15/01/13

Solving Problems and Making Decisions. (M3.01)

This week heavy snow has been forecast across the UK which will prove to be a big problem on the particular construction job that we are now on.

The contractor has receievd a detailed weather report specific to our particular region and heavy snowfalls are iminent which will have an adverse effect on this large open site.

Steps will have to be implemented to make sure that the weather causes as little disruption as possible.

Like all tasks carried out, it is important to follow the method statements and adhere to the risks assessments .

A meeting is called with the project manager, the client and the various different supervisors and foremen on the job.

In the meeting it is agreed that as long as it is deemed safe for normal operations to be carried out without any risk to the workers, then its business as usual, however if conditions change for the worse then the relevant supervisor must alert the office and cease operations and escort the men to the welfare facilities.
There the weather will be closely monitored. If the conditions get worse then the site shall be closed and the personnel sent home, however if subsides and it is safe to continue operations, then the workers would be asked to return to what they had been doing.

So on the morning of the expected snowfall, it is relayed to the men in the daily briefing that the weather could prove to be a problem to the days operations.
They are working approximately 500 metres away from the main welfare facilities laying steel reinforcement for a ground slab. A weather review will be carried out at 10 am and again at midday in the main canteen.

As it is extremely cold, all have appropriate clothing on and a thermometer is placed beside the area of work.