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