Competent Person.

By definition, competency is "having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully." but this omits the key skill of a competent person: experience.
⁣
In 𝘉𝘶𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘷 𝘍𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘰 𝘓𝘵𝘥 (1912), carbon monoxide had escaped into a coal mine and poisoned one of⁣
the miners. It emerged that the manager and fireman had no previous experience of carbon monoxide emissions.⁣ The House of Lords held that although the two men were well qualified, they lacked the necessary experience and⁣ therefore, the mine owners were found liable. Lord Shaw of Dunfermline said: “My Lords, it is extremely difficult to understand how, in such a situation men could be supposed to be competent who had no knowledge of the dangerous⁣ properties of the gases in these pits, or of the peril to human life.”⁣ Thus concluding that competence is clearly more than a possession of qualifications, and requires sufficient and relevant experience in the field.⁣

This is where LCDMS stand out from the crowd, with extensive experience we are able to provide a Competent Person on site to fulfil your business’ health and safety needs.

CDM Advisor.

Working under the Construction and Design Management Regulations 2015, the CDM Advisor is an integral part of either the site delivery team or the design team. As part of the design team we work closely with the client ensuring that risks that can be affected by design are identified, effectively assessed and, where practicable, controlled. By appointing Lincoln CDM Services to this role we are there to advise and assist both you, the Client, as well as the Principal Designer to comply with all of your duties under the regulations, in particular to ensure that the health and safety of the project is properly managed and that competent Designers and Contractors are appointed.

 As part of our role we:

• Complete the initial F10 notification of the project on behalf of the client

• Attend design meetings and review the Designer’s health and safety risk information

• Complete on site pre construction survey of the proposed works and produce the pre construction information

• Amend F10 notification where appropriate

• Review the Principal Contractor’s Construction Phase Health and Safety Plan

• Attend the pre commencement meeting and any site meetings as required

• Undertake periodic site inspections throughout the construction phase to assist the Client in complying with their duties

• Compile the Health and Safety File to the agreed format

Additionally we can, if required:

• Carry out Contractor appraisals

• Assist with site set up activities

• Carry out accident investigation

• Attend meetings as your nominated Construction Safety Advisor

Inspections & Audits.

Site inspections and audits are a excellent way to identify risks that sometimes go un-noticed.

Although your site management are aware of the risks on site, we hear from our clients that the hazards on site are perceived differently by different people because they are on site every day.

This is why our clients welcome our site inspections as part of their entire management process. It gives the site team the satisfaction that an external organisation will bring to their attention things that they may have taken for granted or overlooked.

We have devised an audit system which allows you to be weighted, scored and specific for the needs of your site.

You can choose your own parameters and KPI's - in fact you can set the standards you expect, the equipment you accept and who receives which actions.

Once on site we undertake the audit raising any hazards with photo evidence to you immediately so there is no time delay in getting issues resolved.

Risk Assessments.

As an employer you are required by law to protect your employees, and other, from harm. Under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 you must:

• identify what could cause injury or illness in your workplace

• decide how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how serious the risk is

• take action to eliminate the hazard or to control the risk if elimination isn’t possible

Lincoln CDM Services can provide you with a competent person to carry out a risk assessment, in particular to find the following:

• identify hazards

• assess the risks

• control the risks

• record the findings

• review the controls

PUWER Assessments.

Safety in the workplace is paramount and to ensure the safety of your employees using work equipment or machinery, PUWER assessments are essential.

PUWER refers to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 which are intended to ensure safety wherever machinery and work equipment is used in the workplace. PUWER assessments therefore refer to the safety checks that every workplace using work equipment should conduct.

The PUWER requirements state that all equipment that is provided for operation at work must be:

• suitable for its intended use

• safe for operation and maintained so as to be always in a safe condition

• regularly inspected to make sure the machine has been installed correctly and that there is no subsequent deterioration in its condition

• operated only by personnel who are adequately informed, instructed and trained in its proper use

• accompanied by appropriate health and safety features that provide protective controls, through devices such as warning lights/sounds and emergency stops, clearly visible markings and sufficient means to isolate the machine from energy sources

At Lincoln CDM Services, one of our qualified health and safety experts will carry out a full assessment and provide you with a full and detailed report and recommendations for your business.

Accreditation Applications.

Do you need help promoting your business to potential clients by becoming Health and Safety accredited? Becoming accredited enhances your reputation as a contractor and verifies your business’ compliance to current health and safety regulations.

Lincoln CDM Services are able to do this on your behalf, where one of our advisors will collate all the necessary paperwork and make the application for you. It really is that simple!