SHE qualifications for contractors

Question from Institute of Quarrying Question Time on 18 February.

Joe Asante: ‘Although accident rates among our own workforce have dropped considerably the figures for contractors remain unacceptably high – is there a need for a new SHE qualification to try to raise the bar?’

Cedric Hollinsworth ‘Managing contractors is a challenge and proper inductions and controls are the key to site safety.  I see it as a manager’s responsibility and if regular contractors are used they should do their own risk assessments. People on site will respond to a strong safety culture.

Miles Watkins: ‘The quarrying industry is not good at managing contractors and is way behind other sectors, such as oil refining, where a poor attitude to safety is simply not tolerated’

Cedric Hollinsworth ‘I agree that as an industry we are poor at managing contractors. As outsourcing is increasing better training is needed to ensure our people are competent at managing contractors and also there is a need for performance to be audited.

Mark Osbalderston ‘From the university point of view there is some contract management within the diploma, but we will need to increase it within the course.’

Jack Berridge: ‘IQ’s Corporate Professional Competence (CPC) Scheme has taken off with all five majors committed to joining. Responsible suppliers are also asking to join because it is seen as providing competitive advantage. Therefore, some form of recognized competence qualification will be needed to help contractors raise their own standards to the same level as the aggregate producers’