Working together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA) have launched a health and safety competency initiative.
The aim of the initiative is to explain to contractors what should be covered when carrying out a competence assessment which meets with the "core criteria" of basic health and safety requirements based on the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
When tendering for work, a "pre-qualification" basic health and safety credential assessment is often requested from major contractors and potential clients, in order to prove competency.
With this in mind, the HSE commissioned a study by J Z Carpenter Ltd, "Developing guidelines for the selection of designers and contractors under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994, Research Report 422", followed by a consultation with industry businesses, in order to develop a set of "core criteria" for the assessment of contractors.
HSE's Richard Boland said of the launch:
"I am pleased that we have been able to work with the ECA/HVCA to launch this initiative to their members and clients.
"I hope that it will prove useful in explaining what should be covered when carrying out a competence assessment.
"This is a good example of how HSE is working together with industry to deliver good health and safety practice."
Paul Reeve, Health Safety and Environment manager at the ECA said:
"We appreciate the HSE's support for this competency initiative based on the core criteria, which will help both clients and contractors in construction and importantly in other contracted activities.
"Both the ECA and the HVCA are working to ensure that our members have the know how to meet these standards and we urge clients to recognise compliance with the new criteria."
Adding his comments, Bob Towse, HVCA Head of Technical and Safety said:
"Along with all other interests within construction, the mechanical and electrical sectors have established stretching targets in terms of improving our health and safety record.
"Anything that can help ECA and HVCA in meeting - and ideally exceeding - these targets is therefore both welcome and valuable."
The research report by J Z Carpenter Ltd can be accessed, in pdf format, by clicking the following:
Article by Alexandra Johnston
