Hi people I was wondering if anyone had a document that I could use to evaluate contractors pre construction info. I have been given the task of coming up with a format for evaluating contractors and I am finding myself pen tapping an awful lot this morning.......Is it 5:00pm yet :-) Any documents that I could use would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance

In a CDM context, the pre-construction information is usually prepared by the client/CDM-C and the contractor submits an initial "construction phase plan" or perhaps a Project Specific Methodology. Pen-tapping often results where the information intially provided to the contractor was generic, which results in an obvious equally generic response from the contractor. In essence that the contractor should have been asked (a) to confirm compliance with any specific rules and standards stipulated by the client (including welfare provision) and (b) how he proposes to address the more unusual project specific risk issues arising. The more generic aspects of competency and resources should have been addressed at earlier pre-qualification (for which various commercial systems exist) and stage 1 procurement evaluation. In short then, you should be comparing a set of specific responses to a series of specific questions. If your issue is more about pre-qualification, then you should be asking in the first instance if the contractor is already pre-qualified via a commercial scheme (SSIP etc). If you are operating in the commercial sector, you can stipulate this as a condition of contract and save yourself a mountain of unnecessary work, allowing you to focus on the project specific risks discussed above.

Jarsmith, as already said, if you lose the word 'pre' your question makes more sense!

*A project example of a completed log or record we (use)

Thanks Ant I sit as a Principle Contractor (Health and Safety Advisors Role).

In that case you need to pre-qualify any Subcontractors you intend to engae using Appendix 4 of the CDM regs to build a question set- this acts as your stage 1 approval (or use a commercially recognised prequal scheme as said above). For the stage 2 part of this approvals process (again as explained in CDM App4) you need to be clear on how you will vet the subcontractors (S/C's) to make sure they can do the job and can provide you with evidence of how they will control risks. This will include things like a Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS) approval process to ensure you specify what information you want and that you actually get it before work begins. You should be give them the client's/ CDM-c's pre-construction information (list of significant risks) and ask the S/C how they intent to manage these risks for their works. Most PC's will also give S/C's a list of H&S expectations that are the minimum standards they expect and ask that the S/C confirms they will meet or exceed these. I would guess what the client is trying to establish is how you intend to pull these various process (and many others) together in order they can have confidence you can as a company manage their project. Sounds easy when you say it quick ;-)

In fairness SP900308, the right questions are being asked to improve the robustness of Jarsmith's knowledge. We all need to learn before we know.

quote=SP900308]Ant, I merely highlighted that, acting in an H&S capacity in the construction industry, L144 should be well thumbed (particuarly appointed dutyholder) - with all due respect!

I did laugh when I read this comment, you are spot on Ron. Your comment made me laugh because I had started to do this before reading your comment :-).