HS_24_2
TWENTY FOURTH MEETING OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COUNCIL HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
HELD AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY, 29 MAY 2013
AT THE BOARDROOM, BUILDING CENTRE, 26 STORE ST LONDON
Present : Peter Caplehorn (Chairman), Philip Baker, Rosanna Bartoli (CIC) Kevin Blunden (ABE) Greg Brown (Vice chairman), Paul Bussey (RIBA & DIOHAS), Heather Bryant (HSE) , John Carpenter (ICE) Alan Gilbertson (CIRIA), Antony Lees (HSE), (ICE), Vaughan Burnand (CIOB), (CITBCS), Richard Habgood (APS), Richard Hulland, (CHSF), Gary Mees (CIAT), Ciaran Molloy (CIC), Rod Pirie (ACE), John Scholey (GF), Phil Singleton (ICWCI), Andrew Townsend, David Watson, (RICS),
Apologies from: Graham Watts, Paul Everall, Tony Putsman, Giles Meredith, Ian Watson, Kevin Fear, Richard Thorne, Simon Mantle, Bill Pyke,
1.1 The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1.2 He introduced Heather Bryant, the new head of construction health and safety at HSE,
1. Discussion – Heather Bryant
1.3 Heather explained that she took over from Philip White on 1 April 2013. She said that having been with HSE for 25 years, she had done construction work early in her career but since then had experience of other sectors. She said that she recognizes the benefits of working with other stakeholders from industry.
1.4 She explained that he early thoughts in relation to construction are that it remains a priority area for HSE. Good work has been done in bringing down the accident rate and ill health but there still remains much to do. She commented that there were many groups within construction who were concerned with health and safety issues in the industry. As well as this “inward” focus it would be useful to incorporate the lessons learnt on matters such as worker engagement and behavioural issues from outside the sectors. She said that while she did not want to go through the health and safety plan in detail, she pointed out that the high accident rate on small sites and in relation to refurbishment work remained a concern. Similarly there occupational ill health is often still a “poor relation” as safety issues are more easily dealt with. Ultimately it is all about outcomes and tackling the causes of problems is easier than trying to pick up the pieces afterwards.
1.5 In relation to current developments, she stated that HSE were recruiting more inspectors, particularly in the South of the country. She noted that there would be a consultation in respect to the CDM Regulations 2014, probably in October. She noted that the proposals for reform were a complex issue with pressure from Europe, questions of competence etc driving the need for change.
1.6 John Carpenter commented on the fragmented nature of the construction industry which was really a collection of many different parts, some large, many small, often catering for different markets. Heather Bryant said that she was aware of this and that she had experience of the waste industry which in many ways had a similar profile.
1.7 Richard Habgood raised the issue of “fees for intervention”. Heather acknowledged this but said that it was not a focus of attention. The main focus would always be on helping people comply with the law and monitoring that the law itself in this area is appropriate.
1.8 Greg Brown asked whether the forthcoming CDM consultation is likely to be at the beginning or the end of October. Antony Lees said that there were considerable behind the scenes processes in relation to this but there was an underlying momentum for the new regulations to be enacted by October 2014, as a later date might run fowl of a general election.
1.9 In conclusion Heather said that HSE hoped to get the building blocks of health and safety in place in anticipation of economic growth which was necessary for the whole UK economy. She said that HSE were engaging with those drafting the industrial strategy for construction, so that there health and safety was recognized as a significant factor in this document. Commenting generally she said that she saw an overly bureaucratic approach to the discipline as being a problem. The chairman commented that he saw the new PAS 91 document as a useful took to drive change forward.
2.0 Undergraduate health & safety education in construction
2.1 Richard Hulland stated that a working sub-group from the committee had been established which has had two meetings and two teleconferences on this issue so far. The latest teleconference had taken place on 28 May. The notes of this meeting have been circulated yesterday.
2.2 He reported that there had been good interaction with those academic institutions which took a major interest in health and safety. One of the decisions made at the earlier meetings was to have a conference which would build on the work done by the University of Sheffield and the HSE to publicise the idea of promoting health and safety almost as a “below the radar” exercise in teaching students. While the aim was to eventually teach students in all disciplines, it was felt that the main trust at this stage should be to architecture undergraduates. There had been a draft agenda drawn up for the purpose of debating the possible content of a seminar/conference which has been circulated.
2.4 Plans at present are to have the seminar in Sheffield. Ultimately the choice of venue will depend on whether there will costs involved in hiring such a space. In relation to timing, it was felt that January or February is the best time to opt for as this suits the academic calendar. An event which would encompass most of the day (say from 10-4 pm) is regarded as the best option. Plans are to include a hard copy of the HSE/Sheffield report when invitations are sent out. The main tasks are to firm up on how the event could be funded and also to “form up” some large/;medium and small examples of projects.
2.5 John Carpenter questioned whether we should try to get the ARB involved in this exercise. The chairman acknowledged the idea but said that in relation to setting curriculums there is scope for tensions between the RIBA and the ARB. He said that he would seek to involved the RIBA in this initiative. Garry Mees expressed the wish for CIAT to be included in this seminar as well. He said that there were 30 accredited CIAT courses.
Action: The chairman will raise the matter with the RIBA.
2.6 There was agreement that the initiative should encompass all professional construction training. The intention would be to start with architects. This prototype could then be extended.
2.7 Alan Gilbertson felt that the initiative should be launched with a statement of intent but the chairman felt that such a move on behalf of the professional bodies might serve to alienate the academics we are seeking to entice.
3. Presentation from Andrew Townsend
3.1. Andrew Townsend gave a presentation which is attached to these minutes. He drew attention to the current focus on accident ratios and to the correlation between projects which have poor safety records and also those which are late. And over budget. He pointed out that health and safety is a “social” science rather than an engineering discipline. He said that in recent years the dominance of the quantity surveyor has tended to undermine what is happening on site.
3.2 Heather Bryant had to leave the meeting just before 4.00 pm.
4. Presentation from Paul Bussey
4.1 Paul Bussey who also represents DIOHAS (Designers Initiative on Health and Safety) gave a presentation on a visual risk matrix which incorporates ERIC principles visually.
4.2 Asked whether it was guidance or project specific, he said that it was both. It was also pointed out that approach is easily transported into BIM methodology. It was asked whether this approach. It might also be viewed as a practical illustration of SFARP.
5. CONIAC
7.1 The notes of the last meeting of CONIAC, held on 13/ 03 /2013 were distributed with the agenda of the current meeting.
6. Minutes of the last meeting
6.1 The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read.
7 . Any Other Business
7.1 John Carpenter pointed out the work of the Inter-institutional group, particularly in relation to health and safety training and CPD. The link for this paper is here.
7.2 It was noted that the RIBA has produced a new Plan of Work which has an emphasis on health and safety which had not been emphasized hitherto.
8. Date of the Next Meeting
8.1 The next meeting of the committee will be on 29 October 2013.
2