BSG TRAINING NEWS NUMBER OF COMPANY DIRECTORS PROSECUTED TREBLES THIS MONTH S ISSUE INCLUDES: Training Update Summer 2017.

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1 BSG TRAINING NEWS Training Update Summer 2017 THIS MONTH S ISSUE INCLUDES: Training news Number of company directors prosecuted trebles CSkills Awards move to NOCN Professional NEBOSH qualifications still key prerequisite for success NEBOSH National Construction Certificate course Company and director fined after worker fell from height Construction company director imprisoned after safety failings How to stop the use of fake CSCS cards New training venue BSG training team BSG podcasts Training courses starting soon NUMBER OF COMPANY DIRECTORS PROSECUTED TREBLES The introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter Act in 2007 means that failure to meet your directors responsibilities for health and safety could now result in imprisonment. Protecting the health and safety of employees or members of the public who may be affected by construction work is therefore an essential part of risk management and should be led by the board, who will be accountable for any failings. The number of company directors who have been prosecuted for health and safety offences has trebled in a year, according to research from a law firm, Clyde & Co. The research shows that the number of company directors and managers prosecuted by the HSE in the year to 31 March 2016 was 46, compared to 15 in the previous year. In contrast, the number of employees who were prosecuted by the HSE in 2015/16 has fallen from 10 in the previous year, to just one. According to research, of the 46 prosecutions in 2015/16, 34 were found guilty and 12 were given prison sentences, with the longest prison sentence imposed at two years. Following the introduction of the new sentencing guidelines for safety and health offences in February this year, the value of fines imposed by the HSE is also on the rise. The total value of fines imposed has risen by 43 per cent compared to the same period last year. Between February 2016 and August 2016, health and safety fines totalled 20.6 million, compared to 14.4 million in February 2015 to August Pinkers Court, Briarlands Office Park, Gloucester Road, Rudgeway, Bristol, BS35 3QH Tel: Fax: info@bsgltd.co.uk FOLLOW DOWNLOAD OUR 2017 TRAINING SCHEDULES

2 NO. OF COMPANY DIRECTORS PROSECUTED TREBLES CONT... Data shows that there is an increasing tendency for prosecutions to be aimed at senior individuals in a business, rather than employees who are involved in the incidents. Making senior management responsible for the health and safety failings of their business and employees means that the burden falls on them to ensure that company policies are effective as well as enforced correctly. Fines for company directors can hit the 1 million mark just for non-fatal offences, according to SHP Online. The implication is that any breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act is now potentially a serious threat to a company s bottom line. According to research, medium-sized organisations have been hit the hardest by these fines, as they took a higher proportion of their turnover than any other size business. New, tougher sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences, corporate manslaughter, food safety and hygiene offences came into force in February 2016; which would account for this increase. The size of fine given depends on the size of the company, the level of culpability of the company and the harm caused. If you are unsure as to your duties and obligations in relation to Health and Safety or feel senior management may benefit from some training you may wish to join us at next months Directors Responsibilities seminar. BSG DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITIES SEMINAR The Building Safety Group (BSG) is running a Directors Responsibilities seminar on: 11th July 12.30pm 2.00pm at the Bromsgrove Hotel Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Birmingham B61 0JB BSG s seminar will provide Directors and other senior professionals with a comprehensive understanding of their liabilities and obligations when implementing a Health and Safety strategy. It will also offer guidance and practical advice on what should be included in your company s Health and Safety policy. The session will be presented by Chris Chapman, Technical Support Manager for BSG. Chris has over thirty years experience of providing construction companies with advice about their legal duties in regard to Health and Safety. For further details about the event, please click the enclosed link here: BSG Directors Responsilbilities Seminar 2017 Source: SHP Online If you would like to register for the seminar, please send your full contact details including name, business title, company name, and telephone no. to buildingsafetygroup@bsgltd.co.uk and put Directors Responsibilities Seminar in the subject the heading. DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITIES TRAINING COURSE ABOUT THIS COURSE