Posted By Benedict Thierry
I wonder if this is an unusal reqest.

Before being appointed as a sub-contractor we had to supply our generic risk assessments as usual.

Now that we are on site I have been requested to alter and amend the generics supplied as they do not exactly suit the site.

yet and but

Separate site specific risk assessments have been submitted and further ones will be submitted as works progress.

In addition, where I have identified certain items of PPE are required- such as safety harnesses for tree work - I am being requested to provide details on the make and model that will be worn.
This work is further sub-contracted to specialist contractors whom are not answering reqests .

Items of plant such as 360 excavators they are also asking for the make and model - these are hired and although I have requested this information from the hire company they haven't yet replied.

I have until 17.10.03 to complete.

Is this an uncommon request, par for the course or a vision of the hell to come.

The reason I'm told is for their audit process of demonstrating contiuous improvement.

Benedict

Posted By Benedict Thierry
Ken,
You are echoing my feelings on this.

The reason given - is for their audit purposes of continuous improvement and demonstrating communication and co-operation with appointed competent contractors.

They have asked for some of the identified risks to be removed from the generics - such as things to do with extremes of weather - heat, cold, rain and the controls such as sun cream, long sleeves and frequent short breaks in the shade and frequent small drinks of water etc.

This one I refused on H&S grounds and good practice.

I can't remember the others at the moment, and I,m waiting the return of the generics with identified areas for amendments/alterations.

I'm ready and willing and expect to respond to any safety concern raised as part of the construction process.

I have a feeling that if I ask the HSE they will say that this is not strictly required under CDM but they wouldn't say it is going beyond H&S and CDM best practice nor would they choose to interfere in practices over and beyond mere compliance.

But for me - the additional burden and stress this puts not just on me but others who may find themselves in similar situations - I wonder who I would claim against if I crack as this is not something asked for by my employer directly - nor could he have forseen this - yet if it is not done - it is made plain that the contract will be given to another company - and we can't afford to lose the work.

So by hook or by crook it will be done and the precedent is set.

Another disaster of a good idea taken one step beyond into the tyranny of logical consequences.

So, be prepared.

OR

Can anyone come up with a sensible, robust reason, as to why what is being asked for, is perhaps both unnecessary and unreasonable.

We do review the generic risk assessments.

We do prepare the site specifics to match and reflect each site and process within the overall works to be done.

Benedict

Posted By Benedict Thierry
Thank you Chris,

Very interesting and useful to know.

I will give it a go and see what happens can't be worse.

I'm worried that once these changes are made -- 6 months later the whole thing will be gone through again for audit purposes as opposed to H&S related concerns such as after significant changes or significant accident or incident with potential for significant accident.

When fault/ or difference of opinion/or emphasis is being looked for it is easy to find, as opposed to actual error or ommission.

Benedict