Rank: Super forum user 
|
Hello,
I'm in a bit of a pickle and I wonder if I can get some help. We employ some day rate contractors, but I am not sure where we stand with regards to their health and safety, as we do not employ/pay them directly, they are sent by their employer to us. How far with regards to health and safety would we required to go?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Jodie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
In short and notwithstanding your general duty of care, it depends very much on the degree of control you have over their work. The more control you have over what they do, how they do what they do and when they do what they do, the greater degree of responsibility you have over their H&S. A lot also depends on whether or not they are using your tools and equipment or whether they supply their own.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Thanks Chas,
This has literally just been sprung on me so I am waiting for HR to get me as many details as possible so that I can look into it a bit more
Jodie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user 
|
Jodie.
Someone needs to be responsible for their H&S. Whether it is you or their direct employer, someone needs to be responsible for their welfare.
It all depends on their work, their competence/experience and the relationship between your company and the employer. If the employer is fully aware of the work which they are required to undertake (I assume they are) then they should supply them with all the required H&S info, as it is they who are ultimately responsible for the care of their employees. However this H&S info will probably have to come for you in the first instance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Thanks Toffee Wrapper, this is the first time I have come across this (New to health and safety in the real world) and I have no idea what has already been put into place, now I have to wait for the people that have brought this issue up to give me some information so that I can look into it and look into this.
Jodie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Hi Jodie. Your site, you own the risks and the duty to reasonably control those risks, whether to your own employees, somebody else's or to site visitors.
Their employers have duties too but it still remains your site and your work activities that create the risks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Thanks David,
That's a great help thank you, when HR came to me initially I went along those lines but as with any work place there's always people a bit shy of health and safety.
Jodie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Hi Jodie,
I'd summarise your responsibilities as follows:
s(2) HSW74 - you have a duty of care towards your employees, i.e. those directly on your payroll
s(3) HSW74 - you have a duty of care to those not employed by the company but affected by the company's activities, i.e contractors/ visitors
As has been mentioned previously, the practical level of supervision you need to exercise will depend upon what they're doing, but, as I'm sure you realise, you can't just leave them to it and hope :0)
Maybe it would be helpful to draw up a specific risk assessment for these contractors - once HR have told you what they're going to be doing, of course!
Hope this helps :0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.