Rank: New forum user 
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I work for an asbestos testing laboratory. Does anyone have any examples of a contractor control procedure for people carrying out work on our premises?
Many thanks
V
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Rank: Super forum user 
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If you do not have a procedure for managing contractors (not a must have) you could review the contractor's RAMS and decide whether these are suitable to manage the risks. Sometimes it may be necessary to segregate the work and/or provide supervision. It really depends on the type of work and the inherent risks they pose. Low risk work should be treated as such with minimum control and supervision.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I would argue that having a procedure for managing contractors is most definately a must have....
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Rank: Super forum user
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In McTeare v Dooley and Others (1994) the High Court ruled that where a company engages a contractor and fails to make reasonable enquiries about the contractor’s competence, then the company may be liable for injuries to a third party caused by the contractors negligence..
Without a robust and structured procedure for managing a contractor how can you possibly ensure their competence?
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Rank: Super forum user
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VF,
As an asbestos testing laboratory I am sure you keep all your ACMs in double plastic bags :o) but of course at some point you will take them out to test them.
You know what contractors are like..... maybe all your contractors should have Asbestos Awareness Training ?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Forum user
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VF, In your original post you do not say what type of work is being carried out. Just that you work in an Asbestos Testing facility, so it is hard to be too specific.
However I would expect a company to have a "code of conduct" (generic term used here) for contractors that would mirror your own staff code of conduct. This code would provide more detailed information to enhance the on-site induction you provide to any contractors entering site. In addition I would expect to see suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments based on work being conducted. Method Statements to detail exactly how they are going to undertake works. Also I would expect any contractor to provide certified copies (or originals if available) of certificates of competence (which may include Asbestos Awareness). RAMS would be signed by all contractors one day one of the works along with a record of having completed a site induction.
Also if there are any specific hazards that are on your site due to the nature of your business, then these would be highlighted and discussed at any pre-contract meetings.
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Rank: New forum user
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Many thanks all. Works being carried out would be things like servicing of the boiler (we have a gas safe registered company to do this), air con service, painting and decorating, plumbing, pest control, portable appliance testing etc. The only asbestos we have in the building are samples in the laboratory, which of course are double bagged and only opened by trained staff within the fume cabinets :-)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Relatively low risk work as I suspected. Therefore I stand by my earlier comment, it is not a must have for a contractor management policy (but I agree it's good practice), as long as you manage the contractor accordingly you have discharged your duty in my opinion.
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Rank: Super forum user
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RayRapp wrote:Relatively low risk work as I suspected. Therefore I stand by my earlier comment, it is not a must have for a contractor management policy (but I agree it's good practice), as long as you manage the contractor accordingly you have discharged your duty in my opinion.
How can it be low risk, general contractors, e,g plumbers, air con engineers, fire alarm or cctv techs etc all could work at height, or in some cases carry out hot works. What about electricians carrying out remedial works or installs..Lots of general facility maintenance goes on regardless of the type of actual work that is carried out on the premises
I know first hand the issues these types of contractors can create. How can you manage the contractor unless you have a procedure or process in place?
Very sticky ground if u ask me, and in my opinion totally incorrect advice
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Rank: Forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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stonecold wrote:RayRapp wrote:Relatively low risk work as I suspected. Therefore I stand by my earlier comment, it is not a must have for a contractor management policy (but I agree it's good practice), as long as you manage the contractor accordingly you have discharged your duty in my opinion.
How can it be low risk, general contractors, e,g plumbers, air con engineers, fire alarm or cctv techs etc all could work at height, or in some cases carry out hot works. What about electricians carrying out remedial works or installs..Lots of general facility maintenance goes on regardless of the type of actual work that is carried out on the premises
I know first hand the issues these types of contractors can create. How can you manage the contractor unless you have a procedure or process in place?
Very sticky ground if u ask me, and in my opinion totally incorrect advice
You are entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine. I said 'relatively low risk' accepting within those tasks there are possibly a few higher risk tasks such as working at height. I base my opinion of the fact that I have worked in high risk industries such as nuclear, railways, construction and utilities. I don't believe you can compare what is essentially maintenance work with the aforementioned industries, otherwise just about every task would rank as high risk - I would love to see that RA.
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Rank: Super forum user
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with all due respect my advice is to control all contractors, volunteers* etc. in all sectors irrespective noting my experience being in industry since the mid 1960's to include nuclear, off shore, refineries etc. and social services [with SS being by far the most hazardous area and one area that the HSE keeps away from where they can in my experience!] [*volunteers being the hardest to control]
The only time that you worry is once the supplier of services has put U at risk hence control then fist thus reducing risk and worry second noting that your controls need to be suitable and sufficient for the situation in hand
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Rank: Super forum user
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The way you manage the contractors is the same way we manage them in relation to a biohazards lab or a chemical lab.
1. You choose someone that is competent
2. You induct them explaining what they can do and cannot not do, even going as far as creating Permit to Work system. Give them some background as to why they have to follow the procedures. Don’t scare them; I’ve had contractors run away rather than go into a lab
3. Monitor what they are doing. Make sure that they are following YOUR rules.
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Rank: Super forum user
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We had a contractor fatality last year. It was over in the Far East, they guy was working in a ceiling void, and got electrocuted via welding equipment. The guy wasn't being supervised, the contractor wasn't being managed...I believe they were let on site to do the job as they were a contractor who apparently knew what they were doing.....
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Rank: Super forum user
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Whoops; 'then' should have read 'them' & 'fist' should have read 'first'
And once contractors know that your company means business they will comply - NB: And its the managers that should manage not H&S bods
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