Licensees who are worried about hiring cowboy contractors can now seek online help by logging onto a national database of accredited safe operators.
The new site, at www.safecontractor.com, is aimed at giving licensees a quick and easy way of vetting contractors.
The site has been launched after licensees were warned that they must vet any contractors they use during refurbishments or they could be held liable for any accidents or injuries.
This follows a new approved code of practice relating to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, brought in by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) earlier this year.
It means that licensees and pub operators can now be held responsible for any safety breaches that occur during a building project on their premises, if they have not fully vetted the contractors first.
Already more than 3,000 suppliers have registered with www.safecontractor.com and this figure is expected to reach 20,000 over the coming year.
Spirit Group is one of the first pub companies to sign up to the service, which has been created by risk management specialists National Britannia Group.
Contractors have to reach a required standard before they are included on the online database. The website's vetting process examines contractors' health and safety procedures, as well as checking their documentation and track record.
Pat Perry of Perry Scott Nash Associates, which specialises in overseeing refurbishments for pub companies, said: "Publicans and pub companies must appoint competent contractors - that means taking references and asking questions about previous work. They can also be held responsible if they fail to provide information on the risks contractors may face."
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Licensees warned to vet contractors to avoid liability for accidents (7 May 2002)