People on your premises who are not your staff.
WHY IT MATTERS
Your duties extend to them, and contractors are disproportionately involved in serious incidents.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE ANY CONTRACTOR STARTS
Their competence for the work Their insurance How they will do the work safely What hazards they bring What hazards yours present to them
WHY BOTH DIRECTIONS
Each party creates risk for the other and neither knows the other's situation.
WHAT TO EXCHANGE
Information about hazards and controls.
WHAT TO REQUIRE
A description of how the work will be done safely.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Who supervises them What they may and may not do What permissions are required
WHAT PERMIT SYSTEMS ARE FOR
Controlling high-risk work: hot work, confined spaces, electrical work, work at height.
WHAT A PERMIT ESTABLISHES
That the work has been assessed, precautions are in place, and it is authorised for a defined period.
WHY HOT WORK SPECIFICALLY
Welding and cutting cause fires that start after the work finishes.
WHAT A HOT WORK PERMIT SHOULD REQUIRE
Combustibles removed or protected Extinguisher present A watch maintained after work ends
WHAT TO PROVIDE VISITORS
Induction proportionate to where they go Escort, where appropriate Identification
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That visitors do not enter operational areas unaccompanied.
WHAT TO RECORD
Who is on site, and when they leave.
WHAT TO MONITOR
Whether contractors work as they described.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT UNSAFE WORK
Stop it.
