Michael holmes
Insurance expert Rob Aston encourages all self-builders to read up on their health and safety responsibilities in order to save themselves from financial penalty
the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recognises construction as one of the most ‘at risk’ sectors for fatal and non-fatal injuries in the UK, yet I fear only a small percentage of self-builders and renovators are aware of their liabilities and responsibilities towards on-site contractors.
Between April 2016 and March 2017, the HSE reported 64,000 non-fatal injuries to construction workers and 30 fatal incidents. nearly a quarter of the non-fatal injuries (24%) were due to slips, trips and falls, 21% due to carrying, lifting or handling, 18% caused by falls from a height and 13% when struck by a moving object.
what are your Responsibilities?
If you employ a contractor, you could be held financially liable if you or your property causes an injury, dependent upon the circumstances surrounding the accident, your involvement in maintaining the property and your input to the project.
You must therefore ensure your contractor is not at risk while working on your property. If you fail to do so and a personal injury occurs, you may end up facing a civil compensation claim, potentially devastating your project and your financial wellbeing.
Before a building project begins, the HSE requires ‘domestic clients’, defined as ‘anyone who has construction work carried out but not connected to a business on their own home or a family member’s home’, to discuss health and safety awareness with contractors and to ensure the environment is safe for them to work in.
This includes asking about your contractors’ health and safety awareness and what access equipment is being used, satisfying yourself that the person or people you’re employing have a proven track record in managing risks and reviewing your contractor’s construction plan, build stages, key deadlines and liability insurances.
It’s equally important to see and have a copy of a universally agreed contract, which all your contractors should sign up to. Typically a Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) contract, it will be your framework for the project as it contains standardised contract terms and documentation, outlining everyone’s responsibilities.
Having scrutinised your contractor’s competency you are equally obliged to share information with them, advising where services and isolation points are and whether there’s any known asbestos on site, discussing any access and working at height issues
(outlining knowledge you may have about the roof’s condition and history if it’s being worked on) and highlighting any additional risks they may be exposed to.
The HSE concedes ‘domestic clients’ do not need construction skills or knowledge; the 2015 Construction
“even the most innocuous activity, such as having a pet, increases your personal liability exposure”
Design & Management (CDM) Regulations pass the clients’ duties to the contractor, or if more than one worker is on site, the person managing them, such as a designer or architect.
how to Create a Safe Site on a practical level however, homeowners are expected to ‘put their house in order’ and ensure the site is considered a ‘reasonable place to work in’. This means removing potential hazards, such as spillages, trailing cables and equipment in doorways, and pointing out loose carpeting or damaged floors and any structural defects, prior to a contractor working within that area.
Even the most innocuous activity, such as overseeing a project or having a pet, increases your personal liability exposure. If, for example, you have some involvement in how the work is to be carried out and so
‘exercise control over the day-to-day operations of a project’ or simply comment that a contractor should have some form of protection while working at height, you might unwittingly be accepting responsibility for the overall safety of the workers on site.
If your dog bites a contractor causing an injury, you’ll equally be considered liable — and it’s unlikely your existing home insurance or renovation/extension policy will support you.
There are increased risks associated with structural and cosmetic projects and these are not adequately covered by typical household insurance, even if you do notify your insurer.
For these reasons, it’s important to source a policy that protects your individual liabilities and so will pay any third-party injury or damage claims, alongside the usual existing structures, all risks/multi-contractor cover.
properties make it ideal for buildings with little or no foundations that may move with the seasons. The drawback is its rigidity can cause it to crack if a building has any instability.
More recently, renders have been developed using polymers such as acrylic and silicone, together with lime or minerals like sand to provide enhanced waterresistance, flexibility and adhesion.
lime render is applied in several coats and can be left natural or finished with limewash or a breathable paint.
Sand and cement render is usually applied in two coats, and sets quickly. For blockwork construction, it is very cost-effective and you can expect to pay between £20-£45/m2. It can be painted using natural breathable paints or modern masonry paints.
Polymer-based renders are usually applied with two base coats sandwiching a render mesh for strengthening and crack resistance, followed by a top coat for colour and texture.
Monocouche render, however, is selfcoloured, breathable and can be laid in a single coat, with a render mesh integrated for reinforcement and crack resistance.
Self-coloured render finishes are lowmaintenance, providing the substrate is stable and does not move, and the render finish is bonded securely. Painted render finishes will require ongoing maintenance.
When selecting a render finish it is important to understand the building’s construction (you do not mention the age of the house) and to choose an appropriate render system that will adhere firmly to the substrate, have the correct degree of flexibility and crack resistance and if necessary, be breathable to prevent damp.
In terms of further benefits, if rendering your home enhances its appearance making it more appealing to buyers, there is scope for it to boost its value. Adding an external insulation system can not only make a building more attractive, but also more energy efficient (this option will up the costs though).
aBen halvorsen saYs:
Timber requires maintenance, especially if it has been stained or is exposed to harsh weather Michael is HB&R’s Head of Content and Product Development. He also chairs NaCSBA (National Custom and Self Build Association).