Health and safety in procurement

The Council is committed to ensuring effective Health and Safety management and performance throughout all the Council Services and undertakings.

In the development of contracts and tender documents, Health and Safety matters will be given appropriate consideration with a view to ensuring the roles, responsibilities and risks in relation to the performance of any contract are clearly defined from the outset. 

In line with the Council's Health and Safety policies, all goods and services should be procured with due consideration of the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, contractor's employees, clients, volunteers and members of the public who may be affected by the performance of the contract. 

Part of the tendering process will be to ask that bidders explain their approach to ensuring compliance to current legislation such as the following:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• COSHH Regulations 2002    
• Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 
• Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
• Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999           
• Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 1992   
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

This list is not exhaustive but is intended to highlight some of the more common regulations which can impact on the performance of Council contracts.

We will check a contractor's compliance with Health and Safety legislation in two ways:     

• Prior to Contract Award - by requesting information in the tender process through the use of the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD)
  If following evaluation the response and request for supporting documentation does not meet the stated minimums for qualifying to perform the contract, the firm may not be short listed or awarded a contract.
• After Contract Award - by including contract conditions on Health and Safety in all Council contracts, and by monitoring a contractor's performance and compliance with those conditions.

For further information, please email HandSEnquiries@pkc.gov.uk to be assisted with your enquiry.