By Uwe Putlitz

This is part three in a series of articles by Uwe Putliz. In this article, we look at method statements.

DC Studio | Magnific.com

Synopsis

Following the ratification of health and safety regulations internationally, administrative procedures have developed to identify and manage contractual risks by timeously notifying project participants of such possibilities, and how to plan the execution of such work using agreed procedures in compliance with specified quality and safety criteria in accordance with the Construction Regulations 2014 (as revised) (CR14) in South Africa.

With this knowledge, preventative actions can be formalised as a method statement (MS) to guide others in the implementation of aspects of a project.

Who is involved?

Directly, the employer, the designer, the (sub)contractor and a health and safety consultant are involved.

Indirectly, manufacturers of specified products to be incorporated in a project may be involved, but not as a party to the contract.

What is the purpose?

A standard-form construction contract (SfCC) regulates the relationship between the parties in legal terms with procedures to follow should either party be in breach of the contract.

The specification(s) and drawing(s) describe the extent of the work to be done at a given location within an agreed period, in compliance with recognised quality and other standards – initially used to solicit bids from interested contractors, the tender documents that become part of the contract documents on appointment of the chosen contractor. This information is refined and supplemented for issue for construction as the construction documents.

The collective wisdom of the design team should anticipate and avoid a design involving high risk construction processes. From experience, it is not unusual for a contractor to suggest alternative solutions to achieve the intended design feature using ‘similar’ materials and available construction equipment with a method that may be less risky, be easier and more cost efficient. If agreed, the proposal is formatted as a Method Statement and issued as a contract instruction.

A method statement (MS) is generally compiled by the Principal Contractor in compliances with the CR14: (not necessarily a complete list nor in order of priority)

  • 1 refers to a documented plan and applicable safe work procedures to mitigate, reduce or control the risks and hazards that have been identified.
  • 2 states, “A contractor must ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable, ergonomic related hazards are analysed, evaluated and addressed in a risk assessment.”
  • 3 states, “A contractor must ensure that all employees under his or her control are informed, instructed and trained by a competent person regarding any hazard and related work procedures and or control measures before any work commences.”

The CR14, when appointing a subcontractor, requires the principal contractor § 7(c) “to be reasonably satisfied that the subcontractor has the necessary competencies and resources to perform work safely”:

  1. Works – permanent
    1. Description of the task.
  2. Works – temporary
    1. Will temporary works have to be provided to build the permanent works?
  3. Specification documentation
    1. Include measurable performance criteria to monitor performance, assess costs and duration.
    2. Reference to (company) standard operating procedures and similar manuals.
    3. Lessons learned – if available or if applicable from previous projects.
  4. Legislation and/or standards
    1. Reference to applicable legislation and standards.
  5. Contract
    1. Reference to SfCC, and other contract documents – the latter must highlight high risk activities identified in the design risk assessment stage CR16: 6.1(d).
  6. Manpower
    1. The number of skilled personnel required.
    2. The number of support personnel required.
    3. (Special) tools required, if so – how sourced or if readily available.
    4. In addition to normal personal protection equipment, specific equipment required such as harnesses, masks if the operations will generate dust or noxious fumes.
    5. Awareness – how each person must protect him or herself and their co-workers from injury or hazards; for example, can one or more persons lift and/or safely handle identified materials or plant within the available space at the level where work is to be executed?
  7. Environment
    1. Weather conditions that may influence (delay/postpone) planned procedures.
    2. Working overhead or on scaffolding or off a ladder or off swing scaffold.
    3. Site conditions – soil conditions, working over water, etc.
    4. Neighbouring owners – crane swing over their property, access, noise and dust.
    5. Local community – source of labour, may sabotage the work.
  8. Training
    1. Specialised training – if required, at a date, duration time, place, cost.
  9. Construction equipment
    1. The use of construction equipment – if available, to be sourced and/or erected.
  10. Programme
    1. The logical sequence, use of resources and duration of operations.
    2. As anticipated at design or tender stage – or on site to meet completion dates.
  11. Costs
    1. Is the allowable amount derived from the tendered costs adequate for the task?
    2. Is the project or task feasible – for example, possible and practical to achieve the objective?
    3. Is the project or task viable – for example, capable of working successfully, to achieve specified financial results?

If a ‘situation’ arises

Should an event occur, outside the normal contractual parameters, it is best dealt with it while the evidence is visible and accessible, and the people involved can easily be contacted.

How to deal with a ‘situation’

By collecting and securing all evidence and by open communication with all involved – preferably at a meeting at which authorised representatives can agree and decide what action to take without further delay – all can achieve a successful project conclusion.

The CR14 does not refer to method statements (MS) by name but refers to notifications in terms of the health and safety plan, listing typically difficult situations.

Events are invariably time consuming in addition to normal administrative duties, and more so when an event must be reconstructed at a later stage to fairly adjudicate the time lost and costs incurred when the evidence and the people are no longer readily available. Such assessment may become more complicated if further events occur – adding to avoidable stress!

Desired result

  • To apply knowledge and experience to foresee potentially high-risk construction activities and to initiate appropriate preventative actions.
  • To instil an attitude that safety is everyone’s responsibility in the project team.
  • To avoid potential disputes by prompt and open communication with all involved.

What must you do?

As the Employer:

  • Be aware that in terms of the CR14 you are responsible for health and safety of the project by providing a H&S specification to the principal contractor who must submit to you for formal approval of his/her H&S plan.
  • Accept responsibility for the project’s H&S compliance with a 16.1 designation in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.

As a Health & Safety consultant:

  • Guide the employer, designers, the principal contractor and subcontractors on the applicable H&S principles to be specified and implemented and, if these are not followed, to timeously instruct remedial action or cessation of the work through the authorised project communication process.
  • Accept responsibility for the project’s H&S compliance with an 8.5 designation in accordance with the CR14.

As the Designer:

Anticipate potential H&S construction risks by consulting with others during the design phase to:

  • Determine the safe buildabilty of a design
  • Confirm the appropriate choice and availability of materials and/or necessary construction equipment
  • Anticipate the most appropriate form of construction by evaluating alternatives into feasibility (practical) and viability (meet specified financial criteria).

As the Principal Contractor and as a Subcontractor:

  • Based on the tender information, and on receipt of construction information, report any potentially difficult and/or hazardous construction operations required, by suggesting alternative methods.
  • The CEO of the PrC accepts responsibility for the project’s H&S compliance with 16.1 designation in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.
  • The contracts manager of the PrC accepts responsibility for H&S compliance for all projects under his/her control with 16.2 designation in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.
  • The construction manager of the PrC accepts responsibility for a single project’s H&S compliance with 8.1 designation in accordance with the CR14.

If the objective is not achieved

Method Statement failures include:  

  • Not undertaking a project-specific risk assessment
  • Non-compliance with current statutory regulations or standards.
  • Reusing a MS from previous projects that is not applicable to the current project.
  • Non-compliance with H&S prescripts – will delay or result in aborting a project.
  • While H&S, other regulations and recognised (international) standards may appear petty or cumbersome, they save lives!

To be continued in Part 4 next week.

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