Posted By Cathy Denomme I am looking for information on prequalifying contractors so that supervisors can call them in on an "as needed basis". I have started to create a questionnaire and am looking for information on what I should be asking the contractors for, to ensure that health and safety is a priority with them and they are following health and safety legislation. If anyone can share their process with me, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Cathy

Posted By Nick Higginson Cathy, Some Information for you: HSE produce a good guide for the chemical industry on managing contractors, but it is applicable to all industries. EEF also produce a good document on the same subject. I found this very useful. IOSH have recently released a document called "Global Best PRactices in Contractor Safety" All of the above will be useful reference for what you are trying to do. Hope this helps. Regards, Nick

Posted By Cathy Denomme I am refering to anyone who is not an employee. This could mean that we hire a construction company to do a project or it could mean that we hire a company to cut our grass or paint our building. We hire many companies to do specific work for us and need to make sure that they follow legislated health and safety practices and safe work methods. I am trying to figure out what kind of information I need from them in order to decide if they are a good "risk" and should be hired. Cathy

Posted By Cathy Denomme Rob Thank you very much for the information. It is wonderful! Cathy

Posted By Neal Robertson Cathy, There are 4 forms for assessing and dealing with contractors available to download at http://members.lycos.co.uk/sbsf - all in word format, feel free to adapt. Hope this is of some use

Posted By James Doyle Cathy, I am sure that you know this. But one of the major problems with contractors is ensuering that what they tell you in their sometimes very smart looking company 'bumf' H & S questioners and health and safety plans, is what they are actually going to do on the site. Clients have a major resposibility to persons other than their own employees whilst working on their site. I have always found it favourable to select a number of good replies and then go and audit them on a site they are working on, you could then build a prefered contractor database from which you have some comfort that they are going to do what they say. But don't rely on it, audit them on your site as well. HSE = Health and Safety Executive EEF = Engineering Employers Federation Best regards Cathy Jim