Hi I would love some advice. I have just started work for an automotive manufacturer and it seems that all painting operations are outsourced to an offsite contractor. I am happy that this means the risks associated with the spray painting of vehicles is eliminated from here, but would like some advice on where we stand with this outside contractor legally. I believe he is just one guy who operates the painting from his own premesis. I have only worked in construction before where all contractors were on my site, but this contractor is not working from here. I would imagine that I still have to get risk assessments, method statements, insurances etc from him, but is there anyting else I need to be doing? Thanks in advance for your help.

If you are supplying the paint and have supplied a safety data sheet, the only other thing you might need to consider is providing guidance according to section 6-1 of the Health and Safety at Work Act as to how to use the product safely. How he then uses it is up to him, not you. Of course, under REACH at some stage you will need to provide him with the Exposure Scenario that you will presumably receive from your supplier! Chris

.......whilst bearing in mind that you are under no obligation to conduct supplier audits. I guess the paint is supplied for QA reasons.

Good answers - this is an area many H&S people want to get sucked into, but there is no H&S legislative reason you should. In fact, the opposite - by getting involved, you may find you are responsible for something you shouldn't be. Let it be.