Topic

Health & safety in construction

Health and safety standards are a priority in most sectors, but in construction workplace safety can be a matter of life and death. With so many risks and hazards on building sites, risk assessments and safety precautions are vital in keeping construction workers out of harm’s way. Companies should position construction health and safety standards at the centre of their operations to ensure worker protection and compliance.

Setting the standard on safety

Explore how standards can help your construction organization protect its employees and be compliant with regulations

Occupational health and safety management standards for the built environment
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Occupational health and safety management standards for the built environment

With its focus on strategic risk management, contractor management and looking after the mental, as well as physical, health of workers, BS EN ISO 45001 provides an excellent framework to support businesses operating within the built environment. With the enhanced focus on statutory and regulatory compliance and alignment to the ISO high-level structure, BS EN ISO 45001 is a perfect partner to quality, environmental and information security management system standards. Take for instance BS EN ISO 9001 Quality management systems: BS EN ISO 45001 is one way that organizations can demonstrate conformance to the personal safety aspects of clause 7.1.4 ‘Environment for the operation process’ but the relationship with BS EN ISO 9001 goes much further than that. Effective occupational health and safety is a key component of corporate responsibility. Whilst BS EN ISO 45001's strong focus on legal and other requirements supports the regulatory focus within BS EN ISO 9001, both standards also recognize the role human performance and error can have on the outcomes of the systems. Finally, the requirement in BS EN ISO 45001 to align occupational health and safety to the strategic direction of the business, driven by top management and to accelerate continual improvement, illustrates that the relationship between BS EN ISO 9001 and BS EN ISO 45001 goes well beyond a single clause. Having complementary management systems allows businesses to anticipate, adapt and respond to the risks and opportunities created by the highly competitive, innovative built environment. This provides organizations, large and small, with the resiliency and agility needed to thrive whether in global or local markets. To learn about facilities management in the built environment, click here. How can BS EN ISO 45001 benefit your organization? A poor safety record can damage your business, affect employee morale and productivity, reduce revenue and impact quality and customers. It can tarnish your business’s brand and reputation – potentially to the point where it erodes client trust for those you supply.  Added to that, businesses are now looking for ways to help them think beyond safety and accident prevention. Effective health management is a core part of BS EN ISO 45001, focussing on not just physical but mental and cognitive health, too. BS EN ISO 45001 also encourages a more holistic approach, recognizing that linking with broader wellbeing initiatives can bring even greater benefits. Being an employer who cares about the well-being of their employees is something that’s considered particularly important by young professionals who have been brought up surrounded by messages of the importance of health and wellbeing and expect similar support from their employer. In a competitive sector such as the built environment, where there are recognized skills shortages, attracting the best young talent is vital, and BS EN ISO 45001 offers a framework to enhance your recruitment and retention strategy. Proactively managing occupational health and safety in this way will help you better protect your people, brand, and business performance. What is your organization missing if you don’t implement BS EN ISO 45001? By not implementing BS EN ISO 45001 your business is missing out on some important opportunities and benefits, including: Protecting the workforce including the supply chain (if you manage one) Demonstrating compliance Bidding on contracts, especially internationally Demonstrating commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Attracting and retaining talent Enhancing workplace health and wellbeing Enhancing and protecting your business’s reputation And of course, providing a safe and healthy workplace free from injury and disease For those businesses operating or trading internationally, working to BS EN ISO 45001 (the single international standard on occupational health and safety) simplifies trade across boundaries: geographic, political, economic, commercial or social. Simplification and standardization can give you that competitive edge in the market. Health and safety innovation in the built environment The adoption of new technology brings great opportunities to help drive continual improvement, a key part of BS EN ISO 45001. For example, the use of exoskeletons, to reduce musculoskeletal stress associated with heavy lifting, repetitive actions or sustained awkward postures, presents a great opportunity to reduce the social and economic burden such disorders present in the industry. Exoskeletons ‘take over’ or support muscle function, so that the muscles do not have to work as hard, reducing muscle fatigue and potential injuries. These are being trialled in a range of construction and manufacturing environments. Whilst exoskeletons are forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) and therefore are at the bottom of the ‘hierarchy of controls’ (businesses should aim to use controls from the top), it does demonstrate that strides to adopt technology can improve safety and health. Digital technology is also driving change. Information models can be used to identify, structure and share information relating to risks. This is being driven by the rapid adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and with it the use of construction sequence (4D) modelling. This has significant implications for health and safety, reinforced by the development of PAS 1192-6 - the specification for collaborative sharing and use of structured health & safety information using BIM, published by BSI. Experience the benefits of occupational health and safety management by adding standard BS EN ISO 45001 to your collection today. Discover BSI Knowledge In your safety-critical industry, get everyone in your construction business involved in embedding a culture of health and safety. A BSI Knowledge subscription gives you instant access to the resources you need to improve your health and safety processes. The flexibility and visibility it provides of the best practices guidance enable you to get the most from your standards. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to our GBM07 Occupational & Personal Safety module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.Read more
The height of protection: Standards for the safe use of cranes
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The height of protection: Standards for the safe use of cranes

