SUB/General/TBT-SUB-006

Subcontractor Pre-Qualification

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Subcontractor Pre-Qualification

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-SUB-006  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
PresenterProject
LocationDate

What?

  • Pre-qualification assesses a subcontractor's competence and safety record before appointment.
  • Engaging subcontractors without vetting causes poor safety performance on projects.
  • CDM 2015 requires satisfaction that appointed contractors have skills and resources.
  • Pre-qualification should assess insurance, training, safety policies, and incident history.
  • SSIP accreditation provides a baseline but is not sufficient alone.
  • Previous project references and safety data should be reviewed.
  • The principal contractor must ensure every subcontractor can work safely.
  • Pre-qualification must be reviewed annually and for each new project.
  • Specialist high-risk subcontractors require enhanced vetting.
  • You cannot contract out your safety responsibilities under CDM.

Why?

Prevent incidentsPoorly vetted subcontractors cause a disproportionate number of failures.
Legal dutyCDM requires principal contractors to verify subcontractor competence.
Quality assurancePre-qualification confirms the skills, training, and resources needed.
Risk transfer mythYou cannot transfer safety duties by subcontracting — the duty remains.
Do Don't
  • Assess subcontractor safety policies and training records before appointment.
  • Check insurance validity and adequacy for the scope of work.
  • Review incident history and enforcement actions for the past three years.
  • Confirm SSIP or equivalent accreditation as a minimum baseline.
  • Request and check references from previous principal contractors.
  • Verify operative competence cards and qualifications match the work.
  • Apply enhanced vetting for high-risk specialisms like demolition.
  • Review pre-qualification annually and before each new project.
  • Include safety performance requirements in the subcontract terms.
  • Record all pre-qualification assessments for audit purposes.
  • DON'T appoint subcontractors without completing pre-qualification.
  • DON'T accept SSIP alone as proof of competence for high-risk work.
  • DON'T skip pre-qualification for small packages — the same risks apply.
  • DON'T ignore poor incident history in the assessment.
  • DON'T assume a subcontractor is competent because they are known to you.
  • DON'T allow subcontractors on site before pre-qualification is approved.
  • DON'T rely on self-assessment without verification.
  • DON'T treat pre-qualification as a one-off — review for every project.
  • DON'T overlook training gaps or expired competence cards.
  • DON'T believe that subcontracting transfers your safety responsibilities.

See also: Subcontractor Safety Management | Subcontractor Induction Requirements
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