Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Joe Ridley
Hi there,
I have a quick question to ask regarding work at height.
The situation is this - in one of our sports centres overhead lights in the main hall are being replaced. As the lights are around 10m plus above, a contractor has been engaged to replace the lights. I have now found out they will be using some of our own equipment - a tower scaffold - to gain access to the lights in order to replace them. My question is who should set up the equipment? We have our own staff who are trained to do this, but at the moment I do not know if the contractor staff are trained to do this.
In this situation, should they be allowed to set up the scaffold or should our own staff do this? Or should the contractor be providing their own equipment for this?
A little confused here and help would be appreciated. My own thoughts on this are the contractor should be providing the risk assessment/method statement for this task and using their own equipment, would I be correct?
Cheers
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Manny
I would personally outsource the risk and let the contractor use his own scaffolding, before you know it he will want you to provide the paint, brushes and overalls.
Manny
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ali
If you are providing the equipment it is your duty to ensure it is safe to use (inspected etc). The Contractor has a duty to ensure he / she is competent to erect, use and dismantle the scaffold unless you do so in which case the duty applies to you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Richie
Joe,
So long as you are satisfied that the tower scaffold is fit for use, ie undamaged, I would be demanding the contractor builds the tower, ensuring a safe system of work during build, use, dismantling and completion.
KPIs regarding th process would likely include erecting and using the tower in accordance with manufacturers instructions and the inclusion of HSE advice (http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis10.pdf) into their method statement.
Dont forget protection of those below.
More to the point, have you considered luminaire type? Maybe there is a lamp which has far greater longevity, therefore requiring the task to be undertaken less often? Maybe a system could be set in place the once, where the luminaires could be lowered from then on, thus no working at height? Remember if reasonable adjustments can be made which would negate the requirement to work at height, or lessen the requirement, they must be done....
Richie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By ddraigice
Your risk assessment should also demand that it is constructed by a competent contractor - so if you do get them to do it an obvious point would be to ensure they have a ticket for it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Joe Ridley
Hi there,
Thanks for the responses, they have been very helpful. I have advised the manager to check their risk assessment and ensure if they are using the equipment that they are competent to do so. I have also asked the manager to ensure records are kept of inspection and testing of the equipment.
Once again, thanks for help, much appreciated
Cheers
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ken Taylor
I would prefer the contractors to use their own equipment. If they are to use yours, I would suggest a clause in the contract (or appointment letter/order) to the effect that they are to ensure that the equipment is in good condition and is safe and suitable for the task to be performed. Whoever is responsible for carrying out the work needs to do a risk assessment for it - so, if you are using your own people to erect the equipment, you will need a risk assessment for that part of the operation - and to hope that they don't regard you as negligent or criminal if the accident is attributed to the condition of the equipment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.