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At PMJ Masonry, Health and Safety is always our first priority. We want to make it clear to our clients that Health and Safety Management is fundamental to achieving a successfully completed project. We do not stop at the bare minimum requirements for Health and Safety, we go far beyond this to give peace of mind that our customers are in safe hands.
We are always striving to improve Health and Safety in Construction and in light of this we are aiming to set new higher standards not seen within the industry today. The first steps to this ambition was to employ our own Health and Safety Team whose task it is to ensure we are complying with all laws and regulations, provide advice to staff, to keep our employees up to date with Health and Safety changes and, to conduct regular Health and Safety inspections. Our commitment to Health and Safety can clearly be seen by our extensive number of awards for individual site safety and overall project responsibility and site conduct.
Health and Safety Laws
All construction companies have to comply with the following core laws set out by the government which are listed below:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
- Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
Failure to comply with these requirements can have serious consequences – for both organisations and individuals. Sanctions include fines and/or imprisonment.
Health and Safety Policy
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires each employer to prepare, and when appropriate revise, a written statement of general policy with respect to the Health and Safety at Work. The PMJ Masonry Health and Safety policy can be obtained by contacting the Health and Safety Team (info@pmjmasonry.com).
Risk Assessments/Method Statements
Risk Assessments and Method Statements are issued on a project specific basis. They are a key aspect of our Health and Safety policy because they are the first line of defence in stopping/minimising the chances of injury to all working or walking in the vicinity of our construction area.
CSCS Cards
Everyone at PMJ Masonry holds a CSCS Card for access to construction sites. CSCS cards provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the required training and qualifications to appropriately conduct themselves in a safe manner. Most contractors and construction clients insist that workers on their sites hold the appropriate CSCS card for the work they undertake.
Site Safety Inspections
On all PMJ Masonry projects, site inspections are carried out on a regular basis. Our site supervisors, management team and health and safety officers complete mandatory day to day ‘inspection checklists’ to ensure that PMJ Masonry are always in compliance with laws, regulations and codes of conduct. These inspections also allow us to look after the welfare of our contractors, clients and visitors.
Company and Site Inductions
It is a legal requirement for all operatives working on a construction site, to undergo a full induction. At PMJ Masonry, before the site induction takes place, any individual who works/carries out work on behalf of the company must undergo ‘PMJ Masonry Induction’. The purpose of this is to communicate the standards and codes of conduct that we expect from any new member of the team and to make clear our aims and objectives in regards to health and safety.
Manual Handling of our Installers
Manual Handling relates to the moving of items either by lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling. Guidelines for Manual Handling allow a fit person to lift 25Kg. Failure to abide by these guidelines will lead to injury, especially when working with a large, dense material such as natural stone. Manual Handling injuries are part of a wider group of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The term ‘musculoskeletal disorders’ covers any injury, damage or disorder of the joints or other tissues in the upper/lower limbs or the back.
PMJ Masonry Health and Safety Awards
Our aim of setting industry leading Health and Safety standards can clearly be seen through our Health and Safety Awards, some of which are listed below.
- BAM Health, Safety and Environment Award – North West Subcontractor Awards
- BAM Subcontractor Manager Award – North West Subcontractor Awards
- Kier Monthly Safety Award – Silberrad Student Centre, University of Essex
- UK Construction Media Magazine Article – Silberrad Student Centre, University of Essex
For a more in-depth look at our company awards, please visit our ‘Awards and Accreditation’s’ page.