Arco has pledged to donate a share of profits from its hard hat sales to the Mental Health Foundation, as part of a new partnership to “protect heads inside and out”. From next month, the UK’s leading safety experts will donate 10% of all profits from sales of own-brand hard
New legislation and an increased focus on best practice are leading to heavier workloads and excess pressure on property and facilities managers, according to a new report from health, safety and property compliance firm William Martin. When compiling its first annual property compliance report, the firm examined data from 20,000
Protecting your business from workplace fires starts with you. As a business owner or manager, the onus is on you to understand the fire risks your company faces. If you do not know where to start with this mammoth task, guided fire safety resources will help you come up with
Hydro Aluminium UK Ltd, a subsidiary of the global aluminium and renewable energy company Norsk Hydro, has demonstrated its commitment to elevating health and safety standards by entering the UK’s leading health and safety awards scheme and scooping two accolades from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Chubb, proudly announces the successful accreditation of its signal receiving centre, operated by Chubb Fire & Security Canada Corporation, located at Crocus Street, The Meadows, NG2 3EJ, Nottingham, United Kingdom. This significant milestone follows the formal approval from the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), enhancing Chubb’s monitoring standards and compliance
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) yesterday announced that a nuclear site licence has been granted to install and operate a nuclear power station at Sizewell C in Suffolk. The decision was made following an assessment of the nuclear site licence application made by Sizewell C Ltd, with our review
Howler, the UK’s leading site fire safety experts, have just released an important whitepaper, NFCC Guidance: Temporary Change to Simultaneous Evacuation in Flats. Managing Director, Gary Askew (pictured), explains ‘Following the unprecedented national tragedy at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) issued guidance to property
Construction materials giant Breedon has slashed the amount of time it spends on tachograph administration by 1,300 hours a year – thanks to Webfleet, Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution. With 450 HGVs operating across more than 300 sites, the group provides asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and surfacing solutions within the
Complete Technology Group is the latest company to be awarded Champion status by Building a Safer Future, positioning them as a leader in the industry as they actively commit to a journey of continuous improvement in building safety leadership and culture. The firm, that works with landlords responsible for multi-dwelling
Turtle Defib Cabinets – an innovative manufacturer of defibrillator and bleed control cabinets, bleed control kits and supplier of medical equipment – is recommending people who work in the construction industry to learn the location of their nearest defibrillator and bleed control kit this World Day for Safety and Health
Arco has pledged to donate a share of profits from its hard hat sales to the Mental Health Foundation, as part of a new partnership to “protect heads inside and out”. From next month, the UK’s leading safety experts will donate 10% of all profits from sales of own-brand hard hats to the UK’s leading charity for mental health. Arco announced the partnership today as part of Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), underlining the company’s commitment to keeping people safe at work, and its preventative approach to physical and mental well-being. Guy Bruce, chief executive of Arco, said: “Everything we do is focused on protecting people. We are Experts in Safety, and alongside the physical aspects of safety, we are increasingly aware of how important mental wellbeing is to keeping people safe. “That is why I am delighted to embark on this partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, supporting their focus on protecting people’s mental wellbeing. “Prevention is at the heart of everything we do at Arco, and this completely aligns with the Mental Health Foundation’s approach. “Our collective fundraising activities will help the Mental Health Foundation work to prevent mental wellbeing problems and support people with understanding and achieving better mental health. Arco will be organising activities and events throughout the year to further support the Mental Health Foundation’s efforts to educate and build people’s mental resilience. The company is encouraging its staff to take part in the charity’s challenge events, with Guy and his executive team leading the way by signing up for a 25km fundraising hike in the Peak District. Mark Rowland, CEO of Mental Health Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be launching this partnership with Arco. “The Mental Health Foundation are the leaders in good mental health in the UK, and Arco’s support will help our work with some of the most vulnerable communities all over