Section 1 – All

Prosecution or Enforcement Notices

The Supplier has provided details of any enforcement notices or prosecutions served on them in the last three years by the HSE or Local Authority.

A prosecution or notice will not debar your business from registration but a failure to declare one will.

1.1 Health and Safety Policy and Organisation for Health and Safety

The Council Standard:

• The supplier has a written health and safety policy.
• The policy statement includes a clear declaration to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others.
• The policy commits to providing sufficient financial and other resources for its proper implantation.
• The policy includes a commitment to planning, regular review and development of the health and safety policy.
• A named director or other senior person is named as responsible for carrying out the policy.
• The policy statement is signed by the chief executive officer or equivalent and dated within the previous 12 months.
• The policy assigns duties and responsibilities.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The HASAW Act places a duty on employers with five or more employees to prepare and revise a written health and safety policy.
• This should be in three parts; a general statement of intent, an explanation of how the various duties are assigned within the organisation and further detail about how the policy is developed to comply with all relevant legislation.
• It is implicit within HASAWA that health and safety must have resources and finance.
• To be effective the policy would normally be a responsibility of the MD, CEO or other senior management team member.
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) calls for periodic review of the whole of the health and safety management system to ensure that it remains effective.

1.2 Arrangements for Health and Safety

1.2.1 Asbestos

The Council Standard:

• The supplier has arrangements in place to ensure the successful management of asbestos at work.
• Implementation is shown by records of appropriate awareness training to enable workers to identify asbestos in the workplace.
• Implementation is shown by records of clear instruction for workers about action to take if they find or discover asbestos in the workplace.

Legal or Best Practice Reference:

• Both the Management Regulations and the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations require an employer to consider whether there is a foreseeable risk of a worker coming into contact with asbestos or asbestos containing materials.
• CAWR states that employees potentially exposed must be provided with appropriate information, instruction and training to understand the risks and controls necessary for working with asbestos. This training should be given by a person with sufficient personal practical experience of asbestos.

1.2.2 Health Surveillance

The Council Standard:

• The supplier has arrangements in place to provide health surveillance where required. Key areas are Noise, Dermatitis, Respiratory and Vibration.

Legal or Best Practice Reference:

• Regulations concerning health and safety management, COSHH, Noise, Vibration, Lead and Asbestos all impose the need for health surveillance as a method of risk control. Based on a supplier’s work activities the assessor will form a view whether a need for health surveillance is likely to be identified (the assessor should use the Health Assessment Matrix to assist with this judgement).

1.2.3 Work Equipment

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to ensure the successful management of risk from work equipment.

• Implementation is shown by records of appropriate maintenance and inspection of work equipment. These records will include statutory testing where relevant.
• Implementation is shown by records of adequate information, instruction and training in the use of work equipment.
• Implementation is shown by clear instruction to workers about work equipment with specific risks and the restriction in use of such equipment to appropriately trained workers

Legal or Best Practice Reference:

• The HASAWA requires an employer to provide and maintain, so far as is reasonably practicable, machinery, equipment and plant that is safe.
• The Act also requires an employer to provide adequate information, instruction and training.
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and ACoP reinforce this by requiring employers to provide suitable work equipment and to maintain and inspect that equipment. Appropriate records should be kept.
• PUWER further requires employers to restrict use, restrict maintenance and provide additional training for those people designated to use equipment with specific risks.

1.2.4 Portable Electrical Equipment

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully manage the risk from Portable Electrical Equipment.
• Implementation can be shown by consideration of low voltage equipment or safety devices during risk assessment.
• Implementation is shown by records of portable appliance testing and formal visual checks by a competent person.
• Implementation is shown by records of instruction / information for users about user checks and their part in the safe use of portable electrical equipment.

Legal or Best Practice Reference:

• The Electricity at Work Regulations and PUWER require all work equipment to be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
• The Regulations go on to say that equipment will be constructed and maintained so as to prevent danger at all times.
• HSE Guidance suggests that employers should encourage users to look critically at the electrical equipment they use, and look for damage to the outside of the equipment and its lead and plug before they use it, but they should NOT take the plug apart.

1.2.5 Hazardous Substances

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully manage the risks from hazardous substances.
• Implementation is shown by records of consideration of all hazardous substances stored, used or transported.
• Implementation is shown by records of suitable COSHH assessment by a competent person.
• Implementation is shown by records of appropriate information, instruction and training for workers about the risks associated with hazardous substances.
• Where appropriate implementation can be shown by records of monitoring exposure/health checks for relevant workers.

