It follows the HSE’s plan to increase its inspection effort on small sites to 35% where 70% of fatal accidents occur and standards are often poor.
The warning comes from HBXL, the building software specialist company, on the back of the HSE’s plan of work summary which highlights small sites and refurbishment work as two of its main areas of operational activity throughout 2014.
The major inspection and enforcement initiative involves HSE inspectors making unannounced site visits where they will look at five generic issues including working at height, asbestos risk, provision of welfare, site conditions and respiratory risks and adequate use of PPE.
It means all paperwork and health and safety obligations have to be right up to date in order to satisfy the legal obligations required.
Fortunately those wanting to comply and avoid a business busting fine can turn to HBXL’s Health & Safety Xpert software. Encouraging a more active approach to health and safety it is already used by thousands of builders across the country.
Joanna Mulgrew of HBXL said: “The construction sector is one of the largest in the country employing close to two million people. It is also one of the most dangerous and is why the HSE is to maintain its vigorous inspection initiative.
“Because of this building firms will have to keep a constant vigilance on their health and safety obligations.”
During any visit the HSE will also look at how effective managers are at leading health and safety, the management of health risks and the promotion of knowledge of health risks and the encouraging of worker involvement.
Joanna added: “Anyone working on any building site should look out for hazards and take time to control the risks as best they can. Health & Safety Xpert goes a long way to help manage such risks and help reduce the number of accidents.”
Developed in partnership with leading health and safety professionals, Health & Safety Xpert encourages an active approach to health and safety providing all health and safety paperwork required on any job at the push of a button which is then ready for review and implementation on site.
All users have to do is tell Health & Safety Xpert what they are building and it simply does the rest, automatically producing Company Health & Safety Policies, Risk Assessments, COSHH Assessments forms required by the HSE, and many more essential documents. It also produces Method Statement and Construction Phase Health & Safety Plans templates ready to be tailored by the builder.
It has already proved to have saved builders huge amounts of time, quickly guiding them through the crucial paper work that’s required under current UK law, including the Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 and Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations 2007.
Joanna added: “I continue to urge builders and contractors to make the most of software packages like Health & Safety Xpert. It enables builders to keep pace with ever stricter compliance requirements and it’s infinitely cheaper than a fine and more importantly helps prevent those working on site getting injured.
“The important thing to remember is that a risk assessment or any other health and safety documentation is only effective if it is acted upon.”
For further information on Health & Safety Xpert or any HBXL product please call T: 0845 1234 065 or visit the web site www.hbxl.co.uk