Workplace safety is always a priority (especially when construction machinery is involved), but crane safety is particularly vital due to the serious risks associated with crane use. Cranes are used in a range of industries. Due to the risk that comes with crane operation, there are several regulations and safety guidelines that all industries must adhere to. The law says that all lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person; appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. Cranes and lifting accessories such as slings must be of adequate strength, tested, and subject to the required examinations and inspections. Despite this legislation, since 2001, according to the HSE, there have been 61 accidents involving tower cranes, 9 people have died and 25 have been seriously injured, with poor maintenance being highlighted as the root cause of many of these accidents. To help create the safest environment for your employees working with cranes, we have several key standards that provide guidance on crane safety best practices. To read more about how standards can help manage occupational health and safety in the built environment, click here. What are the Key Standards for Crane Safety? The BS 7121 series of standards provide recommendations for the safe use of cranes within a work environment. They are widely recognized as best practices in any industry and are used by those planning and carrying out lifting operations with cranes in the UK. BS 7121-1:2016 Code of practice for safe use of cranes – General gives guidance for the safe use of cranes permanently or temporarily installed in a work environment gives recommendations for the safe use of cranes permanently or temporarily installed in a work environment. Subjects covered include safe systems of work, selection, erection and dismantling, maintenance, inspection, thorough examination, operation, and the planning and management of lifting operations. It will help your organization comply with the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Another key standard within the series is BS 7121-3:2017+A1:2019 Code of practice for safe use of cranes - Mobile cranes. It covers dealing with the hazards caused by mobility and the diversity of locations of mobile crane lifting operations. Whilst BS 7121-5:2019 Code of practice for safe use of cranes - Tower cranes gives recommendations for the safe use of tower cranes, including self‑erecting tower cranes other than mobile self-erecting tower cranes. It also covers the appropriate selection and training of personnel involved in the safe installation and use of tower cranes. Anthony Burd Head of Sector, Built Environment at BSI said: “The health and safety of those using cranes or being in an environment where they operate, is vitally important. It must be stressed that without guidance such as the BS 7121 series anyone carrying out or being near lifting operations could be at far greater risk of accidents or injuries associated with the use of cranes.” In your safety-critical industry, get everyone in your construction business involved in embedding a culture of health and safety. A BSI Knowledge subscription gives you instant access to the resources you need to improve your health and safety processes. The flexibility and visibility it provides of the best practices guidance enable you to get the most from your standards. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to our GBM07 Occupational & Personal Safety module and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more. To ensure your organization is working to best practices with regards to crane safety, add these key standards to your collection today, or browse our catalogue of crane safety standards for more guidance.
Health and safety in tunnelling in the construction industry
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Health and safety in tunnelling in the construction industry

