![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FIRE SAFETY IN FOCUS
HSE issue reminder on early adoption of effective fire precautions
The reminder urges construction project teams to consider fire at the early stages of a construction project, adding that:
“Sometimes site conditions will be so difficult that alternative designs/ construction methods and materials should be considered at the outset.”
Construction site fires are relatively rare, but often devastating and potentially fatal, not just to those on site but to neighbours too.
Preventing and limiting the effect of a construction site fire depends on good initial design and planning and managing the risk throughout the build.”
Construction dutyholders are legally required under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and the Regulatory Reform Order /Fire Scotland Act 2005 to identify the risks of fire and manage the key issues of general site fire safety. The key issues are:
1. Risk assessment
2. Means of escape
3. Means of giving warning
4. Means of fighting fire
Certain building types are more vulnerable to fire during the construction phase when the final building regulation requirements are not yet in place, for example high-rise construction and timber frame construction. Refurbishment projects can also present a higher fire risk. HSE expects higher additional precautions to be taken on sites that present a higher risk of fire.
All in supply chain should actively communicate risks
Where the lives of people in adjacent properties are at risk from a fire on a construction site, an off the site assessment of the spread of fire to neighbouring buildings should be considered. The Structural Timber Association (formerly the UK Timber Frame Association) has free downloads of design guides on separating distances if you are considering building in timber frame.
All dutyholders in the supply chain should be actively communicating risks and controls of fire during the construction phase. Avoiding process fire hazards involves storing combustible materials safely away from sources of ignition. Further guidance for clients, designers and those managing and carrying out construction work involving significant fire risks can be found at HSG 168 Fire Safety in Construction.
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
UPDATED SCAFFOLDING DESIGN E-GUIDE RELEASED
NASC launches enhanced TG20:13 eGuide scaffold design tool
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th August 2017NASC LAUNCH FREE TO DOWNLOAD GUIDANCE
Access and scaffolding guides now open to members and non-members
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th August 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 9th AUGUST 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th August 2017NEW GUIDANCE ON UNINTENDED PLANT MOVEMENT
Industry Plant Safety Group highlights hazards and key control measures
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th August 2017SCAFFOLD COLLAPSE CAUSED BY LACK OF TIES
Falling structure narrowly misses passerby and lands on parked cars
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th August 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 2nd AUG 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 2nd August 2017TRAINING IN CIRCULAR SAW USE FOUND WANTING
Joinery firm failures end in serious hand injury and £230,000 fine
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 31st July 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 26th JULY 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 31st July 2017WALL COLLAPSE CLAIMED LIFE OF WORKMAN
Failed to identify risks associated with free standing walls
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 31st July 2017WORKMAN FELL DURING WELDING WORK AT HEIGHT
Ladder access to water tank top was insecure and slipped when used
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 31st July 2017CCTV INSTALLER FELL BETWEEN FLOOR JOISTS
Principal Contractor and CCTV specialist failed to plan and manage risk
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 31st July 2017FACTORY APPRENTICE FELL DURING GUTTER CLEANING
Young workman stepped back and fell 9m through fragile rooflight
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 31st July 2017CROSS RAIL JV CONTRACTORS FINED OVER FATALITY
Firm prosecuted after concrete fall death and two other tunnel incidents
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 31st July 2017CONTRACTORS FAILED TO REVIEW ASBESTOS SURVEY
Major companies fined £1,000,000 plus over asbestos risk during refurb
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 31st July 2017MAJOR CONTRACTORS LAUNCH H&S ALERT SYSTEM
Build UK members share information for effective prevention of harm
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 19th July 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 19th JULY 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 19th July 2017STRUCTURAL SAFETY BODY LATEST NEWSLETTER
SCOSS publishes reports and expert comment on a range of issues
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th July 2017SAFE SYSTEM DEVISED BUT NOT IMPLEMENTED
Workman injured by goods falling from double-decked trailer
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th July 2017PREVENTION PLANNING REQUIRED FOR FRAGILE RISK
Fall arrest safety netting not used to mitigate fall consequences
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 17th July 2017MANAGEMENT OF FORMWORK NOT UP TO THE MARK
Erector fell 3m after access scaffold board failed under load
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 17th July 2017VIBRATION UNCONTROLLED & WORKERS UNINFORMED
Engineering firm fined £120,000 over hand-arm vibration risk
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th July 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 12th JULY 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 12th July 2017SCAFFOLDER WAS UNTRAINED AND UNSUPERVISED
Contractor and director failed to train injured workman to CISRC scheme
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 10th July 2017WORKPLACE MANSLAUGHTER OUTCOMES SET TO RISE
Guidelines target gross negligence with serious disregard and cost-cutting
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th July 2017WORKMAN BURNT CLEANING WITH FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
Flammable substance and unprotected electrical equipment trigger flash fire
Posted on 7th July 2017