The course is intended for Company Directors. Even if you are not directly responsible for Health & Safety in your company, in your role as a Company Director you have joint responsibility with your fellow directors under Health and Safety legislation. You ll be encouraged to explore your legal responsibilities and consider how boardroom decisions impact on the health and safety of your workforce and there will be open-forum workshops to facilitate stimulating discussion. Ideal for companies that need to meet the ever increasing demand for evidence of a sound health and safety management set up, safe working and directors roles. WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? The aim of this half day course is to ensure that those attending are aware of the legal duties and responsibilities placed upon them by current legislation. By attending and completing this course you will have gained understanding and knowledge of: Legal responsibilities under Health and Safety Law The economic implications of an unsafe working environment HSE guidance for Directors Effective management of occupational Health and Safety The basic tools of introducing a proactive health and safety culture New Legislation 2

3 2017 COURSE DATES 19 Jul (Bristol) 20 Nov (Bristol) COURSE FEES BSG Member 80+VAT per delegate Non-Member 100+VAT per delegate Course fees include course materials and certification. Fee quoted for members rates includes 15% discount. Our Director s Responsibilities course is CPD accredited. Completion of this course entitles you to accrue 4 hours towards your personal annual CPD target. For more information please contact our training department: training@bsgltd.co.uk GROUP BOOKINGS If you have a group of 6 or more employees requiring training, we can run a Directors Responsibilities course on a private basis, at a venue of your choice on a date that suits you. We can tailor the course to meet your needs and requirements. GROUP BOOKING RATES (PER HALF DAY COURSE) At your premises BSG Members 400+VAT Non-Members 460+VAT At BSG Training Centre: BSG Members 425+VAT* Non-Members 490+VAT* Plus mileages and overnight accommodation if necessary Fee quoted for members rates includes 15% discount. *Max. 14 delegates per course. CSKILLS AWARDS MOVE TO NOCN The Contruction Industry Training Board (CITB) have agreed to sell Cskills Awards, the second largest awarding body in the industry, to the National Open College Network (NOCN). Cskills Awards has been an operating division of CITB and will transfer overnight on 1 August to NOCN, encouraging the growth of construction-related training provision across the nation. The sale is set to change the Apprenticeship delivery for over 4,000 learners and will significantly impact how constructionrelated courses are accredited. Change also occurs at a time when CITB s role in construction is under great review and debate. Implementating the Government s Apprenticeship Levy, puts CITB under significant pressure to review its own training levy for construction employers, with a large amount of members being required to pay into both. Both parties are keen to emphasise that Cskills Awards will continue to provide services as normal under the new ownership. Twenty four Cskills Awards staff will transfer their employment to NOCN on 1 August when the sale is completed, ensuring continuity and customer support. They will continue with their current working arrangements, either at CITB s headquarters in Bircham Newton or as mobile workers, throughout Please note that only the CSkills Awards are being affected, none of the training courses provided by BSG will change. FAQs: CITB CSkills Awards FAQs Sources: National Construction Academy and Sheen Publishing COURSE VENUE Our Directors Responsibilities courses are held at our training centre in Bristol. Visit our training venues page to find travel information for all of our course venues. HOW TO BOOK Book your place by calling our training services team on or training@bsgltd.co.uk with your enquiry. 3

4 PROFESSIONAL NEBOSH QUALIFICATIONS STILL KEY PREREQUISITE FOR SUCCESS Research published in the NEBOSH News Update reveals that 90% of job advertisements for safety, health and environmental (SHE) roles reviewed specified the requirement for one or more NEBOSH qualifications, up from 83% last year. Qualifications and professional status can make a considerable difference to the salary provided for health and safety roles with employers willing to offer better salaries to secure those who value their own continuing professional development. More than half (51%) of vacancies called for a range of NEBOSH Certificate-level qualifications, up from 45% last year and 38% in BSG s Training Manager, Steve Beckwith added Health and safety knowledge is a key requisite for anyone who works within major hazard industries and the NEBOSH qualifications are viewed as a gold standard within the construction industry, helping to define competencies needed by employers for health and safety. Employers are provided with reassurance when