Statement
Health and Safety
All divisions report to the director responsible for health and safety on a monthly basis to ensure that all matters are properly addressed. Every effort is made to raise the profile and importance of health and safety issues throughout the group.
The Contracting division has received OHSAS 18001:2007. This is an international occupational health and safety management system specification and registration demonstrates that the company has the necessary systems and procedures in place to manage health and safety effectively. The division was also successful in renewing its accreditation under the Contractors' Health and Safety Assessment Scheme and National Britannia SAFEcontractor Scheme.
Awareness is critical in matters relating to health and safety and circulars and bulletins are regularly issued to employees. Appropriate training is also provided to improve knowledge and understanding. For example, over 3,400 safety rules and guidance booklets were distributed to employees and subcontractors, during the year.
The Contracting division issued an updated induction film to present the group's safety culture to individuals who may not have worked with the group before. The film is available in a number of languages as more foreign workers are joining the industry.
It is pleasing to report that Construction has achieved another Gold award this year:
- RoSPA Gold - Pochin Construction Limited
This brings the total to 9 Gold and 1 Silver awards in the last
ten years.
The Property division ensures that the sites and buildings under their control are regularly inspected to ensure that they are in a safe and secure condition and regular reports are submitted to the Health and Safety team. The Residential division also submit regular reports regarding any issues which arise on their sites.
Environmental
The group operates site waste management plans on all construction sites in accordance with the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008. All senior managers within the Contracting division have attended one or more workshops which have been organised with the help of government sponsorship over the last 12 months.
The Carbon Trust carried out a survey of energy usage at head office and the recommendations contained in their report have either been actioned or are planned. Pochin are accredited by Planet Positive.
Good progress has been made throughout the group in improving the accuracy of data collection for the reporting of environmental key performance indicators. In the meantime, awareness has been raised of the relevant issues and the importance of energy saving, recycling and waste reduction in all areas.
The group is becoming increasingly involved in the construction of more energy efficient buildings and the use of sustainable building products, and is currently working on an environmental checklist for the use of design teams at the outset of new projects. All construction sites are registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme and many certificates of compliance have been achieved throughout the year. Pochin are Associate Members of the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
The group operates site waste management plans on all construction sites in accordance with the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008. All senior managers within the Contracting division have attended one or more workshops which have been organised with the help of government sponsorship over the last 12 months.
Awareness is again a critical factor in improving environmental performance and the group has introduced appropriate signage at the entrance to all construction sites so that it is clearly visible alongside the traditional health and safety guidance. Induction films also include specific guidance on environmental matters to all users, including customers and subcontractors.
The Residential division is taking active steps to meet new standards in housing construction in advance of their compulsory implementation.