Partnership through shared beliefs and health and safety performance objectives

Virtus believe that the construction process benefits from a true team approach, and partnering with clients and construction professionals alike in a shared philosophy is the basis of robust working partnerships.

Havio’s partnership with Virtus commenced with a project at Dulwich College in 2018, during which we supported them as Principal Contractor in our role as Dulwich College’s CDM Advisor. During the engagement, it was noted by us both that we shared similar values around collaboration and partnerships and from this the relationship was formed.

The project involved the complex challenges of working within a historically important building and, as such, required a methodical and forensic approach to site safety which was achieved through working together as a team to deliver the project.

Since then, Havio and Virtus have worked in partnership on a wide range of construction projects, initially through supporting a wish to improve site safety through regular health and safety inspections and, more recently, with more in-depth consultation to support Virtus’s core objective to improve health and safety performance in all aspects of business operations.

The last year has seen Virtus act as Principal Contractor on some interesting and challenging projects, all safely delivered through support and guidance from Havio through tailored Principal Contractor Advisor services.

One such project was at the Korean Embassy in London which presented some major logistical challenges including a lack of access and egress within the building due to both lifts being refurbished at the same time and additional construction activities in the buildings either side of the Embassy by third parties.

Havio worked collaboratively with the Virtus site team to identify solutions to the logistical challenges and advised on safe working practices through regular health and safety inspections and consulting with all members of the Virtus site teams.

The health and safety inspections delivered to Virtus were designed to provide coaching to their site management team and the wider workforce and focused on both positive aspects of performance and aspects of activities requiring additional support.

More recently, Virtus has raised the bar in terms setting new objectives for health and safety performance. Following a health and safety audit of CDM compliance, completed by Havio, a wide range of additional services are being delivered, including:

1. 1. Development of a new Health and Safety Policy;
2. 2. Provision of full annual support through our Competent Source of Advice service;
3. 3. Quarterly health and safety inspection trend analysis reporting and consultation;
4. 4. Development and management of a company-wide training skills matrix;
5. 5. Delivery of health and safety training and site based toolbox talks;
6. 6. Development of construction health and safety site management systems;

The partnership between Havio and Virtus is strong with the shared philosophy of collaboration and a willingness to continually improve health and safety performance with a robust safety culture driven from the top of the business.

"Having Havio work alongside Virtus Contracts, gives us, and our clients, complete peace of mind throughout each project. Their knowledge of health and safety requirements is unparalleled, they also understand the practicalities of Health and Safety on site, which adds real value throughout the construction process."

Paul Green - Construction Director