Our work at The Old War Office started in June 2022, alongside our client, Strukctor Mechanical Engineering. We are now nearing the end of this wonderful project as the building is nearing completion after being renovated into a luxurious 5 star hotel and also 85 uniquely, meticulously-appointed residences shaped from the storied interiors of Britain’s former War Office. Imagine calling an iconic London landmark ‘home’!
The Old War Rooms history
Completed in 1906, the Old War Office is one of the great buildings of the Edwardian Age. Designed by British architect William Young, the War Office was built on the site of the Palace of Whitehall – home for centuries to English monarchs, including King Henry VIII. Built in the Baroque style, the landmark building was completed in 1906 and stood as silent witness to world-shaping events of the twentieth century. Influential political and military leaders, including Winston Churchill, Lord Haldane and T. E. Lawrence walked these corridors of power, while the Grade II* listed building inspired Ian Fleming’s James Bond series, and has featured in numerous Bond films. Today, the legacies of the Old War Office’s iconic cast of characters continue in the names of the suites and rooms of The OWO.
Strucktor Mechanical Engineering
Strucktor Mechanical Engineering are a privately owned company specialising in residential and commercial Mechanical and Plumbing services projects across London and South East. They have a vast amount of experience from working on large scale residential developments with an excellent reputation from an extensive portfolio of bluechip client projects. They have a team of highly trained staff who work closely with each other to deliver impeccable service on projects and have contributed to some of London’s largest residential development sites.
Strucktor themselves work under the Principle Contractor, Ardmore, who require all contractors on site to supply evidence that they have appointed a competent person to carry out a monthly health and safety visit and feedback via reports.
Our role
Our services were required as their competent person to attend site on a monthly basis to carry out a health and safety audit and inspection to not only make sure they were working safely, but also to ensure effective communication between their workforce and the Principle Contractor are sufficient. Our visits include a walk round of the site in the areas our client is working. Some examples below of what we would check:
- Health and safety documentation is complete – e.g. supervisors inspections, inductions, toolbox talks, risk and method statements, training competencies, work permits, daily briefings are carried out, first aid and fire precautions are in place.
- Inspections are carried out and recorded on equipment – ladders, scaffold, podiums, lifting equipment, LOLER inspections.
- Checks carried out to ensure materials and COSHH are stored in a safe manner.
- All operatives are suitably trained for the tasks they carry out and their training matrix is up to date.
- Suitable PPE is provided and being inspected and recorded for the task being carried out.
- Make sure exclusions zones are set up if required.
- Review of housekeeping and waste.
- Check all workers have signed into site.
- Lighting is ok, do they need task lighting/head torches.
- If hot works are carried out are permits open, fire extinguishers present and permit armbands are worn.
For further information on The Old War Office and how we can help with your next project, please contact us here.