Posted By Garry. You asked for thoughts on delivery on materials. One of the issues that has struck me about delivery drivers on site when delivering, is the 05 working at height regs. Timber frame components laid flat on the bed of the lorry, the slinger has to work on top of these units to fit the lifting equipment, whilst carrying out this operation they are at risk of serious injury (possibly falling 3m or 4 m). The SSW from these companies very rarely mentions this specific task, and what precautions could be taken. Possibly because they haven't thought of a practicle solution yet, but the issue is there and has to be dealt with. There are very few site managers who want the process of unloading the components stopped, until the SSW is faxed to the site ( if there is a fax machine on site ! ). Everybody involved with the unloading of the components isn't really intrested in SSW because they have done it lots of times and they know what they are doing so clear off!! The site manager has once again been left holding the baby, when really the arrangements for the documentation to be on site should have been organised much earlier in the process of delivering and building the units. I some times get the impression that the term "teamwork" is a mystical term that house builders do not understand fully, and would rather work in a crisis management style rather than a planned style. When all sections / departments work as a team and carry out their relevant tasks you usely get a safe & cost effectictive project. The buyers or ordering departments should be more involved with the requirements for documentation so that any documentation can be requested when the order is placed, but we would proberbly get the argument, "Its not my responcibility" No body apart from the site manager and construction management would be concerned if enforcement action was taken against a site or site manager. It would be nice to live in a perfect world.

Posted By Ron Hunter I suggest your site manager is being unrealistic in his expectations. Delivery offloading is always going to be a joint responsibility. On your enclosed construction sites, with the vehicle entirely within, it should be more straightforward to plan other activities to avoid conflict, ensure reasonable ground conditions, maneouvering space, etc. On public highways, your site staff should be working with the delivery driver, employing banksmen to inform & assist pedestrians etc. You should be identifying these issues beforehand and taking advice from police and/or local authority roads department where necessary. One of the key aspects on 'public' sites is planning the delivery time - e.g. to avoid peak hours, and having a planned temporary park-up area if the lorry turns up early + clued-up site agents who have authority to turn the driver away if he arrives outwith this agreed time. I have seen national chain builders merchants making delivery to sites using hi-ab across public footpaths when there has been no project employees on site!

Posted By Alan Barthrope Thanks for the response guys. Guess I will be going with my first instinct and ensuring that we take control of the management of this and ensure that our written safe systems cover such activities. Got to go now the thread's distracting me from the golf, and the forthcoming 2 minutes silence.