Who is responsible for my health and safety on a commercial/industrial/construction site?
Commercial and industrials sites could often have several different companies from several different trades on site at any one time.
At Quest, we are often asked who is responsible for safety out of the multiple contractors operating in the same area. Usually, ultimate responsibility lies with the owner, but they may delegate another competent person on their behalf. Whoever it is, and no matter how many contractors are on your premises, this responsible person needs to ensure that health & safety procedures are adhered to and any contractors or sub-contractors working on their premises are competent which could mean checking credentials.
If the work on the premises involves any construction related work, then it is very likely that the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (commonly known as the CDM regs) will apply. Responsibilities under these regulations depend on each contractor’s role within the construction project. If you are unsure, check or seek advice. For any contractor working on your premises they should submit a site-specific method statement which basically sets out how a particular task or activity they are doing will be carried out, taking into account any risks that may be present.
While there is always someone with ultimate responsibility for health & safety, all workers on any site still have a responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them. Rules and procedures on site must always be followed to prevent accidents from occurring, and any risks or hazards must be reported to the responsible person or site manager and rectified as soon as possible.
For more information on Health & Safety in a commercial or industrial environment, or for a Free Review of your Health & Safety arrangements, call Steve on 0844 8797286.
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