Health & Safety for the Building & Construction sectors

Health and Safety in Construction: A Commercial Advantage

Today, principal contractors and commercial clients set clear Health and Safety (H&S) standards before anyone steps onto site.

Balancing these requirements against project deadlines requires managing. Paperwork delays and unclear site processes stall start dates, tie site managers to desks and strain relationships with commercial partners.

Solutions from McCormack Benson Health & Safety

McCormack Benson Health and Safety (MBHS) assigns you a dedicated primary consultant with construction sector experience. Rather than routing your questions through an anonymous call centre like many safety/HR providers, we give you direct contact with an advisor who understands your specific operations based on previous conversations with you and your team.

How our core construction services support your business:

1. Competent Person Service

• The Requirement: UK law and CDM Regulations require construction businesses to have access to competent health and safety advice.
• Our Solution: MBHS acts as your appointed Competent Person, providing access to qualified advisors, support for pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) and dependable guidance when questions arise.

2. Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) Accreditations

• The Requirement: Main contractors and public sector buyers often require SSIP accreditations (e.g. CHAS, SafeContractor, SMAS, Acclaim, etc.) to join approved tender lists.
• Our Solution: We assist with your applications and annual renewals, compiling the required evidence so your business qualifies for commercial tenders.

3. Risk Assessments

• The Requirement: Employers must identify and document workplace hazards before work begins on site.
• Our Solution: We develop your site-specific risk assessments covering your operational activities—from groundworks to working at height—setting out clear, realistic controls.

4. Method Statements

• The Requirement: Hazardous operations require documented Safe Systems of Work detailing how tasks will be delivered safely.
• Our Solution: We develop your task-specific method statements that site supervisors and trades can follow, satisfying principal contractors requirements.

5. Construction Phase Health and Safety Plans

• The Requirement: Under CDM 2015, construction projects require Principal Contractors to develop a tailored Construction Phase Plan before site setup begins.
• Our Solution: We develop your project-specific plans detailing site rules, key risks, and emergency procedures to meet your legal duties.

6. Site-Specific Safety Plans for Subcontractors

• The Requirement: Principal contractors require subcontractors to submit dedicated safety plans showing how their specific package aligns with site rules and interfaces before permitting site access.
• Our Solution: We develop your tailored site safety plans that integrate your scope of work with the main contractor's Construction Phase Plan, allowing your team to get on site and start work.

7. Incident Investigations

• The Requirement: Workplace accidents, injuries, and dangerous occurrences must be investigated and where required, reported under RIDDOR.
• Our Solution: We assist with incident investigations, identify root causes, liaise with authorities where needed and advice on corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Key Challenges Facing Construction SMEs

Builders and trade contractors face daily pressure delivering work on site while managing administrative duties:

• Tender Rejection: Missing SSIP accreditations or incomplete safety documentation can disqualify bids before work is priced.
• Site Delays from Rejected RAMS: Generic paperwork rejected by principal contractors postpones start dates.
• CDM Time Drain: Producing Construction Phase Plans diverts project managers from running jobs.
• Staff Overhead: Needing certified safety expertise on call when you don’t have someone in-house with the relevant qualifications.

Why Partner with MBHS?

• Commercial Focus: Our advice and document development helps you pass client vetting, secure tender spots and win contracts.
• Plain-English Advice: We provide clear, practical site procedures that supervisors and tradesmen use.
• Predictable Cost: Access long-term safety consultants as needed at a reasonable cost.