Health and Safety in Procurement
Contents:
- Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Construction (Design and Management Regulations) 1994
- How health and safety affect procurement
- Contacts for health and safety.
Nottinghamshire County Council has obligations and responsibilities to its staff to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, their health, safety and welfare at work. This obligation extends to people who may be affected by our work.
We have a statutory duty to provide a safe place of work and a healthy working environment for all of our employees, including those employed on a temporary basis. In certain circumstances, a broadly similar duty exists towards those persons who, while not being employees, are engaged to provide services for the County Council. This category includes voluntary workers, consultants, contractors and agency staff. The general duties imposed on the County Council are defined in various legal requirements.
For further information about health and safety go to the Health and Safety Executive website: www.hse.gov.uk
Where regulations apply, health and safety responsibilities are placed on:
- clients
- designers
- planning supervisors
- principal contractors
- sub-contractors.
The general duties imposed on the County Council are defined in various legal requirements. These include, but are not limited to:
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, applies to all work activities and requires employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of:
- their employees
- other people at work on their site, including contractors
- others who come into contact with work activities, including service users, pupils, visitors and members of the public.
Contractors may also have to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and other health and safety legislation. Clearly when contractors are appointed, the activities of different employers do interact, so cooperation and communication are needed to make sure all parties can meet their obligations.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, require all employees to carry our risk assessments in order to identify and evaluate hazards, and devise and implement control measures. These Regulations specifically state that where two or more employees share a workplace, whether on a temporary basis or a permanent basis, each employer shall:
- co-operate with other employers
- take reasonable steps to coordinate between other employers to comply with legal requirements
- take reasonable steps to inform other employers where there are risk to health and safety.
Construction (Design and Management Regulations) 1994
The Construction (Design and Management Regulations) 1994, apply to:
- new-build construction
- alteration, maintenance and renovation or a structure
- site clearance
- demolition and dismantling of a structure
- temporary works
- where the work lasts more than 30 days or involves more than 500 person days of work
- design work regardless of the duration or number of people involved.
How health and safety affect procurement
The degree to which health and safety requirements are specified within documentation, will depend on the nature and level of risks which arise from any particular contract. The amount and level of the information required will vary according to the nature of the procurement.
Each procurement activity should be treated proportionately to the health and safety risks which arise from the contract on a case by case basis. Potential risks should be assessed and businesses must provide evidence to demonstrate that their organisation actively promotes and manages health and safety.
Contacts for health and safety
For more detailed information about health and safety in procurement, contact
Peter Roddis
Service Manager
tel: 0115 977 3445
Health and Safety Team (Lawn View House)
tel: 01623 434033
