Biosite Systems, a leader in biometric access control and workforce management solutions for the construction industry, has partnered with Costain Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV) to deliver a competency management system that has led to 0% non-conformances reported at audit.  

Working on behalf of High Speed Two (HS2), CSJV was responsible for the South section of the £900million* essential enabling works programme and quickly recognised the need for a sophisticated system, to ensure total visibility of the almost 3,500 active workforce. 

Biosite’s Mosaic solution was tailored to respond to CSJV’s specific challenges to capture and analyse data that would be valuable at both a site and group level. Using multiple devices to capture the data, the system provides real-time movements for each person – including direct employees and subcontractors – and traceability around agreed key areas, including accreditations and skills checking, health and safety briefings and Ethnicity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) data. Online inductions have also been introduced to allow checks and measures to be completed in advance and save valuable time on site.

The system has been deployed by CSJV at all 21 sites of the South enabling works programme, spanning 26.8km. Alongside the unprecedented 0% non-conformances reported at internal audit, the system has enabled CSJV to respond to increasing demand for enhanced EDI data, as well as capture toolbox talks, safety briefings and a roll call via a Mobile App. At a corporate level, the system is being utilised for comprehensive, real-time reporting via site and corporate portals to analyse worker competencies, time and attendance and skills gaps, all in real-time. The system has also been integrated with existing CSJV platforms to maximise efficiency and performance, whilst reducing potential conformance issues.

On an average monthly basis^[1], the system captures more than 220,000 biometric events (operatives entering a site), with more than 27,000 operatives captured on a mobile device as having completed ‘classes’, which can include toolbox talks, safety briefings and inductions.  

The scope of the project has meant additional investment in employee resource by both Biosite and CSJV, from apprentice level to product specialists, engineers and dedicated service support.  

Allison Cameron, SHE Administration Manager, Costain Skanska Joint Venture, explains: “Biosite’s Mosaic solution provided vital clarity around an incredibly complex project, which was critical to optimising performance and meeting strict timescales. Having an effective competency management solution put us in control of our sites by providing the data we needed, when we needed it, which enabled more informed decision-making.”   

Kamran Ali, Business Manager at Biosite Systems Ltd, adds: “The success of the solution has been a result of the close collaboration between Biosite and CSJV during the development and deployment stages, which married the advanced system capabilities with optimum management and utilisation. As well as achieving 0% non-conformances – which is phenomenal – we’re thrilled that Allison’s exceptional management of the system has also been recognised with multiple award wins, including an Industry Fire Environment (IFE) and Work Sight award.”