the country.” The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. Throughout the week, Arco will be providing its staff with daily updates and resources to support their personal and collective mental health, as well as holding a company-wide step challenge. Find out more about Arco’s corporate social responsibility initiatives Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New legislation and an increased focus on best practice are leading to heavier workloads and excess pressure on property and facilities managers, according to a new report from health, safety and property compliance firm William Martin. When compiling its first annual property compliance report, the firm examined data from 20,000 risk assessments and survey reports that were uploaded to its compliance management software, Meridian, between April 2023 and March 2024. Figures showed almost 327,000 health and safety actions were raised across all disciplines, a 22% increase on the previous year. Commenting on the increase, Phil Jones, Managing Director at William Martin said: “The property and facilities management industry shoulders a huge responsibility when it comes to upholding the highest standards of health and safety. Alongside the introduction of recent laws such as the Building Safety Act 2022, we’re undoubtedly seeing a far greater focus from organisations on ensuring best practice and continuous improvement, rather than just compliance. “I’ve always believed that abiding by legislation should be the minimum benchmark rather than the final goal, so this positive step towards safer working environments is something I welcome. However, the downside is the extra pressure this is putting on those responsible for health and safety, due in no small part to the increased reporting that’s required to demonstrate high performance. But because abandoning best practice is not an option, this is something the industry needs to find a way to deal with.” Beyond this headline increase, the report identifies 10 key health and safety trends, which include: Phil Jones added: “Workload burdens are undoubtedly contributing to some of the more worrying trends identified in our report, such as the unacceptable length of time it’s taking to address Priority 1 actions, and poor record-keeping around lift safety. “Tech and AI can form part of the solution, by reducing the scope for human error, and reducing the chances of risks being missed or reports being misfiled. Using tech to work smarter rather than harder also frees up time to focus on the activities that will actually drive change and reduce risk. “The key trends and insights contained in this report will hopefully inform property and facilities management professionals on what should be the key focus areas within their own businesses. We are already planning to publish this data annually, which will enable longer term industry trends to be identified.” The full report is available to download from the William Martin website here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Protecting your business from workplace fires starts with you. As a business owner or manager, the onus is on you to understand the fire risks your company faces. If you do not know where to start with this mammoth task, guided fire safety resources will help you come up with a fire preparedness plan. The best way to come up with a plan that works is to include tools, equipment, fire detection systems, and pre-and post-fire strategies. As we all know, prevention is better than cure. So, to start on your journey, you must learn how to stop fires from breaking out at your office or factory. Below are ten ways to help prevent fires in your workplace: 1. Hazardous Waste Hazardous waste must be properly stored and disposed of to prevent fires. Examples of hazardous waste materials can include oils and chemicals – and these must be disposed of in a metal container with a lid. All industries are different, and the fire requirements will vary from one to the next, so there are no universal laws for fire safety that can be applied across the board. Always keep hazardous waste separate from non-hazardous waste like paper or food. Use designated bins and containers and label them clearly. Be sure to empty these containers frequently and always avoid overfilling them. 2. Equipment Fire protection equipment such as extinguishers, hoses, and control panels must be easily accessible for every employee. All fire equipment must always be clean and dust or debris-free. Fire extinguishers are essential and must be positioned on escape routes and near all identified higher-risk areas. For kitchen and canteen areas, be sure to include fire blankets in your arsenal of fire equipment. Fire alarms and sirens provide early warning of potential fires, giving everyone enough time to escape before the fire spreads too far. 3. Frequent Maintenance All workplace fire protection equipment must be maintained and serviced regularly, keeping it up to code. Maintenance schedules must apply to all workplace equipment and machinery and not just fire protection equipment. Properly maintained machinery can prevent fire-related risks such as overheating and sparking. 