HSEQ Contractor

Management Procedure
HSEQ Management System

Document number: HSP 02-12

Issue number: 2
Status: Approved
Approver: Andrew O’Halloran
Date of approval: 02/06/2021
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HSEQ Contractor Management Procedure

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 PURPOSE ...................................................................................................................... 3
2 SCOPE ........................................................................................................................... 3
3 ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS .......................................................................... 3
4 HSEQ CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK – OVERVIEW ......................... 4
4.1 PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR ................................................................................................... 4
4.2 ROLE OF A PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR ............................................................................... 5
4.3 APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR .................................................................. 6
4.4 AUSNET AS PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR .............................................................................. 7
4.5 AUSNET HSEQ INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT ....................................... 7
5 HSEQ CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE ................................................. 8
5.1 PHASE 1 - PRE-QUALIFICATION .......................................................................................... 8
5.2 PHASE 2 - ONBOARDING ...................................................................................................... 8
5.3 PHASE 3 - MONITORING ....................................................................................................... 8
5.4 PHASE 4 – PERFORMANCE REVIEW .................................................................................. 9
6 HSEQ CONTRACTOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS .................................................... 11
6.1 PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR ................................................................................................. 11
6.2 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR........................................................................................... 13
7 LEGISLATIVE REFERENCES ..................................................................................... 14
8 RESOURCE REFERENCES ........................................................................................ 14
9 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................. 14
10 SCHEDULE OF REVISIONS ........................................................................................ 15
APPENDIX A: EMBEDDED CONTRACTORS AND CONTRACTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
16

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1 PURPOSE
This document has been developed for use by AusNet’s employees to clarify expectations and aid
understanding in relation to HSEQ contractor management.

2 SCOPE
This document is for the use of AusNet employees who are involved in the engagement and management of
contractors performing work on behalf of AusNet.

3 ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

Term Definition
Construction Project means a project involving Construction Work and includes preparation and planning
of the proposed Construction Work.
Construction Work means any work performed in connection with the construction, alteration,
conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, refurbishment, decommissioning,
or demolition of any building or structure, or any similar activity.
This includes the installation, testing and maintenance of gas, water, sewerage,
electricity or telecommunications services in or of any building or structure.
Contractor means an entity that has a contract for Works and/or Services with AusNet. The
Contractor may be an individual, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity
capable of performing services. The Contractor may provide services to AusNet for
(including but not limited to):
• design / engineering and consultancy services
• installation
• construction
• maintenance and general services.
This includes Independent Contractors and the embedded services and contracted
professional services contractors described in Appendix A.
HSEQ means health, safety, environment and quality.
Independent means specialist contractors used on sites where AusNet has control of the site. They
Contractor usually provide operational expertise or specialist services which are skills or
knowledge based.
OHS occupational health and safety.
OHS Regulations means the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic).
Principal Contractor means the owner of the workplace where a Construction Project is to be carried out
unless the owner:
(a) appoints a principal contractor for the Construction Work performed for or on
behalf of the owner; and

(b) authorises the principal contractor to manage or control the workplace to the
extent necessary to discharge the duties imposed on a principal contractor
under the OHS Regulations.
Note: the AusNet Operations and Maintenance Services Agreements (OMSAs) for
both the distribution and transmission businesses appoint the Contractor as the
principal contractor for the services.
Specialist Works means a single specialist task to be delivered as part of a major project or day-to-day
business (e.g. transformer testing, helicopter stringing).
Works and/or means any works or services performed by a Contractor.
Services

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4 HSEQ CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK – OVERVIEW

Management of Contractor HSEQ will be undertaken by AusNet to ensure that:
1. Contractors confirm their obligations to manage all HSEQ risks arising from the Works and/or
Services.
2. Contractors confirm they have processes in place to meet those obligations.
3. Contractors are engaged:
i. as an Independent Contractor, with AusNet acting as the Principal Contractor; or
ii. clearly appointed as the Principal Contractor thereby assuming responsibility for
management of health and safety.
Note: under the OHS Regulations, the requirement for a Principal Contractor arises for a
Construction Project if the cost of the project is $350,000 or more. See Section 4.1 for further
detail.
4. AusNet and its staff understand the relationship between Independent Contractors and Principal
Contractors and act accordingly in the management of HSEQ.
5. AusNet manages risks it poses to Contractors.
In addition to Independent Contractor and Principal Contractor arrangements, AusNet engages embedded
contractors and contracted professional services to provide the services described in Appendix A.
The relationship between AusNet and its Contractors will ensure that legal liability for management of health
and safety is correctly apportioned to the parties in such arrangements and that each party understands the
operational safety management implications of those arrangements.

