CSCS Cards and construction sites

Almost all of our clients have had experience – good and bad – with the CSCS scheme. It has become a key requirement for any person wishing to enter a construction site and this includes those staff (ourselves included) who only enter to observe others.

The scheme has faced some criticism in the past for the limited number of trade qualifications which it recognises and moves are afoot to address this.  Unfortunately, additional changes will mean that those applying for a basic ‘green card’ will face a requirement for further qualifications, read on to find out more.

The current system

Depending on the level of card required, the individual had to pass a health and safety touch screen test and provide details of trade qualifications.  The touch screen element is relatively straightforward and can be completed at a number of locations around the country – many of them test centres linked to driver licensing and similar – for a list look here; https://www.cscs.uk.com/cscs-cards/health-and-safety-test

The difficulty with the CSCS scheme has always been in recognising qualifications with many highly experienced site managers and other professional not being in possession of the required NVQs and other formal qualifications which the system requires.

CSCS Green Card

Due to this difficulty many people have given up and gone for the simpler option – known as the “construction site operative” version. To get the green card you only need to pass the touch screen test. However, the CSCS has identified that this is being misused and is planning to make obtaining one a lot more difficult.

Changes to the CSCS Scheme

From July 2014, anyone applying for an entry level green card will be required to achieve a knowledge-based qualification, “Health and Safety in a Construction Environment”. There’s also talk that the individual may have to go down the NVQ route as well.

We should stress that this is the current best knowledge position and things could change but its well worth being aware of this change.  If your site staff are currently using green cards you could find that this will cause you an issue.  Some good news is that since 30 September, CSCS will also recognise these additional construction-related qualifications: HNC, HND, degrees, NEBOSH construction certificates and national diplomas, CIOB certificates.

If you’ve got questions or need support on safety in the industrial, contracting or construction sectors please contact us for sensible and proportionate advice on 01453 800 100

As our renewables team continues to grow we’re working with a number of of business on wind, and other renewables projects providing CDM Coordiantor and safety support.  We work closely with major UK providers and also clients from Europe and America entering the UK market for the first time; Renewables team (PV / Solar / Wind / Biomass).

A question which we recently assisted in answering regarded the electrical safety standards required and level of competence for these types of installations.  It is also worth noting that the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) are also launching their own scheme for renewables including solar PV and wind energy – we’ll have an update on that soon as it will of course benefit from a grant approved status.

Information reproduced here has been taken from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website: www.microgenerationcertification.org, if you have any questions please contact us on 01453 800100

Standard of electrical qualification for renewables and micro generation

3.1 Capability

Certificated contractors shall have the capability and capacity to undertake the supply, design, installation, set to work, commissioning and handover of micro and small wind turbine systems.

Where contractors do not engage in the design or supply of micro and small wind turbine systems, but work solely as an installer for a client who has already commissioned a system design; then the contractor must be competent to review and verify that the design would meet the design requirements set out in this standard and this should be recorded.

5 COMPETENCE OF STAFF

All personnel employed by, or sub-contracted to, the contractor must be able to demonstrate that they are trained and competent in the disciplines and skills, appropriate to the activities required for their role, in accordance with this standard.

Complete records of training and competence skills of personnel must be maintained by the certificated contractor, in particular:

• Design staff, carrying out full conceptual design, must be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the technologies involved and the interaction of associated technologies.
• All personnel engaged in the actual installation are expected to have technical knowledge and installation skills, to install components and equipment within the designed system, in accordance with all appropriate codes of practice, manufacturer’s specifications and regulations.
• All personnel engaged in the final inspection, commissioning, maintenance or repair, must have a comprehensive technical knowledge of the products, interfacing services and structures to complete the specified processes.

Examples of the underpinning knowledge areas required to show competence are given in Appendix C.

APPENDIX C:  Competence of Staff

Assessments of competence will cover the following underpinning knowledge areas:

• C. 1. Mechanical Engineering (understanding of static and dynamic stresses and loads involved with wind turbines)
• C. 2. Environmental impacts of wind turbines (e.g. noise, flicker)
• C. 3. Concrete structures and processes
• C. 4. Resource assessment and performance calculation (inc understanding of limitations of NOABL and impact of turbulence)
• C. 5. Non-conventional AC output (variable voltage, variable current, variable frequencies) of wind turbine
• C. 6. DC Electrical systems
• C. 7. Conventional AC Electrical Systems (BS 7671)
• C. 8. Grid connection requirements (G83 and/or G59)
• C. 9. Battery systems for off-grid applications (sizing, depth of discharge, ventilation, dump loads etc.)

MCS Standard 001 specifies a very general requirement on training as follows:

17. Training and competence

All staff employed in installation, set to work and/or commissioning activities must have received adequate training in each of the areas/operations in which they are involved.

