1.0 Managing Director – Martin Sim
Carries overall responsibility for ensuring that his policy is carried out and for monitoring the results of this policy.

In particular he is responsible for ensuring:-

1.  The Health & Safety Policy is updated as and when required and is made known to the Employees of the Company.
2. The Policy, Organisation, Arrangements and Site Rules as written are implemented and receive regular reports on the performance of same.
3. Adequate financial provision is made for the foreseeable items of expenditure associated with Health & Safety.
4. Waste is properly controlled and any adverse affects on the environment through Company activities are minimised as far as is reasonably practicable
5.  Health & Safety is promoted throughout the Company and features prominently at all Board Meeting.
6.  Matters requiring professional advice and assistance are refereed to suitably qualified persons. I.e. Health & Safety Consultants.
7.  Setting a personal example, by wearing appropriate PPE when visiting sites.

In practice Martin Sim, Managing Director, will normally delegate responsibilities to line management as follows:-

2.0 Construction Director – John Greig
Shall ensure:-

1. He is familiar with the Company Health & Safety Policy, the Organisation and Arrangements for Health & Safety.
2. The company Site Rules are fully understood and implemented on all sites.
3.  Adequate resources are provided for foreseeable Health & Safety requirements.
4. Matters relating to Health & Safety brought to his attention are dealt with, and where they do not have resources or authority, the matter is referred to the Managing Director.
5. Employees are given information, instruction and training as necessary and are adequately supervised to enable them to carry out their work without risk to their Health & Safety.
6. All accidents are reported, investigated and action taken to prevent a recurrence,
7.  First Aid & Fire procedure are implemented.
8. Waste Management procedures are implemented and Environmental concerns are addressed.
9.  Plant, Machinery and other Equipment purchased complies with European, UK and all other statutory legislation.
10.  Suitable risk assessments and method statements are prepared for all work and for ensuring site operatives are made aware of the risk involved in their activities.
11.  Goods, materials and other substances purchased for use at work comply with relevant standards and are safe and without risk when used correctly by Employees.
12.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided as appropriate to comply with perceived risks as identified by assessments.
13. Monitor and review by means of site inspections, that work is being undertaken and conducted in a safe manner.
14. Identifying and providing suitable welfare and site facilities.
15. Safe systems of work are developed and where work of a hazardous nature is identified, suitable method statements and other control measures are adopted to reduce any risk.
16. Adequate arrangements are in place to ensure a suitable level of monitoring of the work is being undertaken
17. He sets a personal example on site visits by wearing appropriate protective clothing and/or safety equipment.
18. He receives regular reports from Site Managers and instigates disciplinary procedures when appropriate.

3.0 Contracts Managers/Site Managers
All Contracts Managers shall ensure:-

1. They are familiar with the company Health & Safety Policy, the Organisation and the Arrangements for Health & Safety.
2.  The company Site Rules are fully understood and implemented on all sites.
3.  They understand and are competent in conducting site assessments and identifying any risks or hazards.
4.   Work undertaken by those they supervise is fully carried out in accordance with the established systems of work, the agreed method statements and any other guidance or control measures issued to them.
5. Matters relating to Health & Safety brought to their attention are dealt with, and where they do not have the authority, the matter is referred to the Construction Director.
6. They are satisfied with the standard of training and where necessary, identify further training where it might be necessary.
7. Following an accident or incident action is taken as necessary to make safe and immediately notification is made to the Management.
8. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided for use at work is being worn as necessary and maintained in good order.
9. Plant and Machinery is being used properly and all guards and safety devices are fitted and fully functional.
10. Appropriate barriers, signs and warning notices are displayed at locations where hazards are created or works are taking place.
11. Fire extinguishers are properly maintained.
12. Fire escape routes are not obstructed.
13. Near miss reporting procedures is complied with.

4.0 Employees
All employees within the Company will:-

1. Familiarise themselves with the Company’s health and safety policy and site rules and risk assessments/method statements for the current work.
2. Acting in the course of their employment with due care for the health, safety and welfare of themselves, their colleagues and other persons.
3. Comply with the instructions and procedure issued from time to time for safe working practices, and making proper use of protective clothing and safety equipment provided, together with reporting of loss or defect of such equipment.
4. Report to their Supervisor any incidents which have led, or might have led to injury, or damage, and cop-operating with any investigation which may be undertaken with the object of preventing accidents or their reoccurrence.
5.  Use any plant, equipment or substance in accordance with any information, instruction or training provided by the Company.
6. Proactively suggest any improvements that may be able to be made to safe working practices.
7. Understand the importance that any breaches of health and safety will be treated seriously, and individual employees may be disciplined or in serious cases dismissed.

