Page 126 - Civil Engineering Project Management, Fourth Edition

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Health and safety regulations
10.5 Training
As part of the drive towards safer designs and safer sites there has been a big
increase in training in the years since the CDM Regulations were introduced.
Staff and operatives at all levels are expected to have attained a suitable level
of knowledge and competence for their role. For example a graduate engineer
will be expected to know about the relevant legislation and regulations and
understand the principles of risk control, while a senior engineer must be able to
carry out risk assessments and apply control measures and advise his juniors.
The ICE has provided guidance on the health and safety competency levels
expected for differing levels of seniority. The various duty holders under CDM
have to be able to demonstrate both competence in their roles and that they
have adequate resources available. This may involve demonstration of experi-
ence and track record from previous projects, personal levels of training, and
top management commitment. Induction sessions are necessary for all those
new to a design team or to a site, so as to explain to them any particular risks
and the general safety practices in place. On site this could include use of
personal equipment, site rules, permit to work areas, emergency procedures,
welfare arrangements and specific training such as task based ‘toolbox talks’.
For those going to site for the first time the HSE publication Health and Safety
in Construction (HSG 150) gives advice and guidance on safety in various work
areas and has a useful checklist of common hazards.
There are many industry organizations providing safety training but a
recent development has been the introduction of certification of staff under
the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). This requires the passing
of a basic test of health and safety knowledge as well as specific tests of com-
petence in any area of specialism such as for machine operators. Some parts of
the industry are aiming for full registration of staff on sites by the end of 2003.
The ICE have launched a Health and Safety Register for engineers who wish
to demonstrate a defined level of competency in the application of health
and safety within the construction process.

10.6 Approved Code of Practice under
CDM Regulations

To clarify requirements of the CDM Regulations the Health and Safety
Commission (HSC) published an Approved Code of Practice and Guidance
on the CDM Regulations in late 2001 called ‘Managing Health and Safety in
Construction’ (HSG 224) which came into force on 1 February 2002. Although
it made no changes to the regulations, it set out in clearer terms the legal
responsibilities imposed by CDM than a previous, earlier version of the Code.
The revised Code sets out Directions which are printed in bold type and
have special legal status. If a person prosecuted for breach of health and safety