Obligation as a PCBU
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, a contractor (or subcontractor) is also a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and must comply with the Act and the related Regulations. Therefore they have the same obligations as we do to:
Contractors, subcontractors and their employees must consult and cooperate with us and each other and coordinate our respective activities to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that all people on our premises are kept safe.
Health and Safety Plan
Contractors are required to submit a site specific Health & Safety Plan to us prior to working on any of our premises. As a minimum, this will include hazard and accident management provisions as well as detailed emergency preparedness documentation.
All employees of the contractor must be properly inducted to the site and sign their induction form before they start work on site.
Hazards
When the contractor commences work you must outline any known hazards that are present in the area in which the contractor is likely to be working. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure they take the necessary safety precautions for their employees and any subcontractors and their employees.
Obligation to protect others from hazardous work activities
The contractor must ensure that their work activities do not endanger any other person in the vicinity of their work (whether our employees and the children in our care, other contractors or members of the public). Therefore, the contractor must cordon off all areas where they are undertaking hazardous activities, e.g. electrical work, arc welding etc. Suitable warning signage must also be provided.
Reporting hazards
If the contractor comes across unidentified hazards, they must take steps to protect themselves, their employees and any other person. The contractor must also immediately inform you about the hazard(s).
Insurances
The contractor must have in place relevant and current insurance policies. These include but are not limited to: Public Liability, General Contractors Insurance, Third Party and any other applicable industry standard insurance cover.