OHS coordination
Occupational health safety coordination is compulsory for all construction sites in which at least two parties are simultaneously or successively present, regardless of the nature, size, surface, risks, or cost involved in the work. Health and safety coordination is required both during the design stage and the project execution.
Suppliers of building materials, contractors and, for example, utilities companies (gas, water, electricity) connection services, inspection bodies, etc. are also considered as separate parties.
Health and safety coordination obligations are applicable to both private construction projects and companies.
As the construction site is constantly evolving, the health and safety coordinator must ensure the mitigation of any additional risks that could arise from the interactions between the different parties.
That is why it is important to appoint someone with professional experience and know-how who will be able to ensure strict adherence to the ever-changing laws and regulations. The coordination task may be performed by the same person in both the design and construction phases.
In the case of private commissions, the architect is responsible for legally appointing the health and safety coordinator.
In the case of construction projects with a commercial purpose, the client will be responsible for appointing the health and safety coordinator.
1. Design phase
Before commencing the work, the health and safety coordinator must assess the construction design and draw up a health and safety plan to allow the architects, building owners and/or contractors to incorporate this information into their specifications.
2. During the works
The health and safety coordinator will carry out regular checks to verify that the agreed prevention measures, which are stipulated in the health and safety plan, are adhered to on-site. They will be responsible for drawing up a report of their findings, which should include photographs, and this report must be sent to the client, the building contractor, and the architect.
These documents are also compiled in a “coordination diary”, and all parties involved will be granted access to these documents at any time via a password and login.
3. After the project execution
Once the construction works are complete, a “post intervention file” (PID) is delivered, which will contain all relevant information obtained from the different parties and all measures that are to be taken for any further maintenance or refurbishment works.
