Health and Safety - Corporate Initiatives
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"Above and Beyond"
Launched in January 2005, CALA's 'Above and Beyond' initiative focuses on the development of new health and safety initiatives for on-site workers that are 'above and beyond' current legislation, particularly those which address proven accident 'black spots'. In addition, the company takes a holistic view of health and safety and similar imaginative and innovative health and safety initiatives have been introduced to foster well-being amongst office-based staff and an ongoing safety information presentation for primary school children continues to receive excellent feedback from teachers and school children across the country.
Above and Beyond has already resulted in, or contributed to, a number of measurable achievements:
- Significantly increased scoring by independent safety management experts
- Reduced staff and subcontractor turnover (as referred to above)
- Improved recruitment
- More efficient construction practices
- Reduced construction time lost due to sickness and accidents
- Enhanced morale and customer service standards
New Above and Beyond innovations introduced over the last three years include:
Reduced Work at Heights
CALA has reduced work at height by building roofs on the ground and introducing floor cassettes. The efficacy of this has been shown by increased productivity on site.
Hygiene
A protection system for site workers includes barrier cream, two hand wash creams, replenishing cream and sun block. Legislation stipulates soap and water only. Prior to introduction, one bricklayer was diagnosed with contact dermatitis and several others were at the early stages. Since introduction, there have been no recorded cases.
New Hard Hats
CALA is one of the first companies in the housebuilding industry to adopt a new range of hard hats which are lighter and feature air vents. Since introduction, the company has received positive feedback regarding suitability, compatibility and comfort.
Waste Management
CALA has also been very focused on waste management and the reduction of active waste going off site as well as increasing the percentage of materials which are recycled.
Complementary Health and Safety Initiatives
Building Sites Bite!
CALA Homes developed 'Building Sites Bite!' in response to industry concern about the large number of children involved in accidents on construction sites across the UK. CALA took a very serious approach and, critically, this interactive safety information presentation given to primary school children who live near to sites being developed by CALA, was developed with the input of teachers, parents, carers and 220 children across Glasgow and Edinburgh, all of whom took part in a pilot study. It is also led by the health and safety team not marketing personnel.
Building Sites Bite! centres on the 'cool' Building Sites Bite! gang who venture onto a building site to play with dire consequences. During the presentation, the children are involved in talking about the storyboards and, at the end, they are encouraged to try on the safety equipment needed by trained operatives on site to reinforce the fact that construction sites are dangerous places even for the trained.