To Build - Volume 10 . Issue 1 - March -July 2020

Page 38

PROFESSIONS CONSTRUCTION HEALTH & SAFETY

Calling all built environment professionals Is there light at the end of the tunnel for health and safety in construction into the next decade, asks Claire Deacon, PhD (Construction Management) Pr.CHSA? ACHASM

W

hile the requirements relating to health and safety (H&S) have always applied to any industry, the “formal” introduction was in 2003, with the introduction of the Construction Regulations. Since then, the introduction of a new category of built environment H&S professional in 2013, with the statutory body, the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professionals (SACPCMP). Has legislation changed anything? If you had to ask any of my colleagues who are registered with the SACPCMP what, if any, changes or improvements have been notable since 2003, you are not likely to get a very positive response. Sure, the increase in attention has been visible, but mainly at contractor level. At client level and other built environment professions (BEPs) such as architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, not much at all. The Department of Employment and Labour focuses on contractors, UIF and employment equity. All very important aspects of human rights and equal opportunity. But what about the proactive part of early interventions and designing out risk? Such issues should be driven from client and BEPs, where real change can be made and be seen in the reduction of risk, disease and fatalities on projects. The Association of Construction H&S Management (ACHASM) has been in existence for 11 years, with me, Prof John Smallwood and Rowland Adams as Directors, and Yasmeen Fort as our Registrar. ACHASM is a recognised voluntary association (VA) with the SACPCMP and participates at a number of levels to represent the H&S sector. I serve on both statutory councils, namely the SACPCMP and the Council for the Built Environment (CBE). Although my background is H&S, all counsellors represent the interest of all categories across the built environment. We, as ACHASM, chair the BEP Grouping, which has the business interest of all BEPs at heart, those

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Dr. Claire Deacon.

aspects which the statutory councils are not mandated to do. ACHASM runs very notable and challenging two-day symposia/workshops and other training sessions for H&S that dovetail into all the categories of membership, as well as the BEPs and other VAs. Local chapter meetings are held that highlight aspects that we have identified as gaps in knowledge and practice. We will be soon adding webinars to increase our audience and participation outside of city centres. Will all the statutory changes and attention make a difference into this decade? There is still much work to do, and we often feel like lonely voices preaching to the converted. Change needs action, personal accountability, a moral standing and ethical, professional behaviour. ACHASM leadership will continue the rally for construction H&S at every opportunity. We will continue to further our cause and challenge the country’s leadership, the industry and the BEPs. We invite all BEPs to join us!

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Articles inside

Professional Education

9min
pages 122-132

State of renewable energy in SA

5min
pages 119-121

Heat pumps offer an opportunity to expand sales

1min
pages 112-113

South Africa’s first interior 6-Star Green Star Award

2min
pages 114-115

A word on ceiling fans

2min
pages 106-108

Industry-managed Waste Management Plan

5min
pages 116-118

Concrete and construction expos address 4IR readiness

4min
pages 104-105

Global invention shown in the Greenhouse

2min
pages 109-111

Insulation to future proof properties?

9min
pages 101-103

Efficient cavity wall construction

2min
pages 98-100

South Africa boasts new advanced processing plant

1min
pages 96-97

Cost, maintenance and longevity - the balance

5min
pages 92-95

Zama-Zamas a threat to sustainable development?

3min
pages 90-91

Efficiency and quality demanded to stay in the game

2min
pages 86-87

Funding for solar-reflective roof coatings

2min
pages 88-89

The basics of steel roofing in warehouses

5min
pages 74-76

Double decker rehabilitation creates safety and jobs

9min
pages 80-85

New UN-backed global fire safety standard under development

4min
pages 77-79

Design professionals urged to join SASFA

11min
pages 70-73

Five ideas for classy kitchens

4min
pages 60-61

Solutions for a hard-hit industry

4min
pages 67-69

Essentials for industrial roll-up doors

3min
pages 64-66

Kitchen Specialists 2020

3min
pages 62-63

Dealing with errant professionals

3min
pages 58-59

OCFM recognised

2min
pages 56-57

Addressing corrosion in wastewater plants

2min
pages 54-55

Community architectural designer for circular economy

1min
pages 50-51

Tower crane sales an indicator of recovery?

2min
pages 42-44

Raising the residential bar in PE

2min
pages 52-53

Siyanda Mbele, designer

2min
pages 48-49

A word from ASAQS on the JBCC

4min
pages 45-47

IEA: Building & Construction Technical Committee

2min
pages 40-41

Calling all built environment professionals

2min
pages 38-39

OxGlen buildings show respect for heritage

4min
pages 36-37

Editor’s Choice An oven that ‘listens’ to your food, Solar lights that work?, Contemporary pedestal

3min
pages 16-17

News & Views Apartment hotels – a growth area, New industrial and wholesale suppliers division, Desperate call to Government, Health & safety key drivers, Continued demand for residential property in Pretoria, Brewery truly wired

10min
pages 22-27

Voice of SAIA

5min
pages 8-15

How are we doing as an industry?

3min
pages 32-33

Sandton building uses spectacular façade cladding

2min
pages 34-35

Cover Story

5min
pages 18-21

To Build

1min
pages 4-7
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