4.1 PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR

Under the OHS Regulations, there must be a Principal Contractor for a Construction Project if the cost
of the project is $350,000 or more.

NOTE: If the obligation under the OHS Regulations to appoint a Principal Contractor does not arise for a
particular contract because the cost of the Construction Project is less than $350,000 but AusNet still wants
the Contractor to perform the role of the Principal Contractor (and associated health safety duties) in relation
to the Works and/or Services being performed under that contract, then AusNet needs to ensure that those
obligations are included in the relevant contract as a contractual obligation on the Contractor as opposed
to a legal obligation arising under the OHS Regulations.

AusNet needs to carefully consider in the context of the Works and/or Services being performed under the
particular contract whether it would be appropriate for the Contractor to perform the role of Principal Contractor
when there is no legal obligation under the OHS Regulations to do so, including:
• Why is AusNet appointing a Principal Contractor when legally a Principal Contractor is not required
under the OHS Regulations?
• Can the Contractor perform the duties of a Principal Contractor in relation to the Works and/or Services
being performed under that particular contract? Can the Contractor manage and control the site
(including access) where the Works and/or Services are being performed?
• Is there already a Principal Contractor appointed for the applicable site where the Works and/or
Services are being performed?

Appointing a Contractor as Principal Contractor under a contract does not absolve AusNet from
responsibility for meeting its OHS obligations as an employer under the OHS Regulations.

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4.2 Role of a Principal Contractor

A Principal Contractor must maintain the sole management and control of:

• the site (and must ensure that the site and the means of entering and leaving the site, i.e. access, are
at all times safe and without any risk to health);

• the way the Construction Work is carried out and completed; and

• all matters arising from or connected with the carrying out and completion of the Construction Work
that give rise or may give rise to any risk to health or safety.

A Contractor appointed as Principal Contractor must undertake the following at sites it occupies and controls:

• Signage

A Principal Contractor must put in place signs that are clearly visible from outside the workplace
where the Construction Work is being performed, showing the name and contact telephone numbers
of the Principal Contractor.

• Health & Safety Co-ordination Plan

A Principal Contractor must prepare a health and safety co-ordination plan which includes:

o a list of the names, positions and responsibilities of all persons who will have specific
responsibilities for health and safety (this may include HSEQ managers, first aid officers or
other persons who have responsibility for implementing the plan);

o the arrangements for the co-ordination of the health and safety of persons engaged to perform
the Construction Work;

o the arrangements for managing OHS incidents; and

o any site safety rules, with the arrangements for ensuring that all persons at the workplace are
informed of the rules.

The Principal Contractor must monitor, maintain and keep the plan up to date, make it available for
inspection and ensure that any person commencing work at the site is aware of, and given access
to, the plan.

• A Principal Contractor must:

o comply with applicable health, safety and environment legislation;

o exercise due diligence in respect of health, safety and environment when engaging sub-
contractors. This includes obtaining confirmation that all sub-contractors are competent and/or
licenced to undertake the work they are engaged to perform and have processes to manage
safety and environment risks associated with the work they are performing.

o control risks arising from its operations;

o ensure general site safety including security and general traffic management;

o implement general emergency response procedures including evacuation and general first aid
in respect of its operations;

