NBS’ 2024 Building Safety Survey reveals industry still ‘unsure’ of high-rise legislation… A new study by NBS, the UK’s leading specification platform, has found that nearly half of specifiers are still unsure of the responsibilities attached to the Building Safety Act 2022, a worrying sign that a high number of ‘knowledge gaps’
With sustainability being a key focus for the built environment, encouraging conversation and educating industry professionals on the importance of designing and building future-proof buildings is absolutely essential. To that end, Pexhurst recently hosted an Industry Insights/CPD morning in partnership with Landways and Mitsubishi Electric. The morning, held at
For Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19th May), UK builders have shared their own mental health experiences, to encourage other people in the industry to speak about their feelings. IronmongeryDirect’s latest Mental Health in the Trades report revealed that more than four in five (82%) tradespeople experience some form of mental
Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has completed the installation of fall protection systems on the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster- brand new Hyperia! Due to open on Friday 24 May, Hyperia is the newest ride at Thorpe Park in Surrey. Built by Mack Rides, the new attraction stands at
The Security Event (TSE) 2024 was a landmark occasion for CIE Group who marked its 60th year in business with an impressive display of innovative security products and a champagne drinks reception on the first two days of the show. Long established for its unique and value-added distribution model in
Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities and injuries in the UK, accounting for an alarming 30% of all deaths in 2022/2023¹. In order to gather more comprehensive data on the underlying causes and circumstances of falls from height, the No Falls Foundation, the first and only
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).
NBS’ 2024 Building Safety Survey reveals industry still ‘unsure’ of high-rise legislation… A new study by NBS, the UK’s leading specification platform, has found that nearly half of specifiers are still unsure of the responsibilities attached to the Building Safety Act 2022, a worrying sign that a high number of ‘knowledge gaps’ persist within the industry. Findings from NBS’ Building Safety Survey showed that half of respondents were either unsure or had no idea of duty holder responsibilities for Higher Risk Buildings (HRB). What’s more, just 12% felt ‘very clear’, demonstrating that more industry-wide training is needed in the run-up to the 1st of April 2024, when the grace period around the Act ends. The figures could be seen as concerning given that around two in three respondents (66%) have past experience working on HRB projects (although these are more likely to be suppliers and contractors than architects). Delving deeper, nearly half (44%) of respondents are unsure or have no idea what steps to take within the new building safety regime. These figures come nearly a year after the BSA was passed in Parliament, first introduced back in July 2021. Surprisingly, the figures are almost identical to that seen in NBS’ 2022 report (43%), showing that understanding of legislation has seen little improvement in this area. Worrying still, was that attitudes towards the Golden Thread and the crucial role it plays within HRBs appeared lax. As well as providing a continuous flow of information throughout the entire lifecycle of a building, it ensures all relevant safety-related information is readily accessible and up to date. However, only around half of respondents (45%) were clear as to how they would manage building information to realise the Golden Thread and just one in ten had a solid plan in place. Again, these are similar to 2022 figures, where in fact, more people felt confident managing building information than they did in 2023 (+2%). This is despite the increasing number of advanced construction-tech platforms designed to help specifiers capture each decision-making stage to form the Golden Thread. However, despite the obvious informational disparities, the study did highlight some more reassuring stats, particularly around third-party testing and the information being supplied by manufacturers – which is increasing safety within specifications. The report flagged that nine out of ten suppliers now provide ‘clear and accurate’ building product data in a digital format. At least eight out of ten also provide third-party certification with their products and have robust internal sign-off and version control processes. Commenting on the survey’s results, David Bain, NBS’ Research Manager, said, “Consistency is the backbone of progress and the stakes have never been higher when it comes to HRBs. These studies serve to highlight ‘trouble spots’ and importantly, offer an understanding of how to take the industry forward as a whole.” Russell Haworth, Chief Executive Officer UKI at Byggfakta Group, NBS’ parent company, said “At our Construction Leaders’ Summit last October, Dame Judith Hackitt told the audience, in no uncertain terms, that regulatory change is coming, and it’s unstoppable, so the construction industry needs to be fully prepared. Fast-forward to April 2024, and our research shows many specifiers are struggling to get to grips with the requirements, and this needs to be resolved. All designers must have the correct approach to specifications if the industry is to raise the bar on building safety. This includes getting to grips with the ‘nitty gritty’ of the BSA if they want to operate in the new regulatory landscape.” To download NBS’ Building Safety Whitepaper, click here. To find out more about NBS, its services, and expertise, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With sustainability being a key focus for the built environment, encouraging conversation and educating industry professionals on the importance of designing and building future-proof buildings is absolutely essential. To that end, Pexhurst recently hosted an Industry Insights/CPD morning in partnership with Landways and Mitsubishi Electric. The morning, held at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar in Liverpool Street, London, began with a warm welcome and registration at 8.15am, followed by breakfast that provided all attendees with an opportunity to network and connect with like-minded professionals from various sectors across the industry. Landways delivered the opening CPD session on multi-use digital and DC power infrastructure design and how this can help deliver