Health & safety
We have a clear and comprehensive approach to Health & Safety and are committed to creating the very best working environment for those that work directly for Helical or indirectly at our managed assets or development sites.
By adopting an integrated and inclusive approach that is considered at every step of our operations, we are ensuring that all our people are provided with safe and healthy way to work.
Our approach
The Board of Directors and senior staff are responsible for implementing the Health and Safety Policy and ensuring that health and safety considerations are always given priority in planning and in day-to-day activities. Our policy was reviewed and updated in February 2024 to reflect the latest legislative and regulatory developments.The Group's Health and Safety Committee assists the Board with its duties, by overseeing and driving improved performance in, the strategies, policies, working practices of the Group in relation to health and safety.
Our Health & Safety Policy, which is aligned to OHSAS 18001, includes measures to reduce Health & Safety impact through time specific quantified targets to reduce incidents. Part of this is making sure that our people are well instructed on Health & Safety procedures, to prevent any individuals putting themselves or their colleagues at risk. Procedures undergo an annual review with The Health & Safety Committee to ensure that any changes in circumstance are accounted for. Refresher training has been provided to the head office, development and property teams, and a guidance note produced for all Project Directors.
Across Helical’s development portfolio we continue to ensure that accidents on construction sites are low through compliance with our Corporate Health & Safety Policy. We operate a ‘no blame’ culture where employees are openly encouraged to report hazards without fear of reprisal to ensure the root causes of accidents are identified thus enabling measures to be put in place to eliminate recurrence.
Helical has in place a robust set of arrangements for monitoring and management of Health & Safety for all of our activities which include use of our template risk assessments Helical Health and Safety Risk Assessment and process of reporting in Helical Corporate Health and Safety Requirements.
The wellbeing of our development teams is a priority, with provision being made for site visits from a nurse, or for workers to benefit from occupational health initiatives. The wellbeing of construction operatives is also assessed through the Considerate Contractors Scheme.
Performance data is verified by an independent third party on an annual basis and is reported below.
Performance data
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of hours worked | 352,069 | 769,664 | 1,037,589 |
| Number of RIDDOR reportable | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Number of Lost Time Accidents | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Accident frequency rate for LTA | 0 | 0 | 0.29 |
| Accident frequency rate for RIDDOR | 0.28 | 0 | 0.1 |
All multi-occupied properties have a annual Health & Safety audit, this is carried out by an independent third party organisation.
Additional audits are carried out where required for areas such as asbestos and water risk assessments.
Below details the number of RIDDOR reportable incidents for the past 3 years. This covers 100% of our commercial office and retail space.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of RIDDOR reportable | – | – | – |
Helical plc’s construction works are undertaken by a number of leading contracting organisations across the country.
Key criteria in the selection of our contractors is their accreditation and application of ISO 45001.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sites 18001 accredited | 80% | 88% | 92% |
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Contractor | 1,467 | 3,242 | 3,816 |
- Helical are informed immediately of any accidents and incidents that occur.
- Helical report on a monthly basis at Board Level all accidents and incidents in the period.
- Helical have continued to outperform the industry’s Lost Time Incidence Rate for the past 3 years.
- H&S and H&S performance is an agenda item for all project reporting meetings and Helical Board meetings.
- Helical’s corporate advisors undertake a separate investigation aligned to OHSAS 18001 into the events, causes, reporting findings and areas for improvement and/or learning points.
- Actions following individual events and incidents are reported across the supply chain and every Helical Board meeting.
- There have been no reported fatalities for the past 3 years.