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Do I need a health and Safety agreement? Please help!!
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#1 Posted : 27 May 2009 13:52:00(UTC)
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Posted By lisacox I own a plastering company and only use sub contractors, no employees. I use around 25 subbies on various new build sites around the country. Do I have to use a Health and Safety company or can I do it myself? I am joining CHAS. Thanks in advance
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#2 Posted : 27 May 2009 14:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Raymond Rapp Lisa I suggest that your query is not as simple as you might think. Also, not sure what you mean by a 'health and safety agreement'. Can you be more specific? For example, you need to identify what your role is as a supplier. I suspect that within the ambit of HSWA you are in fact an Employer and the duties imposed by HSWA will apply to you and the staff you provide. Ray
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#3 Posted : 27 May 2009 14:13:00(UTC)
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Posted By lisacox Hi Ray I'm not sure if I have to use a 'company' to draw me up a health and Safety procedure or if I can draw one up myself, along with doing my own risk assessments etc, etc. The Health and Safety Policy statement Act 1974 - I can complete myself but is this enough?
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#4 Posted : 27 May 2009 14:14:00(UTC)
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Posted By lisacox I supply CSCS card holder sub contractors to buiding sites for plastering and screed work.
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#5 Posted : 27 May 2009 14:27:00(UTC)
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Posted By Brian Peirce Hi Lisa I would confirm Raymond's advice. If you are applying to CHAS I would assume that this is with regard to being assessed against the CHAS health and safety standards.You need to familiarise yourself with these standards by accessing the CHAS website - www.chas.gov.uk. Amongst other things you will need to demonstrate how your company manages the sub contractors you use and how you ensure they are competent in respect of health and safety. The law requires you to have ready access to competent, suitably qualified, health and safety advice. This can be either internal or externally sourced. Hope this helps.
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#6 Posted : 27 May 2009 14:34:00(UTC)
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Posted By lisacox Thank you, very helpful.
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#7 Posted : 27 May 2009 14:59:00(UTC)
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Posted By Raymond Rapp Lisa With regards to a Company Health and Safety Policy, you will need one and you could write it yourself. There are of course plenty of people on this site that would provide one...at a reasonable fee. apart from the above you will need to ensure your subbies have adequate training, PPE and so on. Happy to provide a more detailed list if you require. Ray
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#8 Posted : 27 May 2009 15:01:00(UTC)
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Posted By lisacox Ray That would be brilliant, basically I've had a quote for £1450.00 for a 'package' and I was hoping to keep costs down whilst still maintaining everything I need.
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#9 Posted : 27 May 2009 15:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Richard Altoft £1450 seems over the top. Also beware of ongoing "fees" to retain the services of consultants. Yes you need competent advice and from the slightly muddled terminology you have been using (no disrespect intended) I suspect H&S documentation is not something that is an everyday part of your business. Can you give me an approximate idea of your location to see if we can help at all.We are in North Lincolnshire and we do a lot of work for small businesses, most of whom then learn to do it themselves just coming back when something more onerous occurs often when they get bigger projects etc. R
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#10 Posted : 27 May 2009 15:21:00(UTC)
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Posted By lisacox Your absolutely correct!! This isn't something I'm up to speed with but am trying to learn fast! I'm based in Bedfordshire
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#11 Posted : 27 May 2009 15:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By Richard Altoft Lisa I have also just looked at what I suspect is your webpage and what you refer to as a policy on that web page is far from compliant with legal requirements for a Policy. If what I have found is yours and is current then it is at best a H&S plan under the old CDM 1994 Regs. I also suspect you are too far away from us for us to help as I insist on a personal visit to the business before giving advice but I would urge you do get some support. However I would also confirm that £1450 seems over the top. R
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#12 Posted : 27 May 2009 15:26:00(UTC)
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Posted By lisacox Thanks Ray Your help has been really useful. I will take this further and hopefully learn a lot more on the way. Much appreciated
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#13 Posted : 27 May 2009 15:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ron Hunter This might allow you to save at least some of that £1450, and should serve to allow you to identify those areas where you might need professional help: http://www.hse.gov.uk/business/policy.htm
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#14 Posted : 27 May 2009 15:35:00(UTC)
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Posted By lisacox I'll take a look.
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#15 Posted : 27 May 2009 15:38:00(UTC)
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Posted By Raymond Rapp No problem, glad to be of assistance. I am based in Middx if that is any use. Meanwhile, email me direct if you need some more advice on the documents etc you need. I am a consultant but not touting for work because I am currently engaged full-time on a project.
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#16 Posted : 27 May 2009 15:39:00(UTC)
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Posted By Philip McAleenan Steve, Your company seems to be fairly au fait with the requirements of the CDM regulations and you have been doing major work for some time. Contrary to one posters statement about the law, you are in fact required under the law to appoint one or more persons to assist you in undertaking the measures you need to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed by you under the relevant statutory provisions, and that is not limited to health and safety assistance. As you provide your clients with experienced plastering tradesmen with knowledge and expertise, who maintain a safe site where-ever they work, and you have some knowledge of the CDM requirements, it is likely that you are doing most of what you need to do. If you apply the CDM competency requirements to the recruitment of your sub-contractor and insist that your clients apply those same standards when deciding to engage you, then the safety issues are being covered, including the legal requirement and agreement that you and you subcontractors will work safely. Specific elements of safety outside the competence of your plasterers or yourself as a company owner can be obtained as and when needed from HSE, this site, other websites and consultants specialising in the area you need assistance with. And a lot of it is free too. Regards, Philip
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#17 Posted : 28 May 2009 08:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Youel You can do all and anything yourself. 'However' and that's the point the 'however' so talk to CHAS about your particular circumstances as they offer good advice and talk to a consultant As you have no PAYE employees you do not need a H&S policy via HSWA74 especially so as it appears that you are acting as an 'agency' with no 'control of staff etc' functions rather than a contracting construction company and I do not think that CHAS is set up for that kind of business
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