Health and Safety A- Z
Topic: Constructor
Summary
The Occupational Health and Safety Act defines Constructor as the person who undertakes a project for the project owner. The duties of a Constructor are similar to the duties of an employer.
The University has overall responsibility for safety in University operations and in most cases that responsibility can’t be “contracted away”. Construction projects are unique: The University is able to contract Health and Safety responsibilities to a 3rd party (contractor) if the contractor is given overall control of the project and the worksite. If the contractor loses that control at any point during the project the Constructor responsibilities revert to the University.
The University may elect to be Constructor on smaller projects, but a qualified contractor is normally appointed Constructor on larger projects.
University employees should not enter project areas, try to direct project employees, or otherwise be involved with a project without the consent of the University’s Project Manager. Unless it is an emergency safety concerns about a project should be brought to the attention of the University’s Project Manager and not to a project employee.
For more information see:
Occupational Health and Safety Act, s. 1, Definitions, Constructor; s. 23, Duties of Constructor
Additional Resources:
Ministry of Labour’s Constructor Guideline
Last Revised: October 29, 2015