New British Standards for concrete repair, resulting from Europe wide standardisation, are soon to be introduced. The arrival of mandatory British Standards is very significant, hence this dedicated area of the website.
The most important standards will be the BS EN 1504 series, in particular Part 9, dealing with design issues, and Part 10, dealing with site execution. Both are most directly relevant to design and execution of concrete repair works on site.
One of the benefits of British Standards governing the concrete repair process is the focus in Part 9 on proper design, with an emphasis on whole life costing and client requirements. This leads to appropriate best value solutions over the life of an asset and away from a lowest price culture, as best value is still frequently and erroneously confused with lowest cost.
The CRA was a partner in a two year DTI funded Partners in Innovation project managed by Hywel Davies to provide information about the new British Standards to all potential users in the UK marketplace. Roel van Es is the CRA members’ representative on this project as he has been actively involved in the work of the British Standard committee for a number of years.
HEALTH AND SAFETY STATEMENT
It is the Policy of the Concrete Repair Association (CRA) that all member companies display commitment to high standards of Health and Safety performance in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, the statutory instruments made under it and all fire and environmental legislation.
The CRA declares the following list of aims and objectives:-
- To foster a commitment to the employment of a skilled and competent workforce through regular Health and Safety training including monitoring to ensure that members wherever possible employ CSCS card holders and achieve registration with recognised accreditation bodies e.g. Contractors Health & Safety Scheme (CHAS).
- To promote increased Health and Safety awareness amongst management and the workforce.
- To provide information on the CRA website relating to common concrete repair hazards and the recognised methods of avoidance and control, bringing attention to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and other trade and supplier organisation’s literature, training courses etc.
- To adopt a proactive stance with regard to HSE initiatives and enter into dialogue with the HSE representatives who deal specifically with the issues which most closely affect concrete repairs.
- To ensure members employ only “competent” subcontractors undertaking non-concrete repair works (scaffolding, temporary works etc.) and to vet and approve such sub-contractors.
- To collate accident statistics relating to concrete repair works undertaken by members and monitor any trends in the reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences in order to promote the reduction in accident incident rates throughout the industry.
- To identify more environmentally friendly products and processes available and encourage their use where ever practicable.
- To provide a forum through the (CRA) Health and Safety committee for the discussion of the safety related issues that affect the industry.