4. Housekeeping Offices and storerooms must be kept clean and tidy. Where there is clutter, there are fire hazards. Paper, overflowing rubbish bins, and empty boxes are all flammable materials and will allow a fire to spread faster. Untidy offices can also result in blocked exits and tripping hazards in the event of an emergency. Keep your workplace clean and free from clutter. 5. Fire Shutters For some businesses, deciding to install a fire shutter can make all the difference in containing a fire and getting enough time to evacuate people from a building in an emergency. Fire shutters are a type of roller door that provides compartmentalisation to stop fires from spreading. Shutters can provide an extra 30 minutes to evacuate the building or factory, and that time is often the difference between life and severe injuries or even death. A fire shutter addition can save lives. 6. Safety Demonstrations Fire safety demonstrations are critical for teaching your employees the importance of fire safety. Demonstrations teach people how to respond or react to a fire, how to use an extinguisher and other necessary fire safety tips. The most crucial thing for employees to do if they spot a fire is to prevent it from spreading, but they first should be able to identify the risks involved before attempting to extinguish it. 7. Assign Roles If your organisation has not already assigned fire safety roles to ideal candidates in the workplace, that must be made a top priority. Your business should find someone to serve as a fire warden. The number of fire wardens a business needs will depend on how big the workplace is and the likelihood of a fire starting. The appointed fire wardens must have a clear understanding of what could cause a workplace fire, such as poor pallet racking, and conduct regular walkthroughs to assess fire hazards – among other tasks. 8. Smoking Areas Legally, a company does not have to provide a designated smoking area. If your organization chooses to do so anyway, the boundaries of such an area must be defined clearly. Designated smoking areas are often sheltered from the elements and as much as they may not seem like much, they must comply with planning guidelines and building regulations. Ensure all fire safety protocols are followed in the smoking area and provide ashtrays for safe cigarette disposal. 9. Evacuation Plans Emergency and evacuation plans are an absolute must-have. Every employee must know what to do in the event of a fire, who to call for help, and what to do next. It is easy for people to get scared and panic, but you must train your staff to remain calm and follow the fire protocols and processes. Fire prevention strategies are essential to stop fires from spreading, leading to untold amounts of damage and potentially injuring people. 10. Identify Risks There are safety regulations and laws put in place to prevent fires in the workplace. Both the NFPA and OSHA offer guidance for helping organizations plan their fire safety and protection strategies. Businesses must follow these guidelines and ensure that they comply with all fire standards and laws. Businesses need to train their employees to identify the most common causes of fires in the workplace. Some of these risks include cooking appliances, electrical equipment, and space heaters. To End By ensuring that your business has training, supplies, and equipment addressing workplace fires and hazards, you will have already taken the first step in protecting your employees and your buildings. These ten tips above will help to prevent a fire from breaking out or spreading in your workplace. No one knows precisely when a fire will spark, but having a plan ready for when it does can mean everything at the end of the day. Following these tips above will help to create a safer work environment for everyone in the building.
Hydro Aluminium UK Ltd, a subsidiary of the global aluminium and renewable energy company Norsk Hydro, has demonstrated its commitment to elevating health and safety standards by entering the UK’s leading health and safety awards scheme and scooping two accolades from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Hydro Aluminium UK Ltd was awarded both a Gold Achievement Award and a Best New Entry Award (UK) at this year’s RoSPA Awards for its strong commitment to health and safety. It was awarded the accolade after it took a thorough approach to clearly explaining and demonstrating its health and safety management system in action during the past year. The organisation also ran a series of initiatives such as a family fun day, safety stand down days and extracurricular first aid training, and installed a series of defibrillators for general public use. Erika Curnow, an apprentice interim manager at Hydro Aluminium UK Ltd, was also announced as the winner of RoSPA’s Inspiring Women in Safety Award, for her own personal inspirational impact within health and safety at the organisation. Sponsored by EcoOnline, a leading provider of EHSQ software solutions, RoSPA’s Best New Entry Award recognises outstanding submissions made by organisations entering the RoSPA Awards for the very first time. The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards is one of the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the