Contractor Health and Safety Responsibilities

It’s not always easy to tell who is responsible for contractor health and safety as, in a work environment, the responsibility for health and safety is shared between everyone involved in work activities. This means that everyone — from workers to executives, contractors, employers and business owners — is expected to do what they can to minimise risks. Even site visitors may be given a health and safety briefing and expected to follow policies and procedures.

That’s not to say that the responsibility for health and safety is shared evenly. Naturally, those in a position of power are expected to do more than workers. That’s why employers usually hold the most responsibility when it comes to health and safety.

However, in industries such as construction where contractors and subcontractors are hired to provide goods or services, the lines can become blurred.

Who Is Responsible for Contractor Health and Safety?

Employers aren’t responsible for contractors in the same way they are for employees — they have slightly different responsibilities regarding contractor health and safety. However, the important point is that they still have a duty of care, and they are expected to complete a number of risk management duties to protect themselves, contractors and others. Contractors also have health and safety responsibilities, but they differ slightly to those held by employers.

The responsibility is shared mainly between employers/clients and contractors, but each party has their own duties to fulfil.

Employer Responsibilities for Contractor Health and Safety

• Hire Suitable Contractors
  Employers need to make sure any selected contractors have the necessary skills, knowledge, training and experience to complete required tasks safely and effectively. Contractors’ health and safety policies and procedures should be checked to ensure their competence.
• Carry Out a Risk Assessment
  Before contractors begin work, employers need to carry out a risk assessment of the workplace and work activities. Following the five steps to risk assessments, hazards need to be identified and employers need to consider how they might cause harm or ill-health and to whom. Control measures then need to be planned and implemented to eliminate or manage these risks.
• Communicate Health and Safety Information to Contractors
  Information about workplace and activity hazards needs to be shared with contractors — along with risk assessment findings and control measures that should be implemented. RAMS documents relevant to contractors’ activities should also be shared, and employers should determine if contractors are required to have any specific training.
• Regularly Review Health and Safety in the Workplace
  Workplaces — especially those in high-risk industries like construction — are constantly changing. Procedures may be adjusted, new equipment may be introduced, and new people may be brought on board. Employers are legally required to regularly review health and safety, especially in response to any changes within the workplace. Subsequent changes or updates to health and safety information must be relayed to contractors.
• Supervise Contractors
  Employers need to plan how contractors will be supervised throughout the project so that they can ensure tasks are being completed safely.
  
• Appoint a Principal Contractor
  If the project in question is going to involve more than one contractor, the client/employer must appoint a Principal Contractor who will take the lead.
• Ensure Contractors Know Their Responsibilities
  Contractors are also required to take steps to ensure their own health and safety. When selecting contractors, employers need to make sure the contractors are aware of these responsibilities. 

Construction Contractors: Responsibilities under CDM 2015

Projects that involve construction activities will need to comply with the CDM 2015 Regulations. Under these regulations, health and safety duties are divided between responsibilities that all contractors need to complete and responsibilities solely for the Principal Contractor of a project. In projects with only a single contractor, this person will need to assume the role and responsibilities of Principal Contractor.

For a detailed breakdown of CDM roles and responsibilities, check out our guide to the CDM Regulations, or find contractor responsibilities below.

Contractor Responsibilities

The following are duties that all contractors involved in a project must complete:

• Ensure Clients Know Their Responsibilities
  Just like employers need to check that contractors know their responsibilities, contractors also need to check the same of their employers. This is because everyone involved in CDM projects needs to be aware of their legal duties.
• Select Suitable Subcontractors And/Or Employees
  Contractors need to make sure that any workers have the necessary training, skills, knowledge and experience. During the project, they must plan, manage and monitor any work carried out by subcontractors or workers. They also need to check that workers know which health and safety hazards are present, and what is expected in terms of risk management.
• Secure the Site
  Before work begins, contractors need to secure the project site to prevent unauthorised access.

Principal Contractor Responsibilities

Principal Contractors need to carry out all of the above duties, plus a few more:

• Plan, Manage and Monitor
  The Principal Contractor must plan, manage and monitor the entire construction phase of the project.
• Consider All Health and Safety Risks
  The Principal Contractor is required to consider all health and safety risks that could arise during the construction phase of the project. They’ll need to carry out their own risk assessment, ensure the project site is secure, and make sure that the necessary control measures are implemented to protect people from harm.
• Communicate Health and Safety Information to Other Parties
  Health and safety information will need to be communicated to all other parties involved in the project, including the client. Principal Contractors should also engage and consult with workers regarding health, safety, environmental and welfare related matters.
• Prepare a Construction Phase Plan
  The CDM 2015 Regulations state the need for every project to have a construction phase plan (CPP). The Principal Contractor must prepare this document, detailing how health and safety risks will be managed throughout the construction stage of the project.
• Provide Welfare Facilities
  Welfare facilities are important for ensuring the health, safety and fair treatment of workers. The Principal Contractor will need to make sure facilities such as toilets, washing facilities, drinking water and rest stations are available on-site before any work begins. Welfare facilities provided must be maintained throughout the construction project.
• Manage Contractors and Workers
  The Principal Contractor must ensure suitably skilled and qualified contractors and workers are hired for the project. They’re also responsible for organising contractor work schedules, providing them with project and site information. They also need to manage and supervise workers throughout the project.

Take Control of Health and Safety with CHAS

Whether you’re a client or contractor, CHAS can help you take control of health and safety.

As a contractor, you can benefit from our industry-leading, nationally-recognised accreditation schemes. With exclusive membership benefits like risk management resources and discounted training modules, you can take your health and safety standards to new levels.

If you’re a client looking to improve your supply chain risk management, you can join CHAS for FREE. You’ll gain access to supply chain risk management services that can help you achieve and maintain compliance, and find contractors that are perfectly suited to your projects.

Contact our friendly team of risk management experts to find out how CHAS can help you and your business achieve compliance, mitigate all manners of risks, and find contractors/clients that share your commitment to excellent health and safety standards.