Some people are great contractors. They’re a pleasure to work with and never cause a moment’s concern. Others can be indescribable horror stories, true ordeals of patience and a constant source of worry and they use up half of your administration department in the process. The days when this type of contractor was tolerated in Australia are long gone, and in place of the misery of trying to keep track has come full contractor management services, complete with full tracking systems.
Contractor management systems save lives and prevent tragic, life-wrecking injuries. In the building and electrical trades, the good management practices these systems create have been welcomed as a practical method of strong assertion of the best professional standards. Employers may wish to note that all of these experienced professionals are very much on the same page in this critically important area.
Contractor management systems The best and most comprehensive services offer a full range of contractor management services, complete with document verification, OH&S accreditation and online inductions. This is a good indicator of strong levels of expertise, and requires a highly efficient organization.
The best contract management services are easy to distinguish:
They specialize in contractor management and contractor compliance.
They have a clearly superior track record of achievement in this field.
They have the best staff and experts, and give excellent client service.
They’re literally a one stop shop for contractor management- compliance monitoring. (Note: This is extremely important. Risk management must be conducted in a single stream, with good reporting and full OHS documentation easily accessible for employers.)
They are large, experienced companies with proven capacity to handle major roles.
They have straightforward contract management criteria. Each contractor is defined as compliant or non-compliant, simplifying decision-making and highlighting any issues clearly.
Contractors issues The problems with contractors start with a range of situations which need to be identified as soon as possible:
Lack of sufficient insurance: This is potential risk for employers, who can be hit with a range of liabilities including negligence and breach of statutory obligations.
Lack of OHS accreditations: A cardinal sin, and entirely unacceptable, because these accreditations are required by law.
Lack of proper licensing: Bizarre as it seems, some contractors will attempt to get contracts without even understanding their own licensing requirements, let alone the licensing requirements of the contract.
ABN issues: This most basic of Australian business requirements has to be addressed on any contract. Failure to do so can put a lot of extra costs on a contract.
Compliance, or no contract- A choice that makes a point It’s now best practice for Australian companies to make it mandatory for all contractors to be compliant, and use a specialist contractor management service to make sure they do comply.
In order to make this effective, many are adding this as a requirement in their contracts and tenders. This is one of the most efficient methods of making sure contractors are fully aware of their obligations.