5.0 Health & Safety Advisors – Wilson Associates
Are required to:-

1. Provide technical, legal and other advice and assistance to Management in order that the Company can comply with its statutory obligations.
2. Liaise with the Enforcing Authorities on health and safety matters brought to the Company’s attention.
3. Assist Management in the development of safe systems of work.
4. Periodically monitoring the activities of site works carried out by the Company, by carrying out site audits and safety inspections every three weeks.
5. Monitor the introduction of new health and safety legislation that is applicable to the Company and advise accordingly.
6. Advise Management on the requirements of health and safety training required within the Company and assist with the implementation when necessary.
7. Attend Management meetings, as and when required, for the purpose of raising and advising of current issues on health and safety.
8. Carry out annual checks on the competence of subcontractors in relation to Health and Safety matters.

Each contractor and subcontractor shall be responsible for ensuring that individuals working under their control report their presence by signing in on arrival on site, and signing out when leaving site. Visitors must be intercepted before entering the site so that relevant rules and hazards can be communicated to them and to ensure that other controls are enforced, for example making sure visitors are accompanied on site. These are essential control requirements, introduced in order to confirm that:

(a) The premises are clear when the site is locked up.
(b) All personnel may be accounted for in the event of an emergency evacuation
(c) Only authorised personnel are allowed to enter the site

Site Induction
Before commencing work on a site, all operatives and staff will receive induction training specifying the hazards associated with the contract, the likelihood of encountering asbestos, the asbestos survey for the site, specific site requirements including site rules, emergency procedures, fire precautions, risk assessments and method statements. All sub-contractors foremen have a duty to ensure all their site operatives have been inducted by SIM Building Group, and keep a separate record of their site operatives’ induction.

Company Procedures
The following company procedures take the form of check list forms designed to be ‘user friendly’ providing a basis for site discussion and feedback to company management, essential for the control and implementation of our Safety Policy. Most of the following are mandatory and are a requirement to comply with current legislation. The procedures are:-

Form No.	Title	Frequency/Use
SF/42	Employee Training Record/Review	Annual Review (Head Office)
SF/59	Weekly Contract Safety Awareness Discussion	Each week
SF/60	Risk Assessment	Prior to each Operation
SF/61	Method Statement	Prior to each Operation
SF/62	Health & Safety Induction Report & Checklist	For every person visiting or working on site.
SF/64	Plant Return	On each service/repair
SF/73	Site Safety Inspection Report	On each visit to site management or Wilson Associates – H&S Advisors
SF/75	Inspection Reports – Scaffolding	Weekly
SF/75	Inspection Reports – Excavations	Daily

Injury, Ill-Health and/or Damage Incidents
1. All injuries shall be reported to the project first-aid point, regardless of their seriousness.
2. Any incident which causes, or is suspected of causing, acute or chronic ill health must be notified without delay to the project supervisor.
3. Any incident which results to damage to plant, equipment or property must be notified to the project supervisor who will record the details as required by company procedures.
4. Any incident which occurs on site and which falls within the remit of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), or the construction phase health and safety plan, may be investigated by Construction Director or other authorised individual. In order to assist in establishing the chain of incident causation, the full co-operation of all organisations and personnel is expected and required. (This may be in addition to any other investigation conducted by statutory enforcement agencies or other involved parties).

In the case of more than three days off work accidents (over 3 day injury), then a written report on form F2508 must be submitted to the local HSE office within ten days of the date of the accident. In the case of more serious accidents the local HSE office should be informed immediately by telephone, and the form F2508 forwarded within ten days, as before.

Reports can also be made to the HSE Accident Hotline (Tel: 0845 300 9923). This satisfies the notification requirements in full for all notifiable injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences. Those using this reporting facility are sent a copy of the report generated for record purposes.

The principal contractor or any other contractor who may be affected on site should be notified immediately of any accident or near miss.

From 1 January 2004 a new Accident Book complying with the Data Protection Act 1998 must be used.

Near Miss Incidents
In order to assist in developing a profile of events which have the potential to cause injury or damage, ‘near miss’ incidents must be notified to the project supervisor, and the co-operation of respective organisation, their supervisory staff, and personnel working under their control is requested in this respect.

Major Incidents
In the event of a major incident on site the site foreman should dial 999, request an ambulance, and report the matter to the police.

