Contractor legislation
Contractors coming into your premises or site might not be aware of the hazards present at your workplace. At the same time the contractor’s activities could create risks for your employees or members of the public.
For this reason, both of you have health and safety responsibilities and the duty to co-operate and co-ordinate activities.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 explains that employers have to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of employees, employees of other organisations and members of the public. Those who have control over premises have to consider the safety of anyone who comes on the premises, including contractors and customers.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 places a duty on employers to assess and manage risks to their employees and others arising from work activities. Employees must work safely in accordance with their training and the instructions given to them.
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply when you use contractors to carry out any type of construction work for you. These regulations lay out the responsibilities for each of the parties (client, contractor, designers, principal designers, principal contractor, contractors and workers) involved during a construction project.
For more information on the regulations, you can visit the Health and Safety Executive website (external website).
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 state you have a duty to take reasonable steps to ensure that nobody is exposed to hazardous substances, this applies to you toward the contractor’s employees and vice versa.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013
Workers should report any incidents while at work to a responsible person who can help determine what action should be taken. The majority of responsibility for reporting incidents to the enforcing authorities falls to employers and those in control of premises.
Employers have specific duties under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) to report certain incidents. If you are in 'control of premises', you also have a duty to report certain incidents that occur to members of the public or self-employed persons while at your premises.
If you are self-employed and working alone, you have a responsibly to report certain incidents as well.
You can find a full list of specified injuries on the Health and Safety Executive website (external website)