In the waste management industry the potential for both major and minor accidents is very real and health and safety issues must always be taken very seriously by both the Contractor and the Authority. The contract will therefore normally include obligations on the Contractor in relation to Health and Safety during the service period.
In the WIDP Contract (Clause 22) there is an overarching obligation on the Contractor to provide the Service in a manner consistent with all health and safety precautions required to comply with Good Industry Practice and Legislation. In addition the WIDP Contract (Clause 29) obliges the Contractor to notify the Authority of the member of staff nominated to deal with health and safety issues. The relevant contact details should be recorded in the Contract Management Manual and updated when necessary. The other related obligations on the Contractor are to:
• have regard to the Authority's own policies;
• provide a statement of its policy to the Authority within specified period of Service Commencement;
• review its procedures whenever necessary in the light of change in law etc and advise the Authority accordingly; and
• take precautions in line with Good Industry Practice and procure that its sub-contractors do the same.
If there were to be an accident caused by the Contractor's failure to follow best practice in relation to health and safety then the Authority's reputation could also be at risk. The Contract Management Manual should therefore include procedures for periodic assessments by the Authority of whether the Contractor is complying with its obligations.