Our commitment

Virtus Consult Ltd is committed to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees and others who may be affected by its activities. Health and safety is an integral part of how we manage our consultancy business, and our Directors provide leadership and appropriate resources to support it.

Legal compliance and risk control

We will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and relevant requirements, identify hazards, assess risks and implement proportionate preventive and protective measures. We will review controls following significant changes, incidents and emerging risks, with the aim of continually improving health and safety performance.

Our principal activities

We will manage the risks associated with office and home working, display screen equipment, travel and driving for work, lone working and visits to construction sites and client premises. No member of staff will be expected to undertake work without appropriate competence, information and safeguards.

Professional duties

Where appointed to fulfil duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, including the Principal Designer role, we will discharge our defined responsibilities through competent personnel, clear appointments, coordinated information and suitable project-specific arrangements. We recognise that client, designer and contractor duties remain with the respective dutyholders.

People, consultation and reporting

We will provide suitable information, instruction, training and supervision; consult with and encourage participation by our people; support health and wellbeing; and ensure hazards, near misses, incidents and concerns can be raised promptly. All personnel must take reasonable care, cooperate with agreed arrangements and report unsafe conditions.

Monitoring and improvement

We will investigate and learn from incidents and nonconformities, monitor significant risks and performance, review objectives and arrangements through the Business Management System, and take corrective action where necessary. Relevant expectations will be communicated to subconsultants working on our behalf.

The Board of Directors is accountable for this policy, supported by the Business Management Manual (BMS-001), risk assessments and applicable project-specific procedures.