Competency and the 2010 Target ?

30th September 2009 - 4:11 pm - by Mike Phillips

I know the majors in the industry are working towards a fully competent workforce with some doing better than others. What I do worry about are the smaller operators who have little spare money for education and training for their employees. What I would like to know is, are the HSE going to visit these people on a more regular basis now there is soon to be a dedicated team of inspectors for the quarrying industry ? or carry on with the big boys to ensure the word gets out and hits the masses ? your thoughts would be most welcome.

Replies: 5

Comments

Michael I Hardy
1 Oct 2009 - 08:33

Mike - you have just summed it up! - the H&SE will concentrate on the "Big Boys" as it's much easier to spread the word & they will miss some of the much smaller 1 or 2 men outfits where there is a real need to improve competancy & H&SE in general as in some cases it it very difficult to pin them down to procedures.

Jonathan Ledger
29 Oct 2009 - 17:52

Mike you may well be right. Perhaps using the majors is an extension of the HSE marketing budget!

PBA
21 Jan 2010 - 10:01

At the end of the day, saying "we can't afford to prove competence of our workforce" will be scant defence for any company regardless of size if they are 'hauled up before the beak'!

It is not even as if this is coming as a suprise or revelation to the small operators, as the HSE have consistently given 2010 as a deadline for proving competence for the past 10 years.

Frequency of inspections is the key. The inspectorate won't know the levels of demonstrated competence on site unless they make a routine visit or are alerted by a serious incident. But there is no doubt that a new team of inspectors will be looking to make their mark on the industry.

So the question all operators regardless of size need to ask themselves is:

Am I feeling lucky today?!

Clint Eastwood
26 Jan 2010 - 08:32

PBA is the nearest here. As I understand it the new HSE Inspection Team are forming central intervention initiatives with the 'majors.' This will free up Quarries Inspectors time to give more focus on the smaller operators.

Competence isn't just about NVQ's, these are merely one way to demonstrate competence. However, the 'industry' by way of the QNJAC gave an undertaking that it would demonstrate competence by going down the NVQ route and that it would achieve full competence assurance by 2010.

The last minute panic to demonstrate competence by way of NVQ's is entirely predictable. Exactly the same thing occured in the mid/late 90's when HSE gave a deadline (based on the transitional arrangements in the legislation) for quarry owners (remember MQA?) to provide adequate all round visibility on mobile plant under PUWER '92, reg 17. Very little happened until 1997 passed and Notices were served. all of a sudden you couldn't get a CCTV/Radar or whatever for love nor money.

The difference this time is that the 'deadline' of 2010 was proposed by the industry itself, and it still can't meet it! The industry as a whole has had 10 YEARS to do something about this, so don't bleat if HSE comes down hard on those who cannot demonstrate competence.

PBA
26 Jan 2010 - 10:37

Clint is quite right. Just like all-round vision aids became hard to source, the same may well be true with regard to provision of NVQ assessment. There is a finite capacity amongst the quality commercial providers. Not to mention the 2010 switch from NVQs as we recognise them to the new style QCF awards.

The content of the new QCF may not differ much from the existing NVQs, however the format & approach is a departure. The learning curve for commercial providers and the awarding body, MPQC will have an impact. MPQC still haven't finished drafting these QCF's, then they will need approval from the regulators, following that documentation needs to be produced and issued to providers.... and on and on.

Employers who need to demonstrate competence to comply with the industry-set deadline cannot afford to wait for the QCF's, they really would do well to contact a good quality, reputable commercial provider to discuss their imminent NVQ requirements. As the saying goes....

Book now to avoid disappointment!