The key to achieving healthy and safe working conditions in a is to ensure that health and safety issues are planned, organised, controlled, monitored and reviewed. Everyone controlling site work has health and safety responsibilities. Checking that working conditions are healthy and safe before work begins and ensuring that the proposed work is not going to put others at risk requires planning and organisation.
This applies equally to a firm running and managing a small job, or to a subcontractor working at a large site controlled by someone else. Planning has to consider changes to the site as it develops - from welfare arrangements at the set up, through to snagging work and the dismantling of site huts and hoardings at the end of the contract. The basic requirements apply to all jobs, whether big or small, no matter where they may be taking place.
Gathering as much health and safety information about the project and the proposed site before work begins is important. Information available at tendering should be used so that allowance is made for the time and resources required to deal with particular problems. Find out about the history of the site and its surroundings. See if there are any unusual features which might affect the work, or how the work will affect others. This should all be recorded and this information should also be share with anyone else present on site.
When estimating costs and preparing the programme, consider any particular health and safety hazards associated with the work. Make sure suitable allowances have been made in the price. The job will run more smoothly, efficiently and profitably if hazards have been predicted, planned for and controlled from the outset. Having to stop or reschedule work to deal with emergencies wastes time and money. When programmes are prepared, consider whether there are any operations that will affect the health or safety of others working at the site.
Discuss proposed working methods with subcontractors before letting contracts. Find out how they are going to work, what equipment and facilities they are expecting to be provided and the equipment they will bring to the site. Identify any health or safety risks that their operations may create for others working at the site and agree control measures. If this is not considered and every aspect is poorly managed, this can see the business faced with massive fines. This can also lead to adverse publicity.
This applies equally to a firm running and managing a small job, or to a subcontractor working at a large site controlled by someone else. Planning has to consider changes to the site as it develops - from welfare arrangements at the set up, through to snagging work and the dismantling of site huts and hoardings at the end of the contract. The basic requirements apply to all jobs, whether big or small, no matter where they may be taking place.
Gathering as much health and safety information about the project and the proposed site before work begins is important. Information available at tendering should be used so that allowance is made for the time and resources required to deal with particular problems. Find out about the history of the site and its surroundings. See if there are any unusual features which might affect the work, or how the work will affect others. This should all be recorded and this information should also be share with anyone else present on site.
When estimating costs and preparing the programme, consider any particular health and safety hazards associated with the work. Make sure suitable allowances have been made in the price. The job will run more smoothly, efficiently and profitably if hazards have been predicted, planned for and controlled from the outset. Having to stop or reschedule work to deal with emergencies wastes time and money. When programmes are prepared, consider whether there are any operations that will affect the health or safety of others working at the site.
Discuss proposed working methods with subcontractors before letting contracts. Find out how they are going to work, what equipment and facilities they are expecting to be provided and the equipment they will bring to the site. Identify any health or safety risks that their operations may create for others working at the site and agree control measures. If this is not considered and every aspect is poorly managed, this can see the business faced with massive fines. This can also lead to adverse publicity.
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