Employer/Designer duties
We are currently putting together a negotiated tender, as we are the sole bidder, and we have to go through the full tender process. while putting the Quality Submission together we have come across a situation that we believe can not be carried out safely or at least it will be unsafe when the site is not occupied so we asked the employer/designer how they had this activity being carried out at design stage. The response was that it is the responsibility of the principle contractor to come up with a safe system of work which we agree with if this was possible.
Q. Does anybody know the exact duties of the employer/designer in this circumstance as they are simply throwing a problem to the contractor without offering any input?
Certainly it is not satisfactory to have have a site unsafe at any stage let alone at construction phase. Clients have their roles but if they are not competent they can seek support from other parties such as yourself as a contractor.
Is there a solution that can be implemented by a contractor?
Clearly you have a professional reputation to defend as a contractor and would be potentially liable in the event of an incident occurring at a site you operated that was unsafe when not occupied or staffed in any way.
You are doing the right things here and you may have to consider hard decisions about whether this client is someone you want to deal with if they are unwilling to address your concerns.
Yes, there are solutions that can be implemented by a contractor to ensure that a construction site is safe at all stages, including during the construction phase. Here are some steps that a contractor can take to improve safety on a construction site:
Conduct regular safety training and toolbox talks for all workers on the construction site, including subcontractors and suppliers.
Develop and implement a comprehensive safety program that includes procedures for identifying, reporting, and correcting hazards on the construction site.
Provide and require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and high-visibility vests.
Implement a system for managing and controlling access to the construction site, including the use of security personnel, fencing, and signage.
Ensure that all tools and equipment used on the construction site are properly maintained and inspected regularly.
Establish an emergency response plan in the event of an accident or injury on the construction site.
Provide regular safety audits and inspections to identify and correct any safety hazards on the construction site.
By taking these steps and implementing other safety measures as appropriate, a contractor can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on a construction site and ensure that the site is safe at all stages, including during the construction phase.
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