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o provide appropriate facilities;

o ensure safe access and egress;

o notify AusNet and other relevant authorities of serious incidents as required under workplace
health, safety and environmental legislation that occur at sites that the Principal Contractor
controls or occupies;

o undertake consultation with all employees, contractors and others with respect to matters of
health and safety, including providing specific safety management information as required;

o request safety management information from employees and contractors to incorporate into
the site safety management plan and ensure the site safety plan is displayed in a prominent
location;

o induct all employees, contractors and visitors into site safety and environment rules and
organisational safety or environment arrangements;

o supervise employees, contractors and visitors with respect to compliance with any site safety
and environment rules, procedures or relevant matters over which the Principal Contractor
has control;

o identify and exercise all necessary precautions for the health and safety of all persons
including its employees, subcontractor’s employees, visitors and members of the public who
may be affected by any work;

o coordinate contractor activities where multiple contractors are working at sites the Principal
Contractor occupies and controls; and

o retain the right to issue a cease work directive where there are serious safety concerns.

Note: This is a non-exhaustive list of duties and there may be particular Works and/or Services being
performed under a contract for AusNet to consider it appropriate to contractually require the Principal
Contractor to undertake additional duties. This would need to be carefully considered in the context of
the particular contract.

4.3 Appointment of Principal Contractor

Where an appointment of Principal Contractor is made, the appointee assumes all obligations for the
management of health and safety outlined in Section 4.2 in respect of the work site and the Construction Work
being undertaken. Where AusNet appoints another party to act as Principal Contractor, it is critical that the
following occurs:
• all responsibilities and obligations of a Principal Contractor are delegated to the appointee;
• that AusNet employees do not override the instructions and requirements of the Principal Contractor;
and
• that AusNet employees comply with all instructions and site safety management requirements of the
Principal Contractor. These instructions and requirements include:
1. undertaking an induction as required;
2. complying with all site safety rules;
3. announcing their attendance at any Principal Contractor controlled sites;
4. complying with all reasonable instructions issued by the Principal Contractor; and
5. directing all health and safety queries to the Principal Contractor including those from
external parties.

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Regular monitoring of health, safety and environmental performance may be undertaken by AusNet as part of
overall contract management however any HSEQ issues must be directed back to the Principal Contractor for
resolution.
AusNet retains the right to issue a cease work directive where there are serious safety concerns.
Where AusNet appoints another party to act as the Principal Contractor, AusNet contracts must include a valid
appointment clause. See HSEQ Contractor Terms and Conditions Section 6 below for guidance.

4.4 AusNet as Principal Contractor

AusNet may retain the role of Principal Contractor in respect of a Construction Project or be appointed as
Principal Contractor by a project owner (in the Growth and Future Networks business). AusNet may then
directly engage Independent Contractors to undertake Specialist Works. Where this is the case, AusNet will
retain the obligations to ensure the health and safety of matters over which it has control as per Section 4.2.
A template for the creation of the Health and Safety Co-ordination Plan is available from ECM (HSP 02-12A).

4.5 AusNet HSEQ Independent Contractor Management

The use of Independent Contractors is integral to the delivery of services by AusNet to the community.
When working with Independent Contractors, AusNet will:

• respect the Independent Contractor’s independence;

• expect that the Independent Contractor so far as is reasonably practicable will provide and maintain
a working environment in which people are not exposed to hazards. To achieve this, an Independent
Contractor must work in accordance with OHS and environmental legislation, codes of practice and
relevant Australian Standards;
• rely on the Independent Contractor’s expertise to deliver safe and professional Works and/or
Services; and
• provide support and guidance to improve Independent Contractor safety where required or
requested.
To promote continuous improvement in HSEQ, AusNet will work with its Independent Contractors to:
• consult with Independent Contractors on their methods of safety and environment management;
• seek agreement with Independent Contractors on methods to resolve identified safety or
environment issues;
• select Independent Contractors based on their commitment and competence in health, safety and
environment issues as well as their suitability for carrying out the required Works and/or Services;
• monitor the Independent Contractor’s performance and Works and/or Services as per the monitoring
schedule; and
• direct an Independent Contactor to cease work if there is an immediate serious risk to health, safety
or environment.

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5 HSEQ CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE

The engagement of Contractors, either by appointment as Principal Contractor or as an Independent
Contractor undertaking Specialist Works, involves four distinct phases:
1. Prequalification.
2. Onboarding.
3. Monitoring.
4. Performance review.

