Scottish procurement policy handbook

21. Health and safety

The wellbeing of people who are employed to deliver a contract can impact its success. It can also affect the reputation of the public body which awards the contract. This includes the ability to meet legal obligations, which is why it is important for public bodies to work with suppliers to prevent or reduce the chances of negative impacts to health and the risk of injury in the workplace. Potential risks to health and safety are not always the same and need to be assessed in each case. The requirements will be different for different goods, services or works.

There should be evidence that suppliers are promoting and managing good practice in this area while explaining what they will do to manage risks which have been identified. It is also important to actively monitor contracts so that health and safety requirements continue to be met.

• Public bodies should ask suppliers for evidence that they adhere to the legal health and safety rights of workers. These can be found in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
• Construction projects have specific requirements under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
• More information and guidance is available in Chapter 2 of the Client Guide to Construction Projects.
• Health and Safety guidance is available as part of the Sustainable Procurement Tools.
• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website also has useful links below:
  • General guidance
  • Construction industry guidance.