Third-Party Engagement
Third-Party engagement is often essential and can be a critical part of our day-to-day work.
Third parties can include, but not be limited to:
• Clients and their representatives;
• Regulators, i.e., Environment Agency, local councils, Health & Safety Executive (HSE);
• Local businesses and residents;
• Passing members of the public;
• Unauthorised persons entering the site (either within or outside working hours).
They may be polite; alternatively, they could be challenging, which may, unfortunately, develop into aggressive or confrontational behaviour.
Others may try to enter the site to carry out the theft of property.
Key Points
• Be sure to maintain a professional yet cooperative manner at all times.
• Under the law, trespassers are given the right not to expect to be put at risk if they enter a construction site; this particularly applies to children; therefore, we need to take all reasonably practicable measures to stop this from occurring.
• If you observe persons trying to access the site, only challenge them if you feel it is safe.
What to do
• Sites should be fenced all around with designated access points, and relevant signs displayed warning that it is a construction site and that unauthorised entry is prohibited.
• Plant and equipment should be locked away out of sight where practicable and disabled / secured where this is not possible
• Undertake regular inspections of perimeter hoarding or fencing, checking that it remains intact and secure.
While trespassers, including children, should be challenged and either escorted off-site or introduced to the site manager, avoid putting yourself in a position where you could be accused of assault or assaulted yourself.
If third parties engage us at the site boundary or beyond, we must always maintain a professional and approachable manner. Be sure to give only limited information that is not sensitive to the development of works. We recommend that the enquiring person call the main contractor or the client where this is displayed to gain information. This can ensure that only the correct information is passed on; alternatively, request their contact details, and we shall contact them – do not pass on individual personal mobile numbers.
Some sites are under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) whereby we are restricted from discussing elements of our site works. It is important that you know whether the site you are working on has this status.
If you feel threatened when engaging with third parties, remove yourself from the situation to a safe refuge and call the Police on 999, making your situation clear.
Out of hours – if you are a resident on-site and observe or suspect unauthorised visitors to the site, for your safety, do not engage with them and call the Police on 999 immediately, again informing them of the situation in which you feel your safety is compromised.