Legal or Best Practice Reference:

• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations and ACoP requires all employers to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk to workers from hazardous substances before their use.
• The Regulations further require any person (whether or not an employee) who carries out work in connection with the employer’s duties to have the appropriate information, instruction and training.

1.2.6 Manual Handling

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully manage the risks from manual handling operations.
• Implementation is shown by records of suitable risk assessment by a competent person. Assessment will consider the task, individual capability, the load and working environment.
• Implementation is shown by records of information, instruction or training for workers about kinetic lifting techniques.

Legal or Best Practice Reference:

• The Management Regulations and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations and ACoPs require an employer to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of all manual handling operations to be undertaken by their employees.  The MHOR establish a clear hierarchy of measures. The first of these is to avoid manual-handling operations as far as is reasonably practicable.

• HASAWA and the Management Regulations require employers to provide employees with health and safety information and training. Clearly, safe lifting techniques are required where manual handling is involved.

1.2.7 First Aid

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully comply with the Regulations.
• Implementation is shown by the provision of first aid personnel appropriate to the Supplier’s work activities.
• Implementation is shown by records of appropriate information for workers and training for first aid personnel.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations require an employer to make an assessment of first aid need appropriate to the circumstances of each workplace, and to provide first aid materials, equipment, and facilities to match that need.
• The Regulations also require employers to tell their employees about the arrangements made in connection with first aid.

1.2.8 Fire Precautions / Fire Action Plan and Fire Risk Assessment

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully manage fire risk in the workplace.
• Implementation is shown by provision of information for workers about action to be taken in the event of fire or an emergency.
• Implementation is shown by records of suitable fire risk assessment by a competent person.
• Implementation is shown by records of instruction for workers, appropriate fire training and maintenance of fire precautions.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order requires the responsible person to carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan. If you employ more than five people, you must keep a written record of the significant findings of your fire
• safety risk assessment i.e. the hazards you have identified, the people at risk, and what you have done about it.
• An emergency plan designed for your premises, including the action you need to take if there is a fire on your premises or nearby should be in place.
• Records required include details of fire training and instruction provided, details of fire-fighting arrangements in place to control the fire risk, and details of fire drills carried out, including the date, evacuation time and any problems encountered. Additionally, all equipment e.g. fire doors or fire-fighting equipment, must be regularly checked and maintained.

1.2.9 Working at Height

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has arrangements in place to successfully manage the risks from working at height.
• Implementation is shown by records of suitable risk assessment and clearly defined safe systems of work.
• Implementation is shown by records of information, instruction and training.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The Work at Height Regulations apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause injury.
• All work at height must be properly planned and risk assessed to ensure appropriate work equipment is selected and used. All those involved should be adequately trained.

1.3 Access to Competent Corporate (General) Health and Safety Advice

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place for accessing competent advice to assist them in complying with relevant statutory provisions.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The Management Regulations and ACoP require an employer to appoint one or more competent people to help in undertaking measures needed to comply with health and safety law.

1.4 Training and Information

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place for successfully reducing risk through training to provide a competent workforce.
• Implementation is shown by the maintenance of suitable records of all training provided throughout the whole business.
• Implementation is shown by records of induction for all new employees.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The HASAWA requires an employer to provide adequate information, training, instruction and supervision. It is implicit within this that someone must assess training need and make arrangements to provide it.
• The Management Regulations and ACoP states how risk assessment should inform training and competence need.

1.5 Individual Qualifications and Experience

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to ensure that their management team have suitable qualifications and experience to enable them to manage others safely.
• Implementation is shown by the maintenance of suitable records of training received or experience gained.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The Management Regulations and ACoP require employers to control H&S risks by, amongst others, ensuring that everyone with responsibilities understands clearly what they have to do to discharge their responsibilities.

1.6 Monitoring, Audit and Review

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has arrangements in place to successfully monitor and review safety performance leading to the continuous improvement of systems.
• Implementation can be shown by records of regular inspection by local and senior management and action plans where appropriate.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The Management Regulations and ACoP state that employers should measure what they are doing to implement their policy, to assess how effectively they are controlling risks and how well they are developing a positive health and safety culture.
• As a result of this monitoring prioritised action plans could be established to ensure suitable actions are taken.

1.7 Workforce Involvement

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully involve all workers in its health and safety systems.
• Implementation is shown by records of any safety meetings or health and safety concerns raised by workers and of the action taken to address those concerns.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The Safety Committee & Safety Representatives Regulations and the Health & Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations require employers to have clear arrangements in place.
• Suppliers may be able to demonstrate a method of consultation that is effective in a different way.

