Press Releases

Health & Safety is a Top Priority for Government

Safety in the Construction industry has been made a top priority by Government with the publishing of new guidance on health and safety, Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Chief Executive, Peter Gershon, announced today.

The new publication, Achieving Excellence Through Health and Safety, is directed at Senior Government Departmental Managers and Procurement Professionals and was produced by the OGC in consultation with various organisations and individuals, including the Health and Safety Executive.

As part of the guidance, the OGC has introduced a new formula for measuring the safety record of Contractors bidding for Government Construction contracts. Government departments will use this formula during the bidding process to ensure that only Contractors who can prove they operate the most stringent health and safety policies for their workers will be considered as government suppliers.

Commenting on the new guidance, Peter Gershon said:

"This new guidance is designed to ensure that Government clients of the Construction Industry can fully support the commitment made by the Deputy Prime Minister at the Health & Safety in Construction summit earlier this year that Government will show clear leadership as a procurer on Health and Safety issues"

Deryk Eke, Construction Director in OGC's Property and Construction Directorate, also welcomed the publication saying:

"The client has a key role to play in ensuring construction sites are the safest possible environments for anyone visiting or working. The guidance provides practical advice on what clients must focus on during the whole project lifecycle that will have a direct, positive impact on the health, safety and welfare of those involved in the design, construction and operation of the facility".

The publication offers advice and guidance on policy and procedure at various stages in the life of a project, from initial specification, through to the appointment of a supplier and post-project review.

The guidance was referred to at this week's Health and Safety Executive Conference by Trade and Industry Minister Brian Wilsonand by Nic Raynsford, the Minister for Health and Safety.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Achieving Excellence Through Health and Safety is available electronically via the OGC Website, a hard copy edition will also be available from the OGC Service Desk on 0845 000 4 999.

Enquiries regarding this guidance should be directed to deryk.eke@ogc.gsi.gov.uk

Press Enquiries regarding the publication should be directed to Martin Day at the OGC Press Office on 020 7211 1318 or martin.day@ogc.gsi.gov.uk

OGC was set up in April 2000 to act as a catalyst for improving departments' commercial activities in the field of procurement. Following an Alignment Review, which took effect on 02 April 2001, the OGC formally absorbed the work of the former PACE (Property Advisers to the Civil Estate) and CCTA (Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency), excluding its Managed Services Division, which has now merged with the former TBA. The former TBA (The Buying Agency) became an OGC Trading Fund in its own right - OGCbuying.solutions.