world. Now in its 68th year, the Awards have almost 2,000 entries annually, covering nearly 60 countries and reaching millions of employees. The programme recognises an organisation’s commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work by looking at entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement. RoSPA Award judges include a wealth of highly experienced senior occupational health and safety professionals and consultants, and a main award judging panel chaired by Dee Arp, Chief Operations Officer at NEBOSH, and other in-house experts and selection panels. Ian Bould from Hydro Aluminium UK, said: “We’re thrilled to win RoSPA’s Best New Entry Award (UK) and a Gold Achievement Award during our first year in the scheme. Safety is paramount at Hydro Aluminium UK, and this award reflects our team’s dedication and determination to make health and safety an absolute priority.” Matt Cryer, Head of the RoSPA Awards said: “As a newcomer to the RoSPA Awards, Hydro Aluminium UK has made a remarkable impression with their approach and commitment to health and safety. Their comprehensive approach to workplace safety sets a high standard for other organisations to follow. “Hydro Aluminium UK’s recognition with the Best New Entry Award (UK) highlights their proactive efforts in promoting a safe working environment for their employees, aligning with RoSPA’s mission to prevent accidents and save lives.” Matt Rouse, SVP Customer Success, Europe at EcoOnline, the organisation that sponsored the Best New Entry Award, said: “We are proud to sponsor RoSPA’s Best New Entry Award and are excited to see the determination organisations have to ensure their employees get home safely at the end of the working day. We extend a huge congratulations to Hydro Aluminium UK and look forward to seeing how they progress within the RoSPA Awards Scheme.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chubb, proudly announces the successful accreditation of its signal receiving centre, operated by Chubb Fire & Security Canada Corporation, located at Crocus Street, The Meadows, NG2 3EJ, Nottingham, United Kingdom. This significant milestone follows the formal approval from the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), enhancing Chubb’s monitoring standards and compliance across international borders. This accreditation encompasses three critical standards under the ULC’s Certificate Service Procedures: Commercial Type Full Service Receiving Centres (CPVXC), Financial Type Full Service Signal Receiving Centres (CRXXC), and Fire Protective Signalling Type Full Service Fire Signal Receiving Centres (DAYIC). Each certification marks Chubb’s commitment to providing superior security monitoring services that meet rigorous international safety and security requirements. Chubb encourages all stakeholders to review the detailed standards and procedures outlined by the ULC for its accredited services, available online at http://www.ulc.ca under the Fire and Security Alarm Certificate Programs section. ULC Certificates for Chubb’s UK signal-receiving centre have been issued through the innovative online portal, CertsView, confirming its adherence to the highest standards set forth by the ULC. Colin Walters, Global Monitoring Transformation Director at Chubb Fire & Security, commented on this exciting development: “We at Chubb are thrilled to embark on this new chapter with our ULC accreditation, reinforcing our unwavering dedication to excellence in security and safety standards across all operational territories. Our commitment to continuous improvement is a testament to the trust that our clients place in our services, ensuring a confident future for our potential clients.” For more information on the range of monitoring services provided by Chubb, visit www.chubb.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) yesterday announced that a nuclear site licence has been granted to install and operate a nuclear power station at Sizewell C in Suffolk. The decision was made following an assessment of the nuclear site licence application made by Sizewell C Ltd, with our review concluding that the application has met all the requirements set out in regulatory guidance. In our initial assessment of their application we identified two outstanding matters that required resolution before a licence could be granted. At that stage, it was determined that we would carry out a proportionate reassessment of the application, focusing on these areas. The two topics that prevented granting of a licence in 2022, related to the shareholders’ agreement and ownership of land at the site, have now been resolved to ONR’s satisfaction. In addition, the regulator has concluded that progress made since 2022, relating to both Sizewell C Ltd’s organisation and the suitability of the proposed site, do not undermine ONR’s other findings from the earlier nuclear site licence assessment. Although the granting of a site licence is a significant step, it does not permit the start of nuclear-related construction on the site. ONR’s regulatory responsibility starts at the point of granting of a nuclear site licence. Now granted, it is able to use the powers within that licence