1. Introduction
This report has been conducted at the request of the Senior Partners/Managing Directors of
……………… to investigate the health and safety standards at the following premises
………………….. which is undergoing a major refurbishment which involves major
remodelling of the internal layout of the veterinary practice.
The area to be refurbished is a three storey former house, with the veterinary practice
occupying the ground floor and flats and an office on the first and second floors with
extensions to the original building on the right hand side and rear of the building.
The building consists of the following rooms and areas which will be refurbished. A
reception area and waiting room for clients and their animals, an office area, a kitchen, a
staff room, three consulting rooms, two separate kennels areas, an operating theatre, a
preparation area beside the operating theatre, an x-ray room, an x-ray processing room, a
lab area and a flat which occupies the first and second floors of the building. There are also
two external car parking areas for clients and members of staff which are separated by a
wooden fence.
The work activities will involve the removal of existing walls and building of new internal wall
structures, the movement of certain electrical systems, the installation of a new fire alarm
and emergency lighting system, installing false ceilings, plastering of walls, creation of new
doorways, the levelling and re-laying of flooring and painting and decorating of the internal
areas.
The refurbishment works will be completed by a team of 7 employees comprising of a team
supervisor, three labourers, a plasterer, an electrician and a carpenter who will complete all
scheduled refurbishment works.
The works are scheduled to last for 45 days with a team of seven involved in the project so it
is not notifiable under the Construct, Design and Management (CDM) regulations 2015.
2. Executive Summary
The inspection of these building and refurbishment works has identified a number of areas
where there have been serious lapses in health and safety standards and in some cases
serious breaches of health and safety legislation.
There are a number of areas which need attention from management to reach the required
standards. I have categorised these areas of concern into the following headings.
1. Electrical Hazards
2. Fire Hazards
3. Site Access and Security Hazards
4. Asbestos
5. Work at Height Hazards
6. Machine Hazards
7. Documentation and Management Issues
The implications from accidents or investigation by external bodies could be very serious
and involve heavy fines or imprisonment. These breaches need urgent attention. There are
also other breaches with various implications which can have a severe impact on the
performance of the company. It is important to remember that the company does not only
have to satisfy legislation requirements to avoid potential improvement or prohibition notices,
This report has been conducted at the request of the Senior Partners/Managing Directors of
……………… to investigate the health and safety standards at the following premises
………………….. which is undergoing a major refurbishment which involves major
remodelling of the internal layout of the veterinary practice.
The area to be refurbished is a three storey former house, with the veterinary practice
occupying the ground floor and flats and an office on the first and second floors with
extensions to the original building on the right hand side and rear of the building.
The building consists of the following rooms and areas which will be refurbished. A
reception area and waiting room for clients and their animals, an office area, a kitchen, a
staff room, three consulting rooms, two separate kennels areas, an operating theatre, a
preparation area beside the operating theatre, an x-ray room, an x-ray processing room, a
lab area and a flat which occupies the first and second floors of the building. There are also
two external car parking areas for clients and members of staff which are separated by a
wooden fence.
The work activities will involve the removal of existing walls and building of new internal wall
structures, the movement of certain electrical systems, the installation of a new fire alarm
and emergency lighting system, installing false ceilings, plastering of walls, creation of new
doorways, the levelling and re-laying of flooring and painting and decorating of the internal
areas.
The refurbishment works will be completed by a team of 7 employees comprising of a team
supervisor, three labourers, a plasterer, an electrician and a carpenter who will complete all
scheduled refurbishment works.
The works are scheduled to last for 45 days with a team of seven involved in the project so it
is not notifiable under the Construct, Design and Management (CDM) regulations 2015.
2. Executive Summary
The inspection of these building and refurbishment works has identified a number of areas
where there have been serious lapses in health and safety standards and in some cases
serious breaches of health and safety legislation.
There are a number of areas which need attention from management to reach the required
standards. I have categorised these areas of concern into the following headings.
1. Electrical Hazards
2. Fire Hazards
3. Site Access and Security Hazards
4. Asbestos
5. Work at Height Hazards
6. Machine Hazards
7. Documentation and Management Issues
The implications from accidents or investigation by external bodies could be very serious
and involve heavy fines or imprisonment. These breaches need urgent attention. There are
also other breaches with various implications which can have a severe impact on the
performance of the company. It is important to remember that the company does not only
have to satisfy legislation requirements to avoid potential improvement or prohibition notices,
