Building works

It’s your responsibility to ensure that anyone working on your premises is competent and will work safely and with due regard for others’ safety. You'll need to have procedures in place to achieve this.

Consult with your architect to establish insurance obligations under the terms of your contract and talk to your broker as soon as building work is planned. You may need to arrange additional insurance cover in respect of:

• The existing structure and contents.
• The works and all unfixed materials and goods other than builders’ plant, tools, and other equipment.

Carry out reasonable checks to ensure contractors are competent and experienced in the type of work required, especially where hot works are involved.

Contractors should be requested to provide:

• A Method Statement and risk assessment for the works they are carrying out.
• Evidence of public liability insurance cover, adequate to cover any damage to your premises.
• Details of professional qualifications and certification of the people conducting the work.

Hot work is work using heat and includes the use of blowlamps, heat guns, cutting torches, and welding apparatus, often undertaken by plumbing and decorating contractors. Roofing contractors, in particular, may use tar boilers.

A Hot Work Permit must be issued if your building works are insured with us and hot works are involved. This will ensure, as far as possible, that contractors obtain permission from an authorised person before starting work and that all relevant fire prevention precautions are taken before, during, and after the works.

A Hot Work Permit Checklist will help you to prepare for hot work, factoring in fire protection, the area surrounding the work, and the equipment being used.

Building works, construction projects, or routine maintenance often mean contractors coming into contact with wet systems. Losses are common and can quickly become costly, causing significant delays.

If your building or works are insured with us and wet works are involved, please issue a Wet Work Permit - in some cases, this may be a policy condition! This will ensure, as far as possible, that permission is gained from an authorised person before work starts and relevant precautions are taken before, during, and after the works.

Make sure all workers know the location of fire extinguishers and telephones for emergency calls. They should also know the whereabouts of responsible officials.

Inform the local police and fire brigade in advance of major works. If possible, responsible officials should inspect the buildings carefully at the end of each day during the work period and make occasional inspections during the day.