Hi Debbie

Health and safety legislation in the Republic follows the UK model in mostly being goal-setting rather than saying what is to be done or NOT done (prescription and proscription).

Hence the role of the PCSC in RoI is similar to that of the Principal Contractor in GB (and NI) in being there to coordinate how "Contractors" manage H&S risks.

The Regulations do not say "The PSCS must be standing beside the Contractor to watch their every move."

Which in effect means that the PSCS has to decide what level of supervision is appropriate.

Making that judgement call should reflect multiple variables including the PSCS' justifiable level of confidence in the competence of the Contractor (AND their workers) and the nature and complexity of the project, site and work to be done.

Might not be the answer you are looking for but there are no hard and fast rules on this in the legislation - there might be in Contract documents. So, as example the Client might specify a full time presence by the PSCS whenever work is being done.