1.8 Accident Reporting and Accident Investigation

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully record, report where appropriate and investigate accidents and incidents.
• Implementation is shown by records of accident statistics over previous 3 years.
• Implementation is shown by records of investigation with appropriate action of 2 recent accidents where relevant.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations require employers to report and record events arising out of or in connection with work.
• The duty to report these events rests with the responsible person.
• The Management Regulations and ACoP require employers to adequately investigate incidents and accidents to ensure that lessons are learned.

1.9 Sub-Contracting / Sub-Consulting

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place for successfully managing sub-contractor competence.
• Implementation is shown by records of sub-contractor competence assessment by a competent person.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The HASAWA requires employers to ensure, so far is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of, amongst others, other people at work on their premises, including contractors.
• And HSE guidance proposes 5 steps for managing contractors including taking into account what safety and technical competence is needed.

1.10 Risk Assessment Leading to a Safe Method of Work

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully manage risk through assessment by a competent person.
• Implementation is shown by records of suitable and sufficient risk assessment.
• Implementation is shown by records of assessment of non-routine activities or situations.
• Implementation is shown by records of developing an action, safe system of work or safety method statement following the assessment.

Legal or Best Practice:

• The Management Regulations state that every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of risk. It is implicit duty holders should be competent to undertake them. This level of competence will depend on the complexity of the hazards.
• Further, the Regulations require the employer to include in their assessment, risks to persons not in their employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct of them by their undertaking.
• Additionally, where generic or model assessments are used there must be a way of making them job or site specific i.e. adapting them to suit the actual work situation.

Section 2 – Additional Standards for Construction Related Businesses

2.1 Access to Competent Construction Health and Safety Advice

The Council Standard:

• In addition to corporate advice, the Supplier has arrangements in place for accessing competent construction advice to assist them in complying with relevant statutory provisions.

Legal or Best Practice:

• In addition to The Management Regulations requirements, the CDM Regulations state access to advice relating to construction health and safety issues must be available.

2.1 A Access to Competent Construction Advice for Small Companies

The Council Standard:

• The Council takes the view that it is reasonable to accept a self declaration from a small company that states suitable advice will be arranged before construction work starts.

Legal or Best Practice:

• Not applicable.

2.2 Individual Qualifications and Experience

The Council Standards:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to ensure that employees have suitable construction related qualifications and experience to enable them to work safely.
• Implementation is shown by the maintenance of suitable records of construction related training received or experience gained.

Legal and Best Practice:

• In addition to The Management Regulations requirements, the CDM Regulations state that employees are expected to have the appropriate qualifications and experience for the assigned task unless they are under competent supervision.

2.3 Workforce Involvement

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully involve all workers (including those with limited knowledge of the English language) in its health and safety systems.
• Implementation can be shown by use of translated materials, additional supervisor training or greater use of pictorial signage

Legal and Best Practice:

• HSE guidance states that the same health and safety law applies to overseas workers as to the GB workforce. HSE guidance on migrant workers states that joint consultation is particularly important when employing or using workers from overseas who are often unfamiliar with the work and health and safety culture of the business.

2.4 Co-Operation and Co-Ordination

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully manage the co-operation with others and the co-ordination of work with other contractors.
• Implementation is shown by practical evidence showing co-operation and co-ordination of work leading to safe systems of work or safety method statements.

Legal and Best Practice:

• The CDM Regulations state that every person concerned in a project shall co-operate with any other person concerned in the project and shall co-ordinate their activities with one another to ensure the health and safety of all concerned.

2.5 Welfare Provision

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to ensure appropriate welfare facilities are available on site.
• Implementation is shown by records of previous welfare provisions made on site.

Legal and Best Practice:

• The CDM Regulations state that adequate welfare facilities should be available on site including sanitary and washing facilities.

Section 3 – Additional Standards for Construction Related Businesses and Principal Contractor

3.1 Access to Competent Construction Health and Safety Advice

The Council Standard:

• In addition to corporate advice, the Supplier has Arrangements in place for accessing competent construction advice to assist them in complying with relevant statutory provisions.

Legal and Best Practice:

• In addition to The Management Regulations requirements, the CDM Regulations state access to advice relating to construction health and safety issues must be available.

3.2 Individual Qualifications and Experience

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to ensure that employees have suitable construction related qualifications and experience to enable them to work safely and take on the role of Principal Contractor.
• Implementation is shown by the maintenance of suitable records of construction related training received or experience gained.

