For what appears to be a one word email and 2 contact details? If that's about right then I need to shut up shop and go work for a big 4 firm right away.
Would you use a UK template to assess whether an Irish building meets Irish building regs? Using a template safety statement is as valuable as using a template snag list or a template contract or a template business plan. If the person filling in the template doesn't understand what they are doing, the template does more harm than good.
In know for a fact that in one Big 4 firm, a TR2 VAT registration costs €2500 plus VAT.
I would just be fairly worried about the chances of someone who didn't know of the legal requirement for a safety statement taking a UK or US template and producing something effective.My attitude to this stuff may be slightly different but I would always examine products from larger ( and comparable) markets rather than go with something developed exclusively for Ireland. We are a very small market. This has implications for quality and price. An 'industry standard' product developed in USA or UK is likely to be more comprehensive, better quality and cheaper than something developed specifically for the Irish market. Of course you need to be alert to areas where rules differ - but by and large, this approach has worked well for me.
Mind you, I do remember when we were building our house ( many years ago) that the Irish standard for sizing roofing timbers was different to the UK standard:- if I recall correctly, our spec. for battens is slightly more robust than theirs ( because we get stormier weather), which came as a surprise to my builder. The front of our roof has UK spec. battens and the back of our roof has Irish spec. Neither has given trouble.
Incidentally, I have helped a number of small builder clients in developing safety statements. My experience is that the HSA inspectors like to see a bulky document - even though it should be obvious that no self employed brickie is going to read, much less be willing to retain any familiarity with, a 20-30 page document ( I am not being patronising - this is just a reality). I have always tried to develop a safety statement that stands a good chance of actually being used, which does mean trying to stick to a short, very plain-english format. When clients have been inspected I have always got (via client) slightly snotty feedback to the effect that 'it's very lean - but it will do'. Unfortunately, it is also my experience is that builders who employ external safety consultant to come in periodically and maintain (or as I call it 'dicky up') their safety documentation are told that they are 'doing it the right way' - something with which I fundamentally disagree.
Would you use a UK template to assess whether an Irish building meets Irish building regs?
Would you use a UK template to assess whether an Irish building meets Irish building regs? Using a template safety statement is as valuable as using a template snag list or a template contract or a template business plan. If the person filling in the template doesn't understand what they are doing, the template does more harm than good.
My attitude to this stuff may be slightly different but I would always examine products from larger ( and comparable) markets rather than go with something developed exclusively for Ireland. We are a very small market. This has implications for quality and price. An 'industry standard' product developed in USA or UK is likely to be more comprehensive, better quality and cheaper than something developed specifically for the Irish market. Of course you need to be alert to areas where rules differ - but by and large, this approach has worked well for me.
Mind you, I do remember when we were building our house ( many years ago) that the Irish standard for sizing roofing timbers was different to the UK standard:- if I recall correctly, our spec. for battens is slightly more robust than theirs ( because we get stormier weather), which came as a surprise to my builder. The front of our roof has UK spec. battens and the back of our roof has Irish spec. Neither has given trouble.
Incidentally, I have helped a number of small builder clients in developing safety statements. My experience is that the HSA inspectors like to see a bulky document - even though it should be obvious that no self employed brickie is going to read, much less be willing to retain any familiarity with, a 20-30 page document ( I am not being patronising - this is just a reality). I have always tried to develop a safety statement that stands a good chance of actually being used, which does mean trying to stick to a short, very plain-english format. When clients have been inspected I have always got (via client) slightly snotty feedback to the effect that 'it's very lean - but it will do'. Unfortunately, it is also my experience is that builders who employ external safety consultant to come in periodically and maintain (or as I call it 'dicky up') their safety documentation are told that they are 'doing it the right way' - something with which I fundamentally disagree.
The employer needs to ensure that the staff/contractors on-site understand his safety policy & procedures. If reading the safety statement is not an option (and I agree that it would not be an option in many cases for a range of reasons - literacy, language etc), then he needs to find other ways to communicate on this. He cannot cop-out on this just because it is not easy.Far more so than thinking personnel are going to read any preliminary safety statement that runs to more than say two pages.
This post will be deleted if not edited immediately, I should have been an accountant!!