Under fairly recent regulations, all construction managers must ensure correct Health and Safety plan implementation and compliance using Employee Safety Plans. It’s important to note that the easiest and most efficient way of doing this is through one of the many construction safety plans available on the Internet. These documents will aid in the compliance with legislation.
The problem is though, how do you know whether the one you have bought, or are about to buy is appropriate to you? The best way is to make sure you buy the most comprehensive and exhaustive document available. Here’s a little run down of what should be included in any reasonable Employee Safety Plans.
It’s important to note that any checklist style construction document you are using has to cover any and all demolitions work, and any and all work that is notifiable to the Health and Safety Executive. Remember, that’s any work that involves more than 5 employees or lasts more than 30 days.
Any decent Employee Safety Plans should, as their ultimate aim, develop knowledge and awareness of safety procedures on site. Potential risks to employees should be identified and dealt with during the Employee Safety Plans. It should also work as a jog to memory, and provide a record for anyone returning to the site to complete or add to work done. Employee Safety Plans are not required for work on domestic premises or occupied offices, or shops.
When you buy your Employee Safety Plans, ensure that it contains all the applicable information, as provided by the Health and Safety Executive. This means that it should include the site details, a description of the project, location, timescale and details of the construction site manager.
In addition, more specific details are required regarding the fire safety plan and any hazardous materials being kept on site. This is important to show due diligence in your safety preparation, and very often to make you aware of the potential risks inherent in the construction.
A detailed list of methods of procedures should be applied to your Employee Safety Plans, which will encompass things like personal protective equipment, manual handling, and other, more basic safety elements.
It should also include site sketches and schematics, which should encompass things like design documents, architectural details and escape routes. Similar supporting paperwork should also be present. For example, the documentation involved in allowing people on site, and an Employee Safety Plan for recording exit of the construction site.
The point of buying an Employee Safety Plan is not to make your life easier (although it almost certainly will), but to ensure the safety of your workforce, and the legal compliance of your site. It’s also worth remembering that even though Employee Safety Plans are important, there are still a good deal more health and safety considerations to be noted during construction.
