Whilst every member of the Tyson team is committed to the Quality Assurance objective and works to achieve quality with efficiency in all of their activities, the QuEnSH Manager has overall responsibility of Quality Assurance and continually identifies improvements to existing working practices through training, reviewing operations and upgrading of IT systems in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Selective lists of specialist sub-contractors are utilised. All have proven their ability of delivering contracts to the high standards that Tyson expect. New sub-contractors are added to this list only if they meet a specific criterion and prove their capability. The friendly, firm but fair minded approach with sub-contractors is paying dividends as a high standard of work is obtained with first class service levels and specialist design input as required. Selective tendering to a small number of proven sub-contractors guarantees a competitive price but also means that sub-contractors are aware of what is expected.

All subcontractors have to undertake a vetting process undertaken by Tyson’s Quality, Environmental, and Safety and Health Manager. This is carried out by forwarding to the subcontractor the Contractors Health, Safety & Environmental Questionnaire. This document outlines Tyson’s procedures for its accreditation under CHAS, ISO 9001:2000 and 14001:2004. It dictates how Tyson operate and how Tyson expect its subcontractors to operate to meet the above criteria and the relevant subcontractor is required to fill out, sign and send back documented evidence to say they abide by this document and its contents. This is undertaken before any subcontractor is allowed on site.

Tyson pride themselves on the many long established relationships with members of its supply chain. By using trusted and skilled sub-contractors Tyson are confident in their ability to produce the highest quality work. Tyson’s Project Managers / Quantity Surveyors appoint sub-contractors whilst their Contract Managers and Site Managers programme and coordinate their work.

During the construction phase the Contracts Manager and Site Manager / Supervisor will monitor all sub-contractor performance. The mechanism by which the process is implemented is specified in the Company Quality Procedures Manual. This process requires the Site Manager / Supervisor to grade the sub-contractor on his performance, reporting on quality of the finished product, attitude of the labour force, quality of the plant / equipment in use on the site and safety performance. All this information is presented on the Sub Contractor Performance Report for every sub-contractor on every project and these performances are reviewed at the bi-monthly QuEnSH Meetings. Any subcontractor not meeting the required standard will be warned of his performance and finally omitted from Tyson’s sub-contractor list. However as stated previously Tyson have strong relationships with a small select number of sub-contractors and as such above actions are very rare.

Tyson operate a management system whereby all projects have a Project Director / Manager who has overall responsibility for ensuring project delivery within budget and programme. The Project Manager will be the main point of contact with the client group and the design team and will coordinate activities and give clear direction to his colleagues. Also, the Project Manager monitors costs and reports directly to the Client and / or the Cost Consultant.

The Contract Manager would communicate regularly with the End User clarifying queries and any issues well in advance of critical dates ensuring sites operate efficiently. Tyson’s Contracts Directors/Managers normally visit site daily to lend support to the Site Manager.

The Site Managers are responsible for the day to day coordination of works on site. Alongside the Contracts Director / Manager they plan and programme resources and check the quality of workmanship.

The key to any effective project delivery is communication. In the main this is directed through the Project Managers as they have overall responsibility for project delivery. Tyson actively encourage an open dialogue between their building professionals (and their selected subcontractors) and the design team, clients, and end users. This is generally undertaken at team meetings.

In order to ensure continuity in terms of allocation of resources the Contracts Director / Managers meet, normally once every month, to review all site requirements for labour and plant to maintain programmed delivery and adjust provisions accordingly. Company management meetings attended by all senior management including Contracts Director/Managers, the Company Buyer, the Health & Safety Manager, project Quantity Surveyors and a representative from the Administrative Department are held normally every four to six weeks where all parties are asked to report in respect of their particular function and are able to raise any issues or concerns they may have for discussion and subsequent action by other members of the management team, as appropriate.

