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Taylor25880  
#1 Posted : 27 June 2012 11:34:12(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Taylor25880

What is the general rule , guidance and legality of contactors using your work equipment
DP  
#2 Posted : 27 June 2012 11:49:58(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
DP

My general rule in no - not exactly demonstrating competence if they don’t have the necessary equipment are they? Having said that - you may want to elaborate on what and why?
Ron Hunter  
#3 Posted : 27 June 2012 11:52:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter

You need to elaborate. For example, we engage many contractors for the express purpose of maintaining our work equipment. In other instances, contractors have no choice in the matter - our fixed ladders, cradles, scaffold, etc.
stevie40  
#4 Posted : 27 June 2012 11:52:50(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevie40

It can vary depending on the industry. A construction firm lending a MEWP to the painter / decorator who is tarting up their workshop with a lick of paint would be a no no unless the painter can demonstrate he has had the relevant training and is familiar with that type of MEWP. A contractor on an oil rig or a large petrochem site will have no option but to use the clients specialist tools but they will normally have been trained alongside the clients workers to the same standard via a close working relationship.
Taylor25880  
#5 Posted : 27 June 2012 14:33:54(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Taylor25880

Thanks for you replies , expanding for example electrician needs ladder to access panel and uses site equipment , contactor cleans guttering uses site equipment etc
stevie40  
#6 Posted : 27 June 2012 17:00:18(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevie40

Taylor25880 wrote:
Thanks for you replies , expanding for example electrician needs ladder to access panel and uses site equipment , contactor cleans guttering uses site equipment etc
In both of those cases my answer would be no - provide your own access equipment. I would also question their competence / professionalism if they were unable to do so.
RayRapp  
#7 Posted : 28 June 2012 09:40:27(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

I agree with Stevie and DP, if a contractor is engaged to work on site they should have their own equipment in order to carry out the task. Have the contractor(s) submitted any documents ie RAMS which articulate the method of work and equipment they will be using?
CliveLowery  
#8 Posted : 28 June 2012 11:03:18(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
CliveLowery

I agree in principal with the other posters, however you also need to look at every circumstance. We provide Mobile Towers to all our Labour Only Sub Contractors - I am still struggling to get our directors to understand the difference between a Labour Only Sub Contractor and a Bona Fide Sub Contractor but thats another issue. Last year we were contracted to go back to a recently finished project & remove a plasterboard bulkhead & ceiling at 12 Metres high to allow access for the M & E contractor to install works they had forgotten. We then had to reinstate the bulkhead & ceiling and it then required painting by others. This was in a school and had to be carried out over the half - term week for obvious reasons. As access was limited and had to be gained by use of a mobile tower, our Contracts Manager agreed everyone could use our tower, which in fairness he did to try and help everyone concerned. After I explained we should not be allowing this, I also explained that if there were to be an accident we would be held liable for the other trades, it was only after I contacted the Insurers who also confirmed they would not accept liability did people actually realise the implications of what is often perceived as being helpful on site. Once everbody was aware of the liability side of it, I did explain to the insurers of the implications of having to keep stripping and rebuilding towers for each of the contractors thereby increasing the risk and they agreed we could loan our towers out for this one particular task as long as the tower was built and dismantled by us. Fortunately task went well and no-one blamed "Elf n Safety" for stopping the task going ahead. Regards Clive
paul.skyrme  
#9 Posted : 28 June 2012 19:17:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
paul.skyrme

I have recently been involved in electrical works that required high level access. We were going to provide our own mobile boom, with all required paperwork etc. However, client also required a boom on site for their works at the time, also we were working with their employee on the work, it was part labour only as it was an EICR, and part labour only on remedial works, materials supplied by client, and part labour and materials works. Boom was hired by client, from major national supplier, familiarisation was provided as needed, all drivers had req'd IPAF & PPE etc. all boom paperwork was in order. The required procedures were adhered to at all times, except that all parties used the same MEWP. Sometimes contractor only, sometimes contractor & client in the boom, sometimes, client only. Task has also gone well, in fact client management were originally unhappy with the level of H&S precautions by the contractor, they considered them overzealous, but, as the job has gone on to date with no incidents they have begun to see the light as it were! BTW I was involved on the contractor side, not the client. I can see the issues, however, I don't see that it should not happen, as has been said in some circumstances it would make perfect sense, as long as the correct procedures are in place, as Clive has suggested. Take a breakdown situation, contractor needs metal lathe, client has metal lathe, contractor has metal lathe, 50 miles away, not the sort of thing you carry in the back of a van when undertaking breakdown works! Client machine is in good order, contractor is competent and familiar with machine type. I can see that there could be issues, but, there should be a way of making these things happen, safely, without all the "red tape", that way, we can become a safe and productive economy? Discuss?...
Pattinson20385  
#10 Posted : 29 June 2012 13:47:39(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Pattinson20385

Having worked in both senario's, using client equipment and allowing contractors to use our equipment we have alway's gone down the route of using handover certificates to ensure clear requirements for use, responcibility for the equipment and its use is established. This allows equipment to be handed over on loan and back again in good condition, where this is not the case responcibility for repair/maintenance is in writing. Also if an event occurs accountability can also be established ensuring internal investigation is done by relevant party. At the end of the day if you are the client you have responcibility for persons working on your site/facility so if there are no issues around insurance, in many cases it is both benefitial (equipment good order, no hire charges, know equipment is fit for purpose) and easier (on site) to allow your equipment to be used.
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