employees skills are benchmarked against a national and industry relevant standard, while employees gain key knowledge as well as confidence from a recognised qualification. Construction and civil engineering continue to be the dominant sectors for SHE positions, accounting for 35% of available jobs down from 39% last year. ABOUT NEBOSH NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) was formed in 1979 as an awarding body with charitable status. NEBOSH offers a vast range of qualifications, which are recognised globally as one of the best qualifications and are designed to meet the health, safety and environmental management needs of all places of work. NEBOSH have over 600 course providers within 120 countries. This attracts around 50,000 candidates yearly with 12,000 successful candidates since 1989 taking the leading health and safety award for the construction industry the NEBOSH National Construction Certificate. ABOUT BSG S NEBOSH COURSE Steve Beckwith BSG Training Manager A NEBOSH National Construction Certificate provides practical skills to ensure that safe practices are maintained and that individuals become far more safety conscious moving forward. The certificate covers the general health and safety issues within the construction industry, while also placing emphasis on the specific construction issues that make the industry one of the most dangerous in which to work. The benefit is not only about having a safe working environment but the certificate can also help improve efficiency and productivity. Obtaining a NEBOSH Construction Certificate offers a wide range of benefits. BENEFITS OF COMPLETING THE CERTIFICATE You will gain extensive knowledge on health, safety and environmental issues in the workplace You can expand your knowledge on the principals of risk management You will learn how to develop your company s safety procedure and become competent in identifying and minimising hazards You will obtain the skills to help ensure your company adheres to all health and safety legislation The certificate can help benefit your career progression within your current company or it can help you become more employable with a qualification that is sought after by many employers. You can join a community of other individuals in your industry who have completed the certificate, where you can support, advise and discuss health and safety matters BENEFITS FOR THE EMPLOYER It will help you create a safe working environment From the perspective of an employer, having a safe workplace is crucial for your company s success. Not only does it protect people from injury, but also in the most serious situations, loss of life. The NEBOSH certificate equips candidates with relevant real-life situations and skills, an in-depth understanding of the law and regulations that govern health and safety, how to carry out risk assessments, using first aid in the workplace and how to perform audits. This provides candidates the knowledge and confidence to be able to identify and minimise risks in the workplace, reducing the number of accidents and injury that occur at work. 4

5 It will bring assurance Employers who have staff that are NEBOSH qualified shows a commitment to health and safety. The NEBOSH qualifications provide assurance of safety for everyone in the workplace, which can help employees achieve recognised standards and win new business. Gain a positive return on investment A NEBOSH certificate delivers a practical set of real-life skills that bring real value to the modern global workplace. A safe workplace is necessary for enhancing efficiency and productivity, both of which are key values for a successful company. Efficient and productive employees can increase prospects for a company. In addition, this can make significant cost savings by minimising the cost of accidents, prosecutions and absenteeism. It will help create an effective management Managers and supervisors will develop a good grasp of risk management and other key issues by completing the certificate, allowing companies to develop and ingrain an effective safety culture. A structured health and safety management plan that integrates a globally recognised framework, such as NEBOSH, is one of the most efficient ways to ensure the future growth and success of your company. Owners or managers of smaller consultancy companies will find this qualification helps them to meet the requirements of clients and principal contractors when working on other people s premises or sites. BSG offer in-company courses that can allow the inclusion of materials specifically relevant to your company s workplaces. You can build a great reputation for safety By employers and employees taking a NEBOSH certificate, the company is showcasing their commitment to promoting a safe place of work and responsibility for the community and environment. A brilliant track record of few to no accidents and incidents will boost your company s credibility, earning recognition and respect from industry peers, enhancing your company s reputation. WHY TRAIN WITH US As