New Cornwall Council offices ‘exemplary’ in safety performance
Hemel Hempstead, 4 August 2014 - A flagship construction project for Cornwall Council has been selected as a stand out project for its approach to health and safety – by two separate inspections. The new offices at the Beacon Technology Business Park in Bodmin emerged with a glowing report when the construction industry’s independent CCS body (Considerate Constructors’ Scheme) visited this month, scoring nine out of ten, placing it in the ‘exceptional’ category.
CCS Monitor Gareth Smith said: ‘Safety systems on site are robust, utilise technology at the forefront of industry best practice and encourage the project team to adopt attitudes and adapt behaviours that should continuously improve safety performance. The site could be used as an exemplar for the industry in the region.’
The construction scheme, which is being managed by BAM Construction which has offices in Exeter, then received a second visit, from the Safety Officer at Cornwall Council itself.
Tony Lamerton – who invigilates all of the Council’s many construction projects - performed an unannounced spot-check. He too, came away with praise. ‘This is the safest construction site I’ve inspected currently operating in Cornwall. The approach here is very sound, and I’ve since returned with an apprentice because there are valuable lessons to learn not only from strong site inspections, but from others too.’
Mr Lamerton’s meticulous approach is to observe the site from afar before he makes his spot-check, thus gathering evidence before the construction team is aware of his presence.
BAM’s Project Manager, David Hawkins, said: ‘Construction can be a harsh business and has inherent risks. That’s why a responsible company has to operate safely. We want that, our people demand it, and our clients should expect no less. It’s an excellent feeling for us to have been singled out twice for our approach. Ultimately, safety is about respect for others and that tells you a lot about a company and the quality of its work.’
The structure – BAM’s first under the new Cornwall Council framework - involves two separate frames linked by an atrium, and work is currently progressing on programme, with strong environmental performance being specified by the client. It is due to complete in the early summer next year.
Elsewhere in Cornwall, BAM is building up a strong local supply chain as it is also behind the recently completed Wellbeing and Innovation Centre in Treliske, key worker residences for the hospital in Truro, and St Michael’s School in Camborne, as well as being responsible for many projects in Plymouth and Exeter.