SMAS Worksafe expand assessment to include new areas of compliance

SMAS Worksafe, one of the leading SSIP schemes, have expanded their assessment to include new areas of compliance such as Environmental Management, Quality Management, Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Modern Slavery and Finance & Business.

The change comes as demand from major construction companies in the UK have started to request more from the contractors, demonstrating that they have the correct policies as well as SSIP in place before they can start work on site. It also improves and gives them better visibility of their supply chain with reassurance that their contractors are actively keeping to a high industry standard.

For a member, becoming a Preferred Supplier will make them more competitive during tendering generally as well as having the ability to manage their profile in one place. Companies can also benefit from saving time and money as reviewing internal policies in areas such as Environmental and Quality Management can reduce wastage and identifies where time and financial savings can be made. Speaking about adding these new additional areas to their assessment, SMAS Worksafe’s Technical Director, Marcus Rose added, “We understand that contractors might be looking at some of these areas for the first time, for businesses new to these areas, we can provide additional support such as templates and reviewing the information to ensure they understand the requirements and have the tools for continual improvement.”

For More Information About How Your Company Can Become A Preferred Supplier

Call 01752 697370, email info@smasltd.com or visit www.smasltd.com

The cash boost is designed to support employers to cover the cost of recruiting an apprentice such as providing facilities, uniforms, helping with travel costs or to help pay their salary.

Gillian Keegan, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills said: “We recognise the huge impact coronavirus has had on individuals and businesses We have taken unprecedented steps to protect, support and create jobs, including driving more high quality apprenticeship opportunities to help get our economy moving. I strongly encourage as many employers as possible to apply now, and take advantage of this generous offer whether it is used to recruit apprentices for the first time or expand their current apprenticeship offer.”

Other government initiatives to support young people include: a £111 million boost to triple the number of traineeships for 16-24 year olds; a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people; and a £17million investment to increase participation in sector-based work academies.

Company fined after scaffold collapse causes employee to fall eight metres

JR Scaffold Services Ltd has been fined £5,000 after an employee fell eight metres to the ground and sustained severe injuries. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that work was being undertaken at a four-storey property in Glasgow to erect a tower scaffold to repair a roof. An employee was fitting toeboards to a cantilever section attached to the tower scaffold and the tower partially collapsed causing him to fall eight metres to the ground below.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had carried out a risk assessment and method statement for the initial work and erected an eight metre high tower to allow for access to the roof. But the tower had been erected in the wrong place. Rather than disassemble and reassemble in the right place, a cantilever section was then added. There was no design for the cantilever section and due to there being insufficient anchor ties available on site, it was decided to support the cantilever by splicing the frame of the scaffold. There was also no kentledge which meant that the top section of the tower was unable to support the weight of the cantilever. When an employee stood on the cantilever section to fit toeboards the top section of the scaffold and cantilever section collapsed.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector, Helen Diamond said “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in Britain and the risks associated with working at height are well known. This incident could have been avoided if the task was properly planned, the existing scaffold was correctly positioned and securely attached to the tenement and any cantilever section properly designed and attached correctly to the main scaffold. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

BVL Scaffolding, Scaffolding Association

Assessed Members, have been working for Celltarga Ltd under the watchful eye of English Heritage to support works at Spencer House, London’s most magnificent eighteenth-century aristocratic palace.

A grade 1 listed property, it was built between 1756-1766 for John, first Earl Spencer, an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales. It is a building of unique importance in the history of English architecture.

BVL Scaffolding provided full access scaffold for stone cleaning and restoration works and then later additions to the statues. Using a buttress, BVL erected a fully free standing scaffold by design with no tie fixings into the building.