

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Clive Johnson, Group Head of Health, Safety and Security

developments means the public are not at risk from our activities.” Johnson’s extensive experience makes him a health and safety expert in the field of major public development projects. Before joining Land Securities in 2011, he worked as Health, Safety & Environment Leader with British Airways Authority (BAA) on the Terminal 5 project. Prior to this, for 4 years, he headed up Health & Safety with Asda Walmart. In 2007, Johnson was announced as Winner of Building Magazine Health & Safety Champion of the Year Award, and in October 2015, he was elected as the new Chairman of the Construction Clients’ Group (CCG). As Chairman, Johnson represents the Construction Clients’ Group at the Strategic Forum for Construction; where the CCG provides the secretariat for the larger Construction Client Forum. Johnson is also the Chairman of the CCG Health and Safety Group and the Construction Health Leadership Group in addition to representing clients on ConIAC (Construction Industry Advisory Committee). ConIAC advises the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on the protection of people at work (and others) from hazards to health and safety within the building, civil engineering and engineering construction industry. Johnson commented, “I am really pleased to be elected as Chairman of the CCG to build on the work of my predecessor Robert Knight.”

“The industry is really engaged and energised to transform the sector and I look forward to being part of what promises to be exciting times for construction.” Before Johnson joined Land Securities, there were two distinct roles for health and safety in the business – a Safety Director for London and a Safety Director for their Retail Portfolios. He continued: “My role was to bring it all together and create a group H&S team and set of policies and procedures that were applicable to the entire company; we were aiming for a consistency in approach across the whole business. I report directly to CEO and this certainly highlights the extent that Land Securities considers health and safety; also giving the relevant and appropriate level of support. “To create this ‘one company’ approach, I began by building relationships with the Directors of Land Securities’ extensive portfolio and I then developed the policy and procedure documentation using my own experience. My time with BAA in particular provided a great deal of best practice that I was able to enhance, develop and introduce within Land Securities. I trickle-fed the new approach into existing company systems over time.”

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REAL ESTATE: LAND SECURITIES Land Securities takes a transparent approach to business and all policy documents and governance structures are available for public view on the company website (www.landsecurities.com). The company’s Health & Safety Policy is comprehensive and covers management control and scope, statements of intent, a full set of policy notes (from risk assessment and fire safety through to employee wellbeing), a clear outline of internal structure, governance, roles and responsibilities and even consultation and communication protocols. The company works with many service partners to help manage its Retail and Leisure Portfolio. Among others, these include security, concierge, and property maintenance experts such as mechanical and electrical engineers. While all these companies will have their own health and safety policies, they must also align with Land Securities’ Health & Safety Pledge and its ‘One Best Way’ series of best practice documents, which are a series of documented agreements outlining compliance requirements and commitments. Johnson himself finalised this system around 2 years ago. Land Securities’ suite of ‘One Best Way’ documents (both Mandatory and Best Practice Guides) are all included in their contract-tender details: • Health and Safety Objectives • Health and Safety Pledge • Design safety instructions • Clients Commitments • Engagement with internal and external customers • Engagement and representation with The Health & Safety Executive

“Nova is large and complex development involving over 1800 workers across a variety of construction trades.”

DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE Land Securities has a strong momentum behind its developments which are being delivered into the right market conditions. The company is successful in securing good lettings and residential sales, either on site, with planning consent or in design. “We have made excellent progress on our development pipeline and increased our focus on the West End. Our work in Victoria, SW1 is set to transform the area into one of central London’s most desirable places to work, live, shop and invest,” Johnson commented. 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3 In a joint venture with the Canary Wharf Group, Land Securities currently owns and manages the development of 20 Fenchurch Street in London’s EC3 district. Designed by Rafael Viñoly and better known as the Walkie-Talkie building, the 525 ft. tall City tower incorporates premier office accommodation, restaurants and bars and a unique publicly accessible Sky Garden; the “highest public park in London”. Project Nova – Phase 1, SW1 In February 2012, Land Securities formed a 50:50 joint venture with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) to own and develop Nova, Victoria. Nova is large and complex development involving over 1800 workers across a variety of construction trades. This extensive transformation will comprise five buildings within a new, 82,700 sq ft, landscaped public space. With a total area

