HSE Commence Month-Long Inspection Initiative of Construction Firms
From Monday 5th October, health and safety inspectors will begin a month-long inspection initiative of construction firms, assessing if their health standards are adequate. This is the fourth time the HSE have carried out such an initiative.
As in recent years, inspections will assess respiratory risks and risk of occupational lung disease; and consider the safeguards businesses have in place to protect the health of their workers’ lungs from exposure to asbestos, silica and wood dust.
Although the main purpose of an inspectors visit during this initiative will be to focus on the above-mentioned risks, if they identify any other issues concerning health standards then they may take the appropriate enforcement action. For example, this could include ensuring businesses are operating in a manner that protects their workers from coronavirus and are deemed COVID-secure.
If you are visited by a health and safety inspector then make sure you provide evidence your business and your workers are aware of the risks, prepare your work in accordance with this knowledge and employ the appropriate measures. Remember, inspectors can take enforcement action if they do not believe workers are adequately protected.
Given that over 3,500 builders die every year from cancers associated with their employment, with thousands more cases of ill-health and working days lost, it is imperative your business has adequate health standards and is prepared for a visit from a health and safety inspector. This initiative is supported by the HSE’s ‘Dustbuster’ campaign, which aims to shape employer’s behaviour by urging builders to download free guidance and advice.
As in recent years, inspections will assess respiratory risks and risk of occupational lung disease; and consider the safeguards businesses have in place to protect the health of their workers’ lungs from exposure to asbestos, silica and wood dust.
Although the main purpose of an inspectors visit during this initiative will be to focus on the above-mentioned risks, if they identify any other issues concerning health standards then they may take the appropriate enforcement action. For example, this could include ensuring businesses are operating in a manner that protects their workers from coronavirus and are deemed COVID-secure.
If you are visited by a health and safety inspector then make sure you provide evidence your business and your workers are aware of the risks, prepare your work in accordance with this knowledge and employ the appropriate measures. Remember, inspectors can take enforcement action if they do not believe workers are adequately protected.
Given that over 3,500 builders die every year from cancers associated with their employment, with thousands more cases of ill-health and working days lost, it is imperative your business has adequate health standards and is prepared for a visit from a health and safety inspector. This initiative is supported by the HSE’s ‘Dustbuster’ campaign, which aims to shape employer’s behaviour by urging builders to download free guidance and advice.
In November 2019, we launched this innovative offering for clients seeking access to advice for an agreed annual fee.
This is an alternative to our standard retainer system and offers clients an opportunity to obtain advice where the cost is pre-determined for the whole year. This arrangement would suit clients who may from time to time need to seek legal advice but may hold off preferring a ‘wait and see’ approach.
In our experience, early intervention can reduce the risk of the situation escalating as we can give advice and guidance that nips regulatory issues in the bud before they develop into something far worse. We also strongly recommend our clients consider taking out legal expenses insurance to cover investigations and prosecutions brought by regulators.
DyneProtect© has teamed up with Butcher & Barlow solicitors to provide DyneProtect© clients access to a specialist team of corporate and commercial lawyers for up to 1 hours’ worth of free telephone advice/legal consultation.
Butcher & Barlow have a dedicated commercial and agricultural hub on Gadbrook Park in Northwich which provides advice and assistance to a host of business clients in specialist areas such as Corporate and Commercial Law, Commercial Property, Private Client and Agriculture.
If you have a corporate or commercial issue which Dyne Solicitors is unable to handle, then Butcher & Barlow’s Commercial team will certainly be able to step in and assist.
DyneProtect© has also negotiated price reductions on OLAT / Driver CPC courses run by training providers KP Legal Limited who are offering discounts to DyneProtect© clients on Operator Licensing Awareness / Compliance training (-20%) and Periodic Driver CPC training (-10%).
This is an alternative to our standard retainer system and offers clients an opportunity to obtain advice where the cost is pre-determined for the whole year. This arrangement would suit clients who may from time to time need to seek legal advice but may hold off preferring a ‘wait and see’ approach.
In our experience, early intervention can reduce the risk of the situation escalating as we can give advice and guidance that nips regulatory issues in the bud before they develop into something far worse. We also strongly recommend our clients consider taking out legal expenses insurance to cover investigations and prosecutions brought by regulators.
DyneProtect© has teamed up with Butcher & Barlow solicitors to provide DyneProtect© clients access to a specialist team of corporate and commercial lawyers for up to 1 hours’ worth of free telephone advice/legal consultation.
Butcher & Barlow have a dedicated commercial and agricultural hub on Gadbrook Park in Northwich which provides advice and assistance to a host of business clients in specialist areas such as Corporate and Commercial Law, Commercial Property, Private Client and Agriculture.
If you have a corporate or commercial issue which Dyne Solicitors is unable to handle, then Butcher & Barlow’s Commercial team will certainly be able to step in and assist.
DyneProtect© has also negotiated price reductions on OLAT / Driver CPC courses run by training providers KP Legal Limited who are offering discounts to DyneProtect© clients on Operator Licensing Awareness / Compliance training (-20%) and Periodic Driver CPC training (-10%).
