Goverment doesn't accept recommendations of the Donaghy Report (published July 2009):
In her report, 'One Death Too Many', Rita Donaghy made 28 recommendations ranging from including health & safety with Building Regs approval to appointing a new minister for construction.
A number of the recommendations crossed over with existing regulations and were not accepted by the government. However, some of these may be happening anyway: We've already heard that there is the Safety Schemes in Construction initiative where prequalification questionnaire (PQQ) systems such as Constructionline are linked so that any scheme may be used to satisfy requests (as a business involved with getting companies up to scratch for PQQ purposes, we think this is excellent!); a call for increased worker participation echoes the requirements of CDM 2007 but the Goverment has not recognised the need for increased support and participation for Trade Unions. We certainly acknowledge the need for worker participation to build 'ownership' for health, safety and welfare and while it could be said that Trade Unions may be able to provide a structure for this to happen, an empowered workforce representative might do the job just as well.
Don't get fooled by the headlines in the papers - most of the Donaghy Report recommendations have been accepted - for the full report, see the link.
http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm76/7657/7657.pdf
H&S Update Seminar - for those responsible for health & safety
You are most welcome to join us for our Health & Safety Update Seminars in 2010. The next one is in Brentwood on the 18th May 2010 at The Holiday Inn, Brook Street, Brentwood CM14 5NF - which is just off Junction 28 of the M25.
Meet the team at 6.00pm (for drinks and sandwiches) for a 6.30pm start. The formal program finishes at 8.00pm but there will be an informal networking and catch up session afterwards (in the bar).
Our team will talk about:-
- (Not health & safety but of interest to many) Site Waste Management Plans have been heard about but in many cases, underestimated or misunderstood. We run through the duties of clients, designers and contractors and what you need to consider at various points of a construction project
- At the time of writing (April 2010) we are anticipating an election in May. We point out what might be in store for Health & Safety and the HSE given current proposals by political parties and the possible impact on clients, designers and contractors
- Competency of duty holders is of key importance to safety performance and there are more and more instances of Inspectors not accepting 'experience' but demanding qualifications - We look at what the HSE expects of Clients, designers and contractors
- New Regulations came into force for Tower Cranes on 6th April 2010 - certain types need to be notified to the HSE - this is just 5 minutes highlighting to whom they need to be notified and how much it costs
- Your questions!
The cost is £25 for up to 3 people from the same organisation. Click here for the booking form.
Future seminars will be held at
Guildford 14/9
Brighouse 5/10
Haydock 6/10
Bristol 9/11
Booking forms will be available here but if you wish to register your interest in advance - please email dan.s@bsims.co.uk with your name, company and particular area of interest.
All seminars subject to availability. We reserve the right to change venues, times or dates or call off seminars if necessary but we are unlikely to do so!
Property Firm Failed to Check Contractor was Competent
[Make sure you know your obligations!]
A property company, which failed to manage a construction project properly and employed a contractor without checking his competency, has been ordered to pay more than £11,000 in fines and costs for offences under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).
The property company had hired a contractor to do the refurbishment work, the contractor then sub-contracted some of the work to a self-employed builder who subsequently fell through a fragile roof.
The HSE prosecuted the property firm and contractor after the unskilled labourer fell through a section of asbestos cement sheeting during renovation and suffered two fractured vertebrae and serious injuries to both hands.
As the project client, the property company had;
a. failed to appointed a CDM Coordinator;
b. not appointed a Principal Contractor;
c. no suitable management arrangements in place; and
d. failed to check the contractors' competence.
The contractor had failed to ensure;
a. the works were properly planned;
b. the works were appropriately supervised; and
c. the works were carried out in a safe manner.
The property company was fined £7,000 plus £4,486 costs for offences under Regulations 4(1)(a) and 9(1)(a) of CDM 2007.
The contractor was fined £6,000 plus £4430 costs after admitting breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
If you are not sure - just phone us on 01483 467270 and ask what your obligations are!
No Machine Guarding or Liability Insurance, Lands Firm with £10,000 Fine
[Make sure you have the necessary insurance and carry out regular risk assessments]
A window maker was fined £10,000 after an agency worker lost a finger when using an unguarded saw; it was also revealed that the company did not have liability insurance.
The worker was using a double pivoting head mitre saw to cut frames when the unguarded blade hit and sliced into his left hand, after extensive surgery, his middle finger was saved but his index finger was amputated.
The HSE found the firm had failed to fit a guard to prevent access to the saw's blade.
The firm was fined £10,000 for breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and safety at Work Act, and failing to take out liability insurance, under Section 1(1) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act.
The company had believed that it did not need insurance to cover worker's injuries as most of them were employed through an agency.
HELP US MAKE A BIG SPLASH!
(IF YOU NEED JUST A LITTLE EXCUSE TO GIVE A LITTLE MONEY )
in aid of the Marie Curie Cancer Fund...
A team from Bernard Sims Associates 'Barbs' is taking part in the world's largest fundraising swimming event!
We'll be swimming 5km at Guildford Spectrum from 7.00pm on Friday 16th April and hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for Marie Curie Cancer Care through the Swimathon Foundation.
If you are nearby, please come and support us!
It's really easy to sponsor the team and whilst the more you can offer, the better, even £5 each will make a difference. To give online using a secure connection, use the Swimathon website www.swimathon.org and follow the buttons 'Sponsor a Swimmer' and the link 'Sponsor a Team'. Search for team 'barbs' and then the button 'Sponsor this Team'. Just fill in your name and address and card details and remember to do 'Gift Aid' if you qualify.
Alternatively, the link below may take you direct to the Team Barb page.
http://my.artezglobal.com/TeamPage.aspx?teamID=34053&langPref=en-CA
