The concept of a non-delegable duty of care is relatively straight forward, however many businesses are guilty of failing to provide a safe place of work to someone simply because of the badge that they wear on their shirt.
When companies outsource operations or project work to a contractor, it can be tempting to hand off full responsibility and assume the contractor has safety covered. But that’s a risky mindset. If you’re completely comfortable with how your contractor is managing safety, it might be time to dig a little deeper.
While contractors may be hired for their expertise, the principal employer always retains a level of responsibility. Outsourcing doesn’t mean outsourcing accountability. A few key reasons why:
⚖️Liability and legal consequences - If a safety incident occurs, you can be sure the question will be ask about the level of responsibility your business holds, not just the contractor.
📉Reputational damage: Safety failures, regardless of who’s managing them, can tarnish your brand and erode trust.
🌧️Operational disruptions – poor safety management leads to accidents, delays, and cost overruns that directly affect your project outcomes.
You should be actively involved in ensuring your contractors uphold the same safety standards your organisation would internally. As a minimum, you should be very clear on accountabilities as well as the safe system of work staff are working under if it isn’t yours.
Safety is of course everyone’s responsibility, so if you’re not at least a little uncomfortable about how your contractor is handling it, it’s time to start asking more questions.
Talk with us today to learn about how ⚡Virtus Advisory⚡ can help you get started.