Safety coordinator mandatory for construction and demolition work

What has changed?

Do you work in construction? You must appoint a Safety Coordinator Immediate Surroundings for construction and/or demolition work. This Safety Coordinator Immediate Surroundings ensures the safety and health of anyone in the immediate vicinity of the construction and demolition work.

The safety coordinator in practice

The safety coordinator works for the main contractor or the client and organises all safety works for them. Usually, one of the staff takes on the role of safety coordinator.

After the introduction of the Environmental and Planning Act (Omgevingswet) several persons will supervise construction works:

• The quality controller checks if the construction being build meets the technical (legal) standards for new buildings.
• The Health and Safety coordinator (V&G coördinator) oversees the safety at the construction site.
• The Safety Coordinator Immediate Surroundings monitors safety in the immediate vicinity of the building site.

The roles of health and safety coordinator and safety coordinator immediate surroundings can be easily combined. These roles may be fulfilled by the same employee. The role of safety coordinator is not compatible with the role of quality controller.

For whom?

• entrepreneurs in construction

When?

The Decree on construction works in the living environment (Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving, Bbl) has to entered into effect on 1 January 2024, at the same time as the Environmental and Planning Act (Omgevingswet).