Contractor Safety

Policy Summary

Contractors performing work for the university must adhere to the established safety requirements and responsibilities summarized in this policy and set forth more fully in the university’s Contractor Environmental Health and Safety Program.  

The purpose of this policy is to inform contractors of their responsibilities when working on university property, to reduce the possibility of personal injury, property damage, and liability losses, and to comply with all federal and local safety and environmental regulations.

Who is Governed by this Policy 

• Staff
• Contractors
• Subcontractors

Policy

The university’s Contractor Environmental Health and Safety Program was developed to provide contractors with an understanding of the environmental health and safety requirements and responsibilities that apply during construction, renovation, and demolition of university-owned buildings and facilities.  The Contractor Environmental Health and Safety Program serves as a guideline for contractors to follow while performing work for the university.   

Contractor Responsibilities

Prior to starting a project, each contractor is required to review the work to be performed and identify potential hazards that may arise while performing the work.  Contractors must also provide the university employee overseeing the project with verification that they have implemented their own environmental health and safety program. 

Contractors are expected to monitor the safety of the job site during the project to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and to follow safe work practices as outlined in the Contractor Environmental Health and Safety Program.  Specifically, contractors are responsible for following all environmental health and safety regulations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).   

Contractors are also responsible for: 

1. Training all individuals working at the site; 
2. Informing all individuals working at the site of potential hazards; and 
3. Providing all individuals working at the site with proper safety equipment to prevent accidental injury. 

University Responsibilities

University employees overseeing contractors are responsible for: 

1. Examining work sites during the pre-construction planning process for any potential hazards; 
2. Verifying before the start of work that contractors have their own environmental health and safety programs in place in accordance with federal and local regulations; and 
3. Making contractors aware of their responsibilities under the Contractor Environmental Health and Safety Program. 

Insurance Requirements

Prior to the start of work, and not more than seven (7) days after a construction contract has been awarded, the contractor and/or subcontractor working on the project must verify that they have the university standard minimum insurance coverage.  Such coverage must be maintained by the contractor and any subcontractors for the duration of the project.  The university reserves the right to increase coverage requirements based on project specifications, duration, and potential loss.   

This policy is supported by the procedures set forth in the Contractor Environmental Health and Safety Program, available on the Health & Emergency Management Services website. 

Related Information

• Mercury, Asbestos & Lead Based Materials Policy 
• Permit-Required Confined-Space Policy 
• Personal Protective Equipment Policy 
• Welding, Cutting, and Brazing Safety (Hot Work) Policy

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