The principles of assessing and managing contractors -------------------------------------------------Roles and responsibilities of clients and their contractors
Construction (Design and management) Regulations 2015
A project is notifiable if the construction work is scheduled to last longer than 30 days and have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project; OR exceed 500 person days.
Client's duties
Make suitable arrangements for managing the project safely including the allocation resources
Where there's more than 1 designer, appoint in writing a principle designer
Where there's more than 1 contractor, appoint in writing a principle contractor
Take reasonable steps to ensure designers and contractors are competent
Principle designer's duties
Not accept an appointment unless they have the necessary competence and capability
Plan, manage and monitor the pre-construction phase so that it is carried out without risks to Health and safety
Eliminate or reduce risks relating to the construction work and using the structure as a workplace
Ensure co-ordination and co-operation between all parties working on the pre-construction phase
Designer's duties
Not accept an appointment unless they have the necessary competence and capability
Apply the principles of prevention and any pre-construction information when preparing a design
Provide information to the principe designer on residual risks that could not be eliminated by design
Co-operate with others in relation to the project
Principle contractor's duties
Not accept an appointment unless they have the necessary competence and capability
Plan, manage and monitor the construction phase so that it is carried out without risk to Health and safety
Take into account the general principles of prevention
Organise co-operation between contractors
Contractor's duties
Not accept an appointment unless they have the necessary competence and capability
Provide each worker with appropriate supervision, instruction and information
Comply with the construction phase plan
Co-operate with others in relation to the project
Pre-construction information
Purpose
Provides the H&S information needed by designers and contractors who are bidding for work on the project
Provides the H&S information needed by designers and contractors when planning, managing, monitoring and co-ordinating the project
Content
Key dates of the construction phase
Site boundaries and access
adjacent land uses
Location of existing services (water, electricity, gas)
Hazards, e.g asbestos
Site security
Construction phase plan
Purpose
Sets out how the H&S risks are to be managed during the construction phase
Content
Management structure and responsibilities of the various parties involved
Health and safety standards to which the project will be carried out, including health and safety goals
Arrangements for risk assessments and written systems of work
Arrangements for health and safety induction training
Arrangements for the provision and maintenance of welfare facilities
Arrangements for consulting and co-ordinating views of workers or their representatives
Arrangements for reporting accidents, ill-health and dangerous occurrences
Emergency arrangements
Health and safety file
Purpose
To provide a source of information needed to allow future construction work, alterations, refurbishment and demolition, including cleaning and maintenance, to be carried out in a safe and healthy manner.
Content
Brief description of the work carried out
Hazardous materials used
Information on the removal or dismantling of plant
Nature, location and markings of significant services, e.g. gas supply
Key structural principles and safe working loads for floors and roofs
Any residual hazards and how they have been dealt with
Information that should be provided by a client to a contractor
Site plans and drawings
Access and egress
Signing in and out procedure
Hazards in the area
Restricted areas and mandatory PPE areas
welfare facilities
accident reporting procedures
Emergency arrangements
Information that should be provided by a contractor to a client
Health and safety policy
Risk assessments
Method statements
Materials/substances used
Persons involved in the work
Competence/training records
Contractor insurance
Contractor contact person
Factors to consider when assessing the Health and safety competence of a contractor
A copy of the contractor's health and safety policy
A statement of intent signed by a senor person
Details of any previous works carried out by the contractor
Identification whether the contractor has previously experienced the hazards they will be subject to.
References from previous employers of the contractor
To ensure that the contractor followed H and safety legislation on previous work and they made good on H&S commitments made in pre-construction phase.
Details of risk assessments and risk control measures
To ensure contractors have an understanding of the principles of Risk assessments and relevant control methods
Brief details of safe systems of work
To indicate contractor minimises risk to an appropriate level
Details of Health and safety training provided
To be specific to the job being carried out
Brief details of how the contractor controls their sub-contractors
Indicates the contractors commitment to Health and safety and that the contractors comply themselves with section 3 of the health and safety at work act 1974
Details of the contractor's emergency procedures for their employees
To ensure the contractor has adequate provisions/arrangements in place for specific incidents that may occur
Accident and incidents data
To establish if there are any trends with accidents or incidents. If so, details of the specific precautions in place to reduce the risk to an acceptable level would indicate the contractor's commitment to H&S.
Evidence of Inspection
Would reveal if the contractors have had any notices of improvement or Prohibition notices
arrangements to control contractors
Site induction
Briefing on emergency procedures
Signing in and out procedure
Confirmation of where contractors may or may not go
Nominated person from employer and contractor to act as main liaison points
Regular meetings between nominated persons
Inspections
System for reporting faults
Site rules
Supervision arrangements