Hands off

While no substitute for a sound company-wide health and safety policy, personal protection equipment is a vital last resort in the battle against injuries on site. But despite the inherent good sense in donning hard hat, boots, gloves and goggles, walk past a construction site and you’re often more likely to see builder’s bums than builders battening down the hatches when it comes to protecting themselves.

The last few years have seen much attention paid to changing attitudes on site. Initiatives such as the introduction of CSCS/ECS skills certification, with their mandatory health and safety tests, have started to bear fruit; the latest accident statistics in the electrical sector are testament to that (see page 7).

Some m&e contractors have got tougher in their approach to ppe equipment. Farebrother is one firm that has recently introduced a disciplinary card scheme for those operatives not wearing equipment on site. “Farebrother’s approach to safety has always been of the highest importance and is implemented through our Health and Safety Executive Board,” explains Michael Smith, business development manager and associate director with Farebrother.

“With health and safety concerns and statistics paramount throughout the construction industry, it is essential that the safety of all our employees is addressed on a regular basis, and up-to-the-minute guidelines and information introduced and understood by everyone concerned in order to create a safe working environment,” continues Smith. When it comes to ppe equipment, Farebrother arranged two health and safety seminars to get the message across to its employees on the importance of ppe equipment in the workplace.

Farebrother issues a comprehensive set of ppe equipment to each operative and engineer or manager comprising:

• two pairs of overalls issued in first quarter and one pair issued in third quarter;
  
• one pair of cut-resistant gloves issued in first quarter, followed by another pair in the second quarter;
  
• one pair of safety glasses issued in first quarter;
  
• one safety helmet, complete with Farebrother logo, chin strap and ear defenders issued in the first quarter;
  
• green coloured helmet issued to first-aiders;
  
• one pair of safety footwear issued in first quarter.

The company has gone one step further than merely holding awareness sessions and making sure the right equipment has been issued. “We have also introduced a disciplinary card system to ensure that our employees take on board the seriousness of our intention to ensure safety at all times,” explains Smith.

If an operative is found not wearing the ppe equipment provided, then they are issued with a “yellow card” which incorporates a first written warning that is recorded on their personnel file. If they are found not wearing equipment again, a “red card” is issued which results in instant dismissal. The responsibility for implementing this lies with the site supervisor.

Farebrother is not alone is looking at measures to improve effective take-up of ppe equipment. M&E contractor Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil (SRW) has carried out close analysis of its accident statistics which revealed a high percentage of accidents involving injury to hands and eyes.

After extensive engagement with the workforce to ascertain the most suitable hand and eye protection, SRW launched a revised ppe policy. “It is now mandatory for all operatives to wear hand and eye protection suitable for the task,” explains Craig Sparrow, director with SRW.

SRW rolled out its revised policy in conjunction with BP at its Sunbury project and the results speak for themselves: a 35% reduction in hand and eye injuries.

Now all we need is a red card scheme for builders’ bums!