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UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
HCVA and ECA launch competence assessment initiative
The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA), with the involvement of HSE, have developed a set of 12 core criteria to help member contractors meet health and safety competences required at 'pre-qualification stage' and allow clients to establish evidence of contractors' basic health and safety credentials.
The criteria are based on the key requirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and are based upon work done earlier and published in Developing guidelines for the selection of designers and contractors under the construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994, Research Report 422.
Comment:
"I am pleased that we have been able to work with the ECA/HVCA to launch this initiative to their members and clients. I hope that it will prove useful in explaining what should be covered when carrying out a competence assessment. This is a good example of how HSE is working together with industry to deliver good health and safety practice." - HSE spokesman.
"We appreciate the HSE's support for this competency initiative based on the core criteria, which will help both clients and contractors in construction and importantly in other contracted activities. Both the ECA and the HVCA are working to ensure that our members have the know how to meet these standards and we urge clients to recognise compliance with the new criteria." - Health Safety and Environment manager at the ECA.
"Along with all other interests within construction, the mechanical and electrical sectors have established stretching targets in terms of improving our health and safety record. Anything that can help ECA and HVCA in meeting - and ideally exceeding - these targets is therefore both welcome and valuable." - HVCA Head of Technical and Safety.
28.09.06
