When an individual hires an outside company or self-employed person on contract and directs their activities, that individual is a "contractor." An individual may also be considered a contractor in circumstances where they do not give direction beyond the product to be provided. In this situation, this individual will need to ensure that those who they hire will work in compliance with The Saskatchewan Employment Act and regulations.
Under The Saskatchewan Employment Act, contractors must:
- set up a system of shared responsibilities and determine who is responsible for what in relation to the health and safety of all workers in the workplace;
- control any health and safety hazards – over which the contractor has complete and direct control – that could affect a "subcontractor" (remember the subcontractor is responsible for controlling and eliminating hazards within the subcontractor's direct and complete control);
- co-operate with subcontractors to control and eliminate health and safety hazards that are not within the direct and complete control of the contractor;
- coordinate the health and safety programs of two or more subcontractors working at the place of employment;
- provide subcontractors and their occupational health committees with any relevant information available to the contractor that could affect health and safety in the workplace;
- make sure subcontractors understand who is responsible for health and safety activities that affect them; and
- monitor subcontractors to ensure they comply with occupational health and safety requirements and taking action to correct any non-compliance at the place of employment.