Residential Blocks - Accidents Happen

Communal areas of residential blocks are comparatively low risk, however accidents will happen. There will undoubtedly be a collective yawn and audible sigh from Landlords, Block Managers and RMC Directors everywhere. Just the thought of Health & Safety will be enough to make the eyes glaze over with the perceived complex and frankly soporific bureaucracy of legislation and regulation.

Health & Safety can have this effect however it is apparent and unfortunate that nothing focuses the mind more on Health & Safety than an accident. We see it all the time in the media and most seasoned block managers will have experienced the frantic flurry of activity that follows. This is usually a reactive response to implement damage control measures. ‘Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted' springs to mind. It is also apparent that once all the fuss has died down and the status quo is quickly established; health & safety returns to the ‘back burner' - until the next accident. Anyone would think that we would learn from these experiences and some do, however it is evident that many do not. Those that do learn can be forgiven for being more concerned about ending up in court than focussing on the real reason for managing Health & Safety in their blocks which is of course to reduce the number of people killed, injured or made ill. In fact it really does not matter what motivates the manager as long as it leads to good practice which will have an impact on reducing the potential for accidents to happen. Despite the perceptions, it really is very simple for block managers, landlords and RMC directors to reduce the potential for accidents in their blocks and reduce their personal liability. A General Risk Assessment should be carried out to identify general hazards that could lead to an accident. The assessment will also highlight gaps in management procedures that could lead to hazards occurring. It is good practice for the managers to incorporate hazard checking when carrying out their own property inspections. Remember action must be taken on any recommendations from these reports. Finally, contractors that may be employed to work on the blocks need to be managed, monitored and their Health & Safety competency assessed. Contractors are more likely to have an accident, especially if they do not have Health & Safety procedures relevant to their activity. Their work may endanger other users of the communal area where they may be working.