![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
MAJOR 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
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th July 2017PUWER FAILINGS AND INJURY END IN £1,900,000 FINE
Massive fine after workman suffers friction burns caused by conveyor
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th July 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 5th JULY 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th July 2017HSE REPORTS CONSTRUCTION DEATHS AT RECORD LOW
Fatalities decline whilst asbestos related mesothelioma deaths rise
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 5th July 2017CURSORY AND NEGLIGENT ASSESSMENT BY DIRECTOR
Building firm owner jailed after workman died in trench collapse
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd July 2017UPDATE – DIRECTOR AND EXCAVATOR OPERATOR JAILED
Excavation collapse dangers ignored by director and digger operator
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd July 2017HSE SAFETY ALERT: TRACK TENSIONING INCIDENT
Workman died from hydraulic injection injury whilst tensioning track
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 30th June 2017OXYGEN PIPE EXPLOSION CAUSED SEVERE BURNS
Components used containing materials unsuitable for use with oxygen
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 30th June 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 28th JUNE 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th June 2017ROOF FALL CAUSES LIFE CHANGING INJURIES
Inadequate planning and absence of necessary equipment caused fall
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 25th June 2017LIFT PLANNING AND CONTROL FOUND WANTING
Female building worker struck by scaffold fittings tipped from stillage
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 25th June 2017FATALITY: CRANE COLLAPSE ON HOMES PROJECT
Two workmen die in crane collapse in Crewe
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd June 2017BUILD UK EXPLAINS PROJECT H&S TRAINING STANDARD
UK contractors clarify skill cards needed on CDM 2015 projects
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2017HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 21 JUNE 2017
Prosecutions and enforcement notices weekly update and analysis
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2017CIVILS FIRMS PAYS PRICE OVER PUBLIC DANGER
Fencing wire struck member of public relaxing in own garden
Posted on 20th June 2017
