What is the Contractor's responsibility regarding safety and protection of work at Notice of Substantial Completion?

The correct response highlights that the contractor's responsibility regarding safety and the protection of the work does not simply end with the Notice of Substantial Completion. Rather, the contractor has ongoing responsibilities even after this notice is issued. The Notice of Substantial Completion typically indicates that the project has reached a significant stage, yet it does not fully absolve the contractor of their obligations.

In construction, while the contractor typically transitions towards a less hands-on role post-substantial completion, they still bear responsibility for ensuring that the work remains safe and protected, especially until the project has fully completed and through the warranty period, if applicable. This ongoing duty includes addressing any safety concerns that might arise from the completed work or ensuring that the project area remains secure until it is fully turned over to the owner.

Therefore, the idea that their responsibility “ends there” is misleading, as it fails to recognize the importance of continuing obligations surrounding safety and protection in the construction process up until full completion.