Southern Construction Framework releases safety report

Published by

Tom Kilkelly

VR height safety training, credit: Wilmott Dixon

A report released by Southern Construction Framework has revealed the top positive interventions its contractors have introduced to ensure safety during projects.

Companies covered in the report included Wilmott Dixon, a firm that arranged for VR (virtual reality) training on working at height for its forum members. An analysis of the data following training indicated a reduction of incidents by 43 per cent over a twelve-month period.

Michelle Gonnella, Senior Health, Safety & Environmental Manager for SCF contractor Wilmott Dixon, said: “Since 2020, Wilmott Dixon has come a long way with our average CLOCS inspection score now being 88%, with over 60 inspections being carried out in 2022.

“In 2022 alone, we trained 30 managers to understand CLOCS and 117 gatekeepers to our internal ‘Site Access Traffic Marshall’ training. We are now proud to say we are CLOCS champions.”

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BAM Construction trialled the use of robots to install heavy windows and glass panels and now mandate the practice of robotic lifting across all sites for loads of over 50kg. This mitigates the risk of injuries due to lifting and manoeuvring large, cumbersome objects.

In the past two years there have been 150 recognition awards to operatives across the Southern Construction Framework for excellent working practices, leading to enhanced safety among peers.

Kingsley Clarke, SCF Operations Lead, South West said: “SCF was the first construction framework in the UK to introduce a Health and Safety Forum which has been operational since 2009.

“Since then, our contractors have continued to practice a policy of positive intervention to increase safety and minimise the chance for incidents on site.

“Safety across our contractors’ projects has always been front of mind. All operatives must hold the necessary safety licenses before they arrive on site, and perhaps the most common on-site activity is the Safety Toolbox Talk.

''Since 2021, over 1000 talks have taken place across sites. Increasingly, toolbox talks address healthy lifestyle and mental health too.”

Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022. During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan). His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.