This Section:
SITE SAFETY INSPECTIONS
Site Safety Inspections are often confused with our safety activities such as Site Safety Audits, Site Safety Tours, and Site Safety Surveys. It is, however, important that the difference is understood and the ambiguity eliminated.
A "Site Safety Inspection" may be defined as detailed examination of the physical state of a work environment or workplace, with the view to identify all potential hazards associated with that particular environment. A typical workplace may include construction sites, offices, factories, retail units, public places and communal areas.
The main outcome of a Site Safety Inspection is that hazards identified in the workplace are corrected, either by elimination or by the effective management using appropriate control measures. Good health and safety management begins with a good Health and Safety Policy including arrangements set in place to effect that policy. However, in today's workplace, this approach is simply not enough for any organisation to maintain a positive health and safety culture.
Hazards left unchecked may lead to an accident or injury and for this reason active monitoring of the implementation of health and safety systems and procedures is essential for an organisation to maintain a high standard of health and safety in the workplace. Site Safety Inspections measure performance and provides valuable feedback to Clients and "Responsible Persons" which may prevent accidents or dangerous occurrences. Regular safety inspections serve as a tool to achieve this objective and frequency of such inspections is a function of level of risk.
Site Safety Inspections would essentially involve a detailed inspection of a workplace by an experienced individual. Checklists, relevant to the site, are normally used to ensure a systematic approach to an inspection.
Following an inspection, findings are recorded and depending on the risk associated with the identified hazards, recommendations are put forward in a formal report. It is good practice for identified hazards, including associated risks, to be brought to the immediate attention of the person responsible for the site.
Legislation
Various pieces of health and safety legislation govern statutory requirements for all Clients or employers in control of a workplace. This is to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare of people at work; the protection of others against health and safety risk from work activities; and the control of danger from plant, equipment, articles and substances used for work and the like.
The general definition for a "workplace" covers a wide range of workplaces, which include factories, schools, shops, offices, hotels, places of entertainment, common parts of shared buildings, private roads and paths on industrial estates and business parks and temporary worksites.
Construction sites are workplaces, however, these sites are governed specifically by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007
For a typical construction site, the obligation for the Client, to ensure that a safe site is established and maintained, falls under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. A clear requirement to monitor health and safety management strategies being implemented on a site is outlined in Regulation 9(2).
Clients and employers in control of workplaces have clear duties under other legislation, which includes the following:
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
Under Section two of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers have a general duty to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work. Key actions include providing and maintaining the following:
- Safe plant and safe systems of work.
- Safe handling, storage, maintenance and transport of work articles and substances.
- Information, instruction, training and supervision required or necessary.
- A safe place of work with safe access and egress.
- A safe working environment with adequate welfare facilities.
It should also be noted that persons in control of non domestic premises have a duty under Section 4 of the Act towards people who are not their employees but use their premises.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Under these regulations employers have duties and obligations to ensure that workplaces for which they have responsibility meet the health, safety and welfare needs of employees and visitors including disabled persons. Requirements outlined in The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 are more clearly defined and detailed in these regulations.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
In compliance with Regulation 3, every employer or self employed person is required to make sufficient assessment of the health and safety risk to their employees or others not in their employment who may be affected by health and safety risks associated with their activities, tasks or business operations.
Regular reviews of assessments are required as and when necessary and all significant findings should be recorded for appropriate action.
In compliance with Regulation 4 and 5, employers are required to make appropriate arrangements to effectively plan, organise control, monitor and review protective and preventative measures put in place to ensure activities, tasks or business operations are undertaken safely. Due consideration must be given to the nature and size of the activity, task or business operation.
Further to the above, calfordseaden health & safety provides the following services to assist our Clients with compliance:
- Site Safety Inspections provide the Client with details on the physical state of a site or working environment with the view to identify and rectify any unsafe conditions.
- Site Safety Audits provide the Client with an overview on the effectiveness of their health and safety management system. An audit would bring to light any shortcomings present within existing health and safety systems and/or procedures.
For further information contact:
Andrew Shearman CMIOSH RMaPS AIEMA MIIRSM ICIOB OSHCR
Director / Calford Seaden (Health and Safety) Limited
T 01689 888222
E ashearman@calfordseaden.co.uk