Legal and Best Practice:

• In addition to The Management Regulations requirements, the CDM Regulations state that employees are expected to have the appropriate qualifications and experience for the assigned task unless they are under competent supervision.

3.3 Workforce Involvement

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully involve all workers (including those with limited knowledge of the English language) in its health and safety systems.
• Implementation can be shown by use of translated materials, additional supervisor training or greater use of pictorial signage.

Legal and Best Practice:

• HSE guidance states that the same health and safety law applies to overseas workers as to the GB workforce. HSE guidance on migrant workers states that joint consultation is particularly important when employing or using workers from overseas who are often unfamiliar with the work and health and safety culture of the business.

3.4 Co-Operation and Co-Ordination

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to successfully manage the co-operation with others and the co-ordination of work with other contractors.
• Implementation is shown by practical evidence showing co-operation and co-ordination of work leading to safe systems of work or safety method statements.

Legal and Best Practice:

• The CDM Regulations state that every person concerned in a project shall co-operate with any other person concerned in the project and shall co-ordinate their activities with one another to ensure the health and safety of all concerned.

3.5 Welfare Provision

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to ensure appropriate welfare facilities are available on site.
• Implementation is shown by records of previous welfare provisions made on site.

Legal and Best Practice:

• The CDM Regulations state that adequate welfare facilities should be available on site including sanitary and washing facilities.

3.6 Construction Phase Health and Safety Plan

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has arrangements in place to properly plan, manage and monitor work.
• Implementation is shown by records of a construction phase plan.

Legal and Best Practice:

• The CDM Regulations state that the principal contractor shall plan, manage and monitor the construction phase ensuring that it is carried out without risks to health and safety. The Regulations state a construction phase plan must be prepared before work starts, and that this plan must be reviewed to insure it remains sufficient.

Section 4 – Additional Standards for Principal Designers

4.1 Access to Competent Construction Health and Safety Advice

The Council standard:

• In addition to corporate advice, the Supplier has Arrangements in place for accessing competent construction advice to assist them in complying with relevant statutory provisions.

Legal and Best Practice:

• In addition to The Management Regulations requirements, the CDM Regulations state access to advice relating to construction health and safety issues must be available.

4.2 Individual Qualifications and Experience

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to ensure that employees have suitable task (design & construction process) and construction related qualifications and experience to enable them to work safely.
• Implementation is shown by the maintenance of suitable records of CDM Principal Designer and construction related training received or experience gained.

Legal and Best Practice:

• In addition to The Management Regulations requirements, the CDM Regulations guidance states that employees are expected to have the appropriate qualifications and experience for the assigned task.

4.3 Principal Designer’s Duties

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has arrangements in place to ensure good co-operation, co-ordination and communication between all project team members.
• Implementation is shown by practical evidence showing co-operation and co-ordination of work.

Legal and Best Practice:

• The CDM Regulations state that the Principal Designer shall ensure suitable arrangements are in place for the co-ordination of health and safety during planning and preparation for the construction phase.
• The Regulations also state the Principal Designer shall ensure co-operation between designers and the principal contractor during the construction phase.

Section 5 – Additional Standards for Designers

5.1 Access to Competent Construction Health and Safety Advice

The Council Standard:

• In addition to corporate advice, the Supplier has Arrangements in place for accessing competent construction advice to assist them in complying with relevant statutory provisions.

Legal and Best Practice:

• In addition to The Management Regulations requirements, the CDM Regulations guidance states access to advice relating to construction health and safety issues must be available.

5.2 Individual Qualifications and Experience

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has Arrangements in place to ensure that employees have suitable task (design & construction process) and construction related qualifications and experience to enable them to work safely.
• Implementation is shown by the maintenance of suitable records of design and construction related training received or experience gained.

Legal and Best Practice:

• In addition to The Management Regulations requirements, the CDM Regulations guidance

states that employees are expected to have the appropriate qualifications and experience for the assigned task.

5.3 Hazard Elimination and Risk Control

The Council Standard:

• The Supplier has arrangements in place to ensure good co-operation and co-ordination of design work and to ensure hazards are eliminated (and risks controlled) in the design process.
• Implementation is shown by practical evidence showing practical measures taken which have reduced risk arising from the design.

Legal and Best Practice:

• The CDM Regulations state that the designer shall avoid foreseeable risk when preparing or modifying a design by eliminating hazards and reducing risks.
• The Regulations also state that the designer shall provide sufficient information about aspects of the design to assist clients, other designers and contractors.