Kitchen Installation Safety
The safety of a project can easily be forgotten in the excitement of having any property maintenance undertaken. But, for us, it is the most important consideration given the potential for accident that could kill or seriously injure clients, our employees or subcontractors. Proper consideration and the management of safety has to be properly considered before and throughout the completion of your renovation.
Safety: The Regulations
When you embark on a home improvement project, such as installing a new kitchen, you’re not just enhancing your space—you’re also engaging with legal responsibilities under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Fortunately, as a domestic client of Nicholas Hythe, these duties transfer to us as your main contractor, ensuring that your project is managed with the utmost attention to safety. Choosing a contractor with the right skills and experience is crucial; they are responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring the construction to ensure it is carried out safely. This not only minimises potential risks but also guarantees that your renovation will meet the highest standards of safety and quality. Whoever you pick for your project, please make sure to select a team that values your safety and satisfaction as much as you do.
Our commitment to safe systems of work
Nicholas Hythe is unapologetic in its commitment to safety, both within our own business and on-site in clients’ homes. We maintain a wide range of regularly updated risk assessments and safe systems of work covering all aspects of the company’s operations; this includes our premises, travel to and from locations, and all activity while on-site.
Our employees undergo regular training—provided by external consultants or in-house—to ensure that they are not only safe while at work, but also fully understand the necessity for safety in every role they perform.
Recruitment & Employment checks
We have a detailed policy regarding the recruitment and employment of ex-offenders, which we use non-discriminatorily to assess an applicant’s suitability for a position. We undertake criminal record checks—processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)—to comply fully with the code of practice and ensure we treat all applicants fairly. As such, all employees who potentially meet with customers face-to-face are required to undergo a DBS check, providing clients with peace of mind regarding the character of the individuals they are letting into their homes.
Safety starts before work begins
The design of your kitchen must comply with the standards required by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Every design is checked at least three times by at least two senior managers within our business; this not only ensures a perfect fit and that the correct parts are ordered, but also that the proposed works will be safe in the long term and meet all home insurers’ requirements.
On-site safety management
In order to comply with on-site requirements, the most important person in our team is the project manager. He is responsible for identifying and assessing risks and liaising with the designers and contractors before and during every project, ensuring the design agreed upon is practical and can be implemented safely. Our project manager, Jim Marsh, has deep knowledge of the specific safety requirements a renovation demands, having been responsible for building new homes in a previous role.
Jim is Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) assessed, having taken and passed their demanding Site Management Safety Training Scheme. He is also trained in asbestos awareness, having successfully completed UKATA’s non-licensable work with asbestos course to ensure all safety protocols are followed.
For jobs where we are asked to undertake structural building works, we will also liaise with structural engineers and Building Control. This collaboration ensures that all work is undertaken to the highest professional standards and to the full satisfaction of your insurance providers.
Contractor Safety
Most of our contractors have worked with us for many years, allowing us to vouch for the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to undertake work safely. When we appoint a new contractor, we require them to complete a detailed questionnaire to assess and evaluate their safety management systems before they are permitted to work on any Nicholas Hythe sites.
This assessment is designed to validate that they possess the necessary skills and qualifications, are fully certified, and hold active memberships in safety groups or trade associations. Contractors are also required to prove that their certifications are up-to-date and have the required insurances; furthermore, they remain subject to continuous safety assessments by our project manager.
Creating a Space That Lasts a Lifetime
When it comes to revamping your kitchen, many homeowners find themselves tempted to assume the role of the project manager. The notion of saving money and maintaining complete control over the process can be enticing. However, self-management of a kitchen installation carries several disadvantages that can quickly transform your dream project into a nightmare.
Embarking on the journey of planning a kitchen in either a ‘Today Home’ or a ‘Forever Home’ creating the right kitchen presents a unique set of considerations and choices. We excel in creating bespoke kitchens that perfectly cater to your current lifestyle, whether you’re setting up in a temporary residence or investing in the home of your dreams.
Open plan kitchens have become a prominent trend in the past few years. However, this popular style does not come without its share of advantages and potential disadvantages. Click the link to read what they are.
