Monitoring subcontractor safety performance is a legal duty under CDM 2015 for the principal contractor. Regular monitoring identifies unsafe practices, verifies RAMS compliance, and ensures subcontractors maintain the standards expected on site. Without active monitoring, substandard practices can become embedded. This talk explains how subcontractor performance is monitored and why it benefits everyone on site.
Key Hazards
Unsafe practices becoming normalised when subcontractor work is not monitored
Interface hazards missed between subcontractor trades in the same work area
Subcontractors failing to follow their own RAMS without detection or correction
Deteriorating safety standards over time without regular performance review
Control Measures
Carry out regular safety inspections of all subcontractor work areas and activities.
Check that subcontractors are following their accepted RAMS during every site walkthrough.
Verify subcontractor operatives hold the required competency cards and training certificates.
Record inspection findings and share them with the subcontractor supervisor for corrective action.
Include subcontractor safety performance in monthly progress and coordination meetings.
Use a scoring system to track subcontractor safety trends over the project duration.
Issue formal improvement notices when repeated non-compliance is identified.
Recognise and reward subcontractors who consistently demonstrate good safety performance.
Brief all subcontractors on the monitoring process and the standards expected on this site.
Remember
Regular safety inspections of subcontractor work areas are a principal contractor duty
Check that operatives hold the required competency cards during every site walkthrough
Record inspection findings and share them with the subcontractor for corrective action
Track subcontractor safety trends over time using a consistent scoring system
Issue formal improvement notices for repeated non-compliance and recognise good performance
Applicable Legislation: CDM 2015 (Regulations 13 and 15) · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 · MHSWR 1999