Kerb cutting project next step

hseellis — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:01:32 +0000

I have now arranged a meeting on the 29th October to discuss the project with the working group. It will be at the new HSE headquarters in Merseyside. We need to decide how we can facilitate pushing out the messages and gaining further change. It may be that we need to pull in others who can take the project on to these next steps so I’m asking the working group to consider whether they are still best placed to do this.

Its encouraging that many of the working group members have already responded to agree to come to the meeting. Given that the group have been together for over 2 years it says something about the commitment of the construction industry to tackle the issue.

My main problem is getting hard data to say how succesful we feel the project is given the informal feedback we receive. I live in hope.

Rob Ellis

Dangers of dry cutting kerb, paving and flags

hseellis — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:42:22 +0000

This is a new weekly blog to let people know of the dangers of dry cutting kerb, flag and paving, what HSE is doing about it and my experiences and comments as the project moves forward. You may not be aware that the dust created using cut-off saws contains respirable crystalline silica which can cause silicosis, cancer and other respiratory diseases. Latest figures suggest over 500 construction workers dying from lung cancer each and many more suffering breathing problems. I’m working with the construction industry and its suppliers to stop workers putting their health and those of others at risk. The project has produced simple communications tools such as a DVD and encouraged the industry to take action.

As an example I had a call from a contractor in Birmingham who had been in his words ‘asked by my gaffer to get hold of the DVD for site training as he had seen it elsewhere and wanted to get all the workers on site ‘up to speed’ on this issue’. I’ve also heard that many of the new HSE construction inspectors have commented there is an increased awareness general across the country on building sites about RCS and dry cutting. There is still a general feeling that the work we (HSE and stakeholders) have done has made difference. Over a quarter million leaflets have been requested by stakeholders and thousands of DVDs are getting out there or shown via web sites.

So, I aim to let you know as things happen so you can keep right up to date. There is a dedicated web community for this work. Currently I’m looking at opening up the web community so that those representing the construction industry and their suppliers can upload their own documents and manage the content of the web community. This will be for recognised organisations with a membership. I’ll keep you informed how this progresses.

http://webcommunities.hse.gov.uk/inovem/inovem.ti/kerbcutting.community/groupHome

Rob Ellis

HSE Kerb Cutting Blog

Kerb cutting project next step

Dangers of dry cutting kerb, paving and flags