Posted By AJM Hi Just a short one i hope. About one of the hardest tasks for us safety chappies. I am in the process of setting up a control of contractors policy and Permit to work system. I just wondered when talking about getting Risk assessments or method statements from the contractors before work, would you advise that they MUST supply a risk assessment and method statement for every single job no matter how small. For instance just coming on site for an hour to do a simple repair. Or just demand them for the dangerous work covered on the permits like working at height or working on live equipment or big full day repair work. The thing is all contractors that will be working on site will have to sign a permit to work as well as the visitors sign in book. I am just trying to look at the practicability's here. Or would it be simple to just say all contractor work on site requires risk assessment and method statement. Bare in mind I am setting everything up from scratch here. Regards Alan

Posted By Richard Altoft to issue a permit to work you need to be sure those undertaking the work are aware of the risks and have a safe system of work that reduces risk to them and others around them incl no doubt your own employees ALARP. Hence you need RA plus MS for whatever the PTW covers. If it is so low risk not to need RA plus MS then why the PTW?? Contractor signs onto PTW to accept it but you issue it so by setting them to work so your call. As to extent then suitable and sufficient of course comes to mind R

Posted By AJM Thanks for all the advice as usual, but looking at it as a lot of health and safety it can be taken in different ways and very hard to draw that difinative line. To simply say yes risk assessment for all tasks or not is not as easy as it seems. Thanks anyway Alan

Posted By Tony Bish However detailed the contracotrs method statements and risk assessments (generic or task specific) may be, they are worthless if his staff,or sub contracotrs carrying out the work do not observe them. It may be worth ensuring the contractors provide you with a list of his employees who he confirms will comply.