Imagine having a robust health, safety, environmental and quality framework that is very specific to your business. A framework that is also audited by external agencies like Totika, and most importantly, one that has evolved with worker input; is understood by the workers; and is followed by the workers.
Now imagine a Main Contractor, a Tier 1 operator of noticeable size dictating that you should use their JSEA template because it, well, fits better into their framework.
I have been reflecting on this request and keep coming back to the same point – changing a safety framework to appease a third party (or any framework for that matter) does absolutely nothing to maintain the integrity and efficacy of the original framework.
So, why would a Tier 1 Contractor make such a request?
Feedback I have received impacting different clients typically all focus on not fitting into a predetermined framework aka tick box list.
Is it that simple? Well, to date, I have yet to be presented with any reason of substance. I do note that each request has not come from a health & safety person but a Project Manager. Should that matter? Not sure, as I do not know the capabilities of these PM’s. What I do know is that we consistently decline their request to change.
Look, I could be missing things here so I welcome you to share your thoughts. Should a Tier 1 contractor ask for their downstream to change their processes just to appease their own? Can this be deemed overly aggressive by the Tier 1 contractor and ignore the duties of consult, cooperate and coordinate?
Thoughts?
