CSLB Contractor's Law & Business Practice Exam

Who is responsible for supplying safety goggles when a contractor hires a subcontractor for demolition work?

1. The contractor

2. The subcontractor

3. The homeowner

4. Both the contractor and subcontractor

The correct answer is: The subcontractor

In the context of construction work, the responsibility for providing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety goggles, typically falls to the entity that directly employs the workers performing the task. When a contractor hires a subcontractor for specific work, including demolition, it is generally the subcontractor's responsibility to ensure that their workers have the necessary safety gear to perform their duties safely. Subcontractors are expected to adhere to safety regulations and provide their employees with appropriate PPE, including goggles, helmets, and other protective equipment that aligns with the safety standards relevant to the job they are contracted to do. While the contractor has an overall duty to maintain a safe work site and ensure compliance with safety requirements, the specific provision of safety equipment is part of the subcontractor's obligations to their employees. This delineation of responsibility helps clarify the roles of different parties on a construction site and ensures that workers are adequately protected while performing hazardous tasks like demolition. The other choices would not typically bear the direct responsibility for supplying safety goggles in this scenario. The contractor may provide general site safety oversight and may supply safety equipment in specific contexts, but it is primarily the subcontractor's duty in this situation. Homeowners generally do not assume responsibility for providing safety equipment unless they are expressly