Why It Matters for Site Safety
A recent announcement by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has brought the spotlight back on product‑safety and the importance of reliable construction‑product information. The CIOB has pledged its support for the Construction Product Association’s Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) to help ensure that product information is “clear, accurate, accessible, up‑to‑date and unambiguous”.
The code was developed following the independent review into Grenfell Tower fire (2017) building‑safety issues and recognises that procurement and specification mistakes can elevate risk not only in the build‑process but also in ongoing site operations.
Why this matters for you
For companies working in construction and allied trades, this renewed emphasis on product information has several practical implications:
-
Even if you have a good site safety system in place, using poorly specified or mis‑labelled materials undermines risk controls.
-
Supervisors and workers must understand not just how to erect or install materials and products, but why they are appropriate — product verification becomes part of competence.
-
Correct product information and traceability can aid in post‑incident investigation, defence of regulatory compliance and management of future liabilities.
In short, procurement and specification decisions are as much a safety‑issue as a training‑issue.
How All Star Safety Ltd can help
At All Star Safety we offer services tailored to address these challenges:
-
Training: Our modules include relevant content on understanding product documentation, safe installation, and supervision of trades working with specialist materials — helping operatives and supervisors recognise when a product or its information may not meet standards.
-
NVQ assessments: We assess competence through recognised frameworks ensuring that operatives and supervisors are not only trained in installation but also in specification awareness and product‑safety considerations.
-
Safety consultancy: We can assist your business in reviewing your procurement and product‑information practices, advise on verifying product compliance, and embed checks into your site safety management system.
Practical steps you can take now
-
Review your supply‑chain paperwork: Do your product data sheets, certificates and installation instructions meet the CCPI standard of “clear, accurate, accessible, up‑to‑date and unambiguous”?
-
Brief your supervisors and operatives on the importance of product information: incorporate a checklist into your site induction or toolbox talk covering “Is the product information correct and available?”
-
Integrate product‑information checks into your site safety regime: this might include verifying installation instructions before work proceeds, or auditing site stocks and materials documentation.
-
Use your training and NVQ programmes proactively: ensure that the knowledge of product‑safety flows through your workforce’s competence, not just as a one‑off mention.
To discuss how All Star Safety Ltd can support your next training session, NVQ assessment or safety & health consultancy requirement, please call us on 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402.