The Company must have a training record for each employee which details training received, and any qualifications or certificates held by the individual. The record should be signed or verified by the employee.

The Company must have a record detailing the MCS related activities for which each individual is approved on the basis of their competence. The competencies required for installers are detailed in the relevant installation standards.

18. Health and Safety

The company must have health and safety policies and procedures, including risk assessment, to ensure all installations are conducted safely.

If you’ve got questions or need support on safety in the industrial, contracting or construction sectors please contact us for sensible and proportionate advice on 01453 800 100

We work with a number of businesses who make use of the following equipment and so thought it wise to issues a reminder that this protective equipment does need periodic testing. Our clients in the water and utility sectors as well as contractors in the electrical sector should find the following information useful.

If you have a need and are involved in utility works, moleing, water or power contracting please call 01453 800100 and ask to speak to Derek or Jeremy (our people).

Electrical Insulating Gloves (EN 60903): In-Service Recommendations

Storage

Gloves should ideally be stored in their container or package in which they were provided. Care should be taken to ensure that the gloves are not compressed or folded, or stored in proximity to steam pipes, radiators or other sources of artificial heat or exposed to direct sunlight, artificial light or other sources of ozone.  It is recommended that the ambient temperature remains between 10ºC and 21ºC where possible.

Examination before use

Before each use, inflate your gloves by blowing into them to check for air leaks – also carry out a brief visual inspection for nicks and tears. For gloves of Classes 2, 3 and 4, an inspection of the inside of the gloves is recommended. If either of a pair of gloves is thought to be unsafe, the pair shall not be used and should be returned for testing.

Precautions in use

Glove should not be exposed unnecessarily to heat or light or allowed to come into contact with oil, grease, solvents in general, white spirit or strong acid. If protective gloves are used at the same time as rubber gloves for electrical purposes, they should be worn over the rubber gloves. If the protective gloves become damp, oily or greasy, they should be removed and replaced.

When gloves become soiled they should be washed with soap and water at a temperature not exceeding 55ºC, thoroughly dried and then dusted with talc. If insulating compounds such as tar and paint continue to stick to the glove, the affected parts should be wiped immediately with a suitable solvent (this will depend on the materia the gloves are manufactured from and avoiding excessive use of that solvent) and then immediately washed in clean warm water and treated as prescribed. Note: Petrol, paraffin or white spirit should not be used to remove such compounds.

Gloves which become wet in use or by washing must be dried thoroughly, but not in a manner that will cause the temperature of the gloves to exceed 55ºC.

Periodic inspection and electrical retesting

No gloves of Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4, even those held in storage, should be used unless they have been tested – the maximum period is 6 months. The tests consist of air inflation to check for air leaks, visual inspection while inflated, and then a routine dielectric test. However, for gloves of Classes 00 and 0 a check for air leaks and visual inspection only is generally considered adequate.

If you’ve got questions or need support on safety in the industrial, contracting or construction sectors please contact us for sensible and proportionate advice on 01453 800 100

As our renewables team continues to grow we’re working with a number of business on wind, ground mounted PV Solar and bio mass projects providing CDM coordinator and other support.  We work closely with major UK providers and also clients from Europe and America entering the UK market for the first time.

The offshore wind industry has experienced a record-breaking year in terms of new deployment, according to a new report.  A study by RenewableUK, which assesses the state of the wind industry from July 2012 to June 2013, revealed a “step change in the offshore wind sector”.

Installed capacity stood at 3,321 megawatts (MW) at the end of June 2013, up from 1,858 MW 12 months earlier – an increase of 79 per cent – while four large scale offshore projects went operational during the 12-month period covered by the report.

They included Greater Gabbard, Gunfleet Sands III, Sheringham Shoal, and London Array which is currently the biggest offshore wind farm in the world.

The 1,463MW installed offshore marks the first year in which offshore deployment has outstripped onshore wind. Onshore, 1,258MW of new capacity came into operation, bringing the total installed onshore to 6,389MW – an increase of 25 per cent.

RenewableUK said the UK’s total wind capacity had increased from 6,856 to 9,710MW – a 40 per cent increase – enough to power more than five and a half million UK homes. The new capacity brought £2bn of activity to the UK economy.

RenewableUK’s chief executive Maria McCaffery said: “We’ve smashed another record in the past year with more offshore wind installed than ever before – the 79 per cent increase in capacity within 12 months is a terrific achievement. With onshore expanding by 25 per cent, the wind industry as a whole has proved that it has the tenacity to achieve substantial growth.

“It’s tangible proof of the dedication of thousands of Britons who are working tirelessly to generate electricity from a clean, home-grown source at a cost that we can control, increasing the UK’s energy security.”

