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Staying Steady On Constuction Site
“If you see it - sort it” is the message from Stephen Williams, the Chief Inspector of Construction at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the construction inspectors begin the nationwide inspection programme targeting building sites with poor housekeeping.
On 3 October 2005, HSE launched a national campaign raising awareness of the cost of slips and trips in the workplace.
Regulation 26, of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (CHSW) 1996, states: “Every part of a construction site shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be kept in good order and every part of a construction site which is used as a place of work shall be kept in a reasonable state of cleanliness.”
Every year the construction industry reports over 3,000 slip or trip incidents. In 2004/5(p) more than 1,000 of these resulted in a worker fracturing or dislocating a bone, two of these incidents resulted in fatalities.
Speaking from the St. Pancras station project, Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), a site using best practice to manage good order issues through its Take 15 campaign, Stephen Williams, stressed to the industry; “It is time to change. Most slip or trip incidents can be avoided if everyone on site does their bit to make the workplace safer - so if you see it - sort it.”
Most, slip and trip incidents, are caused by corridors and stairways being obstructed with tools, materials and waste. Trip hazards may also be caused by footpaths which are not properly leveled, or cables trailing across pedestrian routes.
Mike Williams, the HSE Principal Inspector whose area includes the St. Pancras site, advised principal contractors to consider how they manage their sites to ensure that they are kept in good order. “In London 409 slip and trip injuries were reported in 2004/05(p); however, due to under-reporting, HSE suspects the actual figure may be much higher. “Walkways and storage areas should be designated and kept clear from obstructions. Pathways should be level and firm and arrangements should be made to remove waste from work areas. Employees have a role too, they should keep work areas as clear as possible of unnecessary materials and waste.”
During February’s site visits, inspectors will expect to find sites where: deliveries have been planned to minimise the amount of materials being stored on site; contractors have a system in place for managing waste materials; footpaths are safe to use; and walkways/stairways are kept clear of obstructions.
Site managers should discuss good order issues with their workers, encouraging them to report slip or trip hazards. Managers should also have in place systems ensuring that everyone on site complies with the arrangements for the removal of waste.
To support the initiative, organisations such as UCATT, TGWU, NASC, NCF and CECA will be distributing free good order ‘toolbox talk’ packs to their members. The packs contain a 5 minute DVD “Watch your step, a toolbox talk for construction”, a supporting Good Order On Site booklet and a Good Order poster.
During a similar inspection initiative in October 2005, HSE inspectors took enforcement action at around 11% of sites they visited in respect of good order issues.
It is well worth anyone supplying tools and equipment to the construction industry to take a look at the HSE website and see what its priorities are, as always being able to give your customers sound advice not only helps you reputation, but in may also result in requests for extra equipment.
For full details of the Watch Your Step in the Construction Industry initiative
visit www.hse.gov.uk/construction/slips/index.htm
On 3 October 2005, HSE launched a national campaign raising awareness of the cost of slips and trips in the workplace. Further information on the campaign can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/watchyourstep
HSE’s Better Business campaign is a national initiative that focuses on raising awareness about the financial and personal costs and causes of workplace incidents. It also shows the real bottom-line benefits of managing health and safety effectively. For further information and to read about the business benefits of better health, go to www.hse.gov.uk/betterbusiness/index.htm
A ‘toolbox talk’ pack featuring a 5 minute DVD “Watch your step, a toolbox talk for construction”, a supporting good order on site booklet and a poster, is available free from HSE Books, tel 01787 881165 or to download from www.hse.gov.uk/construction/slips/index.htm
