It has always been important to know who you are hiring and if they are qualified to do that job. All contractors hired by your Telco should be put through a screening process no matter what the task is that you are hiring them for. It could be line construction, equipment installation, building construction or even janitorial service for the offices.
This is especially true of tower service contractors because of the inherent danger in their work and the usually remote places that the activity takes place. You have a certain degree of liability for your contractors actions and if they are less than adequately skilled, under insured or have a poor performance record, it could come back to haunt you and your insurance carrier. The following is a checklist of important things to know before you sign that contract.
Evaluation Criteria For Hiring Tower Service Contractors
- Has the contractor obtained insurance coverage appropriate for the scope of work, prior to commencing the work? (e.g. worker’s compensation; general liability; etc.). (Obtain Certificates of Insurance for your file.)
- Does the contractor have the necessary experience, references and capability to properly perform the specific job at hand? (Obtain documentation to verify)
- Does the contractor have a written safety program and do they agree to conduct regular safety audits of its job sites by a competent person? (The contractor should provide a site-specific safety plan including rigging, structural and RF safety procedures, and fall protection requirements for this specific job.)
- Will the contractor agree to have a competent and qualified person at the project site who will conduct daily safety audits? (Usually the site supervisor)
- Does the contractor agree to maintain written records of the safety audits for a period of at least one year?
- It is a sign of a good contractor if they require pre-employment physical agility or physical fitness tests to determine ability to perform job tasks. They should also conduct drug screening of employees for unlawful use of controlled substances.
- The contractor should ensure that their tower climbers have been properly trained and understand OSHA regulations in the areas of fall protection and rescue. They should maintain written documentation of all training as required under OSHA and provide you with a copy when asked.
- The contractor should agree to conduct a hazard assessment at each job site to determine the requirements for personal protective equipment, including fall protection. (Ask for the documentation or sample assessment previously completed).
- The contractor should agree to notify your company in writing if subcontractors are to be used (and who they are) prior to the use of such subcontractors. These subs (if used) should meet the same contractor requirements outlined in this document.
- The contractor should agree to adhere to the provisions of OSHA Directive CPL 2-1.36 if any personnel hoisting is to be conducted.
- The contractor agrees to maintain good housekeeping on all job sites.
The loss prevention information and advice presented in this document is intended only to advise our clients, customers and business partners of a variety of methods and strategies based on generally accepted safe practices, for controlling potentially loss producing situations commonly occurring in business premises and/or operations. They are not intended to warrant that all potential hazards or conditions have been evaluated or can be controlled. They are not intended as an offer to provide insurance coverage for such conditions or exposures, or to imply that UNITEL Insurance or UNICO Group will provide such coverage. The liability of UNITEL Insurance or UNICO Group is limited to the specific terms, limits and conditions of the insurance policies issued, if any.
