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Health and safety and the need for effective communication
• I SHOULD like to clarify that my quotes to Paul Keilthy’s story (Safety experts check tower blocks, August 28) were selective comments, which were not stated alongside the caveats that I also made at the time of the interview.
In connection with “Why should the local authority be afraid to allow residents access to full reports” I believe that the reports are very technical in nature and should be consolidated into an advisory letter explaining to all residents the reason for the safety inspections. A “full” technical safety report should be made available to those requiring access, such as block representatives and ward councillors.
The view that Camden is being secretive is the view of Mr Keilthy. I used the expression “behaving extremely cavalierly” to refer to the notion that residents feel at times not to be fully consulted with exactly “how” certain works are being done such as the gas, water and electrical renewals to all properties. Residents expect and demand that all work be done to safe standards. Safety inspections revealed that there were “concerns” surrounding some aspects of these renewal works. Since these concerns came to light several months ago, it is not unreasonable to have an official account published to representatives and, in cases of health and safety issues in residents’ homes, an advisory letter offering facts and reassurance to all residents.
Lastly, the story omitted to mention that had it not been for myself as a representative observing H&S issues and gathering facts from residents these concerns would not have come to light as quickly as they did. It is crucial to have the “goodwill” and “effective communication” between the local authority and the contractors; to this goal, we do now have an improved dialogue at this present time.
It should not be underestimated just how much hard work and commitment has and continue to go into the Chalcots PFI project.
NIGEL RUMBLE
Representative, Bray, Chalcots
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