If it is appropriate, make the injured person as comfortable as possible without moving them and wait for the emergency services to arrive. Disturb the scene of incident as little as possible in order to assist the subsequent investigation into the cause of the incident.

Report the incident to the Construction Director or Managing Director as soon as practical. Check that they have the contact details so that the injured person’s family can be notified.

The Construction Director or Managing Director should report the incident to the local HSE and to clients if appropriate.

First Aid
The company have arranged for site foremen to undergo first aid training in accordance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

Appointed persons are available to provide and ensure the contents of First Aid Kits are satisfactory and to assist in the event of an injury. In the case of a serious injury or illness employees are to be taken to the nearest hospital or medical help sought with the minimum delay. For employees working on sites, a First Aid Kit will be carried in company vehicles or will be kept in the site office.

Waste Management Control and Safe Access
All contractors and personnel working under their control shall be required to:

(a) clear waste/debris generated by their task(s) as their work progresses.
(b) maintain a clear access/egress route along dedicated/nominated evacuation routes.
(c) report any circumstances where preceding or adjacent trades are compromising the maintenance of safe access/egress routes.
(d) transfer classified waste to the designated holding area on site, or as identified by the construction phase health and safety plan (this may be special waste, subject to legislative controls, or controls imposed by site rules).
(e) Segregate waste under the proposed Site Waste Management Plan.

This will be in accordance with the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008.

Public Safety and Vehicular Access to Site
Any activity or task progressed on or over any area, which is dedicated to public use, whether pedestrian or vehicular, shall be subject to project-specific controls which will be detailed within the construction phase health and safety plan.

Vehicles allowed onto site shall be restricted to a maximum speed of 5mph. They shall be scheduled and subject to the limitations and controls specified within the construction phase health and safety plan. Under no circumstances may vehicles reverse out of the site onto areas dedicated to public use unless such manoeuvre is directed and guided by a traffic controller (banksman) authorised by the project safety management co-ordinator.

Welfare facilities on site
Where applicable, a formal shared welfare arrangement shall be agreed with the main contractor (toilets, drying rooms, canteen and stores), including procedures for cleaning the facilities and the standard of hygiene required.

Where applicable, the Clients existing welfare facilities will be used, with their permission.

In either case, the Construction Director or Site Manager will ensure that the welfare facilities comply with the requirements of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

Material Management and Co-ordination
Deliveries of materials and components to site shall be co-ordinated to complement the overall project programme as well as the trade contractors’ programme. Materials and components shall be off-loaded at designated areas and locations which shall initially be notified in the construction phase health and safety plan, and thereafter formally revised as work progresses.

Administration and Accommodation Units
The company shall determine the siting and layout arrangements for:
(a) administration units
(b) accommodation units
(c) toilets and washing facilities
(d) canteen facilities
(e) registration point for visitors
(f) first aid unit/point

Where applicable, a formal shared welfare arrangement shall be agreed (toilets, drying rooms, canteen and stores), including procedures for cleaning the facilities and the standard of hygiene required.

Where authorisation has been given to import accommodation or storage units onto the Company site shall ensure that:

(a) the units comply with prevailing fire resistance standards
(b) the units are sited at an agreed location
(c) the units are cleaned out at least once each day
(d) only scheduled materials and components are stored within the units
(e) the purpose/function of each unit is clearly displayed
(f) copies of Employer’s Liability certificate, safety policy and health and safety plan are displayed.

Each project under the control of the company shall be subject to specific fire prevention management control procedures. Subcontractors and personnel working under their control are required to comply fully with and implement such procedures.

Common to each point will be:

(a) the appointment of a project fire prevention officer.
(b) arrangements for the identification, storage and use of designated ‘flammable’ and ‘highly flammable’ materials and containers.
(c) special arrangements for the import and use of materials and containers which are assigned the risk phrases ‘Highly flammable’ (R11) or ‘Extremely flammable’ (R12) Chemicals (Hazard information and Packaging for Supply) Amendment Regulations 2002.
(d) selection and provision of fire fighting first aid equipment
(e) the issue of hot-working permits for assessed safety critical tasks and operations, and locations
(f) siting, frequency, marking and maintenance of dedicated fire points
(g) establishment, maintenance and marking of emergency evacuation routes
(h) marking of assembly points for emergency evacuation
(i) dedicated access area for the siting of emergency services vehicles
(j) the means of ensuring all workers are aware of what to do if they discover a fire.
(k) NEVER store damp or wet sheets as they will gradually become hot by internal combustion and are liable to ignite
(l) NEVER use wire brushes on steel work near petrol tanks or in the vicinity of flammable liquids or gases (m) NEVER put a cigarette out on the floor of a wooden cabin or site hut
(n) NEVER allow rubbish, oily rags, stripped wallpaper etc. to accumulate
(o) NEVER dry clothes too close to heat.
(p) NEVER leave appliances on when cabins or site huts are not in use and also extinguish before work ceases for the day
(q) ONLY use a burning torch when absolutely necessary and always have a fire extinguisher by your side (r) Always cease burning off a MINIMUM of one hour before finishing time and check thoroughly before leaving.