to require Sizewell C Ltd to request our permission for starting nuclear-related construction. Similarly, the licensee is required to seek our regulatory permission to proceed to subsequent key construction and commissioning stages up to the start of commercial operation and beyond. Mark Foy, ONR’s Chief Nuclear Inspector and Chief Executive said: “I am pleased to confirm that following extensive engagement and review by the ONR team, our assessment of the Sizewell C application is complete and a nuclear site has been licence granted. “The licensing process is fundamental in confirming that operators of a nuclear site are ready and able to meet their obligations under the nuclear site licence, to protect their workforce and the public. “The granting of this licence is one step in ONR’s process, allowing us to provide greater regulatory oversight, advice and challenge to the licensee as they progress their plans. “We will continue working with Sizewell C to ensure that the highest levels of quality, safety and security are met.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Howler, the UK’s leading site fire safety experts, have just released an important whitepaper, NFCC Guidance: Temporary Change to Simultaneous Evacuation in Flats. Managing Director, Gary Askew (pictured), explains ‘Following the unprecedented national tragedy at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) issued guidance to property managers about steps to be taken where there were concerns around cladding issues. As time went by and more information became available, the guidance was updated and refined. Our whitepaper takes a good look at that guidance examining the problem and the solutions available.’ With the news reporting on various councils up and down the country failing to meet fire safety standards, the whitepaper comes at an important time. ‘Thousands of blocks of residential flats in the UK still have a ‘stay-put’ policy in the event of fire. This simply means that residents are safely able to ‘stay-put’ in their flat in the event of a fire in another flat in the same block. This policy is only possible if the building has been designed and constructed in such a way that each flat is a separate fire compartment with fire separation being provided in accordance with the Building Regulations. ‘What occurred at Grenfell was that fire separation failed completely and there is now an awareness amongst Fire Risk Assessors that there may be times when a stay-put is not adequate, and instead a building must be immediately, or ‘simultaneously’, evacuated in the event of a fire.’ Howler’s whitepaper shares the NFCC’s guidance that recommends “The safest and most effective way of ensuring [that residents can escape safely] is by installing a suitable common fire detection and alarm system conforming to British Standard 5839 Part 1 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings – Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises (BS 5839-1).” ‘We’ve been installing fire safety solutions for over 30 years’ continues Gary, ‘and in response to the NFCC’s guidance, we’ve just launched Howler Special Services which has been designed to include the installation of radio linked Fire Alarm systems specifically to facilitate the change in the evacuation strategy of large residential buildings. The systems typically replace a Waking Watch service and can either be removed once the remedial works are complete or be upgraded to a permanent BS8629 evacuation system.’ ‘Howler is all about protecting lives and livelihoods. It’s our job to stay abreast of legislation and help councils, businesses, property managers, and landlords protect the lives and livelihoods they look after. This is why we’ve released this new whitepaper and this new service, to help prevent any further tragedies.’ To request your copy of Howler’s whitepaper on NFCC Guidance: Temporary Change to Simultaneous Evacuation in Flats, visit https://howleruk.com/app/uploads/2024/04/NFCC-Guidance-Howler-Whitepaper.pdf. For more information about Howler Special Services Fire Alarm Installation, visit https://howleruk.com/special-services. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction materials giant Breedon has slashed the amount of time it spends on tachograph administration by 1,300 hours a year – thanks to Webfleet, Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution. With 450 HGVs operating across more than 300 sites, the group provides asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and surfacing solutions within the UK and Ireland. Webfleet’s Tachoshare Plus has helped Breedon re-coup the admin time by facilitating automatic daily remote downloads of both driver and vehicle tachograph data. Drivers and transport managers no longer need to travel to depots to complete vehicle downloads, saving them valuable time and maximising productivity by keeping the trucks on the road. Truck-specific navigation is also saving time and boosting driver safety. “With Webfleet’s HGV routing, we can set much more accurate routes avoiding low bridges, weight restrictions and narrow lanes,” said Sarah Scothern, General Manager, Transport & Logistics at Breedon Group plc. “It also means we can give