Everyone needs to take the right precautions to reduce the risks of workplace dangers to employees, visitors, contractors and anyone using the premises. Contractors must have information about your premises, so they can work safely and you must have information about the contractors' activities so you can be confident they're working safely.

You're responsible for ensuring there are processes to manage contractors while they're on your premises. For the purposes of this section the term contractor will also apply to any Council employees who are carrying out any maintenance, refurbishment or installation works.

Before any work is carried out the Service responsible for organising the works will ensure:

  • all contractors are competent for the work to be carried out
  • suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments and Method Statements have been provided
  • any Permits to Work needed have been issued to the contractor and control measures included as part of the Permit
  • contractors are informed of any specific hazards on the premises
  • contractors are provided with any relevant information about the premises

They will also ensure:

  • you get advance notice about the planned work and who will carry it out
  • you understand the risks involved, if a Permit to Work has been issued and any specific control measures
  • you know about any activities or risks that could affect your normal day-to-day activities
  • you have contact details for whoever organised the work

Communication is essential to make sure the work can be done safely and without any risks to the people on your premises. Appoint a person at the premises to deal with the contractor.

This person will:

  • sign the contractor in on arrival using the Contractor Sign-in Sheet and make sure they wear a visitors pass while on site.
  • ensure contractors have been provided with relevant information specific to your premises like:
    • the layout, welfare facilities, security arrangements and any areas which may be out of bounds and contact arrangement in the event of an incident
    • fire safety measures and evacuation arrangements
    • other activities which could affect, or be affected by, the contractor's work
    • any specific hazards that could affect the contractors work like the presence of asbestos
    • make sure any control measures are in place like cordoning off the work area or temporary changes to emergency and evacuation procedures
    • tell the contractor and the person organising the work about any issues which could delay the work
    • share information about the works, any impacts on normal operations and any temporary arrangements in place with anyone who could be affected
    • sign the contractor out and make sure they return any visitors passes at the end of their visit

If the work has changed the layout or characteristics of the premises, you will also need to update the: