DESCRIPTION
Statistics show that contractors are four times more likely to have an accident than an employee.
Ravelrig quarry site team take great pride in maintaining a safe working environment for all. The team recognised that contractor management could be enhanced by improving communications between Tarmac employees and contractors. A goal was set to achieve ‘Best Practice’in contractor management and active supervision.
A wide range of initiatives were introduced to enhance the relationships with contractors through collaboration. These included:
- Recording both positive and negative feedback and getting them to ‘buy in’ to new safety initiatives and improvements
- Leading by example encouraged the contractors to adopt the same standards as employees
- All employees assisted in the control and monitoring of contractors acting as ‘One team’
- The management team carrying out contractor task audits.
The checks during the task audit could cover a wide range of policies such as the application of LOTOTO, the suitability of the tools they were using, risk assessments and permits to work. The audit forms provide excellent evidence on the levels of monitoring and supervision being applied during the contractor’s work activities. The Tarmac supervisor and contractor sign the task audit report to acknowledge the findings and, where necessary, agree on corrective actions going forward.
The administration of the audit was made easier by an iAuditor App developed by the assistant quarry manager. It enables the contractor task audits to be completed using the App which was installed on the company maintenance tablet for use on site. The App also enabled hard copies of the audit reports to be downloaded and filed for reference.
Tarmac’s ‘Safety On Line (SOL)’ system was used to record near hits, unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. It was also used to record engagements and communications with the contractors. The corrective actions resulting from the contractor task audits were also added to the system. The initiative of adding pictures to the task audits forms provided excellent additional evidence of good practice being carried out by the contractors.
BENEFITS
- A reduction in the number of near hits logged against contractors
- Zero accidents recorded on-site
- Contractors now have all relevant documentation to undertake tasks
- Employees and contractors working together to achieve safer working environment
- System was shared across Tarmac as a demonstration of good practice when engaging with and supervising contractors
- Initiatives reflect Tarmac’s values
- ‘Collaborative’ – The site team and contractors work together to ensure that everyone remains safe
- ‘Ambitious’ – Effective use of electronic media developed through staff initiative
- ‘Proud’ - The site team are committed to maintaining their good practice of contractor management