Are Contractors Really The Problem?

Contractors are often seen as a problem to be managed, but in reality the inherent risks are owned and created by the occupier’s business and processes.

Below are some important points worth considering when next engaging with your contractors.

1.    Contractors are Vulnerable

Contractors are more likely to be injured, as they often undertake difficult or higher risk tasks, and often in circumstances which are less than ideal.

We need to look at ourselves first and check the reasonableness of what we want contractors to do, against how our own employees would do it.

Spend a bit more time to ensure contractors understand your safety standards and desired approach to the job.

2.    Squeezed on Price

Your policy might say “we care about everyone”, but in reality contractors are engaged on price and effectiveness. Every procurement team is constantly pressed on achieving more products and services for less cost.

Conduct your own preliminary estimate of time and cost to complete the desired task. If price inordinately lower, make enquiries about proposed contractor resourcing, practices and equipment for the project.

3.    Low Levels of Inclusion or Participation

Despite safety laws requiring workplace consultation to include contractors, they are often poorly briefed on site risks and precautions and largely ignored as long as they complete their job on time without fuss.

Empower contractors to raise concerns and make suggestions for improvements. Indeed, we need to “reward” them in some way for bringing issues to our attention.

4.    Low Level of Authority

Contractors typically have a low level of control or authority to respond to difficulties that may arise when working on your site.

This can result in contractors working in sub-standard conditions or circumstances, that our employees would refuse to accept if they were doing the same job.

Empower contractors to stop work and escalate safety concerns, just as you do for your own staff.

5.    Culture Unknown

Despite thorough contractor pre-qualification, corporate briefings and provision of company policies and procedures, contractors often don’t properly understand the risk appetite or safety culture of your business, and may consequently make decisions or take actions that would be widely understood by your employees as unacceptable. This level of detail is rarely included in site safety inductions.

Allow more time to properly brief and familiarise new contractors with your business culture and safety standards.

6.    Need to Protect Contractors

We need to protect contractors better from the risks our business has created, such as poor access to plant and machinery for service or inspection, or inadequate equipment for lifting, raising or moving heavy or awkward items.  

7.    Elevate Contractors to Partners

We need to treat our contractors more as equal partners who bring valuable skills, knowledge and experience to our business? 

Safety Action can assist with a variety of services including; audits of Principal Contractors (PCs), work site inspections, pre-qualification of contractor firms, monitoring worker credentials, and online contractor management systems.

Acknowledgement: Adapted by Gary Rowe from presentation by Sue Bottrell at Linksafe function 21 Sep. 2023.