It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that contractors and suppliers are compliant with the necessary safety regulations. It is essential to be knowledgeable about the tenets of effective contractor management, including authorization management procedures and ensuring the competence of contractors to carry out the work safely. The OHS professional must be able to build open and honest relationships with contractors, ensuring that quality information is exchanged and joint decision-making is encouraged wherever appropriate. Contracts need to clearly outline the OHS responsibilities of all parties to ensure the work identified is carried out meeting or exceeding prescribed standards. The contractor worksite must ensure the safety of visitors and suppliers entering the area. It is important that the OHS professional understands the limits of their own knowledge, and recognizes when it is necessary to bring in additional expertise.

In order to act as an effective resource in their workplace, the OHS professional should be familiar with:

– Legislation, regulations, guidelines, and standards that pertain to contractor safety
– Managing relationships with and communicating with contractors
– Ensuring that contractors all qualified for work and following safe operating procedures
– Overseeing and monitoring processes to ensure contractors and subcontractors are meeting health and safety requirements