Small Business Trade Association Forum
Construction Forum Summary
Held on 11June 2015 at Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, Westminster, London SW1 9NH at 11.00 – 13.00
Present:
Frances Outram / Chair
Pete Walker / British Constructional Steelwork Association
Andrew Dixon / Federation of Master Builders
Simon Vayro / British Marine Federation
Paul Bogle / National Federation of Builders
Martin Isles / Mineral Products Association
Giles Wilson / Glass and Glazing Federation
Matthew Mahony / British Woodworking Federation
Terry Woolmer / EEF
HSE Officials present:
Rachel Grant
Susan Robinson
Jill Hawthorne
Peter Baker
Ian Strudley / Business Team
Business Team
SBTAF Secretariat
Chief Inspector of Construction
Head Health & Risk Management Unit, FOD Construction Sector
1. / Welcome, Introductions and Apologies
1.1
1.2 / Frances welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Peter Baker who had taken up the post of Chief Inspector of Construction in April and also introduced Ian Strudley, Head of Health and Risk Management, FOD Construction Sector.
Apologies had been received from:
James McKechnie / Federation of Master Builders
Ken Moon / FSB
Paul Reeve / Electrical Contractors Association
Kevin Minton / Construction Plant Hire Association
Tony Hutchinson / Rural Industrial Design & Building
2 / Introduction and update on current issues in Construction
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4 / Peter Baker informed members that he was previously head of HSE’s onshore major hazards division before taking up post as Chief Inspector of Construction. Peter explained that that the HSE’s construction plan of work had been refreshed with the focus this year on embedding CDM 2015, major projects, and targeting activities that typically give rise to fatal and major injury accidents. Health related issues such as asbestos, silica also remain high on the agenda.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) were introduced on 6 April 2015 and replace the earlier 2007 regulations. Peter Baker outlined the main features of CDM 2015 to members and explained that CDM does not change standards but has improved how clients, designers and contractors throughout the supply chain should coordinate and cooperate in the delivery of construction projects to manage and control health and safety risks. CDM 2015 has also been designed to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy.
CDM covers the whole range of construction activities and HSE will continue to expect that clients, designers and contractors apply their responsibilities sensibly and proportionately with the focus on managing real risks In particular, CDM 2015 aims to:
·  Improve the planning and coordination of projects, particularly those involving significant risks
·  Ensure that workers have the necessary knowledge, skills and expertise
·  Ensure the right information about risks is available
The HSE Construction website has further information on CDM 2015 and includes ‘frequently asked questions and links to CITB website.
Action:
Construction Division are seeking views from stakeholders relating to the need for an Approved Code of Practice to support CDM 2015. An ACoP will be considered where there is strong evidence that it would assist in achieving the aims of CDM 2015 that cannot be done through guidance. Views from SBTAF Construction members on the ACoP should be sent to Peter’s colleague, Sue Brandrick. Email:
3. / Health in the Construction Industry
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4 / Ian Strudley introduced himself as a health specialist inspector rather than a construction safety inspector and informed members that he heads Health and Risk Management Unit, Construction Division.
Ian mentioned various health related campaigns:
·  BOHS Breathe Freely Campaign, a collaborative initiative targeted specifically at managers and site supervisors within the construction industry. The aim is not just to raise awareness of the problem of lung disease within construction industry but to provide practical solutions and sharing of good practice.
·  The Construction Dust Partnership was set up 4 years ago to look at silica, asbestos, COPD and cancer. This Partnership helps to raise awareness and manage risks by promoting the benefits of “clean construction” and offering practical control solutions.
·  IOSH’s campaign on occupational cancer – No Time to Lose aims to get carcinogenic exposure issues more widely understood and help businesses take action. Information built up by a research team led by Dr Lesley Rushton had linked thousands of cancer deaths with different occupations with construction having the highest number of cancer registrations.
·  The Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) advises the HSE on the protection of people at work from hazards to health and safety within industry and a guide has been produced on managing occupational health in construction.
·  HSE website guidance – how healthy is your business provides free guidance and links to other sites. http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/managing-essentials/assess-the-risks.htm
Ian talked about the importance of controlling risk and not the symptoms and managing risk not lifestyle. He showed slides giving statistics of notices served in the 2014 Health and refurbishment Inspection Initiatives. A link to all of Ian’s slides can be found below. Ian went on to explain that HSE’s plan of work covered all areas that can cause a risk to health including asbestos, general welfare issues, noise and vibration, manual handling, hazardous substances and silica. HSE has focussed inspection initiatives to look at these issues.
Action:
For any members requiring further information about health risks in construction, Ian’s e-mail address is:
A copy of Ian’s slides from the Construction Forum are attached separately.
4. / Meeting round up and close
4.1 / Frances thanked everybody for attending and in particular Peter Baker and Ian Strudley. Frances acknowledged that the increase by half an hour to the length of this meeting had been beneficial and members agreed that the time slot should remain the same for future meetings.
The next Construction Forum is scheduled to take place on 3 December 2015 starting at 11.00 until 13.00 at Broadway House Conference Centre, Tothill Street, London SW1H 9NQ.