When employing contractors to undertake works on your behalf you should consider the following: -

• Both parties have joint health and safety responsibilities to protect each other, their workforce and anyone else (e.g. customers, visitors, people living nearby, members of the public and others). 
• Select a contractor who is suitable to do the job.  The degree of competence required will depend on the work to be done.  You may wish to employ a contractor who is a member of a professional body or trade association.
• Ask contractors to provide information on their health and safety policies, practices, training and safety method statement.
• Ask contractors to provide details on their Public Liability Insurance. 
• Make sure the contractors know and understand what you expect from them and the works to be undertaken.
• Explain your health and safety arrangements to them.  Show them your procedures, permit system, health and safety policy statement and make sure they understand and will act in accordance with it.
• Both parties need to consider what information must be passed between them, the workforce and anyone else (e.g. customers, visitors, people living nearby, members of the public and others). 
• You should make periodic checks on the contractor’s performance to see if the work is being done as agreed and safely on your premises. 
• Where health and safety requirements are not being met, the first step is to approach the contractor to find out why and put matters right.  If health and safety performance is not brought up to requirements, you will need to stop the contractor working on the job until requirements are met.

For More Information

Use the links on the left to find out more about health and safety.

Access the Health and Safety Executive’s ‘The Use of Contractors A joint responsibility’ guidance booklet.

The Health and Safety Executive’s website also has comprehensive topics on complying with health and safety legislation.