Two important and far-reaching updates have been announced by the government and the Health and Safety Executive, respectively. The first is intended to reinforce the Building Safety Act 2022 following the Grenfell fire, and the second is an HSE initiative dealing with workplace noise and vibration.
The Building Safety Act 2022 ensures that developers, builders, owners or those in charge of buildings are held accountable for building fire safety measures. However, the process of identifying responsible persons and ordering remediation has proved to be difficult and inconsistent. As a result, the government introduced the Building Safety (Remediation of Unsafe Cladding etc) Bill. This will affect buildings over five storeys or 11–18 metres high, completed before June 2022. The aims are:
To identify all buildings with unsafe cladding, order remediation and determine to what standard it should be carried out. A register will be set up to list buildings with unsuitable cladding and require responsible persons to carry out fire risk assessments of external walls (FRAEWs) within 12 months.
Compel manufacturers of unsafe building products that caused the problem to contribute towards the costs of remedial work.
Ensure all affected residents have remedial work carried out and that no building is left untouched. The Bill will introduce a last-resort remedy whereby a local or public authority will carry out the necessary remedial work.
Give the Building Regulator (and local authorities) powers to hold the worst offenders accountable, leading to criminal sanctions for historic and ongoing failures.
More detailed information is available on the government website.
Guide to the Building Safety (Remediation of Unsafe Cladding etc) Bill - GOV.UK
The HSE has started a new campaign urging employers to be mindful of, and take steps to protect workers from, the harm caused by workplace noise and vibration. Prolonged or excessive noise exposure can cause reduced or permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. Hand-arm vibration can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome, causing numbness, tingling, pain and reduced grip strength that is irreversible. Employers already have legal duties to assess and manage these risks under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
The HSE campaign provides three-step guidance: assess who is exposed and carry out suitable risk assessments; control exposure at source through quieter equipment and safer working methods; and, where risks remain, employers should protect workers through hearing protection, health surveillance and training.
It is important that employers reassess and update their noise and vibration policies and procedures to ensure they remain compliant. Regular scheduled servicing of equipment and tools is equally important. Failure to act decisively can have a permanent, life-changing impact on employees, their families and the business, with potential civil claims and criminal sanctions. More information can be obtained from the HSE website: Noise and Vibration.
This article is intended as a guide for illustration purposes only. Readers are advised to seek professional advice. The Quest HS Helpline is available on 01455 852 028 to meet your initial needs.