In densely populated areas, using space underground enables us to make the most of our resources. Today, the ground beneath our feet holds a number of things – for example transport lines, storage facilities and living opportunities. As a result, there is a continual demand for tunnels. Road and railway tunnels move people and goods every day. Without such infrastructure, the economy and society would feel the impact. One of London's major projects, the Thames Tideway Tunnel has created a 25 km tunnel from west to east London. Once commissioned this will expand London's sewer network to cope with the increasing population and to significantly reduce sewage overflows into the river. The tunnelling phase was completed in April 2022, and the project is due for completion by 2025. Tunnelling is well underway on the many kilometres of tunnel involved in HS2 – mainly to pass under natural topographic features such as the Chilterns but also to hide the railway from view in areas of scenic beauty.    Tunnelling: a high-risk business When precision planning, design and construction are matched with a meticulous approach to health and safety, any tunnelling project can be a success. However, the construction industry is well known for being one of the UK's highest-risk sectors. Tunnels are unique. Their design and construction are different from other structures. They have the same risks as surface construction does, but within a confined space underground. As a result, tunnelling projects require a robust standard that keeps health and safety front of mind throughout a project. What is BS 6164:2019? BS 6164:2019 Health and safety in tunnelling in the construction industry – Code of practice deals with the health and safety of those engaged in the tunnelling process and of those who could be affected by it. It takes into account advances in technology, techniques and equipment in the tunnelling industry, as well as health and safety legislation. It is not a standalone document but depends heavily on the following: BS EN 16191 Tunnel boring machines — Safety requirements; BS EN 12110 Tunnel boring machines — Air locks — Safety requirements (now in two parts); and the British Tunnelling Society Compressed Air Working Group's “Guidance on good practice for Work in Compressed Air”. Both BS ENs are currently undergoing CEN enquiry. The standard also makes normative reference to the International Tunnelling Association/British Tunnelling Society Compressed Air Working Group Report 10, 'Guidelines for good working practice in high pressure compressed air'. The International Tunnelling Association and the International Association of Engineering Insurers have published the third edition of the ‘Code of Practice for Risk Management of Tunnel Works’. This internationally important code, particularly in the insurance of tunnel works, uses BS 6164:2019 and any subsequent revisions as its default standard. What's changed since the last update of this standard? There are numerous changes to BS 6164:2019. They arise from legislative changes within Europe, lessons learnt since the 2011 revision was published, changes in tunnelling practice over the past decade, advances in technology that allow for improvements in health and safety practice, and as a consequence of advances in technology creating new hazards. Finally, some content was in need of a general edit and rationalization. Legislative changes since 2011 include the classification of respirable crystalline silica as a human carcinogen, prompting more rigorous guidance on reducing emissions at source and dust control primarily through extraction ventilation. Clause 7 has been extensively rewritten, but with few technical changes, to reflect the revised clause title 'Excavation and control of ground movement'. Soft ground and hard rock tunnelling is covered, as well as pipe and box jacking. The guidance on ground improvement techniques, including freezing and grouting, has been moved to Clause 9. The guidance on plant and equipment safety along with materials handling has been rationalized, and a general edit of this clause has been undertaken. Guidance on all methods of materials handling has been brought together in Clause 23, and guidance on plant and equipment safety, including hired plant, is set out in Clause 24. The requirements for vehicle fire suppression and for the use of surface construction plant underground have been comprehensively addressed. A major change in tunnelling technology in UK tunnelling is the use of high pressure compressed air techniques for cutterhead interventions. Guidance on the technique is now included in the standard. Shafts are an often forgotten but vitally important aspect of tunnelling. The past decade has seen significant increases in shaft size and depth along with changes in construction methods. As a consequence, Clause 20 on shafts has been considerably extended to address these changes. A formal definition of when a shaft should be considered a confined space has been included. The basic use of electricity on tunnel sites has not changed, however. With ever larger tunnel boring machines being used, the power demand on-site has grown considerably. Consequently, the clause on electrical safety has been revised to reflect current electrical power engineering practice. How has the standard improved? Lessons learnt since 2011 have led to the inclusion of extensive recommendations on design checking. Guidance in BS 6164:2019 is given on the involvement of clients in determining the scope and nature of checks to be made. The category of check to be made should be determined on the basis of failure risk. The competence of the checker is addressed, and the checker is now required to certify the constructability as well as the safety of the design. Guidance is given for the first time on resolving disputes arising from the design check process. Guidance is also given on exclusion zones in conventional tunnels being built using sprayed concrete lining. In addition, advances in technology are resulting in instruments becoming available for the real-time monitoring of dust concentrations and their composition. This comes at a time when there is concern that control based on long-term average exposure does not adequately reflect the risk from fluctuating dust exposure, particularly in sprayed concrete lined tunnels. Recommendations are now made for control of dust exposure to be based on real-time monitoring against short-term exposure limits, making use of the advances in technology. Since exposure to vehicle exhaust is also of growing concern and similar monitoring instrumentation technology can be used for real-time monitoring of diesel particulate matter (DPM), guidance is included in the standard on control of exposure to DPM. As part of the general drive to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and also exposure to exhaust emissions, there is a resurgence in the availability of battery-powered vehicles for underground use. However, lead acid batteries are being replaced by battery technologies utilizing hazardous substances such as lithium and various heavy metals. The hazardous nature of such batteries, including the highly toxic emissions given off in a fire, along with the difficulty of extinguishing such fires, has been addressed. Find out more If you're involved in tunnelling at any stage, this is a good standard to review and use in your activities. The recommendations in this standard are not intended to apply to the construction of shafts or tunnels for the purpose of mineral extraction. BS 6164:2019 makes recommendations and gives guidance on health and safety practices in shaft sinking, tunnel construction, cut-and-cover tunnelling, immersed tube tunnels, and other underground construction, maintenance, renovation and repair. Discover BSI Knowledge Over 100,00 internationally recognized standards are available for simple and flexible access with a BSI Knowledge subscription. Our tailored subscription service allows you to build your own custom collection of standards or opt for access to one of our pre-built modules, keeping you up-to-date with any changes. With support from a dedicated BSI account manager, our subscription service helps you achieve a more coherent and effective approach to best practice. Request to learn more. This article has been guest-written by Dr Donald Lamont, former head of tunnel engineering for the Health and Safety Executive and now a director of Hyperbaric and Tunnel Safety Ltd. An internationally recognised specialist in tunnelling health and safety, he has been chairman of the BSI committee responsible for the last three revisions of BS 6164. He is also active in CEN and ISO standards work.
Reach new heights on worker safety with BS 8437
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Reach new heights on worker safety with BS 8437

