The Health and Safety Executive in Northern Ireland (HSENI) has launched a bundle of resources to help small builders manage their health and safety responsibilities more effectively.
The construction industry remains one of the highest-risk sectors in Northern Ireland, with 40 deaths in the past 10 years. In recognition of the difficulties that many smaller contractors face in implementing effective health and safety systems and complying with their legal responsibilities, Health and Safety Works NI – HSENI’s small-business advisory service – developed the new resource pack to be a practical working document.
The service’s senior advisor David Lowe said: “From my experience of working with the construction industry it became clear that it needed guidance across a range of issues – from writing a health and safety policy, through carrying out risk assessments and preparing method statements, to putting together a health and safety plan.
“By working closely with HSENI inspectors we have developed a resource pack, which includes worked examples and helpful blank templates to help them undertake their own site inspections.”
The pack will form part of a package of assistance provided by HSWNI during one-to-one advisory visits with construction employers.
Speaking at the last week’s official launch of the package, HSENI chair George Lucas said: “This is a valuable and much-needed resource for smaller contractors working in the construction industry. It gives practical advice and guidance in a very clear and concise way, and lays the foundations for them to develop robust health and safety management systems.”
For more information on the resource pack and HSWNI’s other services, phone 0300 020 0030 or e-mail [email protected]