more accurate pricing estimates for delivery jobs.” With MANTIS camera integration on most trucks, the transport team can now access video evidence remotely, immediately after incidents, using the same Webfleet interface. “Far from being a Big Brother intrusion, the in-cab technology means we can support our drivers better,” explained Sarah. “With Webfleet and the multi-camera system, we can see the full picture, confirming, for example, that a driver was braking sharply to avoid a car cutting in, rather than driving dangerously.” Matt Vass, Director of Channel and Product Marketing at Mantis added: “Imagine the peace of mind for Breedon knowing they can swiftly access critical footage without sifting through endless hours of recordings. With our advanced camera technology seamlessly integrated into Webfleet, moments like sudden braking trigger automatic uploads, ensuring Breedon can react promptly. “Additionally, they have the power to stream or download any footage directly from any camera memory system, free from traditional constraints. This streamlined process enables Breedon to swiftly obtain video evidence, so decisive action can be taken when required.” The company is analysing Webfleet data to identify incidents and event hot spots – and to gain insights into the root cause of problems. The investment has resulted in a significant insurance premium rebate in recognition of lower anticipated accident rates. Breedon has also set its sights on improving driver behaviour, leveraging Webfleet’s OptiDrive 360 driver feedback and reporting. “As well as setting challenging KPIs, we’re planning to introduce a driver of the year and most improved driver award, to help keep drivers incentivised to drive more safely and efficiently,” said Sarah. “In addition, we’re planning to integrate around 800 owner-drivers into the system, so wherever you work in the business, everyone will be measured against the same benchmark.” Webfleet’s powerful reporting suite will be integral to the company’s aim to achieve the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Silver accreditation by the end of this year and net zero carbon emissions by 2038. “Our large fleet presents a significant opportunity for CO2 savings and is a key focus of our sustainability strategy,” said Sarah. “With Webfleet’s certified CO2 report, we can now accurately measure our CO2 emissions, confirming not just how much our vehicles are emitting, but also why and where.” Breedon uses Fleetcare for 100 HGV vehicles transporting cement, combining Bridgestone’s best-in-class tyre range and tyre management solutions with Webfleet fleet management. Drawing upon connected tyre and vehicle data and reporting, Fleetcare provides smarter and more predictive maintenance solutions for the company, helping to reduce its total cost of fleet ownership. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Complete Technology Group is the latest company to be awarded Champion status by Building a Safer Future, positioning them as a leader in the industry as they actively commit to a journey of continuous improvement in building safety leadership and culture. The firm, that works with landlords responsible for multi-dwelling units to help deliver digital infrastructure, successfully completed the two Champion assessment modules and in return has received detailed insight and external validation regarding their existing building safety processes, as well as a wealth of actionable data and practical tools to assist them in making improvements. Steve Elliott, Non-Executive Chair of Building a Safer Future, commented: “Complete Technology Group deserves many congratulations for achieving BSF Champion status. Their successful completion of the assessment is commendable, and we strongly urge other organisations working in the built environment industry to take inspiration from their example and register for the process.” Chris McLain, CEO of Complete Technology Group, commented: “CTG is not only committed to meeting industry standards but exceeding them and we’re delighted to continue our building safety journey with BSF Champion status. The process requires us to open ourselves up to scrutiny, uncovering any blind spots in our approach to building safety. So, to successfully complete the second stage – and become the only telecoms firm to do so – is testimony to our people and our culture. We’re improving safety and quality of fibre installations in blocks of flats through our robust audit and adherence to Golden Thread principles. We’ve followed an incredibly detailed and independent review across our entities to achieve BSF Champion status, giving landlords, residents and telcos confidence in our governance and the quality of what we do.” Building a Safer Future (BSF) is a non-profit organisation committed to raising standards in building safety and supporting required culture change in the built environment industry. Companies can apply to participate in the BSF Champions programme by visiting the Building a Safer Future website on www.buildingasaferfuture.org.uk and completing the application form**, or alternatively they can email alexander.caller@buildingasaferfuture.org.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals *Organisations that have achieved Building a Safer Future Champion status include:
