Safe Site Handover Certificate

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Introduction

Safety during steelwork erection is a key focus of BCSA and its member companies; issues such as safety when working at height, personal protective equipment and preventing falls are, quite rightly, afforded high priority. Equally, the provision of proper site conditions, access and hardstandings is of fundamental importance to the efficient and safe erection of constructional steelwork; yet often, in practice, this does not receive the same priority and attention.

Objectives

This "Safe Site Handover Certificate" (SSHC) has been developed:

• to facilitate the safe erection of steelwork, with the risks arising from poor site conditions removed, avoided or reduced,
• to provide a mutual basis for improved productivity, efficient working and reduced delay and, hence, reduced overall total cost,
• to establish criteria for safe site conditions as an inherent part of the steelwork tender offer, and as a mutually agreed basis for the commencement of delivery to site and of steelwork erection,
• to provide consistency of approach to safe site conditions, and
• to assist Clients, Principal Contractors and Steelwork Contractors alike to meet their respective responsibilities under health and safety regulations such as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.

Operation

The SSHC provides a checklist approach to key areas of safety related to site conditions, and is to be used as the basis of discussion between the Principal Contractor and the Steelwork Contractor. Commencement of site deliveries and/or steelwork erection will be contingent upon the provision of a safe site environment and this can be facilitated by the completion of this certificate, typically seven days prior to the agreed date(s). This period will allow the Steelwork Contractor to ascertain that adequate conditions appear to have been provided and to return a copy of the SSHC to the Principal Contractor signifying that the steelwork delivery and/or erection can commence on the agreed date(s).

It is assumed that the site conditions will be maintained at a proper level, and the SSHC checklist provides the means for monitoring conditions throughout the programme of steel erection. Similarly, where the contract involves phasing, the SSHC can be used as a means of monitoring conditions for each phase.

Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Reaction

The development of the SSHC has been communicated to HSE, and HSE has responded: "We support BCSA in its development of guidance on health and safety issues, and welcome this initiative to establish common criteria for the provision of site conditions that are suitable and adequate for the erection of steelwork".

Safe Site Handover Certificate