When using contractors to carry out tasks for you, both parties: client and contractor will have duties under health and safety law.

Clients will:

• Have to provide a safe place of work
• Safe access and egress to that place of work
• Make them aware of any emergency arrangements in place
• Make them aware of key personnel- fire wardens/first aiders
• Show them contents of risk assessments and control measures that are in place to protect them
• Make them aware of any other safety procedures that are in place e.g. permit to work systems

Contractors will:

• Co operate with clients on health and safety matters
• Adhere to any site rules
• Make persons affected by his undertaking of any hazards he may introduced to the place of work
• Make persons affected by his undertaking of any control measures in place
• Be responsible for any equipment, tools and materials he uses.

Clients need to ensure that contractors are competent to carry out the work:

Health and safety policy and practice

1. Do they have a health and safety policy?
2. Do they have risk assessments?
3. Do they have a method safety?
4. Are equipment and tools maintained, are they suitable for the environment i.e. explosive, damp atmosphere
5. Do they operate a permit to work system?
6. Do they have insurance: Public Liability and Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance

Training and Competence

1. Are they a member of a professional trade body e.g. CORGI
2. What health and safety training have they had
3. What training have their employees had (see records)
4. How do they ensure any sub contractors are competent?
5. Do they have a good health and safety record i.e. No accidents

Experience

1. Are they familiar with your business: Hazards etc
2.Have they a good 'track' record of carrying out this type of work
3.Can they supply references

The list above is not an exhaustive list, but is some of the things you will need to consider when using a contractor to carry out tasks for you.

Contractors will include:

• Gas Fitters/ Installers
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Window cleaners
• Builders
• Cleaners etc

Further information is available at HSE