5.1 PHASE 1 - PRE-QUALIFICATION

The purpose of prequalifying Contractors is to demonstrate AusNet due diligence by requiring the Contractor
to confirm that they have appropriate safety and environment arrangements in place.
Pre-qualification does not extend to collecting or reviewing a Contractor’s HSEQ management systems or
other associated documentation (e.g. Safe Work Method Statements). The collection and review of a
Contractor’s HSEQ management documentation may be undertaken as part of Phase 3 – Monitoring. During
pre-qualification, AusNet may request evidence of HSEQ planning prior to works commencing.
Pre-qualification ensures that Contractors provide assurance that they are managing HSEQ on a practical
level. AusNet may rely on this assurance in the event of an incident or safety breach. Pre-qualification also
clarifies the criteria against which a Contractor’s HSEQ management will be measured during the Works and/or
Services and what practical evidence may be sought during Works and/or Services to confirm compliance.
The essential elements of effective pre-qualification include:
1. Establishing the scope of the Works and/or Services (what, where, when etc).
2. Confirmation of Principal Contractor duties in respect to managing HSEQ as outlined in Section
6.1.
3. Confirmation of Independent Contractor duties in respect of managing HSEQ as outlined in
Section 6.2.
When engaging an Independent Contractor or Principal Contractor, the following processes must be followed
1. Issuing of the HSEQ Contractor Pre-qualification Questionnaire (QMS 21-01J) and HSEQ Minimum
Standards for Contractors (HSP 02-11).
2. Review and acceptance of the completed HSEQ Contractor Pre-Qualification Questionnaire.
3. Confirmation of HSEQ Contractor Terms and Conditions (see Section 6 below).

5.2 PHASE 2 - ONBOARDING

The purpose of onboarding Contractors is to ensure that AusNet informs the Contractor on the risks posed to
them as a result of working on or near AusNet assets.
It is not intended to instruct Contractors in how to undertake their Works and/or Services or manage risks
arising from their undertaking.
When onboarding a Contractor, the Contractor and its employees and subcontractors must complete the
AusNet Contractor Induction and complete site inductions at AusNet controlled sites.
See AusNet Contractor Induction (QMS 22-01-1A).

5.3 PHASE 3 - MONITORING

The objective of monitoring is to ensure a high standard of health, safety and environment management on all
AusNet sites and projects.
The legal obligation for the management of HSEQ rests primarily with Contractors, both appointed Principal
Contractors and Independent Contractors, in respect of the Works and/or Services they are undertaking.
AusNet may choose to undertake monitoring to confirm:
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• compliance with any critical safety instructions issued by AusNet;

• verify the advice and assurances given in the HSEQ Contractor Pre-qualification Questionnaire
(QMS 21-01J);
• compliance with a Contractor’s own safety and environment arrangements from time to time; and
/or
• general management of site and Works and/or Services safety.
*Note: the third and fourth dot points above are only to be undertaken where AusNet employees have the
competency to do so. External specialists may be engaged by AusNet to assist as required.
The aim of the monitoring process is to verify advice given by the Contractor and the systems and processes
currently in place. Caution should be observed by AusNet employees when undertaking monitoring to not
assume responsibility for the implementation of the Contractor’s safety arrangements, which must always rest
with the Contractor.
Where monitoring activities identify HSEQ concerns, the matter should be escalated as follows:
• seek clarification from the Contractor as to why the Contractor considers the Contractor’s HSEQ
management to be adequate;
• if clarification does not satisfy the observer, seek to come to an agreement about additional
arrangements to be implemented by the Contractor;
• where agreement cannot be reached, direct the Contractor to seek expert assistance; and
• where the concern poses an immediate serious risk to HSEQ, direct the Contractor to cease work.
Monitoring processes should be undertaken at points in time where the Works and/or Services are being
undertaken, or, when enough specific detail is known to the Contractor about the operational, safety and
environment risks associated with the Work and/or Services to meaningfully plan the activities. This may
include prior to Works and/or Services being undertaken (e.g. pre-mobilisation of work site), or during the
performance of the Works and/or Services (e.g. operational activities commenced).
Monitoring should be scheduled at various intervals during a project including pre commencement and during
performance of the Works and/or Services, and can be achieved through several methods including:
1. requests for documented evidence (including photos, video, recordings) at various intervals
throughout the project;
2. conducting site inspections (planned and unplanned);
3. seeking feedback from the Contractor’s employees and others;
4. reviewing incident reports; and
5. during regular project management meetings.

