New safety guidance available
19 May 2014
The UK Construction Plant-Hire Association has published a new Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group guidance document called Competence to Operate Construction Plant.
The document, free to download from the Association's website, aims to clarify methods for employers to manage, develop and record employees' competences to operate all types of rental equipment.
The document was compiled with the co-operation of the UK Health and Safety Executive, as well as the national training organisation for construction (CITB), and covers the management of training, experience and competence.
It aims to help managers meet the regulations set out by the Health and Safety at Work Act, PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) and CDM – the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
Heather Bryant, HM chief inspector of construction and chair of the Health and Safety Executive’s Construction Industry Advisory Committee, said, “The advice in this document is straightforward, comprehensive and easy to adopt.
"It has been prepared by industry representatives to demonstrate realistic means of complying with legal duties. However, following the guidance is not compulsory and may go further than the minimum you need to do in order to comply with the law.
"I thank those who have been involved in its preparation and commend the guidance to anyone who employs people who work with construction plant and those with an interest in such matters.”
