Recently, many of our sector trade bodies have expressed their concern that a bill, currently making its way through Parliament may lead to the possible relaxation of many key pieces of health and safety legislation that govern the built environment.
This could potentially include Working at Height regulations at a time when falls from height are the most common work-related fatality.
Safety first
Legislation passed in 2005 requires employers to ensure that operational tasks are planned, monitored, and performed by qualified personnel, and that the appropriate equipment is used for tasks performed at a height.
Even if any regulatory changes were to take place, the Tudor Group will continue to mitigate the risks of working at height by adhering to our own safety standards. Our clients can be confident that we’ll always do our utmost to keep them and employees safe.
We’re proud to buck the trend in a sector with a reputation for high contract turnover. We have established a solid reputation for our high calibre of work and dedication to rigorous safety standards, an approach that forms part of our detailed ESG strategy.
The Tudor approach to elevated working
At the Tudor Group, we always approach these types of tasks with a strict routine that is based on safety, ensuring that working at height is risk-free.
Proper planning
We begin by identifying any potential hazards, such as falls from height, falling objects, and unstable working surfaces. We look at the actual height of the work, the type of work being done, and the experience and training of our workers to figure out how likely and serious these risks are.
Our team members communicate the results of the risk assessment to all workers who will be involved in the work, and provide training on how to minimise the risks. We recognise that risk assessment is a continuous process, and the measures taken to control risks must be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary.
Equipped for safety
The right equipment for working at height depends on the type of work being performed, the height of the work, and the environment in which it is being done.
Some industry equipment you’ll see our people use includes scaffolding for stable access to high places and ladders (both portable and extending) procured from accredited manufacturers.
Our fall protection equipment generally comes in the form of harnesses and lanyards designed to prevent falls by attaching workers to an anchor point or a guardrail.
We make sure to regularly inspect and maintain equipment so it remains in excellent condition.
Training our talent
Training is also essential, as Damian Robinshaw, Tudor Group’s Group Safety, Health, Environmental, and Quality (SHEQ) Manager, emphasises: “All staff comply with the standards defined by the British Institute of Cleaning Services (BICSc), ISSA, the leading international body for the cleaning sector, plus, we are also members of the Federation of Window Cleaners, the sector’s registered professional trade association.
“We also guarantee that all our employees working at height have completed an IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) training course. IRATA is a globally recognised qualification issued by the world’s foremost expert on rope access.”
For a detailed picture on the importance of our training from an employee’s perspective, check out our blog post: ‘A day in the life of a Tudor Group Rope Access Supervisor’.
Take no chances
Don’t run the risk of working with the wrong company in what is regrettably a largely unregulated sector. While we take a ‘no compromise’ approach, some competitors still cut corners.
To give a real-world example of our high standards, we recently worked on the cleaning of the headquarters for a huge commercial property management company.
We took a no compromise approach. It might have cost more, but we didn’t pass that cost onto the customer. We made a decision to close a road to make sure that the workers on ladders were absolutely safe. We’ve heard of other companies taking a different approach: working at night when there are fewer cars around.
That method wouldn’t have prevented a collision and the risks would have been higher thanks to poor visibility at night. We took a strict view: close the road and get it done safely.
A commitment to safety – always
The Tudor Group is dedicated to consistently raising health and safety levels. We use our ISO 45001 Safety Management accreditation to help drive our safety-first approach. This certification assists us in identifying the training necessary for our workforce and adds to the exacting standards we uphold as a company.
Legislation comes and goes, but the cornerstones of a successful business – such as safety standards – remain strong. The Tudor Group will always lead the way in safety and wellbeing, guaranteeing you a risk-free facilities management service that does the job right, first time.
If you need an FM company that provides excellent customer care with a safety-first approach, contact Tudor Group today for a bespoke plan that meets your needs.