Turtle Defib Cabinets – an innovative manufacturer of defibrillator and bleed control cabinets, bleed control kits and supplier of medical equipment – is recommending people who work in the construction industry to learn the location of their nearest defibrillator and bleed control kit this World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April 2024). Action needs to be taken in less than five minutes in the event of a serious bleed injury or cardiac arrest. Therefore, being confident of where equipment can be found is a sensible ‘just in case’ strategy that can mean the difference between life and death. Somewhat shockingly, there is still no legislation in the UK for businesses to install Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in their premises. Nevertheless, Turtle also urges any person finding a lack of lifesaving medical equipment nearby office to question their health and safety departments and petition for a higher level of team care. There is also an opportunity for businesses to contribute to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Targets while keeping their employees safe; installing an external locked cabinet is an important resource for the local community. Photo caption: Representatives from GMI Construction, The Daniel Baird Foundation and Birmingham Council outside a construction project in Birmingham where GMI Construction installed a publicly accessible bleed control cabinet For every minute that passes without defibrillation, the chance of survival decreases by seven to 10 per cent, with survival being unlikely after ten minutes. There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year according to the British Heart Foundation and the survival rate is less than 1 in 10. Considering the incidence of cardiac arrests and the critical time scale in which a person requires defibrillation to survive, Turtle maintains that Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) should be available in all places where ambulance response could exceed five minutes. The time taken to retrieve the equipment must also be factored in, meaning many construction sites should ensure multiple defibs are accessible. A person suffering a catastrophic injury can bleed out and die in as little as three minutes. 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23¹ and there were 60,645 employee non-fatal injuries reported by employers in 2022/23 (RIDDOR)²; of which 32 per cent were slips trips and falls, 11 per cent involved a person being struck by a moving object and both falls from height and acts of violence were recorded at 8 per cent. The risk of a person suffering a bleed injury in one of these scenarios is high so health and safety departments should ensure they have Ambulance Service designed and approved bleed control kits in premises and on-site vehicles – accessible within a minute or two at the most. Furthermore, the Office for National Statistics revealed in January 2024³ that knife crime has surged by 5 per cent in the past year so projects located in hot spot town and city centres have an opportunity to safeguard their staff and the public by possessing a bleed control kit. And – as with any publicly accessible and registered defibrillator – a 999 operator will direct a caller to the nearest public bleed control kit if required, meaning an externally installed bleed control cabinet is beneficial for the whole community 24-7. GMI Construction has implemented this strategy in city centres. Mike Dowson, Founder and MD or Turtle Defib Cabinets, said: “We never think the worst will happen, but the figures are sobering; 30,000 people experience cardiac arrest each year, 60,645 employees were injured at work last year and there were 48,716 knife-enabled crime offences in the year to September 2023. Then you look at the action and survival statistics and it’s clear that defibs and bleed control kits must be within reach in just a couple of minutes – the chance of survival after cardiac arrest decreases by seven to 10 per cent every minute without defibrillation and a person can bleed out in as little as three minutes.” “This World Day for Safety and Health at Work, I’d like to urge everyone on site or in an office to know exactly where to find their nearest defib and bleed control kit. If the lifesaving medical equipment can’t be accessed and brought back to their location quickly, I suggest they speak to their health and safety department; with a commitment from businesses to own the equipment and from employees to know the location, then I’m certain more lives can be saved.” People should always call 999 in the case of a medical emergency and the Ambulance Service will direct the caller to a defib cabinet or bleed control cabinet if there is one nearby. Turtle works closely with The Daniel Baird Foundation and £5 from every bleed control kit and £10 from every cabinet is donated to the non-profit. For more information about Turtle’s defib cabinets, bleed control cabinets and the equipment to place inside, please visit www.turtledefibcabinets.co.uk, or follow on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