smarter, greener solutions. The in-depth Q&A session that followed allowed those attending to engage directly with the experts, address queries about the sustainability advantages it could bring and deepen their understanding. Mitsubishi Electric then took to the stage to present the importance of retrofitting building stock and why choosing heat pump technology as a low-carbon solution could be pivotal for the future of the industry. Additionally, the session highlighted what good looks like and how it can be achieved. Following the event, the attendees completed a survey to review the Industry Insights morning and give their feedback. The respondents highlighted the importance of face-to-face interactions and the networking opportunities in-person events offer. One attendee commented: “The morning was incredibly informative and there was a good mix of clients and consultants in attendance. Great work team Pexhurst!” Delighted with the turnout for the event and the conversations created, Pexhurst Director Nick Tagliarini said: “This was our second Industry Insights/ CPD morning, following the success of our first, last year. We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout and the attendees were keen to learn and engage with the content. “It was another hugely successful event and we were incredibly grateful for the valuable contributions from our partners, Landways and Mitsubishi Electric.” Pexhurst remains committed to industry excellence and creating opportunities for professionals to keep up-to-date on the latest advancements and best practices in the industry. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed on all relevant industry news – https://www.linkedin.com/company/pexhurst-services-limited/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
For Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19th May), UK builders have shared their own mental health experiences, to encourage other people in the industry to speak about their feelings. IronmongeryDirect’s latest Mental Health in the Trades report revealed that more than four in five (82%) tradespeople experience some form of mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, due to work. Ahead of the company’s Match for the Mind tournament – a charity football event being held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium (25th May) to raise money for Mind – IronmongeryDirect asked workers to share their own mental health stories to inspire others, and reassure people that they are not alone in their feelings. Frazer Budd, Builder “I have struggled with my own mental health, but am lucky enough to have my children as a constant reminder of why I have to get up and carry on every day. Sadly I’ve worked with a lad that didn’t have the same family network, and one day he didn’t show up for work. He never spoke to anyone about his struggles and tragically died by suicide. It is so important to remove the stigma around people talking to someone about their feelings.” Craig Brown, Builder “I struggled massively through and after lockdown with really bad anxiety. I struggled to even leave the house at times. At some of my lowest points, I found myself laying bricks with tears running down my face. I managed to get through it with a great support network, speaking to my friends and family and two sons, and speaking to some people on site that had been in the same situation.” Paul Blanch, Builder “Our work is so dependent on weather and this becomes stressful, and can interfere with other parts of your life. I have experienced this on occasions, and in the last few years, I have had a few sessions with a therapist to release this pressure and talk openly about personal issues. I find this really helps and refocuses your mind.” Daniel McConnellogue, Builder “My father has been on the building sites since he was 16 and was in an accident in 2005, where he sadly lost two of his toes. This led to him being stuck in hospital for months, which led to his business being shut down. These unfortunate events meant he then suffered from PTSD a few months after the accident, which sadly saw him fall into a deep state of depression, which took him ages to escape. But he has now done it. He is the strongest and most hardworking man I’ve ever met.” Frankie Mason, Builder “Someone I worked with on site with always came to work with a smile. He was always positive no matter how negative the days could be. Last month, he died by suicide after experiencing mental health problems. No one noticed his symptoms, but no one asked. They just assumed his smiling face meant he must be feeling ok. It takes 5 seconds to text an old friend, a friend, or a family member to see if they’re ok. For them to know someone cares.” Ellis Osborn, Ecommerce Manager at IronmongeryDirect, said: “From both our research and from speaking to tradespeople across the UK, it’s clear how prevalent mental health problems continue to be within the industry. We thank the players from our upcoming Match for the Mind charity tournament for sharing their own stories, to encourage others to seek the support they need.” To read the full Mental Health in the Trades 2024 report, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/mental-health-in-the-trades To find out more about the Match for the Mind, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/enter-now-for-your-chance-to-play-football-at-chelsea Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has completed the installation of fall protection systems on the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster- brand new Hyperia! Due to open on Friday 24 May, Hyperia is the newest ride at Thorpe Park in Surrey. Built by Mack Rides, the new attraction stands at an intimidating 72m (236ft) and will reach speeds of over 80mph. The safety systems installed by working at height specialists from Arco Professional Safety Services provide a continuous safe connection on the rollercoaster, allowing maintenance crews to carry out routine and reactive tasks with confidence. Arco installed Two MSA Latchways BridgeLatch fall arrest and restraint systems along the entire 111m (364ft) incline and crest of the rollercoaster, allowing workers to access the lift portion of the rollercoaster safely. They also fixed MSA Latchways Mansafe fall arrest systems along the station return brake platform and the station exit maintenance platform. Matthew Glass, fall protection manager at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “We were thrilled to be a part of this project for the Hyperia coaster, the latest attraction at one of the UK’s top theme parks. “This installation is the latest