The directors of Canary Wharf Contractors (CWC) are fully committed to the continuous improvement of our health and safety management systems, procedures and performance. CWC subscribe to the belief that all accidents and incidents are preventable and are working towards the aspirational target of zero accidents and incidents. To encourage good compliance with our health and safety standards and procedures and long term health and safety objectives CWC forms long-term relationships with trade contractors and encourages a mutually beneficial 'partnership' approach.
The directors of CWC fully accept that high level demonstrable commitment is required to help drive the company's health and safety performance forward. With this in mind, the Institute of Directors 'Leading Health and Safety at Work' guidance will be used to benchmark the directors’ performance.
Implementation Strategy
CWC have developed a safety management system (SMS) which is designed around the life cycle of a construction project. The SMS has four stages: pre-construction, procurement, active project and project close out. The SMS has been developed to meet the requirements of ISO 18801and is audited twice-yearly by the British Standards Institution and internally periodically to ensure compliance. A comprehensive auditing regime of the SMS and our trade contractors' performances are key to our aim of continuous improvement.
CWC has identified the provision of a high level of internal health and safety training as a key requirement in delivering our health and safety performance objectives. All our construction management personnel have attended and passed the four-day Institute of Safety and Health (IOSH) Managing Safely in Construction course. We have an in-house department of health and safety professionals and CDM Coordinators that help drive and manage the SMS and health and safety related training and initiatives.
Awards
In 2009 we were awarded a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Award for Occupational Health and Safety. Four of our projects won Considerate Constructors Scheme national awards (gold, silver and two bronze). A good health and safety performance, good welfare facilities and the reduction of potential nuisance factors (dust, noise, odours and light) all form a part of the judging criteria.
Results
Year by year we see an improvement in our overall performance as our accident statistics data shows. Our 2010 Accident Incidence Rate (AIR) for over three day reportable injuries stands at 560 per 100,000 workers as opposed to the construction industry rate of 1,300 per 100,000 workers. Our continuous aim is to substantially reduce our AIR over the coming years.