Subcontractors shall be required to identify in their safety management submission how they will comply with the project-specific fire prevention management policy, and how they will introduce their own, individual controls for hot-work processes and flammable, highly flammable and extremely flammable materials and containers.

Note: In the event of an outbreak of fire, regardless of how apparently minor, the local fire brigade shall be called and an investigation conducted to establish the cause.

Welding and Hot Work
All welding and other hot works carried out will be subject to the operation of a permit system to control hot works. Any loose combustible materials will be removed prior to the commencement of hot works.
Screens and shrouding will be used to protect other workers from welding operations. Gas cylinders must be in a purpose built trolley or securely tied in the upright position.
Fire extinguishers to be on hand while hot work is in progress. The work carried out in adjacent areas must be checked one hour after completion of work.

Electricity
Portable hand tools and plant
1. All electrically powered portable hand tools and plant should be rated at 110V, or be battery operated.
2. All electrically powered hand tools will be marked with the date of their last test and inspection.
3. All connections and leads shall be subject to daily visual inspection for defects, and shall be subject to nominated detailed inspection frequencies. No out of date equipment shall be used.
4. Any item of defective or suspect plant shall be tagged with a “Danger - Do not use” sign.
5. Where authorised to be on site, portable generators shall be earth bonded as specified by the manufacturer.

Accommodation units
1. Electrical supplies to accommodation units shall be installed, commissioned, tested and maintained by an approved electrician, and shall comply with statutory and industry standard requirements.
2. Voltages exceeding 240V may only be installed with the formal authority of the company, and shall be subject to conditions set down by the company.

Battery charging operations
Battery powered plant (excluding hand-held items) may only be charged with the formal authority of the company.

Overhead Electrical services
The company shall, in conduction with the service owner, establish and maintain demarcation limits for work in the vicinity of overhead power lines. Each site shall be subject to individual assessment, with the results recorded in the construction phase health and safety plan. Subcontractors and personnel working under their control must confirm their understanding of the individual demarcation and access limitations by physical barrier or formal permit-to-work.

Underground utility services
Each project shall be subject to a unique permit-to-dig control procedure. Excavation work on ground penetration may not proceed until the conditions regulating the permit-to-dig have been implemented and verified by the contractor concerned.

Commissioning and de-commissioning electrical services
Contractors involved with commissioning and de-commissioning of electrical services or appliances capable of being energised, shall have in place an approved format permit-to-work including isolation control.

Site-specific controls
Detailed site-specific controls for electrical safety shall be included within each construction phase health and safety plan.

Safe Working at Heights
Leading edge protection shall be established and maintained at points and locations where it is foreseeable that personnel, or materials, may fall from one level to another. The barrier shall be sufficiently substantial to resist the force or impact of an individual, and shall incorporate a secured toe-board, kicker-board and an intermediate barrier to prevent an individual slipping under the barrier, or materials from being kicked or knocked from one level to another. In any event, leading edge protection shall be maintained at any point where a risk assessment has established that it is necessary in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Scaffolding (tubular steel or proprietary system) access and working scaffolding schedules shall be allocated to each project, and shall be recorded in the construction health and safety plan.

Contractors or Subcontractors authorised to import proprietary mobile towers onto site must ensure that such plant is erected by competent personnel, used within its limitations and inspected at prescribed frequencies. Where mobile elevating work platforms, or similar plant, are used, or where man-riding cages/skips are authorised, full procedures must be identified for operator competence, inspection arrangements and certification.

Note: Where fall-arrest devices or safety harnesses are used to augment safe working procedures, rescue strategies must be clearly stated.

