Rules for the safety coordinator for construction and demolition works

Do you have a construction and demolition business? In most cases you must appoint a Safety Coordinator Immediate Surroundings (Veiligheidscoördinator Directe Omgeving) for construction and demolition works.

When do I have to appoint a safety coordinator?

Are there health and safety risks in the immediate vicinity of the construction and demolition works? Then you have to appoint a safety coordinator. Before you apply for an environment and planning permit (Omgevingsvergunning) to carry out the works, you have to complete a risk matrix (in Dutch). The risk matrix helps you determine if you have to submit a safety plan and appoint a safety coordinator.

You include this rist matrix with your application. And you must make sure that it is available at the construction site.

What does the safety coordinator do?

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

The safety coordinator must ensure that the health and safety of everyone in the immediate vicinity of the construction and/or demolition works is not at risk. The safety coordinator, for example:

• checks whether the measures taken are efficient
• coordinates the various activities
• minimises disruption (noise, dust, vibrations)
• prevents damage to nearby buildings
• monitors groundwater and/or drainage
• makes sure unauthorised persons do not enter the site
• informs the workers
• makes sure that safety measures are properly carried out
• adapts safety measures if and when this is necessary

Who supervises safety at a construction or demolition site?

Several people are in charge of supervising safety at a construction or demolition site:

• the quality asssurer checks if the construction meets the legal and technical standards for new buildings
• the Health and Safety coordinator (V&G-coördinator) supervises safety at the construction site
• the Safety Coordinator Immediate Surroundings monitors safety in the immediate vicinity of the construction site.

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

Check if you need an environment and planning permit and apply

Go to the Environment and Planning Portal (Omgevingsloket, in Dutch) to check if you need an environment and planning permit (Omgevingsvergunning). There you can see which rules apply in your municipality, province, or water authority and apply for an environment and planning permit or submit a notification.