Challenges

The new development was constructed within a live operational site.  To further complicate matters, we were building adjacent an existing facility, also being upgraded, but by a third-party contractor directly employed by the client.

One of the key risks we identified early on in the mobilisation period related to the steel frame erection and how this interfaced with the third party contractors operations.  We identified that we both had craneage operations at the same time in close proximity to each other’s site.

Solution

In order to assist the client and to make the construction process and associated interfaces as safe and as simple as possible, we took the planning and co-ordination lead.  We worked with the client to ensure that our operations co-ordinated efficiently and did not interfere with their day to day operations. Where there was an unavoidable interface, we worked with the client to plan all activities in detail and then managed the operations once underway.

We adopted a similar principle with the client’s third party contractor.  We had regular progress and co-ordination meetings as the scheme progressed.  This gave rise to key planned activities, programme changes and logistics planning matters.  Through early engagement we were able to ensure both parties work interfaces progressed unhindered, ultimately de-risking health and safety, cost and overall programme issues.

Results

Through engagement with our supply chain members early in the mobilisation period, we ensured we delivered the scheme efficiently and effectively.  We also engaged early with the client and there third party contractor, again creating a collaborative working environment. This gave us sufficient time to review, plan and execute the works to maximum positive effect.  The result of this was the effective implementation of the our ‘right first time’ ethos.