Training
All management and staff are trained and competent to undertake their work activities. Management must ensure that all employees under their control have regular and ongoing training and experience. Management will keep records and manage all health and safety training to ensure that all employees training and continual development will be maintained. Each employee, foreman and operatives, will receive a safety induction at the start of employment and initial training needs will be identified. During induction any queries will be resolved and further training needs will be addressed. Further training needs will be identified during site inspections carried out by Wilson Associates as well as the Construction Director. Toolbox talks will be carried out on site, usually by the Contracts Manager or Site Manager, on a regular basis (weekly or whenever additional need is identified) and will focus on a topic relevant to the work that is about to commence. These will be recorded on the appropriate form and will be held on site.

All training details are recorded on a matrix which will be reviewed quarterly to assess the requirement for updating or re-training of all staff. In addition to this, training requirements will be identified at staff appraisals, reviews and management meetings.

Noise levels
Any noise-generating plant used on a site, will require an assessment of the area where the plant will be used, to be carried out, and will confirm the sound levels for the location(s) in accordance with the Noise at Work Regulations 2005. This new legislation means that the First Action Level is now 80Dba, the Second Action Level is 85Dba and there is a Limit Value of 87Dba. Significantly, the Limit Value takes into account any reduction due to hearing protection. All high noise frequency areas should be cordoned off with the appropriate warning signs displayed. Hearing Protection should be provided where appropriate. All personnel working on site will, where necessary, wear adequate hearing protection when there is excess noise being emitted from any work activity. All hearing protection will be provided by the company and will be issued to all employees on request or when management decides that hearing protection should be worn. This will be in compliance with the new Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

Manual handling
An assessment of manual handling requirements, and the methods or controls to assist in reducing the potential for injury from manual handling operations, will be identified within each safety method statement.

Hand Arm Vibration
All employees will be made aware of the risks of hand arm vibration (vibration white finger). The Company will assess the risk to the health of their employees and plan for its control. All equipment will be made suitable for employees use and will be maintained on a regular basis by a competent person. Employees will be informed of the hazards whilst working with vibratory equipment and time spent using each piece of equipment will be minimized for compliance with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Control of Vibration at Work regulations 2005.

Hazardous substances
Any manufactured or process-generated substance which is either imported onto site or occurs on site, and which has been assigned a Maximum Exposure Limit (MEL) within the current edition of the Health and Safety Executive’s Guidance Note EH40 Occupational Exposure Limits, available from HSE Books, shall be subject to a site-specific assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. The result of such an assessment shall be issued to the personnel involved with the task, and to the project safety management co-ordinator.

Substances which have been assigned an Occupational Exposure Standard (OES) within the current edition of EH40 (available form HSE Books) may, unless otherwise instructed, be subject to generic assessments.

Note: Any product which is assigned the risk phrases under the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) (Amendments) Regulations 2002

R45 - “May cause cancer”
R49 - “May cause cancer by inhalation”
R40/R39 - “Irreversible effects” R46 - “Genetic damage”
R62 R60 - “Impair fertility”
R61 - “Unborn child”

may not be imported onto site without the formal authority of the company.

Alcohol and drugs.
Any individual on site found to be consuming, or under the influence of, drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to remain on site.

Specialist tasks.
Tasks or operations requiring extensive welding, radiography or lasers shall be subject to site-specific controls.

Smoking
All company offices will be non-smoking areas, i.e. Head Office, Site Offices, canteens/mess huts, joinery workshop/mess huts, plant canteens/mess huts. All company sites will be NON SMOKING areas i.e. within the confines of the work area, e.g. building. All company vans whereby persons are transported to company sites will become a NO SMOKING area. Designated smoking areas will be established with the co-operation of the site agent and contracts manager none of which can be the previously mentioned areas above.

In compliance with The Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005.

The above Regulations impose a duty on an employer to ensure an employee does not carry out any work which is liable to expose them to a substance hazardous to health, unless a suitable and sufficient assessment has been made of the risks to health created by the substance and of the measures necessary to control exposure to it, and those steps have been implemented. It is important to realise that collection of supplier’s material safety data sheets does not constitute making a risk assessment, but rather the gathering of data to assist in making it.}

All employees who may be exposed to substances, which could be hazardous to health, will be provided with such information, instruction, and training required to make them aware of any potential risk to which they may be exposed and to reduce that risk to a minimum. Every effort will be made to reduce levels of exposure as far as reasonably practical and in any case below Maximum Exposure Limits (MELs).

The main routes of entry of hazardous substances to the body are by inhalation, ingestion and absorption.

Where control of exposure cannot be achieved by substitution or source control, suitable and appropriate PPE will be issued and all employees have a duty to wear and use the equipment and measures provided.

