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In some situations involving volunteers, it is not immediately apparent which individual or organisation is in charge of the site at any particular time. For example, a BTCV volunteer group and leader may be working for a Local Authority ranger on a site owned by a Water Company, and leased to a tenant. Is the site owner, the tenant, the local authority or BTCV responsible for safe access, assessing the risks associated with any hazards or for reporting any accident? Does the situation change if the leader, the ranger or a Water Company representative either leave or arrive on site? Even in more straightforward situations it may be unclear where responsibility for health and safety lies. There are very few easy to define rules for determining responsibility on a site. If there is any doubt at all or where the situation is obviously complicated, it is essential that the parties concerned discuss the question before work starts and agree which individual and organisation will take responsibility. It is difficult to establish guidelines to help with this process except to note that the organisation which initiates the activity will be held primarily responsible for ensuring that 'contractors and sub-contractors' terms which include volunteers work to appropriate health and safety standards and have systems to ensure this occurs throughout any chain of sub-contractors involved. This overall responsibility of the 'client' does not remove the separate responsibility of any contractor to ensure the safety of his/her people and any sub-contractors taken on. Responsibility for health and safety continues down the line. All content copyright © 1986-2008 BTCV Ltd. Registered charity No. 261009 |
