One of the fundamental drivers behind Ctrl Hub was – and always will be – ensuring that our people get home safely at the end of every working day. That goes for our clients. So how do we do that? Using the real life example of Mark Furness at Andrew Hughes Utility Services Ltd (AHUS), we will demonstrate.
The Background Work
The process starts way before Mark’s working day begins. As a responsible and conscientious employer, AHUS utilises Ctrl Hub to proactively manage the competency and training of all of its employees. AHUS knows that Mark holds all required qualifications in order to safely and legally carry out his role.
On top of this, AHUS also utilises Ctrl Hub to manage the certifications and compliance of Mark’s van, and all the equipment that Mark utilises in performing his duties. Any certification that is coming up for expiry is flagged and can be renewed well in advance.
The Day Begins
Mark has his breakfast before firing up his tablet and logging into Ctrl Hub. He checks his daily task list, and ensures that the project folders for the site to which he is assigned contains all the relevant drawings and safety information.
Mark heads out of the house and carries out his daily van check using the Ctrl Hub van check form to capture and record the results as he goes. He also takes the opportunity this morning to carry out his weekly inventory check, to confirm that all his equipment is present and in working order.
With checks successfully carried out, Mark sets off for site.
On-Site Preparation
Mark arrives at site, parks his van safely, and accesses Ctrl Hub to set up his daily risk assessment.
Part of today’s work involves the team being in close proximity to overhead electricity cables. Mark’s risk assessment refers him to the relevant section in his company’s operating manual, stored in Ctrl Hub. Mark accesses and reads that section of the manual in order to ensure the proper process is followed.
Mark briefs his team on the risk assessment and the work plan for today, and records the briefing in the risk assessment form as he does so.
Mark captures and records a number of start of day check photographs to demonstrate that the site has been set up properly, and to protect him and his team – in case a member of the public makes a complaint for example.
Finally, Mark carries out a review of the site CDM pack and method statements to confirm all is in order for the day’s activities.
Safety Critical Procedures
Part of today’s work involves excavation around existing underground pipe and cable work. The team scans the area to be excavated using specialist equipment called a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and Signal Generator (Genny), to identify the exact location of the underground cables.
Having identified and marked the surface showing the location of the existing cables, Mark uses a Critical Safe Dig form in Ctrl Hub to set out his team’s plan for safely carrying out the excavation. He photographs the site of the excavation, which automatically embeds within the Ctrl Hub form.
Mark then submits the form via the platform. The Ctrl Hub workflow that sits behind the form, notifies the client’s site manager that the Critical Safe Dig form has been submitted for approval.
The client site manager can review the proposed dig methodology from his/her desk or mobile device, and give approval for the work to commence – or raise queries and resubmit to Mark to address. This is done without the need to visit site, and enables Mark and his team to safely commence the excavation work without delay.
Site Audit
During the course of the day, Mark carries out a site audit using Ctrl Hub, to review a host of different factors, including:
- competency of all individuals and assets at the site
- the availability and suitability of all relevant site documentation
- availability and good working order of all safety equipment
- the tidiness and security of the site and the protection of the public
- environmental considerations
Hand Arm Vibration Monitoring
At various points during the day, Mark and his team members utilise equipment which vibrates when in use – for example Stihl saws and pneumatic drills.
Following each usage, Mark accesses his Ctrl Hub, and updates his Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) monitoring form to input the relevant piece of equipment and the time spent using it. Ctrl Hub automatically assigns the appropriate number of exposure points to Mark for that period of use.
This allows Mark and his employer to track Mark’s HAVS exposure on an ongoing basis, and to impose rest periods or other mitigation measures if Mark’s usage approaches the recommended limits. As well as ensuring he gets home safely each day, the platform is also ensuring that Mark’s long term health is protected.
End of Day
As they wrap up on site for the day, Mark and his team refresh their site specific risk assessment, taking end of day photographs to minimise any risk of an accident occurring on the site outside of working hours.
The electronic forms which they submitted via the Ctrl Hub platform during the day’s work will be processed in accordance with the workflows that sit behind them. Some of them may have already been reviewed and approved by the back office staff.
The data they have collected over the course of the day will be in Ctrl Hub and available for analysis – from both a commercial point of view and from a HSEQ point of view. Analysis of the data, and implementation of change and continual improvement, will ensure that Mark and his colleagues make it home safely from work tomorrow and beyond.
