Hi All, I hope that you are having a great weekend? I have an opportunity to provide a consultancy service (part time) to a central London firm that offers the cleaning of silos both internal and external. Some silos are within ATEX areas (food waste to energy) and others contain food/beverages. Steam/grit cleaning/working at height/abseiling/using sub contractors. I am comfortable with dealing with this sort of work, as I have just registered as sole trader away from my job as a consultant. My question is how much is a reasonable day rate to charge for this sort of service? I was thinking of £500 a day? Working a few weekends over the next few months. All feedback welcome on this. DHM

£500 / day in London is very reasonable. Its only £60 odd per hour, over an 8hr day.

Hello DHM, I am the Risk Manager for an industrial cleaning service, I have over 10 years experience of managing rope access, confined space and cleaning silo's in general in all types of industry. Knowing the level of responsibility you are placing yourself at, I would support £500 per day on a consultancy basis providing your advice is sound and of good quality (said with due respect, I assume it is!). This type of industry is at the sharp end of risk with no room for error, yet is relatively unrecognised until something goes wrong, people can die in a silo - very easily. There are far too many companies out there proclaiming to be silo cleaning experts running under poor and generic documentation - read cowboys. I could only name a few companies who are truly competent and offer a genuinely safe service. Besides the Confined Space, Working at Height and LOLER that has already been recognised there is of course PUWER, a tripod is not just a tripod, a harness is not just a harness. You should ensure you have robust risk assessments, method statements, safe systems of work and rescue plans that are tailored to the situation and not generic. Whilst it would be wrong of me to offer to share information (its a competitive industry!), ensure as a minimum you control the following: Suitably qualified and experienced Person In Charge. Access / Egress and controls at the top of the entry point Detailed Rescue Plan and methods - ideally include secondary retrieval methods. Individual competency Equipment inspection procedures and competency. Gas monitoring Atex compliance and general explosive controls such as Zone 0,1, 20 or 21 lighting and leads etc. Equipment certification register Adequate respiratory protection, PPE in general If you are controlling rope access then really do your homework and talk to the guys to ensure you understand how they operate - Rope Access can be tricky to get right, by their very nature they can be a little maverick if not controlled and managed.

I am just waiting for a firm offer in writing re - consultancy work. I am currently employed full time with this firm. Slightly nervous about what they are asking me to do hence my initiating this post. RCN I have Pm'd you.

Thanks everyone for posting responses in a positive and polite manner.