The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 came into force on 6 April 2015 (replacing CDM 2007) and identifies specific roles which must be fulfilled, and their subsequent duties carried out, on all construction related projects. The regulations require a more detailed management approach for projects where:
- the project (on site work) will take at least 30 days to complete and will at any point have 20 people or more working in site
or
- the project exceeds 500 man-days.
The regulations relate to the management of health and safety at all levels, setting out requirements for those commissioning works, the designs involved, those organising the work and to all those carrying out the works on the ground. These regulations are aimed primarily at the building and construction industries, but will apply to dry stone walling projects and may include repairs to existing walls. If in doubt, consult your local health and safety inspector.
The relevant sections of the regulations normally applying to project leaders or self employed wallers are those relating to ‘principal contractors’, which requires a health and safety file to be made for relevant projects. This will comprise safety plans, written risk assessments and recording of any accidents, all of which are basic good practice for any job. For further information, refer to the leaflet Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Guidance on Regulations (HSE 2015).
Risk assessment
The Health and Safety Executive identify five stages in risk assessment. The following section outlines how this might be applied to dry stone walling projects, but this information should not be regarded as comprehensive or definitive. For further details on risk assessment see the learning resource pack available from The Conservation Volunteers.
A hazard is defined as something with the potential to cause harm, and covers ill health, injury and damage to property. A risk is the likelihood of that harm actually taking place. Risk assessment is about identifying hazards and the level of risk associated with them, and then prescribing measures to control or reduce those risks.
Look for hazards
Look around the work site to assess possible hazards. The manual handling of stone will always present some risk, and hazards such as slippery ground conditions or slopes should be noted. Consider the hazards presented by machinery used to transport material onto the site. Many old walls and those in need of repair are liable to collapse, especially once dismantling work begins.
Who might be harmed?
Workers will vary in their work experience and awareness of risk, and may include inexperienced workers, young, old or disabled. The work itself may pose a threat to people other than the workers. Visitors to the site or the general public in the vicinity may be at risk from falling stone, uneven ground and so on. When working alongside a public right of way, temporary barriers and an alternative route may be needed, together with signing of hazards.
Evaluate the hazards
The first step is always to try and remove the hazard. If this is not possible, the next step is to control the hazard as far as possible. For example, a hazard which is impossible to eliminate is that of wallers trapping their fingers. The risk of this happening can be reduced by giving training on safe handling of stone and good working practice, together with the provision of safety gloves. Actions to reduce risk may produce other hazards. For example, the provision of winches or other mechanical aids to move stone will themselves present a hazard, which must be met with proper training and checking of equipment.
Recording
The HSE show a simple way of recording information in four columns:
- Risk/ hazard
- Those at risk
- Controls or provisions to reduce risk
- Subsequent measures for further risk reduction as necessary
Review
Review your assessment and revise it as necessary. Legal requirements may change. Note that risk assessment needs to be considered individually for each walling project, as sites and conditions will vary.
