High Risk Task Supervision
High-risk tasks will require more in-depth information, instruction, training and supervision.
The Principal has a legal obligation to monitor and supervise the activities of Contractors with regard to health and safety aspects of their work, irrespective of whether contracts are major or minor.
In order to perform this function, the Principal may engage consultants with appropriate professional qualifications as Contract Managers or Supervisors.
The extent to which the Principal or Consultants should monitor and supervise Contractors will be influenced by several factors, including:
• Level of risk associated with the Contractor’s activities.
• Complexity of the tasks performed by the Contractor.
• Control the Principal has over the workplace.
• Interaction with other parties (eg employees, the public).
• Duration of the contract.
Workers should not perform high-risk tasks until they can demonstrate relevant knowledge, skills and experience. Persons conducting a business or undertaking should ensure that workers are adequately trained to undertake the tasks they are required to perform. Persons conducting a business or undertaking should assess, or have someone on their behalf assess the worker’s competency to ensure they are satisfied that the worker can safely perform the task. When performing high-risk tasks, young workers should always be accompanied by another who is competent.