5.4 PHASE 4 – PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Upon completion of a contract, a performance review will occur to analyse:
• Incident performance, timeliness and completeness of incident reporting and investigations.
• Results from monitoring undertaken by AusNet employees.
• Number of internal HSEQ audits undertaken by the Contractor and results of these audits.
• External audits undertaken and results of these audits (e.g. specialist Cultural Heritage
Management Plan or Environmental Management Plan compliance audits).
• Reports from the Contractor’s employees, AusNet employees, clients, customers and others.
• Remediation of identified issues raised during a project.
• Cooperation with AusNet when responding to issues raised.
The information obtained through performance review should inform:
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1. Future engagement within AusNet.

2. Any follow up to address issues arising.
3. Ongoing Contractor management.
4. Incorporation into any ‘Lessons Learned’ document/workshop so improvements can be identified.

Performance review process for Contractors engaged on a project

Upon completion of the project, a post project review will be led by the AusNet Portfolio Management and
Review Team to identify issues of HSEQ management by a Contractor and inform future engagement or other
remedial action. The relevant HSEQ team members will participate in this review.
Reviews may also occur periodically during long term/multiple year contracts. These reviews may occur at
intervals specified in the contract or may be initiated on request of HSEQ or AusNet Contract Manager.

Performance review process for Contractors not engaged on a project

AusNet manages HSEQ performance of its Contractors under the OMSAs for both the distribution and
transmission businesses through the achievement of certain lead and lag key performance indicators (KPIs)
by those Contractors. In addition, audits are completed of the Contractors to ensure they are following their
own safety and work procedures.
Safety performance is one of the key criteria to enable AusNet to determine whether to extend the term of the
OMSAs. The review of this term extension option will be chaired by the relevant AusNet Contract Manager via
a mid-term review specified in the contract schedules.

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6 HSEQ CONTRACTOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The following terms and conditions are intended to provide guidance in relation to the contractor appointment
requirements and health and safety duties required to be included in AusNet contracts. AusNet will need to
advise the Legal team of the relevant requirements for each contract, depending on the Works and/or
Services being performed under the contract.

6.1 PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR

If AusNet appoints a Contractor as Principal Contractor in accordance with the OHS Regulations, AusNet
needs to formally appoint the Contractor as the Principal Contractor under the relevant contract and the
Contractor accepts its appointment as Principal Contractor for the Construction Work under the contract.
Accepting the appointment authorises the Principal Contractor to manage and control the Construction Work
to the extent necessary to enable the Principal Contractor to discharge their responsibilities and duties under
the relevant health and safety legislation.

If AusNet appoints a Contractor as the Principal Contractor, AusNet and its employees will comply with the
safety arrangements implemented by the Principal Contractor in respect of workplace health and safety when
attending or undertaking work at a site under the management and control of the Principal Contractor.
AusNet must not prescribe or direct the Principal Contractor in its management of safety as the Principal
Contractor and does not have responsibility for reviewing or monitoring the workplace health and safety
arrangements of the Principal Contractor on a day-to-day basis.
In its role as Principal Contractor, the Principal Contractor has, and must maintain, the sole management and
control of:
• the site (and must ensure that the site and the means of entering and leaving the site are always
safe and without any risk to health);
• the way the Construction Work under the contract is carried out and completed; and
• all matters arising from or connected with the carrying out and completion of the Construction Work
under the contract that give rise or may give rise to any risk to health, safety or environment.
The Principal Contractor must undertake the following at sites it occupies and controls:

• Signage

A Principal Contractor must put in place signs that are clearly visible from outside the workplace
where the Construction Work is being performed, showing the name and contact telephone numbers
of the Principal Contractor.

