Geotechnical
wider construction industry, and just as importantly the general public, who want to feel satisfied when they travel by train that work done and seen from their passing window is carried out in a safe and controlled manner.
Independent audit
NR/L3/INI/CP0063, as the standard is now known became mandatory on the 5th
June 2010 and defines a consistent approach to piling adjacent to the running line, describing all elements of working, including risk and hazard management, through to the required competency of all personnel involved in the piling works and associated activities. However, competency is a qualitative as well as a quantitative variable and is open to wide interpretation, and this is where the FPS is able to add value and reassurance through its membership process. Membership of the FPS is conditional on an applicant company passing a thorough and independent audit, which aims to define, through assessment, the standards a member meets and as this audit is repeated every three years, ensures standards are at least maintained, if not bettered. The audit, as well as ensuring
standards, establishes a frame of reference
for individual members as it scores key business elements such as health and safety or how committed they are to training, and relates them to what are considered the highest reference points. Establishing these points against other FPS peers is a great way of motivating companies to strive for continuous improvement of standards and suggests, without naming, how a company might improve on an area it has been marked down on by recommending schemes or initiatives that have benefited other companies. For example, training, which is a key influencer on competency, forms an important part of the audit process and is something the FPS is always keen to promote amongst its members. Repeating the audit ensures that scores and benchmarks are not static, as well as making sure that member companies do not become complacent.
FPS membership on the rise Although members are real-world competitors, they unanimously support the promotion of best practice and this was seen during the process of establishing the Network Rail standard. Here, members set aside their competitive differences to come together and work on an issue that would benefit the piling
and wider geotechnical sector, as well as the construction industry as a whole, especially with regards to health and safety and best working practice. With the arrival of Crossrail, many of our members have been involved in projects at varying levels, and FPS membership will go some way to differentiating them in tenders, as well as reinforcing their competence. This imparts confidence to clients that an FPS member will undertake the job safely and successfully. In fact, FPS membership is increasingly being requested by clients which has led to a recent rise in membership figures. This can only be a good thing if we as an industry wish to see standards continually improve. It’s been a hard few years for all areas of construction and of course this has led to cost-cutting, which in turn has put pressure on standards. However, a growing membership in these difficult times is proof positive that FPS members are not prepared to compromise on these issues and still rate standards and quality as core values and important in the effort to win work. This in turn can only be good news for the rail industry and the piling contractors it wishes to work with. For more information, visit
www.fps.org.uk
INDUSTRIES
Railways
Highways
www.topdrill.co.uk
TRAINED | ORGANISED | PROFESSIONAL
Topdrill
OUR SERVICES
Pre-site Assessments, Desk Studies
Window Sampling, Cable Percussive & Rotary Drilling and High Quality Limited Access Concrete Coring
Qualified via Audit
ID 23941 w.
www.topdrill.co.uk | t. +44(0) 1908 666 606 | e.
info@topdrill.co.uk April 2013 Page 105
ID 703201
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