About
A contractor is anyone who is doing work for a company (client), but who is not an employee of that company. A contractor may then engage other firms to assist with elements of the contract.
These firms or individuals are regarded as sub-contractors.
Companies may use contractors to help with business activities, or in maintenance, cleaning, catering and other day-to-day tasks.
Almost all organisations will use contractors at some time.
Contractors often work in workplaces with hazards that are unfamiliar to them. This can include exposure to chemicals, asbestos, lead, noisy or hot/cold conditions.
Employees of the contracting organisation, or its client, may be at risk from the activities of a contractor, as could members of the public.
Organisations that engage contractors and sub-contractors have a responsibility under Health and Safety Law to protect them from harm caused by company work activities.
Similarly, contractors and sub-contractors must co-operate with the client and each other to ensure they don’t do anything that puts themselves or others at risk. Members of the public should not be put at risk by the contract activities.
Companies need to ensure that the contractors they engage have the skills and knowledge to carry out the contract to the required standards without risks to health and safety.
In order to assess whether a contractor is competent, you can request that they provide:
Evidence of experience in the same type of work
Accident/ill health statistics
Evidence of qualifications, skills and ongoing training
Evidence of health and safety training
Risk assessments and method statements for the work to be carried out
The selection of sub-contractors is more often left to the contractor. The same assessment criteria as above can be applied.
Associated Legislation
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974