Understanding Terminology - Part 2

“Absolute” “Practicable” and “Reasonably Practicable”

When applying health and safety legislation to your organisation.

Practicable  

 Practicable:

“It shall be the duty of an employer to… so far as is practicable”

The term “Practicable” means that full compliance is required wherever it is technically feasible. Cost, inconvenience, or effort cannot be considered if the measure can be undertaken using current knowledge and technology.

It’s worth noting that “technically feasible” includes the latest technological advances and industry standards based on locations. If you are based in the United Kingdom, technically feasible means that it must be readily available and accepted standard un the United Kingdom.

A good example would be The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) which states that:

“All practicable measures must be taken to prevent any danger to individuals, including providing supports or battering, to ensure no excavation collapses.”

Excavations are one of the highest risk activates in the construction industry being both a confined space and working at height so if there is a risk to a person and prevention of an excavation collapse is feasible, it must be implemented, regardless of cost or inconvenience.

“Management of risk of an excavation collapse under the CDM regulations starts with the development of Pre- Construction information at the design stage and includes areas such as the historic use of the land, ground conditions, obstructions below ground and previous contamination.”

The preconstruction information provides contractors tendering the work with all the necessary information to ensure that the controls required to prevent collapse are suitable costed for and in place prior to works commencing.

“Employers must address issues if technically possible, regardless of difficulty or expense. If it’s technically possible, it must be done.”

Summary

• Practicable Definition: Full compliance is required if technically feasible, regardless of cost or inconvenience.

• Technically Feasible: Includes latest technological advances and industry standards based on location, meaning readily available and accepted in the United Kingdom.

• Excavation Safety Example: All practicable measures must be taken to prevent excavation collapses, regardless of cost or inconvenience, as excavations are high-risk activities.

At Yorkshire Health and Safety, we build strong relationships with clients based on communication, collaboration, commitment, trust and aligning with your key safety performance goals.

With over 30 years’ experience delivering successful projects for clients and working with clients’ principal contractors, we know the challenges that come with delivering successful projects, be it commercial, industrial, construction manufacturing, housebuilding, refurbishment, shopfitting and office interiors.

If you require further assistance with any of the topics raised in this post or assistance with current or future projects, please get in touch.

Yorkshire Health and Safety