BSA End of Year Newsletter
2021 has certainly been another interesting year filled with the ongoing changes with the COVID-19 restrictions as well as the challenges we have had to face alongside these. It has certainly been a year of lessons learnt and new information to take in. Producing and sharing our newsletters is a way we try to assist our clients and contacts by providing the key elements of news, new information or important topics that we think should be shared and would benefit others.
This newsletter will summarise the topics we have covered and the journey we have all been on throughout 2021 through the eyes of our articles.
The Year through the eyes of our Newsletters!
January found the United Kingdom back into a full lockdown so therefore the site operating procedures were updated, adding some small additions on the guidance on self-isolation and shielding. The HSE continued to undertake spot checks on both COVID measures and safety on construction sites. Conversations around the Building Safety Bill continued, and we had an introduction to the BSI Flex 8670 document. It is a document that has been created in response to findings from the Hackitt review. This review highlighted a fragmented approach to – and a lack of consistency in – the processes and standards for assuring the competence of those working on buildings as a major flaw in the current regulatory system. Accordingly, BSI Flex 8670 will provide a set of core principles of competence, including leading and managing safety, communicating safety, delivering safety, risk management, regulations, and processes, building systems, ethics, and fire/life safety.
February still highlighted the importance of the COVID-19 restrictions that remained in place and that the pandemic was still very much ongoing. Because of this we provided you with information on the different disinfecting methods. The Building Safety Bill remained high on the agenda and still does today. In February it was announced that a new regulator would be introduced to target ‘Cavalier’ Suppliers Post-Grenfell. We also covered the HSE duties during the pandemic and whether the extra funding did its job.
March still showed us that COVID-19 wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, covering First Aid during the pandemic and how this was followed in line with everyone’s safety. The HSE once again reminded us of the importance of talking to workers about preventing the risks to themselves and workers during the pandemic which we reported on. Finally, once again the Building Safety Bill remained at the forefront of people’s minds, and contractors were warned that they must demonstrate safety measures to the new regulator.
April gave us warmer, more welcoming days as some of the COVID-19 restrictions put in place began to ease. Because of this, the HSE reminded us that it was still vital workplaces were kept COVID safe despite the lifting of some restrictions and we shared this information with you. April also highlighted the importance of looking after yourself, not just because of all that was happening in the world but in general, we raised awareness of if being stress awareness month providing information on statistics, what you should do as an employer, how to raise awareness and ways to reduce stress. The end of April saw us highlight, what has been more important than ever World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
May highlighted the importance of looking after your Mental Health, we raised acknowledgment of this on Mental Health Awareness week, it highlighted to many of us the impact the pandemic has had on our own and others’ mental health and that is it more important than ever. We also provided you with information on a disastrous gas explosion that resulted in an Asbestos removal company being fined. The gas explosion fatally injured a worker and seriously injured another after work had been carried out by an asbestos removal contractor. The information provided you with details of the incident, the consequences faced, and the view of the HSE. The Building Safety Bill once again was a sticking topic with the implementation of Gateway one.
June continued to bring us brighter days with the majority of COVID restrictions eased, but many people still being cautious, because of this we provided you with information on Display Screen Equipment assessments. With many people then and still now working from home, down to wanting to continue to protect others and new hybrid working arrangements in place, it is vital to have the correct, safe set-up whilst working at home to prevent injury. We also provided you with information on Young People at Work. It covered who is classed as a young person, if you are taking on a young person what do you need to do, training and supervision, the health and safety law and finally other factors to consider.
In July the Association for Project Safety produced a statement on the Building Safety bill, we covered that the BSB had its first reading in the House of Commons on Monday 5th July 2021. Safety in the construction industry is set to undergo the biggest change following the tragic events of Grenfell Tower. The APS issued a statement detailing how the Bill will progress through parliament and the importance of this legislation. As well as this the Construction Leadership council changed their guidance for construction sites and the document became a reference document due to the changes in restrictions.
August saw many people returning to some sort of ‘normality’ and the working from home rule was reversed, this saw many workers returning to offices either full time or on a hybrid basis. It was important that everyone was reminded of how important it was to ensure the health and safety of all employees in the workplace. August also bought us devastating news with the statistics coming out about the increase in Construction Industry Suicide Rates. We reported on
this and on what could be done differently to reduce these.
September, we provided information on research carried out by the University of Nottingham and Construction Health and Safety (CHAS) on the understanding and prevention of Modern Slavery. It also delivered clarity of the 2015 Modern Slavery Act, the expectations behind it, and lastly a summary of further research undertaken on modern slavery. The HSE also announced that in October they were going to focus on Respiratory risks. It was to be a month-long focus as it is part of the HSE’s longer-term health and work strategy to improve health within the construction industry.
October’s important subject was bringing awareness to World Mental Health Day which was on 10th October. The year’s theme was set by the World Federation for Mental Health and was ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’. The article provided more about the chosen theme, what is mental health, ways to help improve your mental health, and finally, further support and guidance.
November provided information on how the HSE were continuing to carry out spot checks and inspections. They did this by calling, visiting, and inspecting all types of businesses to ensure they are continuing to work safely throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and following the guidance provided by the HSE and the government. We reminded you of this and the expectations the HSE would have during the inspections. The HSE were and continue to carry out checks as part of their normal role in visiting workplaces to check people are working safely.
That then brings us to the current month, December 2021. Celebrating Christmas Jumper Day on Friday, 10th December raising money for Save the Children Charity and spreading some Christmas cheer along the way. Unfortunately, over the recent weeks, there has been a strong presence in the news about a new COVID-19 variant named Omicron. We have recently been told to follow Plan B restrictions which include working from home if you can, masks being mandatory in most indoor settings as well as COVID passports must be shown to get into some indoor and larger outdoor venues. We can only hope if we all work towards keeping ourselves and each other safe we can all have a joyful and Happy Christmas and New Year with friends and family.
2021 has certainly been an interesting year for all and has highlighted many topics that have remained a talking point throughout and still are today. From the importance of looking after your mental health to the progress of the Building Safety Bill as well as keeping safe and secure throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these topics will still be main talking points throughout 2022 and will progress throughout, we will ensure that we keep you informed as things progress throughout the year.
If you would like a copy of any of our news articles, please email gemma.r@bsims.co.uk.
We hope you’ve enjoyed the information we have provided you throughout the year and thank you for taking to the time to read them!
Here’s to many more informative, interesting articles in 2022!
