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Written by James Gooder - Business Unit Manager for Fall Protection in SFS Group Fastening Technology Ltd.
Designing, installing, and utilising personal fall protection systems already demands competency, the designation of responsible individuals, and ongoing maintenance. While the construction industry demonstrates efforts to address competence, it is important not to assume that existing skills, knowledge an experience are sufficient and suitable.
Being trained once does not mean being trained for life. Competence should be subject to ongoing review.
SFS manufacturers and supplies fall protection products and systems, and contributes to the development of fall protection standards. Viewing this work alongside the wider work of the Competence Steering Group (CSG), the time is right to introduce our new fall protection training service: The SFS Installer Network.
The CSG was set up following 2018's Hackitt review, Building a Safer Future. This industry response to the Grenfell Tower fire was primarily informed by the need to tackle fire safety in higher risk buildings.
In 2020, the CSG published its final report, Setting the Bar, which made clear intention of the work was to effect change industry-wide. The Group "considered how to develop skills and competences pertaining to all aspects of like safely related to completed buildings (and potentially across all buildings) in order to raise the bar and drive much needed and far-reaching culture change."
Setting the Bar outlined recommendations from its twelve working groups - one of which (WG12) was Construction Products Competence. The working groups developed competency frameworks specifically for their industry areas.
In November 2022, WG12 published a whitepaper setting out a proposed competence standard for construction products. It used the agreed definition of a competent person, being one with the relevant skills, knowledge and experience, combined with appropriate behaviours (known as SKEB).
As with all the competency frameworks, WG12's standards is reliant on trade bodies to develop and lead sector-specific application. To that end, an 'association of associations' was created in the form of the Joint Competence Initiative (JCI) to "develop and maintain a benchmark standard for the Building Envelope Sector". The JCI published its own whitepaper in May 2023.
The intended audience for the whitepaper includes those involved with roof safety. Fall protection systems are not specifically covered by the JCI, as they are currently covered by personal safety equipment/personal protective equipment (PPE) regulation.
However, the summary we have just provided, which represents just a fraction of the work taking place across construction, demonstrates that competence is, and will remain, a significant focus for everyone.
To support installers of fall protection systems, SFS has established the Installer Network. The aim of the network is to keep members up to date with standards and legislation, and provide training (including access to the SFS Training Academy) and site service support, among other benefits.
Although the network is the brainchild of SFS, it will give an impartial and all-round view of fall protection to ensure training is of the most value. As well as training let by SFS, Installer Network members will also hear from third-parties and thought leaders from across the fall protection sector.
The timing of the Installer Network's launch is particularly appropriate given the development of BS 8681:2023. The new standard - which SFS has contributed to the development of - addresses training and competence for the manufacture, system design, installation and inspection of personal fall protection and access systems.
The standard will be used as part of determining and auditing the competence and professionalism of anyone operating in the fall protection sector. The training aspect of the SFS Installer Network has been designed to feed into the application of this standard once it comes into effect.
For the construction industry to deliver meaningful, impactful and long-term culture change, investing in progression and development is essential. The fall protection sector is no exception and the imminent publication of BS 8681 is highlighting an area that needs to be addressed.
SFS's Installer Network is part of building the solution to filling that security gap. To find out more about, and to express your interest in, becoming a member, visit the Installer Network today.
Why the time is right for SFS to introduce the Installer Network for Fall Protection
Designing, installing, and utilising personal fall protection systems already demands competency, the designation of responsible individuals, and ongoing maintenance. While the construction industry demonstrates efforts to address competence, it is important not to assume that existing skills, knowledge an experience are sufficient and suitable.
Being trained once does not mean being trained for life. Competence should be subject to ongoing review.
SFS manufacturers and supplies fall protection products and systems, and contributes to the development of fall protection standards. Viewing this work alongside the wider work of the Competence Steering Group (CSG), the time is right to introduce our new fall protection training service: The SFS Installer Network.
Key takeaways
- Competence is a subject being tackled by all sectors of construction, with the intention of affecting industry-wide change.
- SFS has contributed to the development of a new standard aiming to improve competence in fall protection.
- Aligned with implementation of BS 8681:2023, SFS has also launched the Installer Network for fall protection.
How is competence being addressed in the construction industry?
The CSG was set up following 2018's Hackitt review, Building a Safer Future. This industry response to the Grenfell Tower fire was primarily informed by the need to tackle fire safety in higher risk buildings.
In 2020, the CSG published its final report, Setting the Bar, which made clear intention of the work was to effect change industry-wide. The Group "considered how to develop skills and competences pertaining to all aspects of like safely related to completed buildings (and potentially across all buildings) in order to raise the bar and drive much needed and far-reaching culture change."
Setting the Bar outlined recommendations from its twelve working groups - one of which (WG12) was Construction Products Competence. The working groups developed competency frameworks specifically for their industry areas.
In November 2022, WG12 published a whitepaper setting out a proposed competence standard for construction products. It used the agreed definition of a competent person, being one with the relevant skills, knowledge and experience, combined with appropriate behaviours (known as SKEB).
As with all the competency frameworks, WG12's standards is reliant on trade bodies to develop and lead sector-specific application. To that end, an 'association of associations' was created in the form of the Joint Competence Initiative (JCI) to "develop and maintain a benchmark standard for the Building Envelope Sector". The JCI published its own whitepaper in May 2023.
The intended audience for the whitepaper includes those involved with roof safety. Fall protection systems are not specifically covered by the JCI, as they are currently covered by personal safety equipment/personal protective equipment (PPE) regulation.
However, the summary we have just provided, which represents just a fraction of the work taking place across construction, demonstrates that competence is, and will remain, a significant focus for everyone.
What is SFS's Installer Network for fall protection?
To support installers of fall protection systems, SFS has established the Installer Network. The aim of the network is to keep members up to date with standards and legislation, and provide training (including access to the SFS Training Academy) and site service support, among other benefits.
Although the network is the brainchild of SFS, it will give an impartial and all-round view of fall protection to ensure training is of the most value. As well as training let by SFS, Installer Network members will also hear from third-parties and thought leaders from across the fall protection sector.
The timing of the Installer Network's launch is particularly appropriate given the development of BS 8681:2023. The new standard - which SFS has contributed to the development of - addresses training and competence for the manufacture, system design, installation and inspection of personal fall protection and access systems.
The standard will be used as part of determining and auditing the competence and professionalism of anyone operating in the fall protection sector. The training aspect of the SFS Installer Network has been designed to feed into the application of this standard once it comes into effect.
Summary
For the construction industry to deliver meaningful, impactful and long-term culture change, investing in progression and development is essential. The fall protection sector is no exception and the imminent publication of BS 8681 is highlighting an area that needs to be addressed.
SFS's Installer Network is part of building the solution to filling that security gap. To find out more about, and to express your interest in, becoming a member, visit the Installer Network today.
