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OHS Management System: Risk Management |
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> Introduction to Risk Management |
> Pets |
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Contractor Management
> Who are contractors?
> Employer responsibility for contractors
> Templates & References
Who are contractors?
WorkCover identifies several factors which distinguish a worker from a contractor. The following table sets out these factors.
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A Contractor is more likely to: |
A Worker is more likely to: |
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Be engaged to carry out a particular task, using own skill and judgement. |
Be subject to direction from the employer as to the work to be performed and the time and manner in which it is to be performed. |
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Employ others, delegate or sublet work to another. |
Be required to actually carry out the work. |
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Supply own tools and materials. |
Have tools and materials supplied by the employer. |
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Carry out an independent business in their name or business name. |
Work exclusively for a single employer. |
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Be subject to PPS tax arrangements. |
Be subject to PAYE tax arrangements. |
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Community care organisations may engage professional cleaners, tradespersons and gardeners as a part of the community package or to work in their office. |
Contractors may include building or grounds maintenance, cleaning, catering or nursing care. Other contractors provide a service direct to residents such as physiotherapists, podiatrists, hairdressers and other personal care services. |
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Employer responsibility for contractors
It is the employers’ responsibility to ensure that contractors are not put at risk by activities of any person in the organisation and that the staff, residents / clients and visitors are not put at risk by the contractor or their employees.
This means you need to:
- Identify and assess possible risks that the contractor may be exposed to and how you can eliminate or control those risks.
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For example, a maintenance contractor may sustain an injury from a faulty ladder supplied by you; an agency nurse may be placed at risk from an aggressive resident; your grounds maintenance contractor may sustain injuries from using chemical sprays for weed control. |
- Ensure that the contractor identifies and assesses the risks that may be caused by their work to any person at your workplace and provides you with information as to how those risks will be eliminated or controlled. The contractor should develop a Safe Work Method Statement demonstrating their commitment to work safely.
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Ensure that the contractor identifies and assesses the risks that may be caused by their work to any person at your workplace and provides you with information as to how those risks will be eliminated or controlled. |
Maintenance contractors such as electricians and plumbers should be familiar with Safe Work Method Statements. See the WorkCover “Subby Pack” for guidance. |
- Identify whether any training needs to be provided to contractors to ensure their health and safety at your workplace. Provide an induction to your workplace and a copy of relevant safety policies and procedures.
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You should have a procedure where contractors sign in at the office and wear a badge identifying that they are visitors. Registering visitors to your organisation is important for emergency procedures. |
On the reverse side of the badge, essential OHS advice can be placed, for example, emergency procedures and first aid arrangements. |
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