Fifty-one outstanding house-building site managers have been commended in the first round of the NHBC Health and Safety Awards 2014.
The Awards showcase house-building health and safety best practice from across the UK, as the industry continues its economic recovery. The Commended Winners have shown excellence in the face of growing pressures, and are now shortlisted for a regional and national title.
Tom Kitchen, NHBC Health and Safety Operations Manager, said:
"Gaining a Commendation is a big deal. The NHBC Health and Safety Awards recognise high-performing site managers for their diligence and innovation in health and safety, minimising and eliminating risks to staff and the public. Our experience is that site managers that run a tighter ship also build homes of better quality.
"The house-building industry is recovering steadily, albeit from a low base during the recession. This welcome increase in work brings unwelcome pressures, with more plots to oversee and more operatives on site, who can be less skilled and less experienced, meaning more chance for error. It is essential that site managers and companies stay on top of health and safety."
The Commended Winners underwent a rigorous judging process, with site inspections conducted by NHBC¿s health and safety experts. They are shortlisted for the regional and national titles in their category, which will be revealed at the grand final at the ICC in Birmingham on 4 July 2014, hosted by Sir Clive Woodward.
All commended entries will now be vetted again by a panel of independent health and safety professionals, including Gordon Crick, HM Inspector of Health and Safety -Construction Division from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), alongside Kevin Fear, Head of Health, Safety and Environment at Construction Skills, and Michelle Aldous, Chief Executive of Constructing Better Health.