If you’ve got questions or need support on safety in the industrial, contracting or construction sectors please contact us for sensible and proportionate advice on 01453 800100

Solar PV installer prosecuted by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after worker suffers fractured skull just weeks after being employed

A Yorkshire roofing company has appeared in court for safety failings after a young worker suffered a fractured skull just weeks after being hired.

The worker, who does not wish to be named, was 20 years old and had started his job with Dodds Roofing Services Ltd barely a month before the incident on 29 September 2011.

He was one of four employees installing 25 solar panels on the roof of a farm in Tibthorpe, East Yorkshire, when he fell through a rooflight and hit the concrete floor three metres below. He suffered a fractured skull and temporary partial hearing loss, but has since made a good recovery and returned to work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated and today (21 Oct) prosecuted Dodds Roofing Services Ltd at Bridlington Magistrates’ Court.

The court was told that the firm had provided a scaffold and crawling boards on the outside of the farm building, but had failed to act to adequately prevent a fall or to provide safety measures internally, such as nets or a scaffold, to mitigate the effects of a fall.

Dodds Roofing Services Ltd, of The Renewable Energy Centre, Bainton, Driffield, East Yorkshire, was fined £9,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs after pleading guilty to a breach of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Alan Sheldon said:

“This young man could very easily have sustained even worse injuries. Falls from height are a well-recognised hazard in the construction industry and falls through fragile rooflights are an all-too-common occurrence, and becoming more so with the advent of solar panels.

“This was an incident that could have been prevented had Dodds Roofing Services put recognised safety measures in place that were suitable and sufficient to protect their workers from the risks they faced. This could have included work equipment to prevent the fall and/or providing nets or a scaffold within the building in order to mitigate the effects of a fall.”

The latest HSE statistics show that 40 workers were killed and more than 3,400 were seriously injured in falls from height in 2011/12.

If you’ve got questions or need support on safety in the industrial, contracting or construction sectors please contact us for sensible and proportionate advice on 01453 800 100

Work at height on an excavator

We’ve heard tale recently of the issue of new legislative requirements for the protection of staff, maintenance fitters in particular, regarding falls from height when working on excavators.

Whilst you may have experience of larger contractors insisting that edge protection is fitted this isn’t a statutory requirement.  It is, however, good practice as the result of a fall can be significant.

The real story

Whilst it’s not written in stone a Principal Contractor would be well within his rights to insist that you have measures to prevent these falls in place, this could be guard rails or some other means such as fall arrest or bags to cushion any fall.  For most of us this means applying the best practice of edge protection will become the norm in the coming months.

In simple terms you must comply with the site operators  / owners requirement and if this means edge protection then that’s what will have to happen.  Don’t be too resistant to this as there is good sense behind this and its you and your staff who are being protected, we know you might have a grumble but better safe than sorry!

If you’ve got questions or need support on safety in the industrial, contracting or construction sectors please contact us for sensible and proportionate advice on 01453 800 100

Road Safety Week is coordinated by the road safety charity Brake and involves thousands of organisations, schools and communities promoting road safety. This year the week focuses on the theme tune in, urging everyone to stay focused when using roads and avoid distractions – a key message for employers to communicate.

To register to take part and get a free email action pack go to www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk

We’re all human: we daydream, get side-tracked, run late and make mistakes. But on roads, distractions can be fatal.

When using roads, we all need to tune in to road safety and give it our full attention – particularly if we’re at the wheel, but also when we’re walking, cycling, skating, running, you name it – to keep ourselves and each other safe.

Road Safety Week 2013 (18-24 Nov) focuses on the theme of tuning in to road safety and avoiding distractions, and we’re appealing to communities and organisations around the UK to register now to help get this life-saving message out.

The facts
Driver distraction is a major cause of death and serious injury in the UK [1]. Driving is the most dangerous thing that most of us do on a daily basis and requires your full attention, but many drivers have a sense of over-confidence and feel cocooned in their vehicles, so attempting to multi-task is common.

While it’s illegal to use a hand-held phone to text or call at the wheel, around a third of drivers flout this law [2], and many others use a hands-free kit, despite both activities causing a dangerous distraction [3]. Other distracting activities such as eating or smoking at the wheel have been shown to increase your risk of crashing [4], yet lots of drivers own up to it [5].

But distraction isn’t just an issue for drivers. For people on foot and bicycle, being sidetracked by your mobile, or not being able to hear due to listening to music, or forgetting to hold a child’s hand, can be lethal [6]; negotiating roads needs your full care and attention.

Our main messages
This year, we’re asking everyone to pledge to tune in to road safety – that means promising to do your best to keep focused on the task at hand, and never putting yourself and others in danger for the sake of a call, text or other activity that can wait.

