Subcontractors

It is common practice for subcontractors to come onto farms to help out at different times of the year. Whether it be a shearer, a contractor helping out at harvest, or a delivery driver, it’s often someone you’ve never met before, or who’s never been to your farm before. New people coming onto your farm present risks, so to minimise or eliminate these, it is important to have procedures and policies in place.

 

OBJECTIVE

Learn how to safely have subcontractors on your farm

 

BEST PRACTICE 

Farmers have responsibilities when it comes to having subcontractors working on their properties

  • Farmers must ensure the subcontractor has a safety management system and/or safety qualifications
  • Farmers must brief subcontractors about the known hazards on their farm
  • Farmers must check the subcontractor’s relevant documents, for example their license, certificate or WorkCover insurance
  • Farmers must provide a site-specific induction to the subcontractor
  • Farmers must ensure the subcontractor informs the manager once they are on-site
  • Farmers must ensure the subcontractor is aware of safety protocols on the farm
  • Farmers must be aware of the equipment, vehicles and materials being used by the subcontractor on the farm
  • Farmers must check the equipment being supplied by the subcontractor is maintained with relevant safety features
  • Farmers should check that subcontractors have the relevant personal protective equipment to complete the job
  • Farmers should check the subcontractor’s work while in progress to ensure they are working safely
  • Farmers should take appropriate action if a subcontractor is not working safely

 

ACTIONS

  • There are actions you can take to ensure subcontractors are working safely on your farm
  • Check a subcontractor’s safety management system and/or safety qualifications
  • Brief subcontractors on the known hazards on the farm
  • Check what documents are needed by your subcontractor and then check that they have the relevant documents
  • Plan a site-specific induction, including safety protocols, to give any subcontractor that comes to work on your farm
  • Clearly communicate to a new subcontractor that they must inform the manager every time they come onto the far
  • Check a subcontractor’s equipment and personal protective equipment before they start the job
  • Make time to check the subcontractor’s work when they first start
  • Be prepared to take appropriate action if a subcontractor is not working safely and to your standard

 

Contact us to access FREE policy and procedure templates

 

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Subcontractors