Falls from height continues to be the largest causes of major injuries and fatalities.  About 4000 working at height-related accidents occur each year at work and the most common cases are falls from ladders and through fragile services. Alarmingly, two thirds of all major injuries at work are caused by ‘low falls’ A low fall is a fall from a height below 2 metres.  A high fall is a fall from a height of more than 2 metres.

5 Top Tips for Preventing Falls from Height:

1. As with all work activities, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is key to preventing falls from height. The planned activity and location should also be assessed immediately before work takes place, in case there have been any changes since the original assessment took place. The above case is a good example, in terms of missing panels that had not been put back following previous works.
2. All parties involved should be made aware of the findings of the risk assessment, so there needs to be procedures in place to ensure good communication of the hazards, control measures and any changes to the planned works.
3. In terms of control measures, eliminating the need to work at height is usually the best option. However, in reality, that isn’t always possible. Use suitable work equipment such as a working platform, or an existing safe area with a permanent guardrail, and make sure workers can reach it safely.
4. All works should be supervised, and the job undertaken by competent staff. Assessing someone’s competency would include looking at their experience, knowledge and skillset, as well as their qualifications.
5. Consider both personal and collective measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, where some risk does remain, such as fall arrest equipment or safety nets.

Most falls from height can be prevented, by ensuring proper planning of the work and by selecting the right equipment for the job. When equipment is not suitable, it can lead to workers finding other ways to complete the job, which can have fatal consequences.

You can download HSE’s Working at Height Brief Guide Here

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SSIP Accreditation and CHAS

Have you recently been asked for an SSIP accreditation?

SSIP Accreditation and CHAS – SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) is an umbrella group which sits above a number of accreditations you can get which assess your companies Health & Safety. There are a number of assessments you can go for and we have highlighted the most popular ones below:

• Acclaim
• Altius VA
• APS Corporate Membership
• ARB Approved Contractor
• Avetta (Formerly PICS Auditing)
• Builders Profile
• ConstructionLine
• BESA H&S Assessment
• BCSA
• CHAS
• CQMS Safety-Scheme
• DW H&S
• Eurosafe CDM Competent
• Exor H&S Qualified
• FASET
• Greenlight
• HSAS
• Laing O’Rourke
• MSL Safepartner
• NAS
• NASSH
• NHBC
• PQS
• Safemark Principal Safety (PASS)
• Safe-T-Cert
• Safe Contractor
• SMAS
• Worksafe
• OHSAS 18001 (schemes are listed on the site)

CHAS

The majority of our clients go for CHAS accreditation as this seems to be the popular one within the industry. CHAS have recently gone online with their submissions so customers can upload their documentation and then pay for the assessments once they are ready to submit.

This makes it easier for customers to see progress and communicate with their assessor.

If you are looking to get CHAS accreditation but are having trouble with the necessary documentation we can help with the preparation of these, we also provide a safety advisor service for companies with less than 5 employees so we can stay with you and help to implement the new documentation.

Impartial advise

Feel free to call us 0800 031 5404, and we can advise you on the best selection for your needs. We have completed thousands of applications and understand the market inside out. We don’t mind which company you select; the assessment process is the same, thanks to SSIP.

Who is Seguro

Seguro Health and Safety Management employs qualified health and safety consultants who complete the application to obtain accreditation from all the assessment companies. Seguro removes the pain of completing all the documentation and ensuring you comply. Feel free to contact us.

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Acclaim Accreditation

What is a Acclaim Accreditation

Acclaim was created in 2012 and is a member of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement)

SSIP is an umbrella organisation formed in 2009 to reduce the duplication of health and safety assessments.

Acclaim is the accreditation arm of Constructionline. When you join Constructionline, you will be directed to Acclaim to complete the Health and safety accreditation process to obtain the SSIP certificate.

Do I have to apply for an Acclaim at the same time as I do for a construction line?

Yes. Acclaim has been included within all paid Constructionline memberships and is no longer offered as a standalone product.

Constructionline Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum memberships include Acclaim but also offer a ‘Deem to Satisfy’ certificate for those who hold a valid SSIP with an alternative provider.

What will an Acclaim accreditation cover?

All assessments are completed using the SSIP Core Criteria as the threshold standard and cover the following:

• Health & Safety policy
• Competent Advice
• Training arrangements
• Monitoring, audit and review
• Workforce involvement
• Accident reporting and enforcement action
• Subcontracting/consulting
• Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work
• Cooperations with others
• Welfare provision
• Hazard elimination

How much does an assessment cost?

Fees charged by our members vary and take into account other membership fees. It is essential to recognise that all assessments are equal and all are carried out against the same standard.

If you are not sure feel free to call us for support.

How long will it take to get a certificate?

This varies from scheme to scheme and is dependent on you providing everything needed for the assessment. Typically, schemes will try to complete their initial assessment within ten working days.

Who is Seguro and how can you help me?

Seguro is a health and safety company that specialises in SSIP accreditation. We completed over 500 applications per year. Our success rate is 100%.

We We are here to support you through the acclaim accreditation process; we can prepare all the documents, complete the registration forms, and simplify the process. CHAS is expensive, but other providers are very economical. The best thing to do is chat with us and learn more; we can tell you about the costs and the time frame. Our number is 0800 031 5404, or you can request a quote.

