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Posted By Merlin
An almighty disagreement has broken out, so I can I ask for your views
Scenario –
On a recent visit to site the audit uncovered that since a new site manager has come on board (6week) there has been no new Method Statements collected asked why, reply the safety manager has not been on site to write them up. Further more asked why the site is not collecting these documents form contractors and why is there no methods written for employed workers task, there are no risk assessment conducted either, reply it’s the h/s job
The safety manager is office based with regular visits to 5 sites calling to all at least once a week,
Question -who should write the method statements for the work on site, and who is responsible.
Its not Friday but I think its time for me to change jobs. Is it just me? That thinks the site managers should take this type of responsibility and where required seek assistance from the H/S department
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Posted By Mitch
Merlin,
I assume if you have an audit procedure you have a management plan and a construction phase H&S Plan, who do these give the responsibilty to? Perhaps the 3 of you could sit down over a cup of tea and discuss it?
Mitch
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Posted By Ian G Hutchings
Merlin
Similar response to Mitch, it depends what is stated in your H&S plan and/or job description and 'organisation' part of your health and safety policy.
What was the individual told when they started?
Maybe rather than add flames to the argument. Can you work as a team to get what is needed in place now, then after this is sorted have a meeting to agree what should happen and try and get agreement for the future.
Good luck
Ian
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Posted By Raymond Rapp
Merlin
Good advice so far. On a slightly different theme, I do not believe that as a norm safety practitioners should write Method Statements.
When I was once asked by project staff I advised that as I was approving the MS it was inappropriate to write it as well!
Ray
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Posted By Angus232
More to the point do the operatives understand the risks associated with what they are doing, rather than look at a piece of paper ask them the question when next visiting site.
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Posted By Mitch
Angus,
I would give the same response to your question, the management controls and H&S Plan should cover this, how information is communicated (toolbox talks etc)and the required levels of training/experience and any additional formal training that may be required. All this should be covered before work commences.
Mitch
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Posted By KayS
I agree with Angus, the HSE aren't too concerned about semantics (although in my experience work on site gets stopped altogether if Method/Risks aren't in place!) they would rather be assured that you can demonstrate all personnel are working safely and aware of the risks, and they don't mind exactly who does which documents as long as it does get done, is followed, reviewed and regularly updated where necessary.
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Posted By Merlin
Thank you all for your response, you are all going down the same route I have taken
( don’t have a management plan but do have a robust, construction phase H&S plan and audit system ) up until this manager appeared all sites worked well, all managers followed the plan and where they become stuck they asked for help and assistance, and a good days work was had by all. But now trouble the manager’s response is “I have never been asked before and I don’t intend to start now” get the H/S to do them. although when you are working solo and looking after 5 sites it’s hard to be there when a new task is about to start, can help if given information up front but when you came across a task that would require a safe method after it has started then how can I write up a method? This issue is upsetting the other sites working cooperation between H/S, contractors, and site managers.
I know some would say enlist senior manager in the debate, or to take action to resolve, but I have more chance in plaiting fog
Thanks
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Posted By Mitch
Merlin,
Sounds to me like you already have a good cross level H&S culture that has proved to work. Could you not sit down with this manager and explain to them their responsibility and the company's working culture and jolly them on side? If not surely there must be someone on high who is aware of the benefits of the positive culture that is now being undermined, by 1 relative newcomer. or is it the rock and a hard place?
Mitch
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Posted By Merlin
Mitch
It’s a rock that cannot be moved, when this was brought up the rot set in and in a meeting was told that all H/S should just go and multiply and leave us to get on with building structures
Will win back the other manager through good communication and past examples, but this one ?????, luckily he is only here for a sort contract
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Posted By Mitch
Hate to say it, just CYA until he's gone! Best of luck.
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