CONTRACTORS

In recent years there has been an increasing use of contractors in both the public and private sectors, which has led to a greater number of accidents in many areas. This is often due to the fact that no one is prepared to take responsibility for co-ordinating the health, safety and welfare of the differing workforces who often have to work closely together.
There are, however, clear legal responsibilities for all concerned:

Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

• Section 2 - Employers duties to employees and others (i.e. contractors);
  
• Section 3 - Contractors have a duty to conduct undertaking in a safe manner.

• Regulation 3 - Risk Assessment on the risks to the health, safety and welfare of employees and "others";
  
• Regulation 6 - Competent person needed to implement emergency procedures;
  
• Regulations 7 - Procedures for serious and imminent danger, which could affect anyone;
  
• Regulation 9 - Co-operation between employees i.e. Contractor and Client;
  
• Regulation 10 - Working on other premises requires an understanding of risks involved.

• Ensure that contractors can manage health, safety and welfare, demonstrating by example, BEFORE getting on the tender list.
  
• Allow for the provision of any plant, equipment or PPE, which might be needed. This should include adequate provision within the bid.
  
• Establish who should be responsible for health, safety and welfare and what their duties are.
  
• The Framework for controlling health, safety and welfare should be clearly defined.
  
• Rules and standards to which ALL workers must conform should be well established.
  
• Hazardous situations should be anticipated, identified and remedied on an ongoing basis.
  
• Monitoring of the health and safety performance should be ongoing.

This is only a quick guide to potential complex situation

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