Preparing the published article.
Contractor Safety During Maintenance
Contractors are the highest-risk group in any automated plant.
Before they start
| Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Induction | Site rules, hazards and emergency arrangements |
| Competence | Evidence for the tasks they will perform |
| Permits | For hot work, height, confined space or energised work |
| Isolation | Lockout and tagout applied and verified |
| Supervision | Named responsible person during the visit |
During and after
- Brief them on the cell's specific hazards, not just site rules.
- Verify isolation yourself rather than accepting a verbal assurance.
- Check that guards and interlocks are restored before restart.
Contractor management arrangements must satisfy local legal requirements. Confirm with the site safety function.