leading experts in the health and safety industry, BSG provides its clients with outstanding results. Our most recent NEBOSH course results achieved a pass rate of 88%, exceeding the national average of 73%. THE COURSE WE OFFER NEBOSH NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATE The Building Safety Group are an accredited and leading training provider of the NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety qualification. Due to the specific nature of the course, not only will general health and safety issues be covered, but there will be more emphasis placed on specific construction issues that make the industry amongst the most dangerous in which to work. WHO IS IT FOR? Supervisors, managers and those with duties placed on them by the Construction Design Management Regulations (Principal Designers and Contractors) within the construction industry who are required to ensure that activities under their control are undertaken safely. The qualification is also appropriate for managers and supervisors working in other industries such as utilities, and even broadcasting, where temporary workplaces are a feature of their activities. WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE? Many larger construction organisations choose the NEBOSH National Construction Certificate, as a key part of their supervisory or management development programme. By ensuring that line managers have a sound understanding of the principles of risk management they build an effective safety culture in the company. Owners or managers of smaller consultancy companies will find this qualification helps them to meet the requirements of clients and principal contractors when working on other people s premises or sites. LENGTH OF STUDY? Unit NGC1, Unit NCC1 and Unit NCC2 consisting of 18 elements are delivered over 16 days including the practical assessment and examinations. A programme of study includes 106 taught hours and 58 hours of private study. We take this time to ensure a fantastic pass success rate in fact, many students gain credits and distinctions. 5

6 2017 COURSE DATES One day a week: 23, 30 Aug 6, 13, 20, 27 Sep 4, 11, 18, 25 Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Nov NEW TRAINING VENUE Due to an increase demand for our training courses, we are pleased to announce that we have expanded our provision to a new training centre based in Birmingham. This is in conjuction with our other venues in Bristol, Exeter and Cardiff, making it easier for you to attend. Exam date: 6 December 2017 COURSE ASSESSMENT At the end of the course there are two, two-hour written examinations and a practical assessment. Unit NGC1: Management of health and safety is a taught unit, assessed by one two-hour written examination. Unit NCC1: Managing and controlling hazards in construction activities is a taught unit, assessed by one two-hour written examination. Unit NCC2: Construction health and safety practical application is assessed by practical assessment of a construction site, or part of a site, and preparing a management report. COURSE FEES BSG Member 1400+VAT Non-Member 1610+VAT Course fees include: NEBOSH course fees, 15 days of classroom study, one practical assessment, two examinations, certification, lunch and refreshments. Fee quoted for members rates includes 15% discount. Please note: Both examinations will take place on the final day of the course. COURSE VENUE Our NEBOSH courses are held at our training centre in Bristol. Visit our training venues page to find travel information for all of our course venues. We can run this course at your organisation If you have a group of 6 or more employees requiring training, we can run this course on a private basis, at a venue of your choice on a date that suits you. We can tailor the course to meet your needs and requirements. Contact us to find out more and get a bespoke quote. HOW TO BOOK Book your place by calling our training services team on or training@bsgltd.co.uk with your enquiry. The venue is situated at the Bromsgrove Hotel & Spa Birmingham Road Bromsgrove B61 0JB We will be running the following accredited courses; Site Managers Site Safety Scheme Site Managers Site Safety Scheme Refresher Site Supervisers Site Safety Scheme Site Supervisers Site Safety Scheme Refresher Health and Safety Awareness. All these courses are running at competitive prices and if you are a BSG member you receive an extra 15% discount (already included in the advertised price on the schedule). Please visit the training pages on our website www. bsgltd.co.uk/training to download a course schedule, which includes dates and prices, for each venue. If you are interested and would like to book onto a course, or you feel that you need more information about each course, please visit our website for the full course information sheets or alternatively you can contact our training team by phone or training@bsgltd.co.uk 6