Asbestos
All site employees have received Asbestos Awareness training and will be informed at the start of any project to be vigilant when entering the fabric of a building etc. Exposure to asbestos containing materials MUST be prevented as much as possible by adopting the following procedures:

1. Making enquiries to the Client or Principal Contractor at the pre-tender stage regarding the presence of asbestos in existing building structures or plant. Check if the Client has an Asbestos Register or if an Asbestos Survey has been carried out.
2. Arranging for an asbestos survey to be carried out if there is likely to be asbestos containing materials present and a survey has not already been carried out. If asbestos is suspected, assume ‘worst case scenario’ until results of analysis are known. If Asbestos Containing Materials are suspected in an area, vacate that area, do not disturb the material, cordon off the area, put up warning signage and arrange for sample to be taken by a licensed asbestos removal contractor to check the suspect material.
3. All employees, who may be at risk of unintentional exposure with asbestos, will be briefed and trained in asbestos recognition and awareness.
4. This company policy on asbestos and asbestos containing materials will form part of the site induction process on every construction site.
5. If there is any doubt about work to be carried out seek advice from the HSE, Health and Safety Advisers Wilson Associates (Contact David Wilson on 0141 563 0330), or licensed asbestos removal contractors (for example Whiteinch Demolition – Contact Colin Gilmour on 0141 762 2111).

This will be in accordance with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006.

Lead
Suitable precautions must be taken while dealing with possible exposure to lead at work. The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 make provision for protecting persons exposed to lead at work, whether working directly with lead or lead products or indirectly through cleaning and maintenance operations. The Regulations require an assessment to be made, and revised is necessary to determine whether the exposure is significant. If exposure is significant, appropriate control measures must be provided to prevent or control exposure. Personal protective equipment should only be provided to employees if the exposure to lead cannot be controlled by other means. If exposure is significant, medical surveillance will be available to the employees concerned.

Work Equipment
All work equipment such as spray guns, steps, ladders, trestles, scaffolding etc. will be maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and good repair, all in accordance with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Only trained site operatives will be allowed to use of change the blades of abrasive wheels.

Personal Protective Equipment
All projects and developments under the control of the company shall be subject to the following minimum requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE):

(a) the wearing of head protection
(b) the wearing of safety footwear
(c) the wearing of overalls (or company tops and trousers)
(d) other items as may be determined by risk assessments.

Other PPE requirements shall be subject to assessment by each individual contractor in accordance with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992.

Note: PPE shall always be considered a last resort not as an alternative to a safe system of work.

Environmental Controls
Each project shall be subject to individual appraisal of environmental controls, particularly in respect of noise levels and dust generation.

Third Party and Public Safety
Each contractor or subcontractor shall be required to appraise and record their controls for assisting in securing the safety of personnel not in their employment or working under their control, and to maintain the safety and protection of members of the public and authorised visitors to site. (This will apply to trades working above other trades, mobile plant operators, and to the movement of traffic on or near areas dedicated to public use.)

Where the company project assessment identifies safety critical overlaps, e.g. scaffolding, steel erection etc, these will recorded in the construction phase health and safety plan, and will be subject to on-going review.

Openings in Floors
If floor boards are lifted or floor hatches opened, care must be taken to ensure that site operatives and third parties are protected from falling through the floor openings. Barrier tape can be placed over the door openings or barriers can be placed around the floor openings. If the floor is required to be left open for long periods, then the hatch must be closed or the floorboards replaced when immediate access to the area below the floor is not required.

Core Cutting Operations
During core cutting operations appropriate PPE must be worn including foot, hearing and eye protection, and dust masks. Dust sheets should be used to protect clients furniture, carpets etc. if appropriate.

Safety Supervisors
Each subcontractor working on a project under the control of the company shall nominate individuals to take specific responsibility for the implementation of safety management controls insofar as they may influence or impinge upon the contractor’s scope of works and area of work.

The appointed safety supervisor must:
(a) be trained in basic safety management techniques
(b) understand the developments and requirements of the safety management controls applicable to the project
(c) have the authority to upgrade the controls where necessary.

Site Audits
Site audits will be carried out either by Wilson Associates (Health and Safety Consultants) or the contracts Manager/Site Manager on a regular basis, normally every three weeks, to ascertain health and safety standards on site and to check that agreed safety systems are being complied with. Shortcomings identified will be discussed at tool box talks or health and safety meetings.

Health and Safety Meetings
W ill be held regularly with management and Site managers attending. David Wilson of Wilson Associates will also attend. Current health and safety issues will be discussed and minutes of the meetings taken and circulated.