Working from height can pose a great risk of injury, or even fatality, to your employees, if proper precautions aren’t in place. BS 8437 is the key standard for personal fall protection systems and equipment. It can help you manage the risks associated with working from height and comply with vital safety legislation. Working at height refers to any work where a person could potentially fall and injure themselves. A ladder, a roof’s edge, scaffolding, and even fragile surfaces can be considered working at height. All businesses that employ people to work in such environments have a legal responsibility to ensure their protection and minimize the risks associated with these activities. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) place duties on employers, the self-employed, and any person who controls the work of others (e.g., facilities managers or building owners who may contract others to work at height). At its core, this legislation dictates that a pragmatic approach should be taken when carrying out work off the ground. It focuses on ensuring safety through risk assessment, planning, and supervision.   Intended for use by employers, employees and self-employed persons who use personal fall protection systems and equipment, BS 8437 Code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace gives guidance on the selection, use, and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace to prevent and/or to arrest falls from a height. It is the only national standard of its kind that provides guidance on the appropriate selection, operation, and maintenance of various systems and equipment to ensure safety best practices in the workplace. It also covers systems and equipment suitable for use in rescue and in the rescue of persons working at a height, in the event of an accident. Developments in personal fall protection systems Fall safety is always evolving, and as result, BS 8437 recently underwent an update to ensure it reflects the latest in personal fall protection. Its revisions include: The introduction of other new/updated British Standards (e.g. BS 8610 and BS 7883) and BS ENs (e.g. BS EN 795) Developments in the testing and use of equipment (e.g. self-retracting lifelines, twin-retractables, etc.) The change from the PPE Directive to the PPE Regulation The introduction of the UKCA mark (post-Brexit) To learn about how standards support health and safety in the construction industry, visit our Health & Safety in Construction Topic Page. A guide to personal fall protection standards Whilst BS 8437 is the ‘benchmark’ in the UK for the selection, use, and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment, there are also other standards referenced within its updated specification, which can help ensure that the best practices of personal fall protection are being met. BS 8610 Personal fall protection equipment. Anchor systems. Specification Anchor systems are used to stop a person from hitting the ground if there is a fall from a height. BS 8610 provides manufacturers with specifications and test methods for developing efficient and durable anchor systems to protect the wearer in case of a fall. The test methods in this standard assist in evaluating the performance of anchor systems to prevent accidents. By adopting the requirements provided by BS 8610, you can enhance the performance of your personal fall protection equipment and ensure that workers are protected to the highest possible level during a fall. BS 7883 Personal fall protection equipment. Anchor systems. System design, installation and inspection. Code of practice Assuming your anchor system is compliant because it was when it was installed, or because it has an existing certificate, is no longer sufficient. BS 7883 exists to provide greater protection to anyone working at height. It defines a suitable procedure for installers and inspectors of anchor systems to follow and covers anchor systems designed to ensure that people working at heights are adequately protected. BS EN 795 Personal fall protection equipment. Anchor devices For a fall arrest system such as a lifeline to function properly, you need to be sure that an essential part of a system, the anchor, will be able to sustain the maximum dynamic force generated because of a fall from height. BS EN 795 defines the technical requirements placed on anchor devices. This standard indicates which loads horizontal fall arrest solutions must withstand and how they must be tested by manufacturers and certified to ensure their performance. Ensure the protection of your employees when working from height, by adding BS 8437 to your collection today. Discover BSI Knowledge Subscriptions In your safety-critical industry, ensure you are meeting the industry standards. A BSI Knowledge subscription gives you instant access to the resources you need to improve the safety of your employees and worksites. The flexibility and visibility it provides of the expert guidance enable you to ensure that your activities are consistently compliant with the relevant regulations. Build your own custom collection of standards, or opt for access to one of our pre-built modules and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your standards strategy. Request to learn more.

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