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

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REAL ESTATE: LAND SECURITIES of 727,000 sq ft, Nova will deliver 603,000 sq ft of offices, 193,000 sq ft of apartments, 85,000 sq ft of retail and 16,000 sq ft of community space. Construction of Nova began in June 2013 and Phase 1 (480, 000 sq ft of offices, 79,900 sq ft of retail and 170 luxury modern apartments within three landmark buildings) is scheduled for completion in July 2016. Westgate Oxford A major redevelopment of the existing Westgate Shopping Centre, Oxford is currently underway, led (since February 2015) by the Westgate Oxford Alliance - a partnership formed by Land Securities and The Crown Estate. Covering a total area of 317,000 sq ft, the upgraded Westgate will house over 100 new retailers, 25 restaurants and cafes, a boutique cinema, roof top terrace dining and a wealth of new public spaces. The projected completion date of this stunning new retail destination is 2018. Johnson continued: “I think the future of construction industry is very rosy in terms of development, looking both in and outside of London. There are also a lot of clients coming from abroad and investing in these developments as well, such as emirate Qataris investment in the development of Chelsea Barracks for example. “In terms of construction at Land Securities, we have a busy pipeline throughout 2016 going into 17, but who knows what’s around the corner. We have to be prepared

for any changes in the industry, a recession for example. We have to anticipate the future in the sector and not utilise our resources singularly; we mustn’t put all our eggs into one basket. For me, doing this is about acting responsibly and being risk aware rather than risk averse. “When considering the complexities associated with public development projects such as 20 Fenchurch Street, we are dealing with very small project footprints. Several measures must be put in place so we can ensure members of the public aren’t affected by our operations. We have to comply with the London Borough and Westminster City Council’s local policies such as noise restrictions, and maintaining good relationships with these stakeholders is key to a project’s success. “We are an informed and intelligent client and much of my work is about having the latitude to appoint the appropriate competencies to ensure contractors carry out the work correctly on our behalf. HEALTH AND SAFETY “On all of our Development Projects we carry out Health and Safety Audits around the Land Securities ‘One Best Way’ to ensure contractors deliver to our expectation. It is all about continually raising the bar and setting the tone as a client, right across our industry sector. We score every audit and the pass mark is 85% and because we maintain excellent relationships with our contractors and they know our expectations, failures are rare. Our contractors realise that working for Land Securities not only raises their health and safety performance as we ensure that sites are safer

“Best Practice retailing relies on the public having a safe and healthy experience whilst shopping and relaxing, so much so that they visit us again. Best Practice developments means the public are not at risk from our activities.”

ACADEMY

1994 to 2016, celebrating 22 years of excellence

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REAL ESTATE: LAND SECURITIES

and healthier, it raises their own company profile as well. “Our success has been measurable by how our principle contractors buy into what we do and how we do it. We’ve communicated our health and safety commitment and objectives within the business and these must be integrated in all tender documents, creating a level playing field for all main contractors. As part of this, every principal contractor must sign up to our Health and Safety Pledge, which sets out the standards we require. We issue formal updates and standards regularly under our ‘One Best Way’ banner. “The ‘One Best Way’ has been very important for Land Securities in terms of having a set of documents that we’re able to share with all of our internal and external stakeholders, and this has led to the development of our Continuous Improvement Groups. Once on board, all our principal contractors and external stake holders must attend these groups, which are designed to bring together our supply chain partners to discuss issues, share knowledge and establish common standards. Our Continuous Improvement Groups include external groups for principle designers, security, cleaning providers, mechanical and electrical and occupational health providers.

“Our success has been measurable by how our principle contractors buy into what we do and how we do it.”