7 COURT CASES COMPANY AND DIRECTOR FINED AFTER WORKER FELL FROM HEIGHT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY DIRECTOR IMPRISONED AFTER SAFETY FAILINGS Eco NRG Solutions Ltd and its director Jon Luke Antoniou have been fined after a worker fell from height at a farm in Cornwall. Taunton Magistrates Court heard how Lewis Harding, 28, had been fitting solar panels on a fragile roof at Venn Farm on the 19 May He fell more than three metres through a fragile skylight and broke his back in three places. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed to take adequate precautions to prevent workers falling from height. There was no edge protection, under-roof netting or boarding provided on site. The company instead relied on an ineffective use of harnesses. Unsafe working had been taking place for months before the accident and then continued for months afterwards. The investigation also found that the above failure was attributable to the neglect of director Jon Antoniou. Eco NRG Solutions Ltd of Polden Business Centre, Bristol Road, Bridgewater has pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Section 33 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act The company has been fined 115,000 and ordered to pay costs of Jon Luke Antoniou of Bridgewater has pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 (1) of the Health and Safety at work Act 1974 and has been fined 5000 and ordered to pay costs of The director of a construction company has been imprisoned for eight months after failing to take appropriate action which resulted in a young worker receiving serious burns. Cardiff Crown Court heard the young worker was instructed to stand on top of a skip and pour a drum of flammable thinners onto the burning waste to help it to burn. The fireball that resulted when the thinners ignited caused the worker to be blown from the skip and he suffered substantial burns to his arms and legs. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company director did not ensure the burning of the waste material was being carried out in a safe or appropriate manner. He failed to administer any first aid to the young injured worker and did not send him to hospital, the most appropriate response given the severity of the injuries suffered. He failed to inform HSE of the incident, a legal requirement, and the incident was only reported sometime later by a third party David Gordon Stead of Mildred Street, Beddau, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and also pled guilty to breaching Section 4 (1) of The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) and was sentenced to 32 weeks imprisonment, half on release under licence. He has also been disqualified from being a company director for seven years. Article sourced from: hse.co.uk Article sourced from: hse.co.uk 7

8 HOW TO STOP THE USE OF FAKE CSCS CARDS Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) is the leading skills certification scheme within the UK construction industry. CSCS cards provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out. The scheme keeps a database of people working in construction who have achieved, or are committed to achieving a recognised construction related qualification. Most principal contractors and major house builders require construction workers on their site to hold a valid CSCS card. Construction worker Gidean Emeka Okafor has recently been sentenced to six months in prison after being convicted of using a false name to work on UK construction sites. Okafor used a fake French national identification card in order to obtain a CSCS card in August Okafor then continued to use the false CSCS card to work on London construction sites illegally for over a year. After a Home Office investigating, Okafor was caught with his counterfeit documentation. The claim against Okafor was supported by the Contruction Industry Training Board (CITB), confirming that a card had been issued in the name of Patrice Beziat, Okafor s alias. This case highlights the need for employers to be vigilant in checking workers documentation and to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. Fraudsters on construction sites present a danger to themselves and others. In order for construction sites to remain safe, all workers should have sufficient qualifications and training for the type of work they carry out. A worker holding a fake CSCS card does not have the correct qualifications for their job and therefore cannot demonstrate the required level of health and safety knowledge needed to operate safely on the work site. Thorough card checks need to be a pre-requisite before allowing workers on to a work site and employers must ensure that workers have the correct qualifications before they commence work. HOW TO CHECK WHETHER YOU HAVE A VALID CARD AND QUALIFIED WORKER FOR YOUR WORK SITE Check the name and photo on the card for the first step of the security test. Does the photo match the person holding the card? Does the name match and seem legitimate? If not, questions should be raised Check the expiration date on the card and ensure that the date collates with the type of card Check that the card has a registration number, a