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#1 Posted : 18 June 2007 10:27:00(UTC)
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Posted By Sean Warburton
Hi all,

I am adding a staff agency to my "approved list of contractors" as they are indeed a contractor. However, they are quite different as we are carrying out all the training of staff sent onto site, and they are working under our undertakings. I am just wondering what others do to assess competence and be compliantwhen it comes to agencies, method statements, risk assessments, are not really key in this case, and other then insurance details, H&S Policy & references what else should i be asking them for?

Thanks Sean
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#2 Posted : 18 June 2007 10:56:00(UTC)
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Posted By JayJay

Hi Sean !

One of the things you can check with them is their management system i.e how do they audit employees who go to companies for work. The problem you will get is that people looking for employment will say they're competent to do the job, they've got the correct PPE and then they'll turn up for work on the Monday with no safety boots or training certification. So you've got to manage this for the agency or implement a system of checks to ensure that when they do turn up that the company have got a checklist of questions to go through before they even start.

Regards JJ
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#3 Posted : 18 June 2007 11:05:00(UTC)
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Posted By JPK
Hmmm..... from my experience most agencies now insist that a potential candidate holds as a minimum, a certain Construction industry training board H&S competency card.

This would be a gd place to start.
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#4 Posted : 18 June 2007 11:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By Sean Warburton
Hi, Thanks for your response. We are a food manufacturer, so I am only talking production operatives, packing & general laboring work etc.

Sean
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#5 Posted : 18 June 2007 14:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By JPK
Apologies!
Maybe it is worth insisting the candidates hold the IOSH Working Safely Cert?
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#6 Posted : 18 June 2007 14:16:00(UTC)
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Posted By Sean Warburton
Hi, that's probably a bit too much to be honest, our permanent staff don't hold such qualifications, so it wouldn't be suitable to request temps had it, and we simply wouldn't get the staff. Most agency staff are young people looking for summer work, or people just trying to earn money whilst searching for permanent work.

Thanks
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#7 Posted : 18 June 2007 15:09:00(UTC)
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Posted By JPK
Hmm.... I wonder why you would consider it too much?
I can appreciate the summer job scenario but considering the fact your permanent staff are easily monitored and managed by yourselves, the thought of someone you do not know, or have any idea of their competency, would spur me to consider the more training the better.
In addition your permanent staff should be safe, and someone not suitably trained could be a hazard to them also?!

Is the IOSH WORKING safely syllabus, a one day course in H&S too much???

Its a one day course that would benefit ALL involved.

I wouldn't think it too much too ask, myself!

Maybe i'm just a jobs-worth lol, please tell me if I am!?

JPK
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#8 Posted : 18 June 2007 15:18:00(UTC)
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Posted By Sean Warburton
Yes, you probably are. Getting staff released from jobs for tool box talks and general safety training is a logistical nightmare in it's self, i can't begin to imagine getting 500 operators through an IOSH working safely, let alone the cost. I think SSOW, job & site specific training are first on the agenda. There is also staff turn over, which is quite high in the manufacturing industry. Also not all staff are literate or academic enough for the course.
Like you say, i may be speaking out of term here, but I'd be amazed to here of any other large manufacturing companies which place all their staff through such courses :)
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#9 Posted : 18 June 2007 15:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By JPK
LOL

I see your point, logistics arrghhh!

However, you are not talking about YOUR staff, you are talking about Renta-staff!?

Set a standard I say! There is a cost implication that may just be transferable to the agency???
Maybe!? No?! OK!

Signing out of this thread I think

JPK
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#10 Posted : 18 June 2007 16:41:00(UTC)
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Posted By Alexander Falconer
A point you have to watch, especially with regards to the agencies. They are normally required to comply with the requirements of The Gangmasters (Licensing Authority) Regulations 2005, amongst other legislation.

Agencies affiliated to the food industry are notorious (or were) for employing illegal immigrants.

There are several websites, the DTi, customs & excise, Gangmasters Licencing Authority, etc will provide you with in depth answers.
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