Proud to support Land Securities and form part of their Continuous Improvement Groups T: 0207 930 6473 F: 0207 930 6474

E: info@mapinteriors.co.uk W: www.mapinteriors.co.uk

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“As a client, we’re at the top of the food chain in having the opportunity to influence all our external stake holders, and the ‘One Best Way’ documents along with our Health & Safety Pledge are good ways to establish consistency between ourselves and the work of others. “Based on feedback we’ve received from contractors, we also understand the importance of creating this consistency for their behalf. Our working methods can easily and successfully be transferred elsewhere, so our contractors aren’t frustrated that they have to change how they work depending on who they’re working for. “For continuity across the board, this is a good thing we do collectively as a group of informed and intelligent clients. It’s all about good coordination and good communication. Similarly, Land Securities is part of the Construction Clients’ Group where we also share best practice to develop commonality between clients. “Our ‘One Best Way’ documents are never set in stone as we must keep up to date with current and constantly evolving legislation; they’re also always verified. Over the last 12 months, we’ve had to spend a lot of time and energy adapting the ‘One Best Way’ in line with the new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), which came into force on 6 April 2015. With the updated CDM regulations, the client is increasingly accountable and we’ve embraced this change along with additional responsibilities, aligned ourselves with the new requirements and created a new series of formalised documents off the back of it.” Land Securities’ health and safety incident frequency rate is currently well below the industry average. All of the company’s development projects boast a Considerate Constructors’ Scheme average score of 37 out of 50, which equates to Excellent.

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“In terms of health and wellbeing at Land Securities, we want to ensure that the people working on our projects are not exposed to the risks of occupational disease so they can enjoy longer, healthier and happier retirements.”

When asked what advice he would give other organisations aiming for equally high health and safety standards and culture, Johnson said: “The role of the client is crucial to the success of any construction project because they can set the tone of their expectations (the ripple effect - whatever we say flows down the supply chain). Land Securities puts all those expectations in its tender documents so all contractors know what they need to align themselves with before they even put a spade in the ground. “Land Securities transparent approach makes people realise that we are open and honest in everything we do. For us good health and safety starts with good governance. In turn that should inspire a culture of respect, awareness and continuous improvement. What you see is what you get. I’m really proud to be part of that.” OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Johnson continued, “Health in construction is area that I personally, have been heavily involved in since we last spoke in 2014. “In terms of health and wellbeing at Land Securities, we want to ensure that the people working on our projects are not exposed to the risks of occupational disease so they can enjoy longer, healthier and happier retirements. “Last year we increased our requirements on principal contractors and now we must make provisions for occupational health schemes on all construction projects which require formal notification. Within the business, we sent out our first wellbeing questionnaire to employees last year. This was designed to find out what wellbeing concerns and needs people have and the responses received will inform the design of our long-term health and wellbeing strategy. “As with all of our health and safety activity, we aim to be a leader in our industry. In 2014 we became OHSAS 18001-certified. This internationally recognised accreditation is the benchmark for Health and Safety Management Systems. Together with our ISO14001 accreditation for Environmental Management, both health and safety procedures and environmental management are being carried out to the same high level – consistently – across the entire Company.” HEALTH IN CONSTRUCTION – LEADING THE WAY It is estimated that UK construction workers are 100 times more likely to die from occupational diseases than accidents. Exposure to asbestos, silica dust and diesel engine exhaust emissions for example, has led to approximately 3,500 cancer deaths and 5,500 cancer registrations each year from this industry. The non-control of numerous construction process outcomes (including dust emissions, fumes, vapours and gases released into the air) can pose significant risk, causing breathing problems and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (CODP) / lung diseases. These include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Dermatitis from skin exposures to hazardous substances, back injuries, upper limb disorders, ill health caused by noise and vibration and mental health are additional issues facing construction workers today.