• Health & Safety Co-ordination Plan

A Principal Contractor must prepare a health and safety co-ordination plan which includes:
o a list of the names, positions and responsibilities of all persons who will have specific
responsibilities for health and safety (this may include HSEQ managers, first aid officers or
other persons who have responsibility for implementing the plan);
o the arrangements for the co-ordination of the health and safety of persons engaged to
perform Construction Work;
o the arrangements for managing OHS incidents; and
o any site safety rules, with the arrangements for ensuring that all persons at the workplace
are informed of the rules.

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The Principal Contractor must monitor, maintain and keep the plan up to date, make it available for
inspection and ensure that any person commencing work at the site is aware of, and given access
to, the plan.

• The Principal Contractor must:

• comply with applicable health, safety and environmental legislation;

• exercise due diligence in respect of health, safety and environment when engaging sub-
contractors. This includes obtaining confirmation that all sub-contractors are competent
and/or licenced to undertake the work they are engaged to perform and have processes to
manage safety and environment risks associated with the work they are performing;
• control risks arising from its operations;
• ensure general site safety including security and general traffic management;
• implement general emergency response including evacuation and general first aid in respect
of its operations;
• provide appropriate facilities;
• ensure safe access and egress;
• notify AusNet and other relevant authorities of serious incidents as required under workplace
health, safety and environmental legislation that occur at sites that the Principal Contractor
controls or occupies;
• retain the right to issue a cease work directive where there are serious safety concerns;
• undertake consultation with AusNet, contractors and others with respect to matters of health
and safety, including providing specific safety management information as required;
• request safety management information from AusNet and contractors to incorporate into the
site safety management plan and ensure the site safety plan is displayed in a prominent
location;
• induct all employees, contractors and visitors into site safety and environment rules and
organisational safety or environment arrangements;
• supervise employees, contractors and visitors with respect to compliance with any site
safety and environment rules, procedures or relevant matters over which the Principal
Contractor has control;
• identify and exercise all necessary precautions for the health and safety of all persons
including its employees, all subcontractor’s employees, AusNet employees and members of
the public who may be affected by any work under the contract;
• coordinate contractor activities where multiple contractors are working at sites the Principal
Contractor occupies and controls; and
• provide evidence of the above to AusNet upon request from time to time.

Note: This is a non-exhaustive list of duties and there may be particular Works and/or Services being
performed under a contract for AusNet to consider it appropriate to contractually require the Principal
Contractor to undertake additional duties. This would need to be carefully considered in the context of
the particular contract.

AusNet will not issue any approval, authorisation, direction, instruction, order, permission, request or
requirement which may directly or indirectly cause the Principal Contractor to breach its duties under applicable
health and safety legislation.
Communication, Consulting, Cooperation and Co-ordination

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In its role as Principal Contractor, the Principal Contractor must so far as is reasonably practicable consult,
cooperate and coordinate activities with AusNet, any suppliers or contractors or other persons engaged in or
associated with the work under the contract:
• to achieve effective coordination of activities to ensure optimal health, safety and environmental risk
management; and
• to enable all parties to comply with their respective obligations under all relevant health, safety and
environment legislation.

6.2 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

As an employer or person conducting a business or undertaking, AusNet has obligations to its employees and
Contractors, and other persons with respect to health and safety matters over which AusNet have control.

In order to meet its obligations, AusNet will implement HSEQ arrangements to ensure that hazards arising
from its undertaking are eliminated or reduced so far as is reasonably practicable including providing
Contractors with information in respect of hazards arising from its undertaking where required.

