The owner of a place of work must appoint a principal contractor for construction work carried out by or on behalf of the owner. The owner must give the principal contractor sufficient authority, as necessary, to discharge their responsibilities under the OHS Regulation 2001.

This must be done:

• when construction work is undertaken and the cost of the work exceeds $250,000
• where demolition work or asbestos removal work that requires a licence is required (regardless of the cost of the work)
• where high risk construction work is undertaken (regardless of the cost of the work). Licensed work includes:
  • demolition work
  • restricted demolition work
  • friable asbestos removal work
  • bonded asbestos work.
    (See clause 317 of the OHS Regulation 2001 for more information about licensed work, as there are some exemptions to asbestos related work).

High risk construction work includes construction work that:

• involves structural alterations that require temporary supports
• is at a height above three metres
• involves excavation to a depth of more than 1.5 metres
• is demolition work for which a licence is not required under Chapter 10
• is in tunnels
• involves the use of explosives
• is near traffic or mobile plant
• is in or around gas or electrical installations
• is over or adjacent to water where there is a risk of drowning.

See clause 209 of the OHS Regulation 2001 for more information about high risk construction work.