How to Appoint a Principal Contractor

The owner of the workplace where the construction work is to be carried out is automatically considered the prime contractor under the Vic Regulation. Another person may be designated by the owner as the prime contractor, but the owner must authorize that person to manage or control the workplace to the extent necessary to perform the duties of the prime contractor. An owner is not required to appoint a prime contractor in writing, although it is advisable to do so. A PA must be appointed for all construction projects with more than one contractor. The regulation states that „if there is more than one contractor or it is reasonably foreseeable that more than one contractor will work on a project at any given time.“ If the University of Tasmania attempts to appoint a prime contractor in circumstances where the prime contractor cannot be appointed, e.B. the project or programme does not involve construction work, so the University of Tasmania may not be able to provide the required level of supervision and supervision on the contractor as the University of Tasmania operates under a misconception that the contractor is a prime contractor and this may expose the University of Tasmania liable under the WHS Act. In this case, the person so mandated is the prime contractor of the project. The „prime contractor“ is not strictly designated in the AO, but is determined by the rules – see Application of the Prime Contractor Provisions earlier in this chapter. In addition to all „accepted“ prime contractors, designers, clients and employers must consult with VA regulations to ensure that construction work can be performed without risk to safety and health. If you only have one contractor for the duration of the contract and they don`t use subcontractors, you don`t need to appoint a lead designer. Therefore, the University of Tasmania needs to take a risk-based approach to clarifying ESS requirements for contractors, as set out in the University of Tasmania`s ESS Contractor Management Framework.

The term „prime contractor“ has a specific meaning under OHS regulations. Prime contractors have certain obligations under WHS regulations; However, the appointment of a prime contractor does not release the University of Tasmania from its obligations under the WHS Act. It is the responsibility of the lead designer to work with the client and prime contractor to determine how health and safety risks should be managed and how they should be included in the management of a project. This includes monitoring and verifying a prime contractor`s performance against strict WHS objectives. The University of Tasmania must ensure that the prime contractor carries out the work safely, as indicated in its records. This may include conducting on-site inspections and audits in accordance with the ESS Contractor Management Process. Carrying out on-site inspections and audits will not allow the University of Tasmania to become the prime contractor and is indeed a crucial step for the University of Tasmania in managing its obligations as a PCBU under the WHS Act. There can be only one prime contractor at a time as part of a construction project. All designers have tasks as part of CDM 2015.

However, in addition to his duties as a designer, the lead designer has responsibilities such as health and safety control during the stem phase of the project and assisting the client with the requirements of the CDM. When choosing your lead designer, it is important to remember that the lead designer must be a designer for the project and must be able to have control over the design and planning phase. Do you need to appoint a lead designer? Use the lead designer`s appointment template to create a written record. When the University of Tasmania orders a construction project valued at $250,000 or more, it is automatically the prime contractor under WHS regulations. This is unless it has designated another party as prime contractor, authorized it to take over the management or control of the workplace and appointed it to perform the tasks required by OSH regulations. For projects involving more than one contractor, the procuring entity shall designate a prime contractor as soon as possible and before the start of the construction phase so that it has sufficient time to plan and manage the construction phase. Finally, the lead designer must arrange for the health and safety record to be provided to the prime contractor and make them aware of any issues that may need to be considered. As a client, your duty under the CDM to the lead designer does not end with the appointment. You must also take reasonable steps to ensure that the lead designer performs the functions of the lead designer. However, not all of these obligations are necessarily appropriate for contractors who are not prime contractors (p.B. signage obligations). So, if you don`t know how to appoint a lead designer, or if you need one, this article is here to help! There can only be one prime contractor for each „construction project“ at a time.

However, the University of Tasmania may appoint two or more prime contractors as part of the same work programme if: Get more information about the lead designer in the lead designer role, tasks and responsibilities to help you choose a suitable lead designer for your project. .