Competence of caretakers to carry out maintenance work
Guidance note
Introduction 3
Scope of the guidance 3
Minimum levels of training 3
Scope of works undertaken 4
Handyman/caretaker 4
Qualified tradesperson/caretaker 4
Full time tradesperson 5
Limitations of the guidance 5
Volunteers 5
Skills definitions 5
Qualifications 6
Appendices 7
Caretaker competencies to carry out maintenance or improvement works 7
Introduction
1. Wherever schools or other premises users employ caretaking staff to carry out works beyond the normal scope of their duties, there is an additional level of risk that needs to be managed.
2. This guidance note aims to guide managers on the limits of maintenance work that can safely and competently be carried out by staff employed on site. The guidance does not seek to alter the statutory duties of any employer towards their staff on matters of health and safety, or indeed an employees own duties for their own health and safety and that of others.
Scope of the guidance
3. Many small items of work can be carried out very cost effectively by on site staff with the correct tools and equipment and the knowledge and experience to use them safely. This note does not seek to suppress the ability of schools and premises to be self sufficient, but they must be mindful of their duty of care to employees, pupils, visitors and even passers by.
4. There will be items of work where a have a go, do it yourself approach would open up an unacceptable level of risk to schools and Cornwall Council as employer. To counter this risk, a fully qualified and experienced tradesperson with relevant skills and the right materials would be needed to deliver an acceptable quality of workmanship and meet relevant statutory requirements. They would also need to be properly insured, trained and registered for the work they are undertaking.
5. The type of works requiring particular care include plumbing, electrical and heating works, works requiring specialist access equipment or scaffolding, work on load bearing structures or elements contributing to the safety or well being of occupants (fire, security, air quality, water hygiene, noise). In other words, areas of work likely to be covered by specific regulations: building regulations, electricity at work regulations, water regulations or the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
6. Even seemingly minor works of alteration to services or structures may fall under one or more of these regulations. The concern should be that even qualified tradespersons now employed as caretakers will rapidly lose touch with regulations and best practice.
Minimum levels of training
7. All caretakers should receive the following training irrespective of whether they carry out maintenance works or not:
• Asbestos awareness (Control of Asbestos in the Workplace Regulations)
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
• Legionella awareness
• Manual handling
• Working at heights
• Statutory signage (fire, hazards, warning, mandatory, prohibition)
8. There is an awareness course for caretakers tailored specifically to these areas.
Scope of works undertaken
9. This can be broken down into three stages:
Handyman/caretaker
10. Very minor repairs where the outcomes of poor workmanship or materials will not place people in or around the building at any significant risk, or for repairs that provide a stop gap before a more permanent repair can be made.
11. No work should be considered where:
• Electrical fittings are removed or exposed
• Taking apart or removal of water pipe work may lead to major leaks or scalding
• The building structure is opened up or altered in any way
12. Typically within the scope of the handyman/caretaker may be:
• Putting up shelves (asbestos awareness training is essential)
• Replacing loose fittings – door/window/cupboard handles, hinges, locks
• Replacing lamps to light fittings (working at heights training is essential)
• Internal redecoration/external painting (all training listed under de minimis training is essential)
Qualified tradesperson/caretaker
13. Minor repairs, replacements or alterations which do not fall under specific regulations and may be within the scope of a suitably qualified caretaker (all training listed under de minimis training is essential).
• Most joinery/carpentry/bricklaying operations which:
– Do not affect load bearing structures or are not in themselves load bearing
– Do not alter fire compartmentation
• Finishing trades such as floor laying, painting, tiling or plastering:
– Professional advice should be sought where background structures are unstable, decayed or allow damp ingress
• Electrical, plumbing, heating or ventilation engineers:
– Scope of work possible will be very limited because of the need to maintain registration with bodies such as NICEIC etc
– Except for the most simple maintenance, works will require certification and detailed, up to date knowledge of regulations
Full time tradesperson
14. Secondary schools may well employ qualified trades as part of a dedicated maintenance team. In essence this is equivalent to operating as a maintenance and minor works contractor with all the attendant responsibilities, overheads and need for competent supervision and management, as well as current and comprehensive training for staff.
Limitations of the guidance
15. The scope of works described cannot be exhaustive and are not a substitute for appropriate risk assessments for the works to be undertaken.
Volunteers
16. Whilst it is not the intention of this guidance to discourage the undoubted contribution that volunteers make to schools and other council premises, the same principles as those governing the limitations on caretakers need to be adhered to.
17. Just as caretakers need to demonstrate a minimum level of competence and training, so to must a volunteer. This requirement may only be waived where the volunteer is under the constant supervision of a competent, trained employee of the Council (including schools) - see minimum levels of training, scope of works undertaken and skills definitions.
Skills definitions
• Handyman - skilled in various odd jobs and other small tasks but with no formal qualifications or training
• Qualified tradesperson - with a complete and rounded set of skills, training, knowledge and experience applicable to their particular trade
Qualifications (with the appropriate experience to achieving these qualifications)
18. For a carpenter, bricklayer or other non plumbing or electrical trade, the necessary qualifications would be:
• City and Guilds basic construction skills award: carpentry and joinery (6217)
• NVQ level 3
19. For an electrician, the necessary qualifications would be:
• City and Guilds 17th (or most recent edition) IEE wiring regulations (2382)
• Electro technical services NVQ at level 3
20. For a plumber the necessary qualifications would be:
• NVQ in mechanical engineering services – plumbing (6089) at level 2
• NVQ mechanical engineering services – plumbing (6089) at level 3
21. It is vital that managers establish that the person proposed to carry out works can prove that they possess these qualifications and appropriate experience.
