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BATH TIME Amsterdam’s famous Stedelik Museum of Modern Art has been restored and extended with a new entrance and exhibition space in the shape of a 100m long white ‘bath tub’. Creation of the moulded facade has been made possible by the use of a pioneering new composite material developed by manufacturer Teijin. Aramid. Picture: Joe Clark

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CSCS gets real with health and safety testing

The CSCS has overhauled its health and safety test in a bid to make it more realistic and focus on behaviour rather than factual knowledge, writes Michael Glackin. The main change is a series of

behavioural case study questions based on hazards facing site workers, from encountering dangerous materials to working in an unsafe manner. The test will incorporate a storyboard

video feature based on a walk through a building site, which will ask how site workers should react to various hazards they encounter. Those taking the test will be given three case studies followed by multiple choice questions to test how they would respond. The CSCS said the test, which was launched this month, will mirror conditions on site more accurately.

A spokesperson said: “The idea is to

move away from the ‘pop quiz’ approach to get the person to learn and really think about what they’re doing on site.” The update is not related to 2010/11’s

increase in construction fatalities, he said. “The test is in response to the number of people who die from illnesses developed at work sites – around 4,000 a year – rather than those who die in accidents.” Although construction trade unions

have been involved in the development of the behavioural video for the test, they have been critical of CSCS test procedures and point to the need for a more rigorous approach on site. It is understood UCATT members will call for the reintroduction of compulsory safety training courses on sites at its annual conference in May. One member said: “All the CSCS test does is measure your ability to pass a test. People

“People don’t get a driving licence by sitting at a screen and ticking boxes; they have to have practical training and pass a practical test”

UCATT member

don’t get a driving licence by sitting at a screen and ticking boxes; they have to have practical training and pass a practical test. We should have similar standards in construction because we’re working in the most dangerous industry in the country.” UKCG director Stephen Ratcliffe said:

“We wouldn’t disagree with the unions on this. We’ve noticed a lack of training impeding health and safety on sites. That’s why we introduced a health and safety standard last month, which requires employers on UKCG sites to establish improved training programmes.” Chris Little, product delivery manager

with CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: “The improvements to the test will hopefully give site managers much more confidence that successful candidates will have a better understanding of the hazards to be found on a construction site.”

Contractors urge rethink on site waste management U-turn

Major contractors have called for the government to reconsider its decision to scrap waste management plans for construction sites. The UKCG welcomed the

government’s commitment to making regulation more effective, but urged it to rethink the scrapping of Site Waste Management Plans and Waste Transfer Notes. The regulations were launched in July 2004. Simon Nathan, UKCG head

of policy, said: “UKCG members continue to believe there is a place for smart and effective

environmental regulation. Waste management regulations have given contractors an effective framework for driving best practice and the focus must be on improving not removing them.” Constructing Excellence called the decision a “retrograde step”. The decision to abandon the

legislation, announced last month, is part of the government’s Red Tape Challenge to remove what are deemed unnecessary regulations, to help reduce costs to businesses. Environment secretary Caroline Spelman said 53 environmental

regulations would be scrapped as they are deemed to be “obsolete”. The new regime will allow the sale of secondhand items containing asbestos, as long as it does not represent a health risk, which the government says will save businesses £29m a year. The government said the move, which will affect items such as machinery and gas cylinders, was in line with HSE advice that asbestos should be left in place if in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed. Many contractors believe the regulations have been effective

in improving waste management in the industry. One said: “The Site Waste Management Plans raised the bar across the sector, compelling everyone to get their act together. “Over the past three years most firms have found complying with the regulations has helped cut costs.”

Jon de Souza, director of

Constructing Excellence, said: “The government has sacrificed legislation where there is still risk of market failure to drive deregulation. The scrapping of the legislation is too much too soon.”

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | APRIL 2012 | 7