Amidst the sounds of hammers on steel and the whirr of drills, there was a subtle tension in the air at one of our client’s construction sites. It was not the usual noise of construction, but a sense of unease whispered through the workforce as they awaited their managing director, John Rutherford, known for his stern demeanour, relentless pursuit of perfection, and keen sailor. John, a seasoned individual in the construction industry, had seen it all. His projects adorned the landscape like monuments to his expertise, from building office blocks and shopping centres to quaint countryside cot ..read more

In the realm of architecture, our forward-thinking CDM consultant stepped into the bustling world of an architectural practice. The organisation was highly skilled,  35 strong, and had flair with their impressive building designs, however, they faced challenges in design risk management, hindering their ability to be truly proactive in their projects. Picture this: A project in a business district of a busy city centre surrounded by commercial and residential buildings with various building constraints and careful planning, involving addressing several challenges to optimise space, funct ..read more

Once upon a time, in a bustling construction setting, Sarah, one of our dedicated safety professionals, embarked on a mission to transform the workplace into a beacon of proactive culture of safety. Our construction company client faced challenges with near misses, incidents, accidents and compliance issues. Sarah, a seasoned safety professional, big on construction safety, initiated a thorough safety audit, identifying potential hazards, organisational challenges and areas for improvement. She engaged with the managers and the frontline workforce, fostering a culture where employees felt emp ..read more

In the world of construction, where every nail, beam, and scaffold matters, the key to a successful project isn’t just about laying the foundation but ensuring the safety of those who build it. Imagine a scenario where every worker steps onto the construction site armed not just with tools but also with the knowledge and competence to navigate potential hazards seamlessly. This vision becomes a reality with the CSCS Test and CSCS Card – an essential duo that not only takes away the hassle for construction workers but also elevates the industry’s commitment to health and safety. The CSCS Test ..read more

It’s a vital aspect of ensuring the safety of construction sites, and as safety personnel know, they understand the importance of evaluating both the advantages and disadvantages. So, let’s embark on this journey together. Let’s find out and delve into the world of writing risk assessments using software. The Pros: Efficiency: Using risk assessment software in construction can significantly boost efficiency. It helps streamline the process, reducing the time spent on paperwork and documentation. This efficiency can translate to more time spent on the actual safety measures. Example: Imagine y ..read more

We all probably have our own idea of what a safety manager looks like—decked out in high-viz so you can see them coming, wielding their clipboard, watching from their office for the slightest thing to go wrong and give you a telling off. We’ve come a long way in the last few years. Thankfully the stereotypical image of the site safety supervisor is giving way to a general understanding that most safety managers aren’t lying in wait trying to catch you out, but are ordinary people who want to keep others safe and away from risks that could lead to injury or worse. But one other myth persists ..read more

This week, Britain’s Met Office announced an unprecedented red extreme heat warning in many areas of the country, expecting temperatures to reach 40°c centigrade. Although there is a lot of discussion around the cause of this heatwave and how other countries handle similar temperatures regularly, the fact remains that 40°c is very, very hot, particularly in a country like the UK where we’re not used to such high temperatures. People, of course, want to know how this heat will affect their daily lives, particularly when it comes to working. For example, is there a legal limit to how hot it can ..read more

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a special campaign highlighting the dangers of dust exposure at work. The Dust Kills campaign has seen inspectors target respiratory risks and occupational lung disease on sites across the UK, focusing on dust control and checking that employers and workers know about the danger. HSE’s chief inspector of construction, Sarah Jardine, said: “Every year, construction workers are dying from diseases caused or made worse by their work. We urge employers and workers to take the necessary precautions today to protect their long-term lung health.” Th ..read more

With how quickly the press moved on from the pandemic to other stories, you might be forgiven for thinking that COVID vanished off the face of the earth. Unfortunately, although we are by most accounts no longer in a pandemic, COVID remains a danger and a threat to many. As a result, the Government has scrapped COVID-era rules, but they’ve reiterated that it’s up to individuals to make the choices necessary to keep themselves healthy. Employers and health and safety managers will continue to have a responsibility to minimise the spread of the virus and protect workers, as with any other poten ..read more

As a safety manager, you might think that the benefits of a healthy safety culture are obvious. A safer workplace benefits everyone. If you’re not careful, you can assume that this is enough to get everyone on board with following the rules and making the changes needed. We all know that being safer is better, but the idea of this can be frustratingly nebulous. This means safety can often be waved away when more pressing issues rear their head, and nowhere is this more obvious than when it comes to getting the leadership team of your company on board. Of course, employers want their employees ..read more