Contractor OHS Management

2. Contractor OHS induction

Prior to arrival at the school, the Contractor OHS induction handbook (DOCX) can be used to ensure the contractor is being provided all required information on school-specific and department OHS requirements they need to be aware of prior to commencing work or services, as part of the OHS induction process. This includes, but is not limited to the requirement to sign in and out of the site via reception, and the need to follow the schools local Visitor policy (staff login required) including keeping on their person any visitor identification issued to them. A letter/email template is available within the template handbook for schools to use to communicate with the contractor.

The principal or their delegate must provide an onsite induction for all contractors prior to the commencement of works or services using the Contractor OHS induction checklist (DOCX) or equivalent template. The only exception to this is for contractors engaged by the VSBA where a separate worksite has been established (refer to Chapter 1: Engaging contractors and AIMS).

If an equivalent template is used, it must collect or include the following details as a minimum:

• workers’ compensation and public liability insurance
• Working with Children Checks (if applicable)
• a specific Safe Work Method Statement (DOCX) if high-risk work is being undertaken, as frequently (follow the SWMS requirements in the relevant policy)
• completed confined space entry permit(s), if required (follow the requirements in the relevant policy)
• links to the department’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• OHS procedures and requirements
• emergency procedures
• asbestos management processes
• hazardous substance or dangerous goods management processes
• hazard and incident reporting
• first aid and infection control procedures
• security and access.

These inductions are valid for 12 months, but it is best practice to re-induct or provide relevant updated information if there are any significant changes to the school’s environment or OHS processes, or if contractors don’t often service the school. Schools may choose to consider inducting their contractors mid-year as contractor licences tend to expire around this time.

Records of completed contractor inductions must be kept per the School Records Retention Guide. Trades-based contractor inductions can be stored in AIMS. Where a contractor is engaged for purposes other than school asset repairs and facilities maintenance, eduSafe Plus (staff login required) can store OHS inductions electronically (refer to Chapter 6: record keeping for more information).