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Contractor H&S Management System

CQUniversity has an obligation to provide a safe and healthy environment for all staff, contractors (including sub-contractors and their staff) as well as CQUni students and visitors to University campuses and/or workplaces.

This Contractor Health and Safety Management System aim is to provide a practical and relevant system for all staff overseeing the work of contractors. The system incorporates a risk management approach to the utilisation of contractors so that potential risks to health and safety are identified, assessed and controlled allowing contractors to work safety at all times, in line with their obligations under the Work Health and Safety Legislation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Each organisational unit will be responsible for ensuring that the particulars contained within the Contractors Health and Safety Management System will be implemented when engaging the services of contractors.

The CQUniversity Contractor Management Procedure defines the duties and responsibilities for the following:

  1. Managers / Supervisors
  2. Project Officers
  3. Principal Contractors
  4. Contractors (including subcontractors)
  5. CQUniversity Manager, Safety and Environment

Contract Specification

The University engages in many different types of contracts with varying degrees of risk. The contract specification stage is an important step in the system as the scope of contracted works is determined. From this, the level of risk associated with the contract can be reduced and managed accordingly.

Contract Classification

Contracts are classified as major or minor depending on the level of risk of workplace injury or illness of the operations being conducted.

Further information in located in the Procedure for the following:

  • Major Risk Contracts
  • Minor Risk contracts
  • General Health & Safety Inclusions
  • Compliance with Health and Safety Legislation
  • Compliance with Worker Compensation Act

General Health and Safety Inclusions

Regardless of the contracted works risk rating, clear identification on of Health and Safety requirements is an essential component of the specification documents.

Compliance with Health and Safety Legislation

All contacts of works where there is a risk to health and safety undertaken by contractors should include a general statement of Health and safety requirements.

As a minimum requirement, tenders must comply with the principal elements of legislation namely the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Act and Regulations and applicable Codes of Practice and Australian Standards which may be relevant to the works involved in the contract.

Compliance with Workers Compensation Act

When the University appoints a PC to undertake work, the appointed CQUni Project Officer will obtain a WorkCover "Certificate of Currency" to determine if the contractor's incident/accident insurance policy is up to date for the period of insurance. 

When the University retains the role of the PC and employs a contractor to undertake specific duties, the appointed CQUni Project Officer will use the Worker Determination Checklist as a guide to determine if the University is required to cover the contractor for Workers Compensation.

Tender Evaluation

The CQUni Project Officer is required to measure and assess the capacity of contractors to comply with Health and Safety specifications and requirements as required by Health and safety Legislation. This evaluation is to be incorporated into the selection of contractors prior to appointment.

Utilising a risk management approach, contracts which require a nominated principal contractor (as outlined in Section 6.1.3) requires a formal tender evaluation process using the Contractor Health and Safety Tender Evaluation Checklist.

Contract Management

It is a requirement under the Workplace Health & Safety Act that a Principal Contractor (PC) for construction work, other than prescribed construction work, is the person appointed by the client as the PC for the construction work. If the University does not appoint a PC, the Organisational Unit is taken to be the PC.

Health and Safety Management Plans

For construction work exceeding the value of $80,000, demolition work, asbestos removal or high risk construction work the PC is required to prepare a Health and Safety Management Plan.

The CQUni Project Officer is to ensure that the PC's Health and Safety Management Plans complies with all Health and Safety requirements.

Where the University is appointed as the PC the Health and Safety Management Plan template shall be used.

Safe Work Method Statements

Safe Work Method statements must be provided by the sub-contractors to the PC prior to work commencing. These statements must comply with the Workplace Health and Safety regulations.

A Safe Work Method Statement template is available for contractors to use however contractors are able to use their own template as long as it complies with Workplace Health and safety Legislation.

CQUniversity Induction for Contractors

The CQUniversity Health, Safety and Environmental Induction Handbook for Contractors covers the basic information required by contractors to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities under Health and safety legislation and specific University Policies and Procedures. The Handbook also addresses specific site safety rules for working on any of the University's campuses.

Where a PC is appointed, the CQUni Project Officer will supply the PC with a copy of the Handbook. It is the responsibility of the PC to instruct their employees on the information provided in the Handbook prior to commencement of work. 

When CQUni acts as the PC, all contractors will participate in the CQUni Contractors Induction. 

Job Site Specific Induction Process

The PC must ensure that each contractor has appropriate information and knowledge to work safety within the University. It is the responsibility of the PC to provide job site specific inductions for all contractors prior to commencement of any major work. Minor work contractors may require job site specific inductions when contractors are entering restricted areas, for example laboratories or workshops.

The Contractor Health and Safety Site Specific Induction Checklist will be used as the record of this induction.

Contractor Incident Management

Where a serious bodily injury, work caused illness or dangerous event occurs on the worksite controlled by the PC, the PC must give the Chief Executive, Department of Employment and Industrial Relations (DEIR) notice of the workplace incident within 24 Hours after becoming aware of the incident. The PC must also notify CQUni Manager of Health and Safety.

In the event the workplace incident causes death, notification is required to be communicated to the Chief Executive of the DEIR promptly as well as the CQUni Manger of Health and Safety.

Serious Incidents

In the instance of a serious incident, contact with the relevant emergency service shall occur. The CQUni Project Officer shall complete an Incident Report Form and notify the Health and Safety Unit of the incident. A Health and Safety Performance Report for Contractors shall also be completed.

Monitoring Contractors

Monitoring contractor's safety performance is a critical requirement in contractor management. It sends a clear message to contractors that safety issues are a priority and ensures that health and safety legislation, codes of practice and standards are met.

During the implementation of the contract the CQUni Project Officer managing the contract shall monitor the Health and Safety performance of the contractor.

For contracts which require a PC extending beyond 1 month, Health and Safety Performance Report for Contractors shall be submitted by the contractor to the CQUni Project Officer.

Contractor Non-Compliance

If during the execution of a contract, a contractor is in breach of any Health and Safety requirement, all work with regards to that activity may be suspended by the CQUni Project Officer.  The Contractor shall be alerted to the matter in writing by the CQUni Project Officer. Work cannot recommence with the CQUni Project Officer is satisfied that adequate controls are in place to avoid risk of injury.

Training

Specific job training will be provided for staff acting as CQUni Project Officers. Ongoing refreshers training will also be provided periodically to ensure that relevant staff remains competent.

Records and Review

All records related to this document will be maintained in accordance with the Queensland State Archives Retention and Disposal Schedule.

The Contractor Health and safety System will be reviewed periodically by the Health and Safety Unit in consultation with CQUniversity Health, Safety and Environmental Committee and other key stakeholders.

Presentation

A Presentation - Contractor Management Procedure has been developed to assist with the application of the Contractor Management System.

Associated Documentation: