Managing Health and Safety in Building and Construction

Health and safety is important to everyone nowadays, especially with the burgeoning extent of legislation and regulations in the area both in UK terms but perhaps more importantly within and across the European Community. One of the industries most affected by this is the building and construction sector, which because of its traditionally poor record in this respect and its widespread and under-policed activities is now subject to the Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulations. These require that every project involving building or demolition work which is undertaken, regardless of the industry concerned and for what purpose, must be planned and documented according to these safety regulations and procedures. Non-compliance can attract heavy penalties, including fines and prison sentences.

In addition, the possibilities of actions like this, and their contingent financial costs, are beginning to determine a whole philosophy to underpin business man