Tool Box Talks
Tool box talks will be carried out at sites on a regular basis. Topics to be discussed will be appropriate for the site and work being carried out. All site operatives attending the tool box talks and the person giving the talk will be recorded on the standard sheet.

Young Persons
Where young persons (under 18 years) of age are employed, risk assessments will be carried out which take into account the young person’s inexperience and immaturity and lack of awareness of existing or possible risks. The physiological differences between a young person and adult should also be considered where stature, strength and reach are a major factor in the activity being considered. Should any work experience positions be offered, the work should be risk assessed prior to employment and the school or parents advised as to any risks and control measures identified.

New or Expectant Mothers
Once notified in writing by an employee, suitable risk assessments on the activities performed by the new or expectant mother must be carried out to ensure there is no risk to her or her unborn child. (Regulation 18 of the MHSW 1999)

Risk Assessments
The Company will carry out risk assessments as required by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 on every project. The purpose of the risk assessments are-

(a) to identify operations which may cause harm to employees or others including members of the public.
(b) to identify the potential hazard being realised and the potential consequences i.e. the risk.
(c) to enable a risk assessment to be developed which will assist in eliminating or reducing the exposure of the site operatives etc. to the risk.

Contracts Managers and Site Managers will be trained to carry out Risk Assessments prior to commencing work on site. These Risk Assessments will be recorded on the detailed Risk Assessment sheets which will be issued to all foremen.

Safety Method Statements
Each project shall formally nominate those tasks, processes and operations for which contractors or subcontractors are required to include safety management details within their work method statement.

The following processes shall always require formalised method statements:
(a) any work involving possible asbestos containing materials
(b) work in confined spaces
(c) work involving contaminated soil
(d) cranage - mobile or tandem lifting operations
(e) demolition
(f) falsework (propping)
(g) tasks requiring nightwork
(h) scaffolding - designated design
(i) steel erection
(j) work on or near water
(k) tasks allocated to lone workers
(l) excavation to any depth greater than 1.2m, or where edge instability may cause a collapse
(m) work on or adjacent railway premises/lines
(n) work on or adjacent to electrical sub-stations
(o) work adjacent to/under operational overhead power lines

Health and safety plans, or the safety management element of a method statement, may incorporate references to and details of permit-to-work control and procedures and risk assessments, task safety analyses or safety critical events.

Use of Subcontractors
Prior to any subcontractor being employed by the company a suitable and sufficient assessment will be undertaken to ensure that the subcontractor is competent in health and safety matters.

All subcontractors will be required to:-
(a) Submit a copy of their health and safety policy, environmental policy, Insurance details, training records and trade references (where possible).
(b) Disclose to the Company any prohibition or improvement notice that may have been served on them by the Enforcing Authority.
(c) Disclose any prosecution or intended prosecution in relation to health and safety.
(d) Demonstrate how they effectively manage health and safety within their organisation, and means for obtaining competent advice on health and safety.
(e) Periodically liaise with the Company Health and Safety Advisor, together with reporting of all accidents and dangerous occurrences that occur on Clients premises.
(f) Be able to demonstrate to the Company methods of selecting and monitoring of sub-contractors.
(g) To comply with all safe working practices and risk assessments produced by the Company for working on Clients premises.
(h) To comply with the safe working practices that are issued to them by Clients or Principal Contractors.

Monitoring of Health and Safety
The Company recognises that the success of its safety management system needs to be monitored against its established predetermined standards and procedures.

Management and Supervisors within the Company have personal responsibility to proactively monitor the health and safety standards of both the Company activities and those services provided by contractors.

In order to achieve the above, Management and Supervisors will periodically report to the Company Health and Safety Consultant their established method for measuring safety performance, and to seek information and guidance to assist them in the performance of the task.

Consultation with Employees on Health and Safety
The Company will ensure that effective consultation is provided through management and employees on all matters relating to health and safety.

The method of implementing the above will be via tool box talks and monthly health and safety meetings.

Risk Assessments
The Company will carry out risk assessments as required by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 on anything which poses an identifiable hazard. The purpose of the risk assessments are-

(a) to identify operations which may cause harm to employees or others including members of the public.
(b) to identify the potential hazard being realised and the potential consequences i.e. the risk.
(c) to enable a risk assessment to be developed which will assist in eliminating or reducing the exposure of the employees etc. to the risk.

