Topic area 8: Managing the health and safety contractors

Estimated Duration: 1 Hour

Objectives:

• To define what is meant by a contractor and to outline the types and role of contractors in the quarrying industry;
• To outline the duties, roles and responsibilities of companies and contractors
• To outline the principals of managing the health and safety of contractors prior to, and during their work on site
• To introduce the Contractor Passport scheme currently being initiated by the quarrying industry.

Lecture Plan

1. Types of Contractor
Major contracts – large expenditure and long period on site

• Medium/Minor Contracts – substantial expenditure
• Casual Contracts – low expenditure over short periods
• Labour hire contracts – specialist labour
• Restricted site access – deliveries etc.

2. The Quarry/Contractor Relationship

3. Duty of care – in the past it was assumed that using contractors relieved employers from their duty of care obligations.

4. Selecting Contractors

• Preparation of the scope of the contract work and the health and safety standards which must be maintained.
• Evaluation and assessment of the contractors tender – good record of health and safety performance, undertaking risk assessments, formal health and safety management system, established rules and procedures.

5. Post Award Phase

• Contractor Induction and the ‘Passport’ scheme.
• Ensuring the contractors are aware of specific safety requirements, hazards and risks on site
• Implementing procedures for regular auditing of the health and safety systems and performance of the contractor
• Monitoring the health and safety performance.

Suggested Reading & Other Resources

HSE – Managing Contractors: A Guide for Employers, HSE Books, 1997.

Course documents

• Lecture notes
• overheads
• powerpoint overheads
• Example permit to work

List of lecture courses

Select a course

• Quarrying Related Degree Courses - Introduction
• General introduction to health and safety in industry
• Accident Prevention
• Accident Aetiology
• Health and Safety Management
• Risk Assessment and Risk Management
• Health Assessment & Surveillance
• Accident and Incident Investigation
• Managing the health and safety contractors
• The quarry health and safety document