During an interview with HSE International in 2014, Clive Johnson said: “As a construction industry client we want to bring the ‘health’ back into ‘health and safety’. Occupational diseases kill lots of people in our sector and we having shouted about safety for years, so it is time to bring health back into the foreground too.” Johnson explained how he has delivered on his previous words. “I sit on the Construction Industry Advisor Commitee (CONIAC) and there was a moment, around 18 months ago, that really struck a chord and had a galvanizing effect on my feelings towards construction health. During a meeting with CONIAC we were given a presentation by Dr Lesley Rushtin, reader in occupational epidemiology at London’s Imperial College, who identified how many people have died from occupational diseases related to occupational exposure in the construction sector. There was a bit of a stunned silence at the end of her presentation. “As I said in 2014, we’ve been shouting about safety but whispering about health and after listening to Dr Rushtin, the whole commitee realised that we simply hadn’t been doing enough to tackle occupation health concerns in construction. “In 2001, the then-Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott instigated the first construction health and safety summit because frankly, we were killing too many people - back in the 70s, 80s and 90s, construction deaths were in the hundreds. Any number of deaths is of course still too many, but 15 years on, fatalities have reduced by two thirds through continuous effort and success in the sector.

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“It’s through industry groups such as this, the Health in Construction Leadership Group that we can share good practice and reach a collective agreement on the best ways to help Britain work and be well.”

“I went away after listening to Dr Rushtin and thought about it. At the next meeting, I said, “we’ve got to do something for health and I think we should take the same approach as John Prescott did with safety.” Health risks haven’t received enough attention and I think it’s easy not to recognise occupational exposures as major hazards because they’re latent risks. Let’s now get everybody together and create a unified enthusiasm to raise the profile of health in construction. “I had initial meeting with two other people around 12 months ago, and in January this year, the inaugural Construction Health Summit was held.” Construction Health Summit As the new Chairman of the Construction Clients’ Group (CCG), Clive Johnson also chairs the recently established Health in Construction Leadership Group. The group’s mission is “to unite the construction industry in eradicating ill health and disease caused by exposure to health hazards, with a view to ensuring construction is the leading industry for occupational health and disease prevention.” The first Construction Health Summit, organised by the Health in Construction Leadership Group, was held on 21 January 2016 to address the shocking statistic that deaths caused by occupational disease are 100 times more likely than deaths by accidents. Johnson explained: “In January, over 150 top CEOs, business leaders and client companies in the construction industry vowed to improve occupational health at the first Construction Health Summit in London. The Summit sought to replicate the cultural shift seen in our industry that led to dramatic reduction in construction injuries and fatalities. We wanted to highlight the importance in treating health the same as safety.” Several guest speakers were at the event including Chair of the Health & Safety Executive, Dame Judith Hackitt CBE, who said: “Britain has a proud record on health and safety – it’s one of the best in the world. Our challenge is how we make it even better. Ill-health caused by work activity is one the biggest challenges we face, with 1.2 million people suffering from a work-related illness in 2014/15. It’s through industry groups such as this, the Health in Construction Leadership Group that we can share good practice and reach a collective agreement on the best ways to help Britain work and be well.” During the Summit, attendees pledged their commitment to eradicating the thousands of cases of ill health and disease caused each year as a result of exposure to health hazards during construction work by signing the back of a Pledge Card. The card also included space for a nominee; the person in each company who can make it happen. Johnson continued: “We left the summit with the commitment that we’re going to do something different on the health front, like we did on safety. Fortunately, there was no arm twisting to persuade the heads of the UK’s contractors and clients to attend. I thought we’d have to lobby hard to get them but I’ve never had so many emails about an event in my life.

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“The biggest problem we’ve had that is people didn’t know the different between occupational health, hygiene and wellbeing. Our first bit of work was to define each of these so people could go away with an understanding, to focus on the right approach for every aspect of occupational health.” Following the success of the Construction Health Summit in January, the Health in Construction Leadership Group hosted its second meeting titled ‘Committing Construction to a Healthier Future – from commitment into action’ on 21 April. The meeting welcomed operational and health and safety leaders from committed companies and industry bodies, and the group discussed turning their commitment (made in January) into a tactical action plan. “Personally, over the last 12 months, I’ve done a lot in terms of raising the health profile across the construction industry and will continue to do so - I’m very proud of that”, Johnson added.

