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News Release from: NHBC | Subject: Tips to ensure health and safety
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 05 October 2005
NHBC simple steps to cut deaths on site.
Following recent accidents involving vehicles on the worksite, NHBC has drawn up a list of tips which should be followed to ensure health and safety.
Simple steps to cut deaths on site With vehicle accidents causing an average of eight fatalities every year, NHBC is offering simple advice in a bid to help prevent disasters on the building site
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 8 Jun 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Government has made health and safety a priority for all industries, but according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the construction industry is one of the most dangerous with a long record of accidents.
HSE statistics show that 2800 people in the construction workforce have died over the past 25 years and there were many more serious accidents.
Common causes of accidents on the construction site include falling through fragile roofs and roof lights; falling from heights and being hit by vehicles.
Simon Mantle, NHBC's Health and Safety Manager, suggests there are simple steps that all those working on site with vehicles, should follow to ensure accidents are prevented.
"Best practice should include measures that are going to improve the driver's vision in the vehicle".
"These should be considered once a thorough risk assessment has been made," Mantle said.
Steps that should be used on a work site include:.
* Do make use of plain and/or convex mirrors.
* Do ensure mirrors are kept clean and replace them when they are cracked.
* Do use CCTV systems when mirrors are not practical ie on long vehicles.
* Do have a competent banksman to oversee reversing.
* Do use a ranging pole marked at 1metre and 2metre heights to test drivers' field of view.
* Do not operate plant or vehicles with operatives still in the area.
* Do not operate plant or vehicles without an up to date traffic management plan for the site.
* Do not use drivers that are not fully trained.
* Do not let an operative drive plant without proper authorisation.
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