Plastering

Plastering and other trades now require strict adherence to Health and Safety regulations to ensure the safety of workers and those around them. Plasterers should comprehensively understand these regulations, follow specific guidelines to mitigate risks, and establish protocols for responding to emergencies. To do this, plasterers must maintain several essential documents, including Risk Assessments, Method Statements, COSHH Assessments, and site-specific safety plans.

Method Statements for plastering refer to instructions that outline the steps and procedures for applying plaster to a surface. These statements typically include information on preparing the surface to be plastered, the materials used, the application process itself, and any necessary safety precautions. Properly written method statements help ensure that plastering work is carried out safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

Risk Assessments are an essential tool for identifying potential hazards in the workplace. They help plasterers evaluate risks to their safety and the safety of others and develop strategies to mitigate them. Method Statements, on the other hand, outline the steps that plasterers will take to complete a job safely and effectively. These documents help ensure that plasterers follow best practices and take all necessary precautions.

COSHH Assessments are another critical document that plasterers should maintain. These documents describe the precautions that plasterers should take when handling hazardous substances, such as chemicals or asbestos. By following COSHH guidelines, plasterers can protect themselves and others from exposure to harmful substances.

Finally, site-specific safety plans outline the specific safety protocols that should be followed on a job site. These documents help to ensure that plasterers know potential hazards and how to respond in an emergency.

Plasterers play a vital role in maintaining these crucial documents, ensuring their work complies with Health and Safety regulations. By doing so, they protect themselves and take all necessary precautions to safeguard others while working, thereby making the workplace safer for all. This underscores the importance of their role in maintaining a safe working environment.

The question arises: Which of these documents are essential for you in your plastering profession?

If you, as a company, only employ skilled and trained tradespeople, why do HSEDocs feel that you have to train them again?

It is paramount to provide staff training to ensure employees have access to important advice and information about their working environments. One area that requires particular attention is health and safety (H&S) training, which helps employees understand the dos and Don’ts of their jobs and the reasons behind these rules. By providing comprehensive H&S training courses, employers can ensure that their employees are aware of potential hazards and risks in the workplace and know how to avoid them. This can help create a safer, more productive working environment, which benefits both employees and the company.

The most recent report from the HSE regarding British construction reveals some significant health and safety issues: 69,000 workers suffering from work-related ill health, 45 fatal injuries, and 53,000 non-fatal injuries during the 2022/23 period.

Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 54% of all ill workers; 16,000 workers experienced work-related mental health problems, and 4,000 workers suffered from lung-related issues. The economic impact of these illnesses is staggering, with an approximate cost of £1.3 billion per annum and an annual loss of 2.6 million working days. These findings highlight the need for improved H&S training within the construction industry.

Investing in relevant staff training is a proven way to reduce accidents in the construction industry. With the introduction of HSE-approved online training, costs have significantly decreased often by 80% or more, compared to classroom environments.

• Asbestos Awareness 
• Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls
• Working at Heights
• Manual Handling
• First Aid at Work