The Building Engineering Services Association has issued an urgent reminder about the need for contractors to review safety guidance for working at heights following the tragic death of a ventilation engineer in Liverpool.
26-year-old Michael Jones was working on the construction of a new stadium for Everton Football Club at Bramley-Moore Dock when he became trapped between a scissor ladder and an overhead beam leading to fatal head injuries.
Senior coroner Andre Rebello told Liverpool Coroners' Court that the police and the Health and Safety Executive's investigation of the accident was “very complex”, and that the inquest would “take some time”.
Work on site was suspended by stadium contractor Laing O'Rourke following the accident and a statement from the football club said: “The thoughts and condolences of everyone connected with Everton are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this unimaginably sad time.”
BESA said the accident reinforced the need for contractors to continually review health & safety procedures and look specifically at their provisions for working safely at heights. It referred members to its risk assessment and Toolbox Talk on the use of elevated work platforms available in the BESA Members’ Resource Area.
It said it had also added the Construction Industry Plant Safety Group document ‘Good Practice guidance for reducing trapping/crushing injuries to people in MEWPs’ to its suite of online resources.
Professionals
BESA members also have access to a team of highly trained health & safety professionals via a free helpline on 01768 860452. As well as receiving a rapid response to day-to-day queries, members can also consult BESA’s series of health & safety bulletins and technical guidance via the dedicated website pages.
The BESA team can provide advice relating to the member company's legal responsibilities for health and safety standards. They will explain how to comply with onerous legislation like COSHH and the working at height regulations so saving companies time and money and providing an even more valuable commodity – peace of mind in today’s highly regulated working environment.
Members will receive guidance on carrying out risk assessments; the use of first aiders and first aid strategies; rising concerns over fire safety; and a wealth of issues related to workers’ physical and mental health among many other subjects.
BESA also runs regular Health and Safety Forums, which are free to members. These events provide an opportunity to access the most up-to-date information, share best practice and lessons learned, and network with other members.
The Association also offers tailored health & safety training with CPD certification to support employers’ professional development strategies.
www.theBESA.com/health-safety