“We left the summit with the commitment that we’re going to do something different on the health front, like we did on safety.” SUSTAINABILITY Commercial property is responsible for approximately 18% of the UK’s current carbon emissions. Increasingly, general expectation requires shareholder value to be earned as a result of actions that are positive for all stakeholders. As a leader in this energy-intensive industry, Land Securities has a responsibility to reduce its impact and understands this can only be achieved by recognising a broader responsibility to employees, customers, communities, the government and wider society. Having achieved their 2020 target by the end of last year, Land Securities has rebaselined using 2014 for its new 2020 targets. Against this revised baseline, there are reductions in both like-for-like energy and water consumption across the portfolio, by 8% and 2% respectively. For energy, there has been a reduction in consumption of 10% in the Retail Portfolio and 8% in the London Portfolio. Water consumption has remained static in the Retail Portfolio and decreased by 4% in the London Portfolio. The company applies the latest technology to ensure its developments are as environmentally sound and energy efficient as possible. Work in this area covers everything from using innovative new sources of energy in new sites, to promoting reuse and recycling in office buildings. “With our current construction activity, 100% of construction waste is being diverted from landfill. 100% of our operations are ISO14001 certified and we’ve achieved zero environmental incidents.” Johnson commented In addition to assessing the carbon footprint of all developments and major refurbishments, Land Securities has an in-house environmental / sustainability team who

HSE INTERNATIONAL

REAL ESTATE: LAND SECURITIES

form part of the design team for all major projects, and the company employs dedicated energy managers. With a company-wide environmental management system (EMS), which it applies to all projects, Land Securities believes that genuine progress can be made through a targeted programme of incremental improvements. VISION & VALUES Johnson continued: “Land Securities is shaping the future for good. Our vision and values inspire and guide what we do and how we do it. Having a clear purpose and shared principles help to make us successful and sustainable. Our vision “To be the best property company in the UK in the eyes of our customers, our communities, our partners and our employees. Our values “Certain core values form the foundation of Land Securities. These embody the way in which we work together to deliver effective customer relationships. By putting these values into action we strengthen our ability to deliver high levels of customer service and business performance over the long term. “We aim to make the following objectives standard across our construction sites and managed operations by 2020: • Safety – zero reportable health and safety incidents • Health – every worker to have a transferable occupational health record • Wellbeing – key construction and managed portfolio partners to have implemented a wellbeing policy.” Land Securities is committed to ensuring a healthier future in construction, providing a vision for behavioural

HSE INTERNATIONAL

“Our overarching ambition is to make our supply chains healthy, safe and fair by 2020 and an additional area of focus will be to work with the industry to ensure all construction workers have a transferable health record.”

OUR VISION One organisation bringing together Main and Specialist Contractors, providing a strong collective voice from the contracting supply chain, offering influential and dynamic leadership, and creating the conditions for supply chains to thrive.

OUR MISSION

and culture change for employees and the supply chain through commitment to the Health Summit Pledge and its Health and Safety Pledge. Johnson concluded: “Moving forward we will, through our Health and Safety Objectives, our One Best Way Standards and collaboration with our supply chain, require occupational medical surveillance on our development projects which need formal HSE notification. “Our overarching ambition is to make our supply chains healthy, safe and fair by 2020 and an additional area of focus will be to work with the industry to ensure all construction workers have a transferable health record. We want to bring the ‘Health’ back into ‘Health and Safety’ giving it the same billing as Safety. Land Securities is fully committed to continuing the journey to an Injury Free Environment and 100% Healthy Lives.” For more information, please visit: http://www.landsecurities.com/

Build UK will:

“…the future favours the bold. So we’ve got to be the builders, the people with the new ideas. The people open to the new thinking.”

Provide leadership for a vibrant and diverse industry

Rt. Hon George Osborne MP Chancellor of the Exchequer

Facilitate collaboration within the supply chain

Demonstrate the importance of construction to the UK Improve the image of the industry Enable the right skills in the right place at the right time Develop and implement best practice T: 0844 249 5351 E: info@BuildUK.org W: BuildUK.org @BuildUK HSE INTERNATIONAL

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