The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) said its Asbestos Labour Feedback App (ALFA) is the first of its kind in the industry.

It will allow contractor members to rate the performance and behaviour of operatives supplied by ARCA labour supply members.

ARCA said: “Having an overall performance rating available for an operative, as well as certificate information, available in one app, will provide the contractors with a better understanding of the competency of an agency operative before he/she arrives on site.”

Ratings over nine categories are requested on the last day of an assignment or every two weeks where applicable. All ratings, from various contractors over a number of assignments, are used to calculate the overall performance rating (calculated once five ratings received) for an operative, which is displayed by stars. An operative’s overall performance rating, and average rating per category, is then available for an ARCA member contractor to view, if/when that operative is assigned by an Agency to that contractor’s job, within ALFA.

ARCA chairman Jason Davy said: “The Association has a membership of virtually half of all licensed asbestos removal contractors in the UK, and many have told us that their biggest issue is the quality of labour. That is the competence, knowledge, skills and behaviour.

“Therefore, supporting better performing labour became a key goal for us.

“The question was how? ARCA already delivers asbestos training, and has developed and provides qualifications, needed by the industry.

“So, we held discussions with some member contractors and labour supply members, which resulted in ARCA taking the initiative to resource the development of a performance feedback app.”

ALFA, a web-based application, has been developed by ARCA to provide a number of benefits for all parties, including:

• Reassurance of labour competence – being able to view an overall performance rating provides reassured of the competency and attitude of an operative.
• Performance feedback – an ARCA Member Contractor can rate an operatives’ performance across nine categories, with ratings used to calculate an overall performance rating.
• Identifies training needs – feedback can support an operative’s development and future selection.
• Automated system – using ALFA labour supply agencies can manage jobs and assign operatives, and contractors can view assignments and operatives’ information.
• Certificate management – certificate information for operatives is immediately available within the App and ALFA highlights certificates due to expire, so supporting renewal management.

A union has raised concerns that the app could be used to victimise and blacklist workers.

Unite national officer for construction Ian Woodland said: “Unite is fully committed to the underlying principle that asbestos removal work must be undertaken by trained workers who undertake the work safely.

“However, Unite fears that in an attempt to ensure competency levels, ARCA has created a system which allows unscrupulous contractors to victimise and blacklist workers who, for example, may have challenged dangerous working practices, giving them a low score when rating their ability.

“A low mark would then result in the affected worker struggling to be hired for future asbestos removal work.

“Unite is concerned that there is no evidence that the app includes sufficient safeguards to prevent blacklisting and discrimination to occur.

“Unite has written to Mr Davy to raise our concerns and is seeking a meeting in order to ensure that these concerns are resolved.

“In the meantime Unite would urge that the roll out of the app is suspended in order to ensure that workers cannot be blacklisted, discriminated or victimised by this technology.”