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Staying safe this christmas

Here are a few of our hints and tips to keep you safe and in the festive spirit:

Christmas Tree Fairy Lights

• Check the fuses are the right type (see the box for the maximum size of fuse you should use).
• If bulbs blow, replace them.
• Don’t leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to sleep.
• Don’t let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, like paper.
• Don’t overload sockets.

Christmas Decorations

• Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard burn easily.
• Don’t attach them to lights or heaters.
• Don’t put them immediately above or around the fireplace.
• Keep them away from candles.

The awareness video below has been used by fire services and safety consultants to demonstrate how quickly something small can take hold.

More information can be found on the fire saftey website

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Health & Safety questions for June

Please see below the questions we have been asked in June, every month we get asked something new that we share to keep you all informed.

1. Will CHAS come out and assess me?

You application is assessed remotely, all information is submitted to your allocated assessor for them to review.

2. Do i need to implement all the Health & Safety into my company or is it just a paper exercise?

Health & Safety is an important part of a successful company, it enables you to operate in a professional manner as well as ensuring you are operating safely for your employees and the general public.

3. How long does my accreditation last?

All the major Health & Safety accreditation last one year, this includes CHAS, Constructionline and Safe Contractor.

4. Do we get all method and risk assessments provided?

When providing documentation we will provide you with a template to show you the correct way for a job to be assessed and carried out. You will then need to make these job specific including any unique aspects for each job.

5. Do i get a policy with my CHAS documentation?

As part of the CHAS application if you have more than 5 employees you will need to supply a Health & Safety Policy. This is not part of the normal CHAS assistance we provide and an additional fee is incurred.

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The new “Common Assessment Standard” is being introduced as a new way to reduce the number of accreditation’s SME suppliers in the construction industry need to gain in order to comply with Health & Safety in the industry.

The Common Assessment Standard (CAS) will initially be available through CHAS, ConstructionLine and Achilles. The idea is that the other major providers will then join in the scheme.

The assessment process for (CAS) is likely to require additional and more robust information than the current health and safety requirements already in place for the three providers. There will also be a price increase for assessment fees but will work out more cost effective if you are in the position where you need more than one accreditation to work with your clients.

The new Common Assessment Standard (CAS) will contain 248 questions, covering your companies’ health and safety, financial health, environmental performance and corporate and social responsibility.

This is in comparison to the 190 questions already being asked at the moment.

We will keep you updated with the latest information on release dates and how we can help you, in the meantime if we can help you with anything please get in touch.

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Hot Topics for the Health & Safety Myth Busters Panel

There are a number of topics that are currently Hot within the Health & Safety Industry and the HSE has gathered them together for easy reference. Here at Seguro we think these are all relevant and worth a read of you get the time.

Let us know what you think, if there are any more questions you would like answering please let us know.

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The New Construtionline Portal

Constructionline have released a new online portal on 24th October 2016 to ensure they are keeping up to date with their customers requirements. The new portal has been designed to enable customers to navigate easier and to be able to amend and upload documents.

The new portal clearly displays the fees associated with your application including the one off fee of £25 which is detailed in the payment breakdown. The main website has also been refreshed displaying information clearly for you should you need it.

For Constructionline prices please click here.

Noticeable changes:

• Environmental and equal opportunity sections are no longer mandatory
• Passwords will need to be reset for every existing account

If you are looking to join Constructionline and think you may need some help in preparing your documentation please get in touch.

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Safe Contractor Joining fees

Safe Contractor is part of the SSIP umbrella group and is an assessment of your companies Health & Safety capabilities. It is often a requirement to have Safe Contractor should you wish to work with some private and public sector clients.

There are a number of ways you can apply for safe contractor you can register and complete all the required paperwork yourself or you can enlist the services of a 3rd party consultant. They will provide expert advice and support and help you through the process.

If you are looking for help please see our information available.

The fees listed below are correct as of 25/10/2016

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Mesothelioma -Do You Know Enough About this Deadly Disease?

Asbestos contains tiny fibres which are too small for the eye to see, yet they can do great damage to the lungs if breathed in. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung and is just one of the diseases associated with the material. The latency period for symptoms of the disease can be long – often 10 or more years – and there is currently no cure.

5 Key Points for Managing Asbestos

1. Asbestos could be present in any building either built or refurbished before the year 2000. Check building and renovation plans if you are unsure, as well as any asbestos surveys undertaken. Ceiling and floor tiles, older boilers, lagging and asbestos cement are often key areas to look at.
2. The material only poses a significant risk to health if it is accessible and in a poor or damaged condition. It is therefore important that you know what type of asbestos you have and the condition it is in.
3. Those most at risk are people who work on the fabric of the building – carpenters, plumbers, electricians and builders, for example, as well as any maintenance staff on site. There is therefore a duty to tell those who may be on your premises about any asbestos in the building before they undertake work. You should do this before they carry out a risk assessment/method statement so that all risks and control measures are factored in.
4. Some work with asbestos – either removing it or working with it – may require a licensed asbestos contractor. Check that any contractors you use have the correct licence to do the work.
5. Making others aware of the existence of asbestos is vital. As a visual prompt, label your asbestos with industry-recognised stickers so that it is clear that asbestos is in the vicinity should anyone be undertaking work in the area.

Asbestos is a killer and any amount of exposure can be dangerous – preventing exposure is therefore the key to limiting the number who develop asbestos-related diseases. Protect your staff, contractors and visitors so they never have to suffer.

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