In addition, AusNet may engage Independent Contractors to provide services and manage health, safety and
environmental risks which may arise as a result of the delivery of those services.
All Independent Contractors engaged by AusNet are required to confirm that they are competent to undertake
their work, are managing all health, safety and environmental risks associated with that work and comply with
all applicable legislation.
Independent Contractors are required to:
• provide AusNet with information upon request, confirming the management of health, safety and
environmental risks associated with the work being undertaken;
• ensure their work does not pose a risk to the health and safety of AusNet employees or others who
may be impacted by their work;
• consult with AusNet and others with respect to health, safety and environmental matters over which
the Independent Contractor has control;
• immediately notify AusNet of incidents that occur associated with the works, in line with
agreed/contractual protocols;
• comply with all safety rules and procedures as provided by AusNet from time to time;
• comply with all applicable health, safety and environment legislation;
• comply with any safety instructions issued by AusNet;
• cease work if directed to do so;
• remedy safety or environmental concerns, and seek expert advice to do so where required;
• identify and manage all hazards associated with the work they do in accordance with relevant health,
safety and environment legislation and immediately report any hazards arising from undertaking their
work;
• undertake investigations into incidents and provide information to AusNet as requested;
• provide the employer with any information, including training, to ensure the safety of the employer’s
employees and others arising from risks associated with the Independent Contractor’s work;
• provide additional first aid response and emergency response equipment/procedures required as a
result of risks associated directly with the Independent Contractor’s work; and
• confirm competence and management of safety by all specialist sub-contractors and hazards arising
from sub-contractor activities.

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All information supplied by Contractors is collected, stored and handled in accordance with applicable privacy
legislation. Information is only utilised for the purpose for which it is collected, which in this instance is
confirmation of Contractor compliance with applicable health, safety and environmental legislation.

7 LEGISLATIVE REFERENCES

State Regulator Reference

Safe Work Australia Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
Commonwealth Department of the
1999 Volume 1
Environment and
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
Energy
1999 Volume 2
WorkSafe ACT Work Health and Safety Act 2011
ACT
ACT EPA Environment Protection Act 1997
SafeWork NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011
NSW
NSW EPA Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act
NT WorkSafe
2011
NT
Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority Act
NT EPA
2012
Workplace Health
and Safety Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Queensland
QLD
Department of
Environment and Environmental Protection Act 1994
Heritage Protection
SafeWork SA Work Health and Safety Act 2012
SA
SA EPA Environment Protection Act 1993
WorkSafe Tasmania Work Health and Safety Act 2012
TAS
EPA Tasmania Environment Management and Pollution Control Act 1994
WorkSafe Victoria Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
VIC
EPA Vic Environment Protection Act 1970
WorkSafe WA Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984
WA
EPA WA Environmental Protection Act 1986

8 RESOURCE REFERENCES

Document ID Document Title

HSP 02-07 Application of the Occupational Health and Safety Construction Regulations
HSP 02-11 HSEQ Minimum Standards for Contractors
HSP 02-12A Health and Safety Co-ordination Plan (Template)
QMS 21-01J Contractor pre-qualification questionnaire
QMS 22-01-1A AusNet Services Contractor Induction

9 APPENDICES
Appendix A: Embedded Contractors and Contracted Professional Services

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HSEQ Contractor Management Procedure

10 SCHEDULE OF REVISIONS

Issue Date Author Details of Change

1 07/08/2020 Michelle Bishop Initial Issue

Added reference to Health and Safety Co-ordination Plan

2 02/06/2021 Joanne McDonell
(HSP 02-12A), removed “Services” from AusNet Services.

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 AusNet Services HSP 02-12

HSEQ Contractor Management Procedure

APPENDIX A: EMBEDDED CONTRACTORS AND CONTRACTED PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES

Contractor Type Description Phases of Contractor

Management
Embedded services and • The person works as a
Prequalification: N/A
labour hire Contractor in AusNet
workplaces. Onboarding: AusNet
• The Contractor is under the Occupational Health and Safety
control and/or management of Management System
AusNet when undertaking work.
Monitoring: Standard
• Examples include office-based monitoring of compliance with
Contractors and project AusNet Occupational Health and
managers contracted by AusNet, Safety Management System
Contractors who perform 100%
of their works for AusNet and Performance monitoring:
work under the AusNet HSEQ Review of monitoring outcomes
management system (including during and end of project to
complying with Standard inform future engagement
Operating Procedures or Safe
Work Method Statements) (e.g.
Water and Gas Field Services
team)
Contracted Professional • Contractor provides knowledge-
Prequalification: N/A
Services based services to AusNet.
• Work is predominantly Onboarding: Site induction
performed outside AusNet where AusNet has control of site
workplace.
Monitoring: N/A
• Contractor does not undertake
any manual/physical work Performance monitoring: N/A
• Examples include professional
services e.g. lawyers,
consultants (engineering,
design, environmental etc)

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