M&S Water Services has amended its team briefing to include a procedure for operatives to escalate concerns about "unique" locations to a supervisor, who will then decide on appropriate control measures. The briefing will be mandatory for new operatives and refreshed for existing operatives every six months. (AI summary)
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If any of the above is a concern then please consider all or some of the following: Consider storing the spoil elsewhere to enable us to keep the footpath open Consider plating the excavation Consider the need for Heras Fencing If you need advice then contact your supervisor It is submitted that the additional guidance given to operatives within three days of the accident on 28 May 2017 should assuage the concern regarding unique sites and whether or not there is sufficient focus in the risk assessment process on the likelihood of the public using the alternative route. It will be appreciated that on the Devon Road site the Mes operatives were required to complete the Amey Utility Services Limited risk assessment template Given that no two sites are the same; the Company is wary of being too prescriptive in respect of the guidance given to operatives: Therefore, in order to address the specific concern of the Coroner the Company has amended point 4 of the briefing to read as follows - If a footway closure road closure alternative pedestrian route is is it suitable will pedestrians follow it? If the assessment is that they will not; please contact your supervisor for advice The intent is to provide a procedure for operatives to escalate any concerns in relation to 'unique' locations to a supervisor and for the supervisor to then make the final decision on the appropriate control measures to be put in place. As such; the procedure will ensure supervisory involvement in relation to assessments of all 'unique' locations: The briefing will be a mandatory part of the induction process for new operatives and will be refreshed for all existing operatives at six month intervals It is important to stress that M&S does not fulfil the role of the Job Initiator or Job Planner The evidence of Amey (paragraph 4.5 of statement dated 14"h December 2017) was that the Job Planner reviews the job for any special requirements based on the Job Initiators comments. The process involves a visit to the site by the Customer Services Technician: To this extent there is also the opportunity within the planning permitting process to identify 'unique' locations As was highlighted the Inquest hearing; the Company is committed to going above and beyond existing Industry Standards / guidance in relation to Street Works: additional processes now put in place are part of the commitment to continuous improvement