Health and Safety Executive Health and Safety Executive MANAGING CONTRACTORS Alec Ferguson HSE

Managing Contractors Who Are Contractors? Someone brought in by you as client, to work at your premises. Can include: Builders Specialist maintenance workers Cleaners Asbestos removal Electrician Plumber Heating and ventilation engineer

Managing Contractors The Basics You should know: Your premises Your Routines & work patterns Risks arising from your premises and work

Managing Contractors The Basics The contractor should know: The risks arising from his own activities How to control those risks The capabilities & skills of his employees The capabilities and skills of his subcontractors

Managing Contractors The Law Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 – eg Section 3 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – eg Reg 12 Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007 – eg Regs 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17

Managing Contractors The CDM 2007 Approach Specific duties on clients in the revised CDM 2007 Regs Applies to construction work only But, provides a good framework which may be appropriate for other contractors

Managing Contractors Why clients are so important for H & S They “set the tone” for the project They make crucial decisions about resources – both time and money They select contractors, and decide the timing of their appointment

Managing Contractors The CDM 2007 Approach Is the project “Notifiable”? Appoint a CDM co- ordinator Co-ordinator can assist with competence checks, and provision of information If not notifiable, consider carefully how to comply with your client duties

Managing Contractors Competence is Key Take “reasonable steps” to ensure contractors are competent ACOP Appendix 4 – The Core Criteria A 2 Stage assessment process Pre-qualification schemes

Managing Contractors Arrangements & Information Ensure your arrangements for managing the project are suitable, and those of the contractor Keep this in proportion Provide relevant preconstruction information Make the Health & safety File available Other risks eg asbestos?

Managing Contractors The Practicalities 3 rd party liability insurance? Induction on site How will contractors ensure safe work? Who will supervise on site? Will the job be subcontracted out? Co-ordination during the project Information for H&S File Contractor assessment

Managing Contractors Information HSE Approved Code of Practice &: Industry Guidance ns forums/constructionclientsgroup