Archive for the ‘Construction’ Category
06/09/2011
Are you a Principal Contractor?
The law requires that principal contractors (PC) must undertake the following actions: Project management – plan, manage and monitor the construction phase so that it is carried out safely and without risks to health; Contractor engagement – provide information and directions whilst facilitating co-operation and co-ordination between contractors; Workforce engagement – make sure the workforce [...]
04/09/2011
Illegal dumping of Asbestos costs £50k
A Cornwall haulage and skip hire boss has been handed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, for illegally tipping asbestos waste in an area of “outstanding natural beauty”. In an Environment Agency (EA) prosecution at Truro Crown Court, the Director of the Company (which has gone into liquidation) – was also ordered to pay £50,000 under [...]
12/08/2011
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) – the FACTS
COPD is a major cause of disability and death; it is the fourth leading cause of death throughout the world. What are the symptoms of COPD? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term illness that makes breathing difficult. The lungs and breathing tubes are damaged making it difficult to get air in and [...]
09/08/2011
Wall-collapse director to face manslaughter charge
A director of a construction firm has been accused of causing, through gross negligence, the death of a child who was killed when a wall he designed collapsed on her. Three-year-old Meg Burgess was killed when a wall designed by the director and constructed by his company collapsed on to a public footpath where she [...]
04/08/2011
HSE’s Plan of Work 2011/12 – Part 2
The Construction Plan of Work 2011/2012 (Part 2) As well as considering the five generic issues (see previous post), they will also tackle: Management of health risks – they will promote awareness and knowledge of health risks in construction to achieve improved management and a corresponding reduction in occupational disease. Leadership – they will examine [...]
02/08/2011
HSE’s Plan of Work 2011/12 – Part 1
The Plan of Work sets out the work of the Construction Division for 2011/12 and outlines the direction of their work over a longer three-year period. The plan is designed to improve the health and safety performance of the construction industry; it builds on work carried out previously and continues their mission to deliver sustainable [...]
01/08/2011
CSCS Standards Strategy Consultation
CSCS is undertaking a consultation exercise across the construction industry to gather evidence to support development of a revised card standards strategy and structure to drive forward competence of UK site based construction workers in line with industry requirements that will: Provide a clearer series of levels focused on achievement Recognise ‘labourer’ and ‘semi skilled’ as [...]
23/07/2011
CSCS plans major review to improve service delivery
CSCS is assessing how the scheme is delivered to the construction industry so it can improve service levels. Currently CITB ConstructionSkills provides the helpdesk and application processing service under contract to CSCS and the five year notice period to terminate the contract has been served. CSCS chief executive Brian Adams comments: “We need to ensure [...]
10/06/2011
HSE investigation into wood dust
The HSE is to investigate the occupational risks facing those in the furniture and woodworking industries, more than 10 years after the last checks. It says about 50 people a year are diagnosed with nasal cancer which may have developed decades after their exposure to wood dust, while others have asthma as a result of [...]
02/06/2011
Preventing harm from falling tools
HSE is publishing this series of short case studies to promote some of the new and practical solutions used to manage health, safety and welfare during construction of the London 2012 projects, to help others working in construction and inspire further ideas to deal with hazards and manage risk. Background Danger from falling objects is always present [...]
