Management and control of
contractors in the construction sector

Clients decide which contractor will carry out the work and how much money, time and resource is available.

The decisions made by the client will therefore impact the health, safety and welfare of workers and others affected by the work.

Consequently, clients need to carefully consider and execute the following actions:

• Appoint the right contractor(s) for the right job, ensuring that they have the skills, knowledge and experience to identify, reduce and manage health and safety risks.
• Make sure that appropriate arrangements are in place for planning and managing the work and associated risks.
• Allow adequate time for the work to be undertaken.
• Provide relevant information to the designer and contractor(s), including information about the site and existing structures, overhead or underground services, asbestos containing materials and fragile surfaces, for example.
• Confirm that your contractor has suitable site welfare facilities.
• Verify that the principal contractor or contractor has produced a construction phase health and safety plan that explains how health and safety risks will be managed during the works.
• Obtain evidence, before work has started, that the contractor holds appropriate employers and public liability insurance.

Some of the considerations for the principal contractor or contractor in relation to the selection and appointment process for other contractors will be similar to the client’s.

In addition there is a need to:

• Plan, manage, monitor, control and co-ordinate the construction phase of the project, taking into account and appropriately addressing all of the health and safety risks to everyone affected by the work (including members of the public).
• Have on-going arrangements in place to ensure health and safety is appropriately managed and controls are implemented and maintained throughout the construction phase.
• Consult and engage with workers about their health, safety and welfare.
• Secure relevant references and other evidence to ensure that those appointed have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience for their role and, where relevant, the organisational capability to carry out their work safely and without risk to health.
• Ensure all workers have site-specific inductions, and any further information and training they need.
• Liaise with the principal designer to share any information relevant to the planning, management, monitoring and coordination of the pre-construction phase; and
• Confirm, before construction work starts, that all contractors have adequate employers and public liability insurance.