1. Health & Safety In Construction Frances Eatough Health & Safety Manager Alumet Systems (UK) Ltd

2. Introduction
The Company
The Construction Industry
Site Safety Issues

3. Alumet Systems UK Ltd
Medium sized company based in Southam, Warwickshire
Design, Manufacture and Install external façade systems
Employ 74 employees
2 factories, 2 design offices, head office
Undertake Sub-Contract work for Taylor Woodrow, Moss Construction, Miller Construction and HBG (members of Major Contractors Group)

4. Alumet Systems - CDM
Aim to eliminate risk during construction, maintenance and demolition through careful planning and design.
Key role under CDM Regulations
Design risk assessment
Work with architect and main contractor
Does CDM Work??

5. The Construction Industry
2.2 million people work in Construction in the UK
Largest but most dangerous industry
In the last 25 years 2,800 people have died through work related injuries
Between April 2004 and March people died and thousands were injured.
2.2 million people work in Britain’s construction industry, making it the country’s biggest industry.
It is also one of the most dangerous. In the last 25 years, over 2,800 people have died from injuries they received as a result of construction work. Many more have been injured or made ill.
Between April 2004 and March 2005, 71 workers died and thousands were injured as a result of construction work. The main causes of the fatal accidents were:
falling through fragile roofs and rooflights
falling from ladders, scaffolds and other work places
being struck by excavators, lift trucks or dumpers
being struck by falling loads and equipment
being crushed by collapsing structures

6. The Construction Industry
Cause of Deaths:
falling through fragile roofs and rooflights
falling from ladders, scaffolds and other work places
being struck by excavators, lift trucks or dumpers
being struck by falling loads and equipment
being crushed by collapsing structures

7. Health & Safety In Construction
Potential Causes
Lack of planning / Poor management
Tight deadlines
Overlapping trades
Sub-contract labour
Foreign workers
Understand site rules?
Young operatives
Risk takers
Horseplay

8. Health & Safety In Construction
HSE very active on large construction sites
Run special campaigns:
Fit out – October 2005
Working at height
Watch your step – Feb 2006
Slip trips
Housekeeping
Access
Main Contractors very proactive
Strict procedures
Health and Safety meetings

9. Site Specific Issues:
Working at Height
Manual Handling
PPE
Training

10. Working at Height Major Risk Predomantly use: Scaffolding MEWP’s
Correctly set out
MEWP’s
Need good access
Mobile scaffold towers
Harness and Man-Safe Systems
Ladders / podium steps
Scaffolding
Only want to adjust once – problems to far from wall or to high so need to use hop up to reach
MEWP’s

11. Safe Use of Harnesses Fit – Harnesses have maximum weight allowance
Are operatives wearing them correctly
What can they anchor too?
Need secure anchor point
Choking – bad practice
Lanyard Type – Traditionally sold with fall arrest lanyard
Have operatives enough room to fall?
Can they be rescued?

12. Ladders Not illegal to use!
Many Construction companies have banned their use (well kind of)
Last resort
Short duration

13. Manual Handling Major changes in the glazing industry
Eliminate the requirement for manual handling where ever possible
Cranes
Electric chain hoists
Power suckers
Forklifts
Trolleys

14. PPE
On a construction site you must wear Helmet, Hi Vis Vest and safety boots
Many Main Contractors have made the wearing of gloves mandatory
Laing O’Rourke – Mandatory eye protection and gloves
?? Are protective glasses designed to be worn all day ??

15. Training Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Aim:
Rid the construction industry of cowboys
All workers obtain CSCS card which demonstrates basic health and safety training and experience in their trade
Cards obtained by completion of health and safety touch screen test and industry accreditation or NVQ

16. Safety in Construction has improved however we still have our bad days!!..........................

20. Thank you