health and safety policy summary
The Group’s policy and safe working procedures aim to prevent accidents, incidents and ill health by providing and maintaining adequate control of risks arising from all work activities within its offices or at associated site locations. These were reviewed and revised as necessary during the year and made available to all employees. The Group places the highest priority on the protection of its employees, construction industry workers not in its employment and individuals affected by our activities.
Through correct delegation of responsibilities, the principal objectives undertake to:
• Maintain safe and healthy working environments
• Provide and maintain safe plant and equipment
• Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to all employees in order to enable them to undertake their work safely, taking health and safety into consideration
• Ensure safe handling and use of substances
• Consult employees on matters affecting their health and safety.
The Group’s senior management offers its full support and commitment on all health and safety issues and provides sufficient funds and resources to enable correct implementation of the policy, while meeting the expectations of our stakeholders. The successful implementation of the policy relies on all responsibilities being fulfilled and continuous improvement through regular monitoring and reviews.
Waterman Health & Safety (a division of Waterman Civils Limited) continues to advise senior management on health and safety and staff wellbeing. They act as health and safety advisors to all operating companies within the Group and regularly liaise with the Health and Safety Executive nationally and with HSE inspectors relevant to each UK office location. The division reviews the Group’s health and safety policy and procedures, advises upon new and impending changes to legislation, provides training to staff on general health and safety matters, to designers on the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007, on construction site safety and on fire and emergency related matters.
The Group operates a health and safety consultative committee comprising of representatives from operating companies, which is responsible for consulting with staff on health and safety matters and passing concerns and recommendations to senior management. The Group also maintains membership of various health and safety organisations and assessment systems, for example the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS).
Waterman Health & Safety undertook the fourth annual office and company health and safety inspection during the year to assess the Group’s overall health and safety performance and compliance with existing legislation and good practice. This audit showed that the health and safety performance and systems of each company and office are continuing to be maintained to a high standard.