The Independent Engineer’s responsibility for the Ionia and E65 Concession Projects is defined in clause 18.3.2 (ix) of the Concession Agreement as “monitoring the Concessionaire’s compliance with all Health and Safety Regulations”. 

However, due to the importance of the particular duty, the IE focused especially on matters either related to the Constructor’s compliance with the implementation of its Worksite Health & Safety Management System (W.H.S.M.S.), or to ensure safe working conditions for the Independent Engineer staff during its presence in the worksites within the framework of work’s execution monitoring.

The role of the IE H&S Manager is proved to be vital in safeguarding the above, who’s Responsibilities according to the IE QMS Procedure are:

a) Advising and assisting with determination of policy and frequency of the Health & Safety Management System Audits in collaboration with the Project Manager and the Construction Manager.

b) Playing a leading role in managing and conducting monitoring and auditing the Constructor. 

c) Briefing and supporting other site staff delegated with monitoring duties, including day to day observations, activity checks, as well as formal audits.

d) Investigation of accidents in so far as it is consistent with the duties of the Independent Engineer.

e) Statistical analysis and reporting of safety issues, close out of Constructor’s Non-Compliance Notices. 

f) The Health & Safety of staff and visitors 

g) The enforcement of Health & Safety requirements by the Independent Engineer staff.

h) Checking of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) use by the Independent Engineer staff and visitors.

j) Develop internal training and awareness programmes and conduct regular tool box talks.

k) Reporting direct to the Board of IE Directors twice a year and as otherwise necessary on the performance of the Independent Engineer’s Health & Safety performance.

Constructor’s compliance with the implementation of its Worksite Health & Safety Management System (W.H.S.M.S.)

Start Up and basis of the IE Auditing on the Constructor implementation of its Worksite Health & Safety Management System consisted of the controls that took place any time that a new construction area was activated. These Audits were guide lined through a specific QMS Form.

Daily Monitoring of Constructor Performance on Site regarding H&S

Under the responsibility of all IE Staff daily care was to consider strict controls in their daily practice regarding the implementation of the Health and Safety regulations by the Constructor. Besides the IE role was “monitoring the Concessionaire’s compliance with all Health and Safety Regulations”, in many cases they worked proactively and in close collaboration with the authorized Constructor Staff, in a continuous effort to promote the Safety Culture all over the Construction Activities. All deviations were reported, whilst Risk Assessments were developed by appointed Designated Safety Persons (DSP). Typical cases that were controlled are:

1. Check structural members to be adequate for use – loading, access, etc.?
2. Check connections on the existing of adequate pins, cross bracing provided 
3. Check proper footings for their soundness, rigidness and secure formations.
4. Provision and use access ladder or safe equivalent.
5. Removal from service defective and damaged parts, planks, and components.
6. Keep ladders and working areas free of debris, chemicals and grease.
7. Working platforms of the scaffold to be fully covered by the platform planks.
8. Guard rails, mid-rails, and toe boards to be installed on all open sides of platforms.
9. Scaffolds not been overloaded.
10. Install screens between the deck and top rail where needed to prevent material from falling in high traffic areas.
11. Scaffold surrounding area shall be fenced and/or signed.

Health & Safety Plans and Files related to the Designs

The IE imposed a practice that all Designs approvals would be accompanied by appropriately compiled Health & Safety Plan and File according to paragraph 9- Article 3 of PD 305/96.

Step by step, Generic Health & Safety Plans and Files were developed referring to typical Construction Entities. In cases of special needs of the structure, Supplementary data were compiled and submitted for approval.

The Designs’ Health and safety Plans and Files consisted the base of the Risk Assessments developed at the later construction stages.