The BCA is an umbrella group set up to represent building control professionals with responsibility for inspecting building works to ensure duty-holders are compliant with Building Regulations and the professional bodies that accredit them. They work in the local-authority and private sectors as Approved Inspectors. The HSE therefore believes these professionals are in an ideal position to promote the message "health and safety at work" on site.
The roles of each group are clearly set out in the agreement and it is clear that building control professionals will not be used as a replacement for HSE inspectors visiting sites. The HSE stated that “The aim …..is to improve the number of construction sites who receive life-saving advice on health and safety. We want to increase the standards of health and safety across the industry, especially with the smaller temporary sites, which can be hard to reach. This move is absolutely not about reducing the number of inspections that HSE carries out.”
Any matter creating a risk of serious personal injury, or ill health to workers or the public, which comes to the attention of building control professionals, is defined as a matter of evident concern (MoEC). Where such matters come to their attention on sites they are visiting they should bring them to the attention of the person in control of the site where they are able to do so. If they cannot do so or consider this is inappropriate or where the response to such an approach is not satisfactory they should report the MoEC to HSE, providing HSE is the relevant enforcing authority.”
Building control commenting on the HSE agreement described it as a “safety net”, stating the facility for their members to give feedback on issues relating to health and safety if they come across them is a “logical step”. The HSE see it as a “further example of how everyone involved in the construction industry can spread the health and safety message”.
Hopefully the closer working relationship between the HSE and The Building Control Alliance will over time help make building operations safer by reinforcing the health and safety message to a broader spectrum of people engaged in construction and thus leading to a reduction in the number of fatalities and accidents.
For more information on health and safety at work, risk management and business insurance, speak to Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers on 01603 218000 or visit our website – http://www.alanboswell.com/business-insurance/
