CIOB supports standards for building Crossrail

CIOB supports construction code of world class standards for building Crossrail

Contractors employed in building Crossrail will be required to employ 'an appropriately qualified workforce'.

This will be a requirement of the Crossrail Construction Code, a draft of which was made public after the Second Reading of the Bill in the House of Commons.

It is clear from the large number of topics covered in the code that the Government wants to establish world class standards for building on what may prove to be one of the most significant railway projects to be undertaken in the United Kingdom.

The qualification for people to be employed on site may include holding a card from a recognised scheme such as the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) or the Personal Track Safety scheme for railways.

The 'nominated undertaker' - the organisation appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport to manage construction of the new railway - will require contractors to run induction schemes for all personnel to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities in complying with the construction code.

This will include provision for on-site training on health, safety and environmental topics, and for keeping employees informed of changing circumstances as the work progresses.

Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive commented, "There is a clear link between using a fully qualified workforce, quality site conditions and the standard of health and safety on site.

Raising the bar and employing a totally qualified workforce on what is considered an 'exemplar project' is exactly what the government should be aiming for.

"We would urge all exemplar projects, especially the London Olympics 2012, to commit to this same ethos and apply the same importance on the process of building these large projects as they do on the final presentation." As to site management, the Crossrail construction code expects that contractual arrangements will require all Crossrail contractors 'to provide suitably qualified staff to manage and execute the works in which they are involved'.

The nominated undertaker will be operating under a requirement to ensure the health, safety and welfare of everyone employed in building Crossrail, as well as others who may be affected by the work.

The construction manager will therefore be obliged to establish 'appropriate industry standards' for health and safety, and to seek continuous improvement in safety performance.

There will also be a demand for 'community consultation'.

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