The Do’s and Don’ts of Having Contractors On Site

This blog is based on Judicium’s Health and Safety ‘Sofa Session’ from the 14th of March, with our resident experts Jamie Ashard, LLB (Hons), GradIOSH, DipNCRQ. This session focused on the legal requirements and importance of health and safety in school projects, your pre-contract health and safety assessment, contractor induction and training, tips for site-specific health and safety measures, and monitoring, audits and reviews.

Poll 1

Significance of Health and Safety in School Projects

Here are some things to consider when looking at building and improvement projects in schools:

1. Projects are usually larger scale and require contractors with appropriate skills.
2. These projects can have a range of risks such as asbestos, working at height, heavy machinery, noise, transport, etc.
3. Often these are ‘out of the norm’ for the school.
4. It’s important to consider the cost if things do go wrong.

CASE STUDY 

In September 2018, a primary school in London were having roof works conducted in the summer holidays. The day before the students were set to return to school a fire broke out. This was caused by the contractors carrying out hot works which is usually conducted on the felting on the roof. The school had to make alternative arrangements for the pupils who were set to return to the school the next day.

Overview of the legal framework

Pre-contract health and safety assessment

Selecting a contractor and due diligence

Schools and trusts should have a managing contractors’ policy, which would include the process of selecting contractors. Considerations include:

1. Previous experiences
2. Accreditations
3. Recommendations and reviews
4. Ensuring the job is clearly defined and well planned.

Health and safety planning

Poll 2

Risk assessments and method statements should be obtained from all your contractors as these demonstrate they have adequately assessed the work and how they will conduct it.

A liability insurance certificate should also be obtained to confirm they have the appropriate insurance.

For smaller works, contractors may provide more generic risk assessments and method statements. However, for more extensive works or projects the risk assessments provided should be specific to the work being conducted.

Contractor induction and training

Contractors are usually unfamiliar with your site and need to be aware of your expectations. These should be stated in your managing contractor policy and in your contractor rules. We recommend these rules are signed by the contractor as their agreement to work in line with your school or trust’s procedures. 

For complex works, clear definitions and communication need to be established between the contractors and the school, including:

1. Restricted areas
2. The times and dates contractors will be on site.
3. Details regarding how access for your school or trust will continue during the work.
4. Your expectations to ensure contractors leave the site clean.

Site-specific health and safety measures (emergency procedures and communication)

The school should ensure contractors are aware of the H&S arrangements including the location of first aid equipment, fire evacuation information and where to gain assistance from a first aider.

Contractors should be made aware of the school or trust’s evacuation plans and they should be included in any planned or unplanned evacuations. Ensure they are made aware of the assembly point and how to evacuate.

Contractors on site also need to know how to report any accidents or incidents, which should be included in the schools’ reporting procedures. 

Monitoring and auditing

The school is responsible for contractors while they are on site and must ensure supervision is in place. Often schools will ensure supervision when the children are on site for safeguarding purposes, however, supervision is also required when pupils are not on site.

Supervision includes ensuring the contractors are working in line with their own risk assessment and method statement. Therefore, those supervising the contractors must be aware of what has been agreed between the school or trust and the contractor. Supervision does not mean having to watch over the contractors the whole time. However, they should be regularly supervised.

All staff should be empowered to raise any concerns directly with contractors if they see unsafe behaviour.

Three key takeaways

1. All contractors are required to be adequately managed.
2. Contractor selection is important as they must be competent.
3. Communication between the school and contractors is vital.

Additional Information

Managing Contractors In Schools Training

The Health and Safety Service is also providing accredited training courses, including eLearning with specific  modules ranging from courses designed for premises managers and SLT to all staff offerings: https://www.judiciumeducation.co.uk/elearning

We also offer live, exclusive training options https://www.judiciumeducation.co.uk/training

To review Judicium’s forthcoming sofa sessions please click here.

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