Control of Contractors on Site - Aug 2016

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Dave Bennion BSc(Hons); Tech IOSH; SIIRSM RSP; ACIEH; DipEnvNEBOSH

MInstLM; CertCIH; MISQEM ; AMIIAIHealth , Safety, Fire, Environmental & Quality

ProfessionalBy David Bennion ©2016

Control of Contractors on Site


Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 employers not only have a duty to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their own employees, they have a duty to those not in the employers employment who may occupy their place of work to undertake work.

Wrongly sourced contractors not only present a danger to themselves by their actions, they have the potential to impact on your business operations and the employees who may be at risk from the contractors actions.

These few slides outline some measures which can ensure the safe use of contractors and measures which should be in place to protect both your business interests and your employees (This is a general list only)


Whilst most companies use an “Approved Contractor” list for preferred contractors they use, the usual checks will have been done ie:

• ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 etc• CHAS reg, Contructionline approved etc• Full Insurance PI etc• Trade associations and other affiliations• Qualifications and training ie: CSCS, IPAF, PASMA etc• RAMS (risk assessments and safe systems of work)• Health and Safety Policy etc

Monitoring contractors whilst on site (some of who may be subcontractors to the main contractor) can paint a different story.


Some basics on site:

The contractors need basic induction ie: welfare facilities, fire exits and muster point etc

Contractors must have correct PPE before starting work! “Permit to Work” will be needed for work at height, hot

works, confined spaces, live electrics etc. Special measures ie: fire watch, barriers to protect

contractors, isolation and lock off. Visual checks on contractors at random intervals to

make sure everything is ok – challenge any violations (it may be necessary to ask individuals to leave if you feel their action are unsafe). Remember to record near misses and report to contract manager!

Check that RAMS provided are being followed and if necessary stop work and question any deviation.

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Basics (Continued)

Contractors can change on a day to day project if it lasts a number of weeks – ie: CDM project – building demolition or extension, replacing a roof, structural works etc. – randomly check contractor trade cards (check they have not expired).

Remember notifiable CDM projects need an F10 submitting to the HSE! (This is done online)

Scaffolding must be scaf tagged or certified as safe and checked every 7 days (or sooner if anything changes ie: strong winds, a pole is hit or ground structure changes.

MEWPs, Cherry pickers need emergency evacuation plans as do confined spaces etc.

There are many more points but these are a few.

By David Bennion ©2016


This presentation is a very basic outline. As a business you will need to determine the level of training required by staff to maintain a safe and protected business operations.

In no way does this presentation represent a suitable and sufficient training package for staff as every business has different needs thus no liability can be sought against the owner of this material.

Remember it is the business owners responsibility to have a suitable and sufficient business risk assessment in place, to keep it up to date and provide “competent” training for staff to fulfil their employed duties with regards operational safety.

Control of Contractors on Site - Aug 2016

Business

Transcript of Control of Contractors on Site - Aug 2016