Appendix A
Caretaker competencies to carry out maintenance or improvement works
Wherever a school intends to use a caretaker (or other member of staff) to do works to the building or grounds they must contact their asset manager to carry out a competence assessment.
If there is any doubt about whether the works proposed might fall under statutory regulations or construction standards, or have the potential to harm then you must obtain the advice of your asset manager.
All caretakers must have a minimum level of training as described in this guidance note before undertaking any of the works described below. The training will assist the caretaker to determine what measures need to be taken to safely carry out the work e.g. substituting scaffold tower for step ladders to replace lamps in high ceilings.
The following information gives an illustration of what would be deemed appropriate for the three levels of competence set out in the guidance document (please note this list is not exhaustive). Always seek the advice of your asset manager or contract manager where the intended works are new fixtures to the building as there may be planning or building regulation implications covered by statutory regulations.
Important - please note that works involving heating, hot or cold water, gas supplies or electrical fixed wiring are specifically excluded from this scope of works as these works require statutory certification and a tradesperson whose skills and knowledge are kept fully up to date.
Handyman/caretakerTraining requirements
Work being considered / Asbestos / COSHH / Legionella / Manual handling / Working at heights / Statutory signage / Planning / Building regulations
Boards - fitting of wall boards including pin boards, white boards, sign boards, notice boards / ü / ü / ü / ü
Blinds - installation of blinds and screens, curtains, curtain tracks / ü / ü / ü
Line marking maintenance – car parks, tennis courts, playgrounds / ü / ü
General cleaning / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Clearing/rodding of gutters, down-pipes, gulleys, drains and culverts (but not man-entry manholes), including temporary repairs to make safe / ü / ü / ü
Cupboards - assembly and positioning of freestanding cupboards / ü
Decorations – internal or external where not covered under property maintenance partnership / ü / ü / ü / ü
Lights – replacing light bulbs and tubes (depending on height and type of fitting. Isolate electrical supply) / ü
Furniture – moveable, but not repairs to / ü
Gutters – repairs (subject to working at height regulations) / ü / ü / ü
Gutters – cleaning (subject to working at height regulations) / ü
Library shelving – moveable / ü
Mirrors - fitting / ü
Shelving – assembly and installation of portable and fixed shelving / ü / ü / ü
Signs – fixing (please note – some signs are statutory, fire, food hygiene etc) / ü / ü / ü
Stage – moving and assembly of portable staging (with appropriate instruction and training) / ü
Qualified tradesperson/caretaker
Training requirements
Work being considered / Asbestos / COSHH / Legionella / Manual handling / Working at heights / Statutory signage / Planning / Building regulations
Classroom sink or general sanitary ware and waste pipes – repairs or like for like replacement / ü / ü / ü
Cloakroom fittings – repair or replacement / ü
Craft, design and technology – repair or replacement of fixed work benches and sinks / ü / ü / ü
Cycle sheds – repair or assembly or new installation / ü / ü / ü / ü
External areas – repair or replacement of paths and pavings, steps, ramps, handrails fences and gates (new features may be subject to planning and building control) / ü / ü / ü / ü
Joinery – repair or replacement on a like for like basis of internal/external joinery including fascias, skirtings, doors, windows, door stops, architraves, ironmongery (new features may be subject to planning and building control) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Non statutory curriculum buildings e.g. for playgroups etc and sheds for storage or greenhouses – repair and replacement on a like for like basis (temporary buildings may be subject to temporary planning permission – check that this hasn’t run out) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Wall finishes (internal and external) – repair or renewal of plaster, plasterboard, hard renders, tiling or slate plastic or timber cladding externally (new features may be subject to planning and building control) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Sound systems - installation of sound systems (where no alterations are required to fixed installed wiring) / ü / ü / ü
Qualified tradesperson/caretaker
Technically there is no limit (other than that beyond the scope of their trade, experience and training) that a full time tradesperson can undertake. However, there are a number of specialist activities (outlined below) that are likely to fall outside of the competencies of a school employed tradesperson – please note, this list is not exhaustive:
Work being considered
All weather pitches
Amplifying systems
Anti sun glass and film
Communication masts and aerials
Computer networking
Curtain wall glazing
Fire (maintenance of fire fighting equipment)
Flag poles
Fume cupboards
Gym equipment (inspections, repair and replacement)
Incinerators (subject to fuel supply factors)
Kitchen equipment
Library shelving (fixed)
Lifts and lifting equipment
Partitions (demountable and folding)
Play equipment and safety surfaces
Specialist floor coverings (e.g. Granwood, sprung floors, access floors)
Stage lighting and equipment
Swimming pools
Telephone installation
Temporary classrooms
Tree surgery
Prepared by:
Chris Jackson
Policy and Training Manager
Property Services
14 June 2011
If you would like this information
in another format please contact:
Cornwall Council
County Hall
Treyew Road
Truro TR1 3AY
Telephone: 0300 1234 100
Email:
www.cornwall.gov.uk
Competence of caretakers to carry out maintenance work Guidance note 12
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