Contractor OHS Management

4. Communication and supervision of contractors

The principal or their delegate should ensure clear communication with contractors to manage OHS issues associated with works and services on school grounds.

Typical considerations contractors and schools may need to discuss before work commences, depending on the work or services the contractor is providing, can include but is not limited to:

• the effect of work and services on school activities (for example, use of heavy machinery, noise, dust or fumes)
• safety arrangements the contractor will have in place
• access arrangements while on site
• vehicle and equipment movement on school grounds (traffic management)
• timing of activities (for example, can work or services be done when students have left?)
• what areas will be affected (for example, barricading of work areas, safe access around the site)
• maintaining essential services (for example, water, sewerage, electricity, telephone)
• protocols for communication between the school and contractor (for example, regular meetings, toolbox talks)
• removal of excess materials and waste by the contractor at the end of the project (for example, unused mulch, building supplies)
• handover process at the completion of the work or services.

With contractors engaged through the school/school council, it’s important that the principal or their delegate retain a general supervisory power over work or services undertaken by the contractor, that is, that they are aware of who is onsite and the work or services being undertaken.

Contractors working unsafely

The principal, their delegate or any other school staff have the power to stop/halt work where they believe work is unsafe, relevant SWMS are not being followed or there are potential safety risks with how the contractor is working. It is their duty to raise this with the contractor or their management, the department (if VSBA engaged) or the facility management company (if PPP).

All incidents involving contractors, including unsafe work, are reported on eduSafe Plus and investigated as per the Managing and Reporting School Incidents (Including Emergencies).

The SWMS may need to be revised before works may recommence. If required, the principal or delegate can follow up with the contracting company to address issues formally, or the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) for centrally run projects.