New website is a cost-cutting tool for building sector

An online tool has been launched which allows construction businesses carry out risk assessments and carry out their own safety statements. The website BeSMART.ie was launched by the Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash, and can mean immediate savings of €1,500 for small companies.

The website is aimed at reducting accidents and achieving cost-savings of up to €18 million across the sector. It was designed by the Health and Safety Authority.

Minister Nash said: “This resource is now available to those working in construction, giving them access to the benefits already enjoyed by over 25,000 small businesses in the retail, hospitality, service and manufacturing sectors.

“It is estimated that the cost of a safety statement for construction contractors can be up to €1,500 for each activity, leading to a potential administrative saving of up to €18m alone for those 12,000 contractors with 1 to 5 employees.

“This is a welcome development, particularly as there were eight fatal accidents in construction last year and tragically two deaths so far this year.

“Previously this tool only covered the so called ‘lower-risk sectors’. Now it is available for the construction sector where high levels of safety are a necessity, especially in relation to work at height and the operation of machinery.

“This tool is also very timely, as the number of people working in construction has increased dramatically, with more than 19,000 more people working than this time last year. But, we must ensure these workers return to their families safe and sound at the end of the day.

“Through the BeSMART.ie tool we are providing ways for new and existing businesses to reduce costs while encouraging them to take ownership of safety and health so that it becomes part of their culture and the way they do business,” said Minister Nash.

Of the eight construction fatalities that occurred in 2014, two were self-employed and two involved employees of small businesses.

Sharon McGuinness, Assistant Chief Executive of the HSA said: “Through our inspections, we have found that compliance with safety regulations is significantly lower amongst smaller employers compared to their larger counterparts.

“There may be a concern in the sector at the cost or the time it takes to carry out risk assessments and prepare a safety statement properly.

“Contractors are required to carry out a risk assessment for each different work activity. The nature of the construction industry means that a contractor will regularly move from site to site and consequently have to update their existing safety statement.

“Users can do this online and at no cost, as often as they want. Also by ensuring that appropriate safety and health measures are in place contractors can protect their employees and their business.

“We will continue to develop and grow BeSMART.ie across the full range of mobile and hand held devices, making it even easier for users to access and use the application in any environment. We are also planning to extend BeSMART.ie to cover the Agri-business sector later this year.”