It is in the nature of construction works that someone is going to be inconvenienced during construction project. It is Company Policy to undertake a letter drop prior to the commencement on site providing project details, including site specific contact details. Periodic newsletters are distributed to local residents and businesses informing them of upcoming events on the site and any likely disruption to the project’s neighbours.

In all instances where such contact is received a representative of the Company will contact the person to establish the precise nature of the complaint, undertake a thorough investigation and respond with an explanation as to why the particular circumstance(s) have arisen and for how long these may prevail together with looking for practical ways in which the disruption might be mitigated or curtailed.

Tyson aims to provide defect free service to its customers on time and at the correct price in accordance with agreed customer requirements. Tyson operate a Quality Management System that has gained certification to the ISO 9001: 2000 standard. The management of Tyson is committed to:

• Develop and improve the Quality Management System.
• Continually improve the effectiveness of the Quality Management System.
• The enhancement of customer satisfaction.
• The management of Tyson has a continuing commitment to: ensure that customer needs and expectations are determined and fulfilled with the aim of achieving customer satisfaction.
• Communicate throughout the Organisation the importance of meeting customer needs and legal requirements.
• Establish the Quality Policy and its objectives.
• Conduct Management Reviews of the effectiveness of the implementation of the Quality Management System.
• Ensure the availability of resources.
• The structure of the Quality Management System is defined in the Quality Manual, but is broadly separated into 7 sections.

1. Introductory Information

The Company’s Quality Manual is a controlled document and this section contains all information pertaining to manual control. Also included is a Foreword to the Manual, together with information relating to the profile of the Company to which the Procedures apply. The Quality Policy is included in this section, along with information relating to our organisation, roles and responsibilities.

2. The Quality Management System

This section details documentation required by the system.

3. Management Responsibility

This section details responsibilities and procedures for:

1. Development and improvement of the Quality Management System.
2. Fulfilling and enhancing customer satisfaction.
3. Reviewing the Quality Policy.
4. Establishing Quality Objectives.
5. Management Review.

4. Resource Management

This section details responsibilities and procedures for:

1. Identification of additional or altered resources
2. Assessing competence and awareness, and implementing training of human resources.
3. Inspection and maintenance of machinery, process equipment and transport.
4. Inspection and maintenance of the work environment.

5. Product Realisation

This section details responsibilities and procedures for:

1. Planning and implementing construction work.
2. Tendering for construction work.
3. Purchasing issues during contracts.
4. Control of product and service provision.

6. Measurement, Analysis and Improvement

This section details responsibilities and procedures for:

1. Monitoring and measurement, including client satisfaction and audit.
2. Control of non-conforming product – in house and client complaints.
3. Analysis of data received from customers – satisfaction analysis and complaints.
4. Continual improvement, corrective and preventative action.

7. Appendices

Included here are:

1. A diagram showing the interaction of departmental processes.
2. Distribution of controlled manual.
3. Internal site documents requiring completion, where necessary.
4. Equipment Maintenance Schedule.
5. Quality Business Objectives.
6. Standard legislation listing.
7. Tyson Filing System.
8. Operating Procedures for:
   1. Document Back-up / Transfer.
   2. Site Document Control.
   3. Site Equipment and Maintenance.
   4. Site Calibration and Test Procedure.
   5. Suppliers / Subcontractor Documentation Procedures for Site.

Outcomes

The Company has found that operating a quality management system has enabled Tyson to:

1. Place an emphasis on assurance of quality (right first time approach), rather than control of defects.
2. Enhance and continually improve our systems and output through monitoring and analysis.
3. Provide clearly defined roles that teach all organisation staff to have accountability for quality within the Company.
4. Enable production of simple yet effective procedures.
5. Standardise procedural processes across all sites enabling increased efficiency and better control from head office.
6. Enable the organisation to adapt systems quickly to new changes in technology and general working practices.
7. Have combined staff training sessions with the emphasis being on quality and continued improvement.
8. Document how Tyson actually work.