During the Week, we’ll be particularly appealing to drivers to turn off their phones and never attempt to multi-task at the wheel. But this is also about all of us looking out for ourselves and each other, however we’re using roads, by not speaking to someone else on the phone who’s driving, and taking care to stay focused while on foot or bike: including getting off the phone, taking out headphones and following the good old green cross code to get across roads safely.

Get involved
There are countless ways you can promote this message and life-saving road safety awareness in your community or organisation during Road Safety Week and year-round. It’s up to you whether you tie in with our ‘tune in’ theme or focus on other road safety issues that are important in your area.

Check out the menu above for ideas for community groups, schools, organisations and road safety professionals about how you can get involved, and register now to get a free e-action pack with guidance and resources in advance of the Week.

Notes:
[1] Reported road casualties Great Britain annual reports 2011, Department for Transport, 2012 and Police Recorded Injury Road Traffic Collisions and Casualties Northern Ireland annual report 2011, Police Service of Northern Ireland, 2012
[2] Direct Line report on safe driving PART FIVE Driven to distraction, Brake and Direct Line, 2011
[3] Using a hands-free mobile whilst driving can be more dangerous than drink driving, Transport Research Laboratory, 2009
[4] Driving with one hand on the wheel – a fatal distraction, The University of Leeds, 2012
[5] Direct Line report on safe driving PART FIVE Driven to distraction, Brake and Direct Line, 2011
[6] The effects of mobile phone use on pedestrian crossing behaviour at signalised and unsignalised intersections, The University of New South Wales, 2007; and Mobile phone use while cycling: Incidence and effects on behaviour and safety, University of Groningen, 2010; and MP3 players and traffic safety; “State of the art”, Belgian Road Safety Institute, 2009; and Mobile telephones, distracted attention, and pedestrian safety, The Ohio State University, 2008

Help is at hand

If you need help or advice on any aspect of health and safety then please contact us or request a call back – or call and speak directly to a friendly consultant or occupational hygienist on 01453 800100. You can become a member of our Safety~net support service over the phone and get help right away, whatever your problem.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced details designed to inform flight training schools of the transition process they will need to follow to achieve ‘Approved Training Organisation’ status.

Something which was of great interest to us as we are expanding our services in this area and will be putting to gether a document to satisfy these needs before loking for partners who will work with us to develop it.

Around 188 training schools that are currently referred to as Registered Training Facilities (RTF) will have to become Approved Training Organisations (ATO) over the next two years to be able to continue providing flying lessons – part of a package of Europe-wide changes in the aviation pilot training industry.

To become ATOs, flying schools will be required to develop operating, safety and compliance manuals, and also undergo periodic audits.

Each Registered Training Facility (RTF) that wishes to continue to provide flight training for the issue of a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), for aeroplanes or helicopters, or for the Single Engine Piston Class Rating or Night Rating for aeroplanes, must become an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) by no later than the 8 April 2015. In addition, anyone intending to provide training for any Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) for any category of aircraft must become an ATO before offering that training. However, ATO status does not, by itself, allow an organisation to begin LAPL training.

Structure of a safety management system

The universally accepted framework includes four main components and twelve elements, representing the minimum requirements for SMS. These ‘capabilities’ apply regardless of the aviation context. The four main components are;

1. Safety policy and objectives
2. Safety risk management
3. Safety assurance
4. Safety promotion

What a safety management system is

Managing safety is really about managing safety risk, which means trying to prevent bad things from happening, or if something does go wrong, or slips through the cracks, trying to minimise the consequences of the event.

Safety management is about accepting that things will go wrong and about reactively, proactively and predictively controlling risks to a level that is acceptable.

It can help you predict potential risks, take appropriate action and measure how well risk controls are working. It can give you the business information you would want to manage risks in other areas such as finance or productivity.

Help is at hand

If you need help developing documentation for Approved Training Organisations (ATO) status contact us.

As we reported earlier this month, HSE have blitzed sites thorugh the UK and the latest news is that just under 50% of those visited have fallen below expected standards.  This i, of course another way of saying that there has been some ‘material breach’ which in turn means FFI at £124 per hour.

Around 1,000 sites have already been visite and the drive will continue until September 27th, just a few days before the end of the first 12 months since Fee For Intervention (FFI) began in October 2012.

Meanwhile UCATT has renewed its own call for greater funding for construction inspections with UCATT general secretary Steve Murphy said:

“While these initiatives by the HSE are very welcome, inspectors are only visiting a small percentage of all the construction sites in the country.

“These findings demonstrate why the HSE needs more resources to conduct this type of inspection in all parts of the country throughout the year.”

If you need help or advice on  any aspect of health and safety then please contact us or request a call back – or call and speak directly to a friendly consultant or occupational hygienist on 01453 800100. You can become a member of our Safety~net support service over the phone and get help right away, whatever your problem.