I understand the need for a person within any company be they small or large to employ a person who is competent in matters of Health and Safety.
 
There are many consultants who can advise us on all aspects of Health and Safety but they tend to be very expensive and their services tailored to larger organisations.
 
I take Health and Safety very seriously and although I am not an expert on all matters I have a wide range of experience, learning from those who are experts in our industry.
 
I have been employed in the Construction Industry for 30 years and have been through more site inductions than I can remember. Some of these inductions are short but others are extremely involved especially on the more hazardous sites such as Pfzier and Kodak where chemicals are present; these inductions are often followed by a question and answer session which is very useful and informative.
 
I also adopt the policy that I will never ask an operative to do something on site which I have not done myself. In this way I am more aware of any risks involved. I am responsible for writing our standard risk assessments and carrying out site surveys where particular risks are identified. I have also taken and passed the CITB Health and Safety touch screen test.
 
In 1999 with the help of my Father I wrote our own 19 page health and safety document. This took over 3 months and we both consulted experts and read health and safety literature from various sources.
 
The final product, we hope you agree is good.
 
When any new risks appear on site or in the office, we amend or attach new documents such as the safety harness instructions.
 
I ensure that all operatives whether they are sub contractors or direct, are given a copy of our policy and asked to read it and then sign the back page which they return to us for our records.
 
Finally, I am very proud of our accident record. We have had no major accidents in the past 6 years and I sincerely believe that this is due to safe working practices. However I am not complacent and always willing to learn.

We at P S Applications Ltd, in addition to directly employed staff, employ the services of bonafide sub contractors and labour only subcontractors.
 
When it comes to health and safety everyone is treated as our employees and given the same information, guidance and advice.
 
Bonifide Sub Contractors are asked to provide their own method statements, risk/coshh assessments and product data sheets which we study and approve / amend. They are also issued with our safety policy which a representative from their company signs and returns for our records.
 
Labour only subcontractors are dealt with in a similar way. A signed copy of the back page of our Health and Safety policy is returned for our records.
 
Health and Safety is not, however just a paperwork exercise. All operatives go through our own induction process and are further inducted on particular sites by our clients.
 
All operatives have taken the CITB health and Safety touch screen test with a view to receiving a CSCS workers card. Current CSCS card registration
 
Where specific training is required our operatives have attended courses for example most have IPAF training for scissor lifts and cherry pickers. Some have tunnel and confined space training certificates. Some have achieved National Grid ‘competent person’ status.
 
Before our operatives attend site they are given a Site Information / Method statement, risk assessments and product data sheets in a site folder. We expect them to read this information before starting work.