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The latest news and updates on health and safety in construction to keep you and your workforce safe on site HEALTH SAFETY &
Cladding deadline announced The government has unveiled a new plan to expedite the remediation of dangerous cladding on high-rise and medium-rise buildings. All high-rise buildings (over 18 metres tall) must be remediated by the end of 2029. Landlords of medium-rise buildings (11-18 metres tall) must have a confirmed completion date by March 2025.
Approved Documents guidance under review
The review, expected to take three years, will involve appointing a review panel and seeking feedback from stakeholders. The goal is to create safer, higher-quality buildings and increase confidence in the building safety system. The BSR hopes that by making the guidance more user-friendly, it will reduce the risk of building safety issues and improve the quality of construction projects. Scan the QR code for the Approved Documents in their current state.
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) will review Approved Documents guidance to make it more accessible and up to date. The review will involve input from industry experts, homeowners and government departments. The BSR aims to address long- standing issues with the Approved Documents, which have been criticised for being overly complex. The Grenfell Inquiry highlighted the need for clearer guidance, particularly on fire safety. Approved Document B in particular was cited as being unclear to many.
The government plans to bolster the BSR and local
authorities with increased funding and powers to take direct action against building owners who fail to comply. The government has secured agreements with major developers to accelerate the pace of remediation on their buildings. However, campaign groups such as End Our Cladding Scandal (EOCS) said the plan lacks solutions and creates bureaucracy, leaving leaseholders facing uncertainty and financial hardship. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, said: “The pace of remediation has been far too slow for far too long. We are taking decisive action to right this wrong and make homes safe. “Our remediation acceleration plan will ensure those responsible for making buildings safe deliver the change residents need and deserve.” Scan the QR code for the Remediation Acceleration Plan.
HSE publishes 2024 H&S stats
● There were 138 worker
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published detailed statistics on work- related health and safety in the UK during 2023-24. Key findings include: ● 1.7 million working people suffer from a work-related illness , with 776,000 suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety and 543,000 suffering from a work- related musculoskeletal disorder. ● Mental health issues remain a significant concern, with 776,000 workers affected and 16.4 million working days lost in 2023/24. ● Construction has higher than average workplace non-fatal injury rates , with common causes including slips, trips, handling accidents, and falls from height.
fatalities across all sectors in 2023/24 , with
construction contributing
significantly due to high-risk activities. ● The construction sector is at-risk for asbestos-related diseases . There were 2,257 mesothelioma deaths in 2022, with many cases linked to past asbestos exposure.
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Master Builder
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