In this episode, Sarah-Jane Dunford, Director and Principal Consultant from Riskology and One Touch Contracting joins host Mark Reggers to discuss managing contractors.

Contractor management refers to a method of controls to effectively manage outsourced work conducted for an individual company to prevent and or minimise potential health and safety risks. It addresses the challenges associated with the selection, acquisition, use, and monitoring of these contracted employees and their work.

Guest Bio:

Sarah-Jane Dunford (pictured left with host Mark Reggers) is the Director and Principal Consultant of Riskology and One Touch Contracting.

Involved in many facets of managing WHS over the past 20 years, Sarah possesses several qualifications and international organisational experience in the manufacturing, mining, utilities, aviation, construction, banking and retail sectors. Her speciality lies with the development and execution of WHS systems, strategy and culture change.

Sarah-Jane has a drive and passion for improving the WHS industry as the founder of the Hunter Safety Awards, the NSW Regional Safety Conference and Expo and founding Chair of the AIHS Hunter Branch and Australian Safety Awards.

LinkedIn Profile

In this episode, Mark & Sarah discuss the following:

• Who would be classified as a contractor for a PCBU?
• Who has responsibility for the safety of a contractor? Is it the contractor company or the PCBU engaging them?
• Before even engaging a contractor, what should a PCBU be checking/considering?
• Before contractors set foot on your site, what should a workplace be checking or putting in place?
• Once contractors are on-site, what needs to be done when it comes to managing and monitoring them and the works being undertaken?
• How does a PCBU review a contractors SWMS/documentation when it is an area in which they are engaging a specialist to provide a safe workplace?
• When it comes to managing contractors’ what is the difference between ‘all in’ versus the ‘arm’s length’ approaches?
• How significant is consultation with the PCBU, contractor/multiple contractors relationship?
• What are some of the systems out there that help an organisation manage contractors?
• What takeaway point would you want to leave with our listeners?
• Where can the listeners go and get further information about contractor management?
• How can our listeners get in contact with yourself?

As industries increasingly leverage and rely upon the expertise of independent contractors to utilise their specialised skills and knowledge for a wide range of services, the management of contractors plays a pivotal role that assists in providing a safe workplace. Contractor management protects your business by ensuring your outsourced workers possess the correct insurances, qualifications, training, competencies and risk assessments for the work they are engaged to perform. The contractor space can be quite confusing as the requirements can vary depending on the activity. Tune in as we look at contractor management, the related worker health and safety responsibilities and associated considerations when engaging and managing contractors.

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Transcript
• Comcare Contractor Management
• SafeWork NSW – Contractors and labour hire
• Western Australia Government – What is contractor management and why is it important?
• WorkSafe Tasmania – Contractor Management
• One Touch Contractors

Contact a 3M Safety Specialist at scienceofsafetyanz@mmm.com for more information.