Managing Health & Safety Risks (No. 11): Occupational health

Sean Brady stresses the importance of managing 'human factors' to reduce human error within bridge projects, citing international examples from which lessons can be learned.

Whilst, for most projects, contractors and temporary works designers are the lead players, permanent works designers will always play at least two important roles: a technical one (the design of the permanent works determines what temporary works are needed and what the primary loads will be) and a managerial one (ensuring that appropriate contractual provision and arrangements are in place). John Carpenter outlines the important (and often unsung) role that temporary works play in a construction project.

Three reoccurring themes (communication issues, quality assurance and lack of appreciation for the importance of stability) continue to emerge from reports to CROSS detailing incidents on site. Alastair Soane provides examples.