Did you know that today is World Day of Safety and Health at Work? It happens every year on April 28th, and it’s a great opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of fostering a safe and healthy work environment.
Follow Suhed Miah, Tamdown’s HSQE Manager, through a typical day as he ensures that safety standards are maintained, that risks are mitigated and that compliance is upheld on our construction sites.
Morning Routine: Planning the day ahead
Annoyingly, I usually wake up before my alarm goes off but I desperately try to go back to sleep. This doesn’t happen, but my morning doesn’t start until I have my first cup of coffee. As a Muslim, my morning routine always starts with the morning prayer (fajr salah). It almost feels like a little bit of meditation before the day begins.
I have a quick check of my emails to help plan the day and mentally prioritise the responses and actions. I usually have my site visits planned for the day in advance, trying to ensure all allocated sites are visited twice in the month.
Site Visit 1: Wakeley Meadows – Rainham, Kent
My first visit of the day was to a new project where the Site Manager had requested my attendance to support with the site set up and documentation. The site manager was also going on annual leave, therefore a handover to the Assistant Site Manager was held. I attended the morning briefing given to all site personnel and participated in its delivery to set the scene and get to know the team.
This was followed by a walk around the site identifying hazards and actions required to maintain safe systems. With new sites, our focus is usually on ‘public protection’ which includes maintaining segregation as well as reviewing the vehicular access and egress to the site. A discussion was had in relation to buried services which may be present on site and I referenced the client Pre-Construction Information Pack which is within our Construction Phase Plan.
After I spent time with the Site Manager, to collate and establish the Temporary Works File and Excavator Lift Plan which form an essential part of our safe systems of work. Discussion was had in relation to creating a site traffic management plan which includes the compound area, fire muster point, first aid station etc.
Introductions were made with the client Site Manager who arrived on site. A brief discussion was had on their expectations and plan for the coming week where it was advised that a hoarding contractor would be coming on to site. As Tamdown are undertaking the role of Principal Contractor, a request for their RAMS was made as this allows us to ensure they have an adequate safe system of work in place.
Site Visit 2: Farleigh Hill, Tovil, Maidstone
My second visit of the day was requested by the Contracts Manager. This was to assess the upcoming drainage works for the site. The visit was to enable the site specific method statement and risk assessment to be drafted and submitted to the local highways as the works will require road closures to be implemented.
On arrival to the site, the Site Manager introduced me to the client Site Manager. This was followed with a meeting in relation to queries he had regarding our RAMS and some additional information he had requested. All points were discussed and actions agreed before heading over to the off-site drainage works.
A discussion was had with the Site Manager to understand the specifics of the drainage works and review the surrounding area in relation to neighbouring properties as well as access and egress for plant and equipment. Alternative methods of construction were also discussed and the need to allow for a mobile crane to lift and place the head wall which will discharge into the existing open culvert. Additional details in relation to the plant and equipment to be used were obtained from the Site Manager and Contracts Manager prior to leaving site.
Afternoon Routine: Site Manager meetings
Afternoons are usually spent undertaking administrative duties unless an incident has occurred, or a request has come in to assist on another site.
Actioning the client Site Manager’s queries was a priority for me, as this helps build relationships and trust as well as demonstrate our values.
Reflections on his important role
A large part of my role is based on the relationships I have created over the past 15 years. It is not easy telling experienced people to do something different or that they are doing something wrong. Over the years we have persisted with the implementation of policies and procedures and continually measure and monitor these to ensure they are effective and adhering to legislation and approved codes of practice.
I believe in making our site teams think about the work being undertaken, as find I very rarely have to give them a solution. Often just asking them about what they are doing makes them realise what they should be doing and they themselves are able to amend the situation.
We have built a strong health and safety culture at Tamdown. This has been made possible from the senior leadership team who take an interest in ensuring our people are kept safe and uphold the company’s reputation.
Our certification to ISO Standards demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the high standards we have set as well as continually monitoring developing procedures to ensure we are leading the way when it comes to health and safety.
