Contractor Risk Assessments & Method Statements
Site Managers
Just wanted to remind sites that even though Facilities are arranging contractors to attend to undertake works, sites are still required to ask the attending engineers to see the Risk Assessments and Method Statements for the works due to be undertaken.
We understand that site managers / staff are not experts in checking Risk Assessments and method statements for facilities works, therefore all we ask is that you ensure the RAMS presented are checked for their relevance to the work they are about to do i.e. they are for the task to be undertaken, electrical, plumbing, building etc and that the contractor is made aware of any risks the site may pose to the works they are about undertake i.e asbestos, hazardous products, exposed edges when working at height so they can be assessed and included.
Whilst some contractors will have generic RAMS for their work (FT as an example) and some will do Dynamic RAMS when on site, more of a tick box assessment, both are acceptable.
To confirm It is OUR responsibility to ensure they have RAMS and they are relevant to the works they are doing and the contractors responsibility to ensure that the detail in the RAMS is suitable and sufficient.
Regarding the H&S competency of contractors Facilities are using, they are either a new supplier that has been vetted (achieving something called CHAS or Safe contractor status) meaning their H&S competency has been assessed by and external organisation or they are the original contractor the site has been using for some time and RAMS have previously been provided.
Gradually we will be ensuring all suppliers achieve CHAS or safe contractor status, another reason to move to more national suppliers rather than local ones.
I hope this is clear and should you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact either myself, Mark Webb or Tracy Heath
Regards
Leigh Oldfield
Head of Facilities