Wessex Archaeology has joined the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), as part of our commitment to a high standard of health and safety. We support their mission of exchanging life-enhancing skills and knowledge to reduce serious accidental injuries and, in doing so, we also gain a wealth of experience, advice and support which ensures that our staff are well-trained and knowledgeable about the risks associated with carrying out their roles.
Archaeology is a diverse, multi-disciplinary industry which requires working in a variety of sectors and environments, including large housing and construction developments, local authority and transport schemes, aggregate and offshore energy sites. Our specialist site teams are often the first people on a proposed construction site or required to work alongside professionals already there, undertaking surveys or invasive fieldwork with opportunity for serious accidents without the proper training.
In an ongoing effort to mitigate these risks and successfully gain ISO 45001 accreditation this year, our Compliance Director, Ian Phillips and Occupational Health & Safety Specialist, Nick Butler, who are both Chartered Safety & Health Practitioners are ensuring that Wessex Archaeology’s standards meet and, where possible, exceed the industry expectation.
“We are very pleased to gain membership to RoSPA,” said Ian Phillips. “We recognise the risks that our employees face day-to-day, both on and off site, and we have a robust training and quality management system in place which aims to effectively mitigate them. Currently, archaeology is excluded from the Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2015 but at Wessex Archaeology, we understand that our staff will be subjected to many of the same risks and therefore it is crucial that we lead the way with trained staff who meet the requirements and competence of CDM 2015. Becoming part of recognised and trusted bodies like RoSPA means that our clients can be confident in our commitment to health and safety in the delivery of our professional services.”