in a longstanding partnership with Merlin Entertainmentsthat has allowed Arco, the Experts in Safety, to demonstrate our expertise in working at height safety and love of (safe) thrills. “I know I speak on behalf of the whole team when I say we are looking forward to getting to experience the UK’s new tallest and fastest ride when it opens.” Dan Warwick, health & safety director at Thorpe Park, said: “Arco have been an instrumental part of the team, assisting us with the installation of working at height lines – a vital element of the Hyperia ride construction. “With the ride standing at an epic 236ft tall, these lines will be used to safely enable our engineering team to get up and down the incredible lift hill for all maintenance and daily pre-opening checks. “The lines will also be used by our staff and guests in the event of an evacuation being required on the ride. As part of this, the Arco team worked closely with us to ensure we have well-planned and expertly curated evacuation plans, which form a critical part of the overall project.” Arco Professional Safety Services provide consultancy, training, services and equipment to manage the most complex and high-risk, high hazard scenarios, specialising in working at height, confined spaces and respiratory management. Find out more at arcoservices.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Security Event (TSE) 2024 was a landmark occasion for CIE Group who marked its 60th year in business with an impressive display of innovative security products and a champagne drinks reception on the first two days of the show. Long established for its unique and value-added distribution model in the audiovisual industry, CIE is now making a significant impact in the security sector. Consequently, TSE 2024 served as a powerful platform to unveil the company’s latest brand offerings and solidify its position as an emerging distribution frontrunner in the security field. The CIE stand became a busy hub for security professionals to experience the future of access control firsthand. Partnering with industry leaders like 2N, Akuvox, Volo, Stid, Freevolt S-Key, and Safr, CIE presented a comprehensive overview of each brand’s most recent advances in access control systems, intercom technology, video surveillance solutions, and mobile credentialing. “This was our fourth year exhibiting at TSE and our return to the show really felt significant,” commented Chris Edwards, Marketing Director, CIE-Group. “We had an excellent product line-up that proved to be of great interest to many of the show delegates, and we also got to celebrate our 60th anniversary in style – what more could you ask from a show! Following this success we’re now looking forward to being part of the vanguard of new product innovation in the security sector.” TSE 2024 also witnessed the exciting new partnership between Freevolt S-Key, the next generation of fingerprint-activated access control. Unlike traditional systems, S-Key integrates the biometric scanner directly into individual RFID cards, offering unparalleled user convenience and enhanced security. CIE’s partnership with Real Network’s SAFR Scan also offered a glimpse into a future without physical keys or cards. Its high-speed, high-security facial recognition technology eliminates the need for traditional access credentials, providing a truly keyless and streamlined access control solution. While CIE may be a relative newcomer to the security industry, its 60-year heritage in distribution translates into a deep understanding of market dynamics and a commitment to innovation. This spirit of progress is echoed in further words from Chris Edwards: “Rather than 60 years old, we prefer to view ourselves as 60 years young in the security industry. We’re tremendously enthusiastic about introducing next-generation products to the security industry and shaping the future of access control and related areas.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities and injuries in the UK, accounting for an alarming 30% of all deaths in 2022/2023¹. In order to gather more comprehensive data on the underlying causes and circumstances of falls from height, the No Falls Foundation, the first and only UK-based charity devoted exclusively to the work at height sector, is embarking on the largest study of its kind in the UK to date. Released to coincide with the charity’s safe work at height campaign, No Falls Week, the UK falls from height research study is aimed at anyone who has experienced, witnessed, or investigated falls from height. Year on year, falls from height statistics show little improvement, with up to 425,000 non-fatal falls estimated to have occurred over the past decade, according to the Labour Force Survey. And behind every statistic is a human story. No Falls Foundation ambassadors Jason Anker MBE, Paul Blanchard and Dylan Skelhorn’s stories serve as stark reminders of the long-term and life-changing consequences of a fall from height; mental health problems, financial worries and long-term care needs. While ‘Abbi’s Story’ highlights the wider reaching implications of loved ones. The effects for all can last a lifetime. Along with the lives, families and businesses affected by these accidents, up to 992,000 working days were lost through non-fatal falls from height in Great Britain last year alone². Not only that, the total cost of falls from height in 2022/23 is estimated to be over £847 million³, made up of costs to the employer and the individual, government tax losses and benefit payments. Despite statistics provided by the Health and Safety Executive and a call from industry to introduce a simplified system of reporting to more accurately reflect the cause of workplace accidents, there is still a lack of data available surrounding falls from height at work and at home. Hannah Williams, Charity Manager at the No Falls Foundation said, “Current reporting focusses on the type of incident, as opposed to what caused it in the first place. We want to gain insight into the root cause which will inform future research projects and focus resources to prevent falls from height. “We encourage anyone who has experienced, witnessed, or investigated a fall from height to participate in this important research survey to help us ensure everyone who works at height comes down safely.” Take part in the UK falls from height research study: https://nofallsfoundation.org/index.php/research/study/ Sources ¹ RIDDOR – Kind of accident statistic in Great Britain, 2023 ² Labour Force Survey ³ Labour Force Survey Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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