Workplace Health & Safety
1. The premises will be maintained to so as to remove the risk of injury, so far as is reasonably practicable.
2. The buildings shall be maintained to ensure there are safe means for access and egress.
3. Employees should be aware that good housekeeping can prevent accidents and that carelessness which may result in a slip, trip or fall should be avoided.
4. The storage, use or handling of hazardous or flammable substances will be done in a manner which does not compromise the health and safety of employees.

Workplace Transport
The risks posed by workplace transport must be identified, minimised and controlled. Measures that can be taken to reduce the inherent risks posed by workplace transport are outlined in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, further information is available in the HSE book ‘Workplace Transport Safety’, HS(G) 136.

Road Transport
Company vehicles must be kept clean and tidy at all times. Light maintenance duties such as checking oil levels and tyre pressures should be carried out on a weekly basis. The carrying of any individuals in the back of works vans or while carrying out company business is strictly prohibited.

Visual Display Units
In accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, the following will be implemented by the Company:-

(a) All workstations will be assessed in order to reduce risks to users.
(b) The Company will ensure that appropriate training will be given in the use of display screen equipment.
(c) Users of display screen equipment will be entitled upon their request to have eye and eye sight tests when they first become a user and at regular intervals thereafter, and also when the user may experience visual difficulties which may be considered associated to working with display screen equipment. If as a result of eye and eye sight tests spectacles are required solely for the use when using display screen equipment, the Company will pay for basic lenses and frames.
(d) All employees must report to the Managing Director any adverse health problems as a result of using display screen equipment and associated equipment. All such investigations, made will be treated as medically confidential between employee and the Managing Director.

Work Equipment
All work equipment provided by SIM Building Group will be maintained in an efficient state, working order and good repair, all in accordance with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. This will be achieved by means of regular inspection and testing. This relates to most workplace items includes tools, machinery and VDU systems. Employees have a duty to take reasonable care of work equipment, use it in the correct manner and to report any faults.

Injury, Ill-Health and/or Damage Incidents
All injuries shall be reported to the management, regardless of their seriousness. Any incident which causes, or is suspected of causing, acute or chronic ill health must be notified without delay to management and the details recorded. Any incident which occurs in the workplace and which falls within the remit of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), will be investigated by the Managing Director or other authorised individual. In order to assist in establishing the chain of incident causation, the full co-operation of all organisations and personnel is expected and required. (This may be in addition to any other investigation conducted by statutory enforcement agencies or other involved parties.)

In the case of more than 3 days off work accidents (over 3 day injury), then a written report on the form F2508 must be submitted to the HSE within 10 days of the date of accident. In the case of more serious accidents the HSE should be informed immediately by telephone and the form F2508 forwarded within ten days, as before.

Reports can also be made to the HSE Accident Hotline (Tel. 0845 3009923). This satisfies the notification requirements in full for all notifiable injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences. Those using this reporting facility are sent a copy of the report generated for record purposes.

From 1 January 2004 a new Accident Book complying with the Data Protection Act 1998 must be used.

Near Miss Incidents
In order to assist in developing a profile of events which have the potential to cause injury or damage, 'near miss' incidents should be notified to management, and the co-operation of employees is requested in this respect.

Fire Procedures
All employees should be familiar with the company’s Fire Plan.

First Aid
The company have arranged for personnel to undergo first aid training in accordance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

Appointed persons are available to provide and ensure the contents of First Aid Kits are satisfactory and to assist in the event of injury. In the case of serious injury or illness, employees are to be taken to the nearest hospital or medical help sought with the minimum of delay.

A First Aid Box and equipment is provided for the office.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
The above Regulations imposes a duty on an employer to ensure an employee does not carry out any work which is liable to expose them to a substance hazardous to health, unless a suitable and sufficient assessment has been made of the risk to health created by the substance and of the measures necessary to control exposure to it, and those steps have been implemented.

It is important to realise that collection of suppliers’ material safety data sheets does not constitute making a risk assessment, but rather the gathering of date to assist in making it.

All employees who may be exposed to substances, which could be hazardous to health, will be provided with such information, instruction, and training required to make them aware of any potential risk to which they may be exposed and to reduce that risk to a minimum. Every effort will be made to reduce levels of exposure as far as reasonably practical and in any case below Maximum Exposure Limits (MELs)

The main routes of entry of hazardous to the body are by inhalation, ingestion and absorption.

Where control of exposure cannot be achieved by substitution or source control, suitable and appropriate PPE will be issued and all employees have a duty to wear and use the equipment and measures provided.