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ARTICLE · 24 JULY 2016

A principal may be the "main contractor" in WA and not even know it

Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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In all States and Territories other than WA, safety legislation allows for the appointment of a "principal contractor".

AustraliaReal Estate and Construction
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KEYWORDS: PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR; MAIN CONTRACTOR; OHS

KEY TAKEAWAY

In all States and Territories other than Western Australia, safety legislation allows for the appointment of a "principal contractor". The principal usually appoints the head contractor as principal contractor under their contract.

In WA, however, the equivalent duty holder — the "main contractor" — cannot be appointed and instead is the person or company that falls within a legislative definition. That can change depending on the circumstances at a particular construction site at a particular time.

In other words, a principal may be the main contractor and not even know it.

How can you be the main contractor in WA?

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