Money vs Safety

Can it really be true that in difficult financial times money men are potentially placing their employers at risk?

During the recent financial climate as an organisation who supply to many blue chip organisations, councils and government establishments throughout the UK it has been very disconcerting and somewhat alarming to witness the swing in the ethos of many in relation to the awarding of their contracts on a heavily cost weighted basis.

The steeplejack & lightning protection industry has taken huge strides in recent years to improve both it’s professionalism and quality of service within the construction sector, in the main this has been achieved by a change in the mindset of business owners with particular emphasis being placed on training and development and also a reduction in the amount of sub contractor labour otherwise known as ‘price work’.

All the hard work and gains made by many in our sector is now seriously under threat as the money men within awarding organisations look to cut costs by awarding contracts seemingly compromising on the level of training achievement and accreditation that is otherwise available.

The steeplejack sector in particular has long been an industry where little encouragement is required for those businesses less willing to train and achieve to take full advantage of such an opportunity, a fact that many of the long established steeplejack business will echo.
The outcome? - Sadly whilst those companies’s in our sector who have failed to invest in the development of their business benefit from an increase in activity those who have invested heavily in their business are left fighting a battle for contracts and as part of that battle face an uphill challenge in convincing the money men of the folly of their ways.

A tender recently received by Churchill’s issued by a UK council stated that the tender evaluation process would consist of 60% cost & 40% ability, in the world we live and in particular in our potentially high risk sector should the aforementioned ratios stated in the councils tender not require exchanging?

Churchills go for OHSAS 18001

Churchill Steeplejacks (UK) Ltd are on course to be the first organisation operating in the steeplejack and lightning protection sector to obtain the coveted OHSAS 18001 Standard.

What is it?

OHSAS 18001 is the British recognised standard for occupational health and safety management. The standard can be adopted by any organisation wishing to implement a formal procedure to manage the risks associated with health and safety at work. The standard is designed to clarify an organisation's impact on health and safety issues, as well as to help reduce the risk of accidents and any breach in legal requirements.

The History of the OHSAS 18001 Standard

The OHSAS 18001 standard was developed to bridge the gap where no international standard existed for occupational health and safety. Development involved input from a number of leading bodies, including certifiers, trade bodies and expert consultancies.

The first version of the standard appeared in 1999 and was based on a number of existing standards (including BS8800:1996) that had been developed by the leading national certification bodies.

The current version of the standard is OHSAS 18001:2007. This supersedes OHSAS 18001:1999, which is to be phased out by July 2009. Thereafter it will no longer be recognised.

Despite not being an ISO standard (although it is currently in the process of being elevated to this level), OHSAS 18001 has been designed to be compatible with the ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) standards, thus helping organisations to achieve an integrated management strategy.

The OHSAS 18001 standard specifies a number of key criterion for an organisation to demonstrate and includes:-

• Planning for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
• Structure and responsibility
• Training, awareness and competence
• Consultation and communication
• Operational control
• Emergency preparedness and response
• Performance measuring, monitoring and improvement

Benefits of an OHSAS 18001 System

Most organisations pursue OHSAS 18001 certification to qualify for a tender or to achieve preferred supplier status: e.g. for a Local Authority. However, there are many other benefits that can be gained, including:

• Reduced risk to employees, customers and suppliers
• Reduction in the costs associated with accidents at work
• Enhanced staff morale and motivation
• Demonstrate legal compliance
• Reduced insurance premiums
• Competitive advantage
• Enhance status

We can now demonstrate that our delivery is managed efficiently and responsibly, and that they can provide a reliable service free of the downtime associated with work-related accidents and incidents.

Power Station Chimney Re Lining Project

In December 2008 Churchills were appointed directly by e-on and mobilised to site to commence with the removal and replacement of 2no 110m tall brick flues housed within a 107m tall concrete windshield.

The removal of both brick linings was completed through the Christmas holidays to ensure a hand over date of March 2009 remained achievable.

During the removal of the brick linings the internal cast concrete ring beams that supported the internal brickwork at regular intervals throughout their height were found to have eroded beyond repair. Working with e-on engineers Churchills designed replacement ring beam supports to be installed in conjunction with the re bricking of both vertical flues.

Exposed to some of the coldest temperatures in recent years and now having to work night shifts through January, February and March to remain on programme Churchills installed internal access platforms to facilitate the re building of both flues and completed on time and within budget.