Project supervision and management
Each project will have a project manager and technical-lead assigned who, together, will ensure that it is delivered to programme, budget and quality.
All site works will have a suitably experienced and qualified team leader who will be primary site contact and is responsible for the works being carried out safely and to specification. Wherever possible, we will assign a single team leader to the full programme of works to provide consistency
Risk management
TRL approach risk management on a project from a holistic point of view. We look to work collaboratively with our Client to understand and manage the risks to the project achieving its principle objectives.
The key to this approach is a thorough understanding of the primary drivers for the work and the desired project outcomes. We work through the project activities to identify what could restrict the successful completion of that element and then identify the mitigation options.
Quality
TRL understand that quality is paramount to our Clients and that they expect and trust TRL to successfully deliver projects to the highest quality standards. We achieve this in our asset surveys by taking a process driven approach. We map the flow of data from collection to delivery and build quality control and assurance stages within the delivery cycle. We aim to identify potential issues as early as possible and use a range of procedures to check that data is correct, these include:
- Thresholding data, identifying parameters outside expected ranges
- Statistical analysis, confirmation that the distribution of data is in line with expectations
- Time series monitoring, tracking parameters over a long timescale to identify where values are approaching specified limits
- Confirmation analysis, comparing different datasets to check agreement
- Manual review, checking results “make sense” given engineering understanding
All surveys are to be carried out in accordance with the relevant sections of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and the contracted specification.
TRL process for continual improvement
TRL build continual improvement into our delivery and undertake root cause analysis where issues have been identified. This means that we are developing additional checks and improved procedures on an on-going basis so that improvements are embedded within our processes. On completion of each survey we will review the works completed in order to identify areas of improvement or actions to be repeated for subsequent survey and investigations.
TRL’s process for continuous improvement recognises that some improvement projects have clear root causes identified in advance - and are most suited to a Plan-Do-Check-Act approach - whereas others may not and may require a more data-driven approach. Regardless, our technical experience has taught us the value of a strong emphasis on planning when implementing improvements: defining the problem, confirming metrics, analysing all available data.
The culmination of each project is a project review where specific lessons learnt are captured, positive actions are identified so that they can be repeated and problems are discussed so that they can be understood and avoided. Where possible we seek to engage the Contractor and Designer in the review to ensure that we capture all opportunities for improvement.
Health & Safety
The highway network is a high risk environment to operate in. TRL know and understand the health, safety and wellbeing implications for working on or beside the road. We will discharge our responsibilities under CDM 2015 in order to provide a suitable system of work is in place for all activities. This includes appropriate documentation, training and briefings for our operatives and contingency plans in the event of incidents and near misses.
Change control
All of our operatives are trained and empowered to handle change on site using the following procedure:
- In the event conditions change from that expected or planned, works should stop as soon as practical and safe to do so
- The circumstances around the change needs to be reviewed and the impact of those changes assessed
- Where systems of works deviate from those within the accepted activity plans dynamic risk assessments should be carried out using the dynamic risk assessment form
- TRL Supervisor to discuss implications of any changes with Client Representative
- If there is any doubt in safely continuing works, the works should be aborted
Contingency plans
As part of our project preparation, we ensure that contingency plans are in place, these include:
- Having at least one trained first aider on site
- Location and contact details for nearest hospitals with Accident and Emergency departments
- Accessible contact details in the event of an incident, including out-of-hours contacts
- Roadside vehicle recovery and replacement tyres
- Equipment for containing spillages
- Contact details for equipment maintenance and back up suppliers
Training and competencies
During the preparation for a project the required competency of the operatives is established. Our team hold the following competencies:
- All operatives will hold a CSCS (construction skills certification scheme) card relevant to the works being undertaken
- All operatives will have a valid safety critical medical certificate
- All operatives will have completed “working on or beside the road” safety awareness course
- All operatives will have been trained and assessed as competent to undertake the specific activity
- All operatives will hold valid Class 2 or trailer driving licences when required
- Our site team leader will hold SSSTS (site supervisor’s safety training scheme) or SMSTS (site management safety training scheme) card
- At least one of the site team will hold a valid first aid training certificate
