Derby Hub members Kedleston Safety can advise you on the best way for your business to manage its health and safety needs.
If you’re planning to build a new build, self-build, renovating or having any home improvement on your home, Suzanne from Kedleston Safety has these top tips to help you complete the job safely.
Working in the industry for almost two decades, she runs through some vital Health and Safety advice.
If homeowners want more information into the minefield of Health and Safety rules and regulations since the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015came into force, let me help you.
I’m not going to lie – getting your head around every single rule can be tricky when it comes to health and safety.
But since changes in the law, it’s even more important to ensure that YOU are ‘managing’ the Health and Safety aspects of YOUR project.
Since the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 were introduced, it’s now your responsibility to take up these duties – and for some project managers, this can be an added headache.
Whatever you’re doing, whether you’re building a new house, renovating an old one or simply making some home improvements – safety has to be considered from the start.

It can be a daunting prospect when starting a project and, more than ever before, clients are turning to outside help to ensure they don’t face unnecessary glitches along the way.
For this reason, I want to change the culture of Health and Safety. My message is simple – start it early so you don’t fall foul of the law.
So, what’s changed?
Three years ago, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulation 2015 came in. One of the biggest changes was the abolition of the CDM co-ordinator (CDMC).
Now, the responsibilities that formerly rested with the CDMC, are divided between you, the client – who has taken on around 70 per cent of duties – the principal designer (PD), who takes up 25 percent and the principal contractor (PC) who has the final 5 per cent.
Introducing the role of a principal designer, in CDM 2015, was a major change in the regulations.
So now, when you’re planning a project, as well finding a builder, plumber, electrician and painter – it’s a must to also consider the health and safety of anyone working on your site.
Managing the health, safety and welfare of your ‘construction site’ is now your job.
Transferring most of the responsibility for assuring safety and health standards to you, reflects the fact that you are driving the overall project.

So, how do you start?
If you’re confident about managing the project yourself, that’s great. You’ll need to skill up and ensure that the team you take on is as passionate as you about setting out all the Health and Safety arrangements.
Remember – you’ve got a lot to lose if you don’t adhere to the CDM regulations. You could receive a visit from the Health and Safety Executive.
If you’re unsure, I can help. I’ve got more than 18 years of Health and Safety experience.
What can possibly go wrong?
Once construction starts, the PC is responsible for the site’s safety and health standard. Having said that, it’s still your duty to ensure that those standards are maintained throughout the project.
If this fails, a visit by the HSE inspectors could be on the cards and prosecution, if you don’t comply, could follow.
Whoops!
Earlier this year I heard about a homeowner who had appointed a principal contractor (PC) to plan, manage and carry out the conversion of a farmhouse into a home.
The HSE visited the site and found a range of issues. The owner was served with a handful of enforcement notices and was given a hefty fine!
The inspector found a range of issues, including one guy working on a poorly erected tower scaffold and another using an angle grinder on the stonework without dust suppression.
In court, the owner agreed to put lots more effort into getting health and safety right in the future.
The biggest risks:
As a Chartered Health and Safety practitioner, there are many health and safety risks to consider. One of the biggest risks to a workforce are falls. Falls from heights can result in heavy traumas and sometimes death.
Slips, trips and falls on the level especially on wet, slippery and greasy floors are another top safety contender.
Then there are injuries sustained as a result of falling objects, cuts and stabs from working tools, and poisoning or chemical burns from strong substances.
At every project, there is also risk of fire due to use of flammable materials, injuries from electric shocks and workers getting something in their eyes.
Moving forward
I’m determined to change people’s view about Health and Safety. I want people to feel confident about factoring in Health and Safety right from the start.
And if you’re unsure about Health and Safety when building a house, an extension or doing any other renovation, you’re not on your own. Thinking about embarking on a major project is a big enough task without worrying about breaking strict site rules.
I’ll happily guide you through the rules and regulations and provide you with the right solutions for you and your project.
After all, this is the law and you don’t want to break it.
For more information visit the Kedleston Safety website or drop us an email. info@kedlestonsafety.co.uk
Kedleston Safety – Taking the stress out of health and safety. We can offer you practical, effective, hands-on advice and solutions to manage your businesses health and safety requirements. See our website here