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HSE Constructionebulletin

Issued: 7 November 2023

An update on the latest information for employers and employees in the construction industry.

Visit theHSE websitefor all the latest updates.

Act now to protect workers from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

Our health inspection campaign focused on moving and handling construction materials has now drawn to a close.

In the most recent period, an estimated 42,000 construction workers suffered work-related MSDs.

Workers should not have to accept these aches, pains and strains and potential long-term suffering as an inevitable part of construction work.

Find out more about how to protect workersfrom the risks associated with moving and handling materials by:

• visiting our campaign website
• downloadingmanual handling advice for builders (.pdf)
• downloadingmanual handling assessment charts (.pdf)

Register for free event: Action on Site Health North

22 November, 8.00am - 2.00pm,
Chester

If youre a senior health and safety professional in the construction industry, join a guest speaker from HSE at the free Action on Site Health North 2023 event at Chester Racecourse.

Following our Your health. Your future campaign, HSEs Matthew Birtles draws on more than 20 years experience in ergonomics to discuss the importance of considering all the risks and the actions that must be taken to protect the health and quality of life of those on site.

For further details and how to register visit Action on Site Health North 2023.

Enter HSE's risk-reduction through design award today

HSEs annual MSDs risk-reduction through design award is now open for nominations.

We want to recognise your contribution to reducing risk in construction.

Entries are encouraged by employers who have made simple changes to their workplace, task or activities that have resulted in significantly reduced musculoskeletal risk to their employees.

The emphasis is on design solutions that have or can reduce the risk of MSDs for their own workers.

Full details on how to enter, as well as case studies for previous winners, are available on our website.

New and refreshed HSE training courses to help comply with CDM Regulations

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) set out legal requirements for those involved in construction projects, from concept to completion.

Our CDM training courses, focusing on the role of the principal designer and the client (as defined by CDM 2015), cover what dutyholders must or should do to comply with the law to ensure projects are carried out in a way that secures health and safety.

You can find out more, and view all available dates to train with us in London or Manchester below:

• CDM and the role of the client
• CDM and the role of the principal designer

View all available training from HSE by visiting Training and events from HSE.

You can also speak to one of HSEs training team who will be exhibiting atLondon Build Expo (stand GOV3) on 15-16 November.

Advanced materials can you help us with our scientific research?

We want to better understand the landscape of commercially manufactured advanced materials in the UK so that we can identify any associated health risks.

The properties of advanced materials are still being understood and their development, manufacture and use may introduce new or different challenges for the management of health and safety.

We are currently conducting scientific research into what these challenges may be, so that we can develop safer working practices to protect the people that use them.

If you use advanced materials, please spare 5 minutes to complete our anonymous survey.

CONIAC and WWT events

The CONIAC website (Construction Industry Advisory Committee), provides a home for its associated working groups and networks.

The latest Construction Industry Advisory Network (CONIAN) event will be hosted later this month at the 3M facility in Bracknell, Berkshire with speakers from across HSE and other organisations involved in the construction industry. For further details about the event and how to book visit:

• CONIAN network event
  15 November, Bracknell

The CONIAC website also includes the regional groups that make up the Working Well Together Initiative and the health and safety events they host. Upcoming events include:

• Construction skills and modern methods of construction
  22 November (am), Walsall

Recent HSE enforcement activity

Fire safety

• Company fined 240,000 after residents put at risk during removal of dangerous cladding

Links for further guidance and information: Fire safety in construction (HSG 168)

Inadequate planning

• Companies fined as child suffers fractured skull

Links for further guidance and information: Planning for construction work

Working at height

• Companies fined after labourer fractures skull

Links for further guidance and information: Assessing all work at height

Younger workers

• Construction company fined after serious injury to 16-year-old on work experience

Links for further guidance and information: Young people at work

Demolition

• Demolition company given 60,000 fine as worker seriously injured

Links for further guidance and information: Demolition