SSIP SLASHES £ 50M IN RED-TAPE
New figures compiled by the Safety Schemes in Procurement Forum ( SSIP ) highlight over £ 50million in savings made by clients last year by “ cutting down on form filling ”.
The latest figures show the total savings , linked to cross-recognition between health and safety supply chain assessments . Cross recognition reduces the need for clients to re-check suppliers ’ details or to specify a particular assessment scheme , and for contractors to fill in numerous health and safety questionnaires .
Eleanor Eaton , chair of SSIP said :
“ We have known for some time that SSIP saves the supply chain tens of millions of pounds annually . Our metrics have enabled us to home in on the extent of these savings , and we expect them to increase annually .”
Paul Reeve , deputy chairman of SSIP and ECA ’ s director of Business said :
“ These figures show SSIP is making a real contribution to reducing excessive health and safety pre-qualification .
“ It ’ s a huge burden on the supply chain , and we look forward to further action by SSIP scheme members to reduce unnecessary costs to buyers and suppliers .” Eleanor Eaton added : “ Crucially , less time wasted on unnecessary health and safety assessments also means more time for buyers and suppliers to address project-related risks , which should help to improve health and safety outcomes .”
BUTLER KILLED IN LIFT INCIDENT AT HISTORIC STATELY HOME
The operators of one of Britain ’ s most iconic stately homes have been sentenced after a domestic servant was crushed to death by a lift .
Arthur Mellar
Arthur Mellar , 48 , a butler at Burghley House in Stamford , was killed on 12th July 2014 when a luggage lift descended on him while he was trying to free an item that had become stuck . Mr Mellar , who had once served the Queen Mother during a distinguished 30- year career as a butler , was airlifted to hospital after the accident but died four hours later .
Peterborough Crown Court heard that a luggage lift was being used to lift guests ’ bags from the ground to second floor in the private area of Burghley House , which has featured in film adaptations such as The Da Vinci Code and Pride and Prejudice .
One of the bags became jammed and the lift stopped . At some point , the butler attempted to free the bag but the lift descended , trapping him between the lift cage and the bannister of the stairwell housing the lift .
Examination of the lift showed that it had not been fitted with a slack rope detector . The Health and Safety Executive ( HSE ) prosecuting told the court that an assessment would have shown that the lift should have been thoroughly examined and tested . A competent lift engineer should have identified defects , including the lack of a slack rope detector .
Burghley House Preservation Trust Limited , whose registered office is 61 St Martins , Stamford , Lincolnshire , pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2 ( 1 ) of the Health and Safety at Work etc . Act 1974 and were fined £ 266,000 and ordered to pay costs of £ 16,863 .
Burghley House . Credit - Anthony Masi
Speaking after the sentencing , HSE inspector Alison Ashworth said :
“ Arthur Mellar was killed when a luggage lift descended on him while he was trying to free an item of luggage . This was a completely avoidable incident , and Burghley House admitted its role in it , but of course that will be little comfort for Mr Mellar ’ s family .
“ I would urge any business using lifts , particularly older lifts such as the one in this case , to ensure correct measures are taken in relation their maintenance , and that competent lift engineers are employed when necessary to identify defects .”
Advice on the thorough examination and testing of lifts can be found at : www . hse . gov . uk / pubns / indg339 . pdf
HSE INTERNATIONAL 7