The director of a construction company has been sentenced after a subcontractor suffered serious injuries when a stack of plasterboards fell on him at a site in Surrey. Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard that on 12 April 2019, subcontractors were moving sheets of plasterboard weighing 32kg each from the ground floor to the second floor of […]
Coronavirus grace periods are now in place for expired site safety certificates and CSCS card renewals. The grace period for Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) and Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) certificates that expired since 1 October 2020 extends until 30 April 2021. For certificates that expired between 15 March and 30 September […]
HSE spot checks and inspections on businesses will continue during lockdown. Further to this, HSE will increase the number of calls and visits to check COVID-secure measures are in place, in accordance with government guidance. To protect workers, visitors and customers, employers must make sure everyone is following the measures put in place to manage […]
The HSE has employer guidance on its website for protecting home workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The issues to be considered include: lone working without supervision working with display screen equipment (DSE) keeping in touch to recognise signs of stress and mental health problems. Click here to read the HSE advice how to deal with […]
Brexit has not changed a company’s responsibility to protect the health and safety of people affected by its work activities. However, now the UK has left the EU, certain rules and procedures have changed for some construction companies. One of these is REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). REACH operates alongside COSHH. It […]
Skanska is set to use sustainable site hoardings after signing a deal with specialist supplier Panthera Group to provide the hoardings on its jobs. Using EnviroHoard, which is manufactured from post-production uPVC, the panels can be used multiple times on different projects and under full recycling at the end of their life. Skanska was keen […]
Bellway Homes has been fined £600,000 for demolishing a bat roost. This is the largest fine ever issued by a court in relation to a wildlife crime. Woolwich Crown Court heard the house builder admitted damaging or destroying a breeding site or resting place for bats at a construction site in Greenwich. The company was […]
800,000 trees will be planted using funding from the Green Recovery Challenge. Projects that protect landscapes, connect people with nature and help create and retain thousands of green jobs across England have been awarded a share of almost £40 million, the government announced. The 68 projects will see over 800,000 trees planted and help restore […]
Dame Glenys Stacey has been selected as the preferred candidate to chair a new independent body, The Office for Environmental Protection. The Environment Bill will create a new, independent statutory body – the Office for Environmental Protection. It will have the principal objective of contributing to environmental protection and the improvement of the natural environment. […]
The CIP H&S Manual Updates amendment packs will be sent out to subscribers this month. The latest update to the CIP Construction Health and Safety Manual includes the following: Site Logistics and Planning – a new section on the use of mobile devices on site; new guidance on the role of the plant / vehicle […]