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Find our latest newsletter in the Files section below.

March's newsletter is here! Find it in the Links section below.

Our February newsletter is here along with guidance from the HSE regarding asbestos. Read them both in the Files section below.

A very happy new year to you from all of us at CSS! Read our latest newsletter and guidance on winter weather in the files section below.

Read our latest newsletter and guidance on work permits in the files section below.

Read our latest newsletter and guidance on protection of the public in the files section below.

Our latest newsletter is here. You can download the files at the bottom of the page.

Our latest newsletter is here along with guidance regarding solar PV. You can download the files at the bottom of the page.

The latest newsletter from CSS is here along with information about Dust Control Guidance and Sun Safety, which is particularly important right now. Files can be found in the Links section below.

The latest newsletter from CSS is here along with information about Temporary Works. Files can be found in the Links section below.

The latest newsletter from CSS is here along with information about Mental Health awareness and support strategies. Files can be found in the Links section below.

The latest newsletter from CSS is here along with information about COSHH and the HSE's updated welfare standards. Files can be found in the Links section below.

We’re proud to announce a merger between Principal Safety and Construction Safety Solutions (CSS) with immediate effect. CSS bring over 20 years of construction health and safety experience with a wide range of prestigious clients.

A near-miss incident has recently occurred on an operational MAB property during a maintenance project which involved a Heras fence panel falling over onto a footpath leading in to the premises. Going forward, you must ensure the following:

• The content of the signed off SWP is checked against the actual site conditions and set up requirements on day 1. The paper copy SWP should be updated as required.
• Update any risk assessments in line with any changes to site set up and or working requirements.
• Ensure that persons appointed to provide the supervisory role must have undertaken MAB’s H&S Successful Projects training so that all on site can be briefed and managed on MAB’s expectations, policies and procedures. There must be at least one person on site who has completed the MAB training at any one time.
• Whenever practicable work must be completed with the confines of the premises and not outside within any compound area near to where customers, staff or members of the public could be at risk.
• If required compounds must be in the most suitable location in order to reduce any potential risks to customers, staff and the general public.
• Heras fence panels must be securely double clipped and inserted to weighted feet.
• If necessary, additional supports should be installed as per the manufactures instructions.
• If there is risk of flying debris then following an assessment, considerations should be given to applying any relevant control measures such as protective netting etc.
• There may be the requirement that ongoing toolbox talks are conducted as the project progresses to ensure operatives working on site are fully aware of the risks associated to guests, staff and the general public and the safe movement of materials and equipment on site.
• In line with MAB’s CDM2 process, contractors are to complete a H&S plan (Small Works Plan) which is then reviewed and approved by Principal Safety prior to works commencing on site. You must ensure that Small Works Plans are signed off a MINIMUM of 5 days prior to the anticipated start date. Focus must also be made to ensuring the information which is provided in the plan is of the correct standard to avoid lengthy delays during the review process.

There is a great deal of trust that MAB place on you in successfully managing these projects. You should ensure that you have the required management processes in place to adequately deal with the items raised above, all of which will be checked during unannounced site audits completed by Principal. Contractors failing to maintain the expected level of management required will be notified to MAB directly.

The CDM3 presentation and guidance on how to register for and use the new CDM3 Risk Assessment can be accessed from the links section below.

• The asbestos register which is available from MAB’s property portal at https://eam.verisae.co.uk, is not necessarily sufficient for disruptive works. The purpose of the asbestos register is only to identify asbestos containing materials which could be disturbed during the normal use of the premises and general maintenance.

• A refurbishment survey (or targeted sampling) must take place prior to any works where any material which could be disturbed cannot be positively identified as being non-asbestos. This includes minor penetrations such as forming openings for down-lighters. Consideration must be given to the possibility of there being further materials under a non-asbestos surface.

• Where the works require only an individual element such as a ceiling or wall to be disturbed/penetrated, one of MAB’s approved asbestos consultants can attend site to identify/sample the individual element which will be disturbed rather than complete a full survey.

• MAB's policy is that an asbestos survey should be requested from one of MAB’s approved asbestos consultants in good time prior to the planned commencement of works.

The complete asbestos policy is available from the procedures manual link below.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has overhauled its guidance for working at height, their aim being to set out in clear, simple terms what to do and what not to do.

Key changes include:

• providing simple advice about do’s and don’ts when working at height to ensure people are clear on what the law requires
• busting some of the persistent myths about health and safety law, such as the banning of ladders
• offering targeted advice to helping business in different sectors manage serious risks sensibly and proportionately
• helping workers to be clearer about their own responsibilities for working safely.

Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health and Safety Executive, said: It’s important to get working at height right. Falls remain one of the biggest causes of serious workplace injury – with more than 40 people killed and 4,000 suffering major injuries every year.

We have a sensible set of regulations and have been working with business to improve our guidance – making it simpler and clearer and dispelling some of the persistent myths about what the law requires.

You can download the HSE’s new guidance ‘Working at Height, a brief guide’ from: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.pdf.

To read the Government press notice relating to the new guidance visit: www.gov.uk/government/news/overhaul-of-guidance-to-help-10-million-working-at-height