Contractors
The presence of contractors adds a level of complexity that does not exist where an entire workforce is under the managerial control of the School or Service. Consequently, effective management of contractors helps to protect the safety of staff, students and visitors whether within our buildings or in University grounds. Those who manage or supervise any contractor, have responsibilities placed on them by health and safety law which cannot be passed from one party to another by means of a contract.
Schools and Services MUST NOT appoint contractors whose work will involves any disturbance to the fabric of the buildings without prior consultation with Estates. (See also Asbestos Section).
Some units will routinely need to appoint contractors (or suppliers) to maintain their own office/lab equipment and appliances etc. This should be taken into account within the unit's risk assessments and effective communications put in place to make sure the that contractors understand the requirements, restriction and expectation of working within an occupied University building.
Proper communication between all involved parties is essential as is the sharing of risk assessments and method statements for the work being carried out by the contractor. Schools and Services who hire contractors have a responsibility to make sure that they work will be carried out safely and should ask for sight of risk assessments and method statements that relate to this.
Although the contractor is responsible for planning the detailed method of their work, those who engage them, should make reasonable effort to check that they have done so and that the planned methods seem reasoanble. In particular, they should check that the contractor has identified any risks which could affect the University’s employees or students and has suitable measures in place to protect against this such as potential obstruction of corridors and stairways, blockage of fire escape routes etc.
Further advice on workign with contractors is available from SEPS and from Estates. HSE also offer advice available from the locations in the links section.