CSLB Contractor's Law & Business Practice Exam

Who is held responsible if a contractor violates the safety code and an employee is injured?

1. The subcontractor

2. The injured employee

3. The contractor

4. The safety inspector

The correct answer is: The contractor

When a contractor violates safety codes, the responsibility for ensuring a safe work environment falls primarily on them. Contractors have a legal obligation to adhere to safety regulations and standards to protect their workers from harm. If an employee is injured as a result of this negligence, the contractor can be held liable for the violation of safety codes. This accountability is rooted in the principle that employers are responsible for the well-being of their employees while they are on the job. This includes implementing proper safety measures, providing training, and ensuring that all safety requirements are met. The other parties mentioned, such as the subcontractor, the injured employee, and the safety inspector, have different roles and levels of responsibility in workplace safety. The subcontractor may have responsibilities as well, but ultimately the primary contractor is accountable for overseeing compliance with safety codes. The injured employee is not responsible for the conditions that led to their injury and cannot be held liable for a contractor's failure to maintain a safe work environment. Meanwhile, safety inspectors are tasked with enforcing regulations, but they are not liable for violations that occur in the absence of their oversight.