unique number issued after passing the HS&E test Check the colour of the card. All CSCS cards are colour coded so that the type of roles the cardholder is qualified for is easy to identify. Make sure the worker entering the site has the correct colour for their job. A guide for the different colour CSCS cards can be found here: Every CSCS card has a small hologram in the top left hand corner. The hologram will change colour when moved. If this hologram cannot be found or the colour is not changing, then it may be a fake card A cost effective way to check whether the card is a fake is by using the online Card Checker that enables you to search and view card and test details for individuals for scheme memberships and tests administered by CITB. It is quick, easy to use, does not require a login and you can even see cards that have expired. CITB Online Card Checker: All new CSCS cards have a smart chip embedded; this can be scanned with a reader that will reveal a picture of the cardholders face and name. If the card does not match the information displayed from the scan, or the chip does not scan, then the card is a forgery. You can download the app onto your computer, laptop or phone (android) and is free to use. WHAT TO DO IF YOU SPOT A FRAUDULENT CARD If you think you know someone using a fraudulent card you should: 1. Retain the card if possible 2. Make photocopies of front and back 3. Record cardholder s name and address 4. Ask the cardholder where the card was obtained from 5. Call the local police and report the matter 6. Refuse access to site (subject to company rules) 7. Forward copies of all evidence to CITB Quality Assurance Team, Building 16, Bircham Newton, King s Lynn, PE31 6RH, marked SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT CARD with details of the crime number given by local police. 8. You can also report.it@citb.co.uk Source: CITB 8

9 MEET THE TRAINING TEAM T: E: Steve Beckwith, Training Manager Catherine Dyke, Training Co-ordinator Trisha Huntridge, Training Co-ordinator Chris Coosley, Trainer Jonathan Hughes, Trainer Alex Hill, Trainer CITB CERTIFICATE EXPIRY A reminder that for the CITB Site Safety Plus scheme, the refresher course must be attended before the certificate expires. Failure to do this will result in the delegate being required to complete the full course again. For any queries in relation to this, please contact the training team. COURSES Need a course in a location closer to you? If you have a group of 6 or more employees requiring training, we offer all of our courses on a private basis. Held at a venue of your choice on a date that suits you, we can tailor the course to meet your needs and requirements. Contact us and find out more. 9

10 TRAINING NEWS New training courses starting soon... CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (5 days) - 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 July 2017 (Bristol) CITB Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (2 days) - 3 & 4 July 2017 (Bristol) & 22 & 23 August 2017 (Bristol) CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme Refresher (2 days) - 5 & 12 July 2017 (Cardiff) & 9 & 16 August 2017 (Bristol) BSG PODCASTS BSG provides a range of Health and Safety podcasts which address critical Health and Safety issues facing the construction industry. You can view them all below: Occupational Health podcast: Our Occupational Health podcast examines the actions that must be taken to ensure successful management of Occupational Health in the workplace. Focus is directed towards how companies can reduce costs as well as improve the health and wellbeing of construction workers. General Legislation podcast: The Podcast aims to breakdown and simplify the Health & Safety at Work Act by reviewing key legislation which is relevant for the construction industry. Special Considerations for Timber Frame Construction podcast: Chris Chapman explains the extra measures which need to be taken because of the added fire risk. Directors Responsibilities podcast: Companies need to meet the ever increasing demand for evidence of a sound health and safety management set up, safe working and directors roles, this podcast will guide you through best practice. CITB Health & Safety Awareness Training Course (1 day) 27 July 2017 (Bristol) Emergency First Aid at Work Training Course (1 day) 25 July 2017 (Bristol) NEBOSH National Construction Certificate (16 days) - 30 August 6, 13, 20, 27 September 4, 11, 18, 25 October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 November Exam date: 6 Decemvber 2017 BSG MEMBERS CAN STAY UP TO DATE WITH BSG NEWS BSG News keeps you up to date with industry health and safety news. Subscribe to our BSG News e-newsletter on the newsletter page of our website. BSG PHONE NUMBERS BSG have updated their phone system, please see the new numbers below: Training: Accounts: Marketing: Membership/Technical Support: Pinkers Court, Briarlands Office Park, Gloucester Road, Rudgeway, Bristol, BS35 3QH Tel: Fax: info@bsgltd.co.uk FOLLOW DOWNLOAD OUR 2017 TRAINING SCHEDULES