Posted By juliamgray
Garry


We are not disputing this fact. What we all want to see is more main contractor involvement at a specialised level. I.E Some one with a scaffolding background working either for or with the individual site as a specialist advisor who can spot all the inadequacies of these firms and make sure they provide the service and training they say they are. Surely this makes sence?
A specialised Advisor/coordinator. who can Identify the needs of the client and allied trades and make sure that they get what they pay for.
Just a thought.......

Posted By juliamgray
We Can but hope Garry.

Posted By Paul Bourne
juliamgray/gerry/garry

I agree with all that you say, but is there something we seem to be overlooking?

I don't want to tar all scaffold firms with the same brush, I spend many hours of every day making sure that we HAVs monitor, inspect our harnesses, provide all the required training, provide and explain method statements, risk assess specific tasks, check all cisrs cards, pull test anchors,providing technical guidance such as SG4:05, TG20:08, etc, etc. Thanks to my management for providing the funds.

We also use an independent safety advisor who visits our jobs and reports back to us and the main contractors we work for. I would we come into the pro active mould.

We are also in the process of applying for membership to the NASC, which looking at the membership application is quite a stiff audit.
As our so called governing body does anybody think that they should be more pro active in policing these rogue companies, members or not?

I come across many package managers, main contractors, site agents who rely heavily on our expertise. Maye much stiffer penalties for those who don't comply, but this normally only comes to light when an accident has already occured.

Me personally would like to see these firms punished severely, the days of lobbing up a scaffold in shorts bare chested and wearing a tool belt are over,. The sooner my industry realises this the better. sorry to those who do make the effort.

Paul

Posted By al wood
garry

i agree with what you are saying and all the selection criteria is covered by the CDM regs and the principle contractors PQQ process.

BUT and a big BUT some of the so called better scaffold companies out there whom are members of the NASC, have there own in house designers and safety professionals on board just dont do what it says on the tin.

by this i mean they have all the correct accreditations, submit the correct paperwork etc etc but when it comes to actually doing the job on site there attitude completely changes and the safe system of work goes out the window.

yes the principle contractor has the ultimate responsibility for supervision on site but the individual has to be held accountable for his own actions or inactions.

my own way of dealing with scaffolders now is that if they are not clipping on when they should be they are removed from site immediately, his company informed that he will no longer be allowed on any of our sites, and the company concerned are invited in to discuss the issue.

al w