Principal contractors responsibilities
The owner of a place of work may appoint a principal contractor for construction work carried out by or on behalf of the owner. The owner must give the principal contractor sufficient authority, as necessary, to discharge their responsibilities under the OHS Regulation 2001.
This must be done:
- when construction work is undertaken and the cost of the work exceeds $250,000
- where demolition work or asbestos removal work that requires a licence is required (regardless of the cost of the work):
- demolition work
- restricted demolition work
- friable asbestos removal work
- bonded asbestos work (see clause 37 of the OHS Regulation 2001 for more information about licensed work, as there are some exemptions to asbestos related work).
- where high risk construction work is undertaken (regardless of the cost of the work).
High risk construction work includes construction work that:
- involves structural alterations that require temporary supports
- is at a height above three metres
- involves excavation to a depth of more than 1.5 metres
- is demolition work for which a licence is not required under Chapter 10
- is in tunnels
- involves the use of explosives
- is near traffic or mobile plant
- is in or around gas or electrical installations
- is over or adjacent to water where there is a risk of drowning.
See clause 209 of the OHS Regulation 2001 for more information about high-risk construction work.
Subcontractors responsibilities
Under clause 229 of the OHS Regulation 2001, in relation to the following types of work:
- construction work is undertaken and the cost of the work exceeds $250,000
- demolition work or asbestos removal work for which a licence is required under Chapter 10 to carry on the business of that work is undertaken (regardless of the cost of the work)
- any place of work at which high-risk construction work is undertaken and the cost of the work does not exceed $250,000.
High risk construction work includes construction work that:
- involves structural alterations that require temporary supports
- is at a height above three metres
- involves excavation to a depth of more than 1.5 metres
- is demolition work for which a licence is not required under Chapter 10
- is in tunnels
- involves the use of explosives
- is near traffic or mobile plant
- is in or around gas or electrical installations
- is over or adjacent to water where there is a risk of drowning.
Subcontractors must not commence work unless they:
- have been provided with a copy of the relevant parts of the OHS management plan
- have undertaken risk assessment of the work to be carried out and provided a written safe work method statement to the principal contractor, including the risk assessment
- have ensured that they and their employees have undertaken OHS induction training as required
- maintain and keep up-to-date the safe work method statement/s
- provide the principal contractor with updated safe work method statements and other information in relation to hazardous substances.
Call 13 10 50 for more information about workers compensation and the subcontractor statement.