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#1 Posted : 28 November 2008 13:40:00(UTC)
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Posted By ian_f
I am after some soft skills advice!

We have received a tender to refurb some houses; the extent of work will clearly make the project notifiable to the HSE, as it is for a LA.

We have received very limited information and more concernly no pre-construction information at all...

I don't want to come across arrogant but I don't think the client officier/agent has a clue what they ought to be doing...should I just send a polite responce pointing out their responsibilites?

I know others won't and simply submit their tender without any caveats; I know at min. that there are acm's in the building.

thx



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#2 Posted : 28 November 2008 13:45:00(UTC)
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Posted By Smiff
Have they appointed CDM-C, can you have a quiet word with him?
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#3 Posted : 28 November 2008 13:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rodger Alan Ker
You don't state what your role would be in this contract, Principal Contractor or a subcontractor.

Has a CDMC been appointed, probably not from what you say.

I would suggest that you need to inform them (very diplomatically) of their responsibilities.

You never know, they may thank you for your knowledge and assistance!

If you don't and just cross your fingers and get on with it and hope for the best it may come back and bite you
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#4 Posted : 28 November 2008 13:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By ian_f
LOL! nothing...the spec is actually a schedule of requirements i.e re-roof, new heating system, re-wire, replaster throughout etc etc etc.


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#5 Posted : 28 November 2008 13:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By ian_f
Sorry Roger we crossed in cyber space.

We will be PC.

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#6 Posted : 28 November 2008 14:15:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ron Hunter
You could try a nicely worded request for information which the client has perhaps 'omitted in error' which politely references Client CDM duties?
Otherwise, no doubt you will be working to a return deadline.If all else fails, at least a qualified response will keep you in the running.
Gets a bit scary though if asbestos enabling works are required, and the Client hasn't considered this, or how long you will need to mobilise, when determining his Project Plan!
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#7 Posted : 28 November 2008 14:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Remember the asbestos info which is required 'pre-tender' thats a laugh
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#8 Posted : 28 November 2008 14:44:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Would you expect the pre construction information to be available at the tender stage?

It may be the case that it has not been prepared yet?

Quite often the scope of works is sent out before H&S is considered.

It would be different if you have been asked to provide the construction phase plan, then you would have to ask for the pre construction info.

Have you not been given enough information to submit the tender? If not your estimator should be on the case?

Health and safety should be kept separate from the finance side although there should be an overlap.



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#9 Posted : 28 November 2008 14:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rodger Alan Ker
How can health and safety be kept separate from the financial implications?

If the health and safety considerations are not implemented NOW, the costs will soar (and "elf n safety" will get blamed-again)
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#10 Posted : 28 November 2008 15:59:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Most if not all companies will have a "ball park figure" for health and safety in any project they tender for.

If a cost estimator is unable to provide a quote without the pre const info he has a problem.

(Stand back - duck down under cover and wait for the flack!)
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#11 Posted : 28 November 2008 16:03:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rodger Alan Ker
Rather you put in a "ball park" figure, and accepted the consequences, than me if there is any likelihood of asbestos being present.

Have a nice weekend
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#12 Posted : 28 November 2008 16:07:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Asbestos removal is a specialist area and I would expect a Client (even the LA) to stand this cost separately.

Now that it is known that ACM's are present I would expect the contractor to mention this as a separate issue. Common sense really!
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#13 Posted : 28 November 2008 16:07:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Youel

In my personal opinion this appears to be a local council way of doing things re CDM as I have found in many cases

Take the good advice as indicated above and call the councils own internal H&S team for their thoughts
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#14 Posted : 28 November 2008 16:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Further, I would expect the LA to have the ACM's removed prior to the contractor starting on site.

Again, common sense should prevail.

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#15 Posted : 28 November 2008 16:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Crim

Why should they remove it necessarily - the duty is to manage not remove?

Bob
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#16 Posted : 28 November 2008 18:28:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Hi Bob,

You are correct I should have said "manage", if that leads to removal then so be it.

In my experience, and mostly shop fitting, the client has always either managed or paid to have ACM's managed before the construction side of the project starts.

No good waiting until part way through and then delaying work, might as well have it dealt with early.

Regards

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#17 Posted : 01 December 2008 13:03:00(UTC)
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Posted By Mal
Ian, first of all we act as CDMC and there should be some form of pre construction information at tender stage. Whether that be a document, a letter, a risk register or whatever, but there should be something.

What you should do is send in a tender query / clarification asking when is it likely that you will receive the pre construction information from the CDMC. And ask for conatct details of the CDMC.

This does three things automatically. Firstly the client will have to respond with either, no we dont currently have a CDMC, or actualy give you the contact details. Secondly, if it is an official tender query / clarification, then all other tenderers will be notified of it, you then begin to get some form of level playing field. And thirdly, if the response says there is no CDMC, you can follow up with a phone call / e-mail stating the need for a CDMC and issue of pre construction information to allow you to tender with a robust acurate price.

Best of luck Ian, regards, Mal
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