Your sector

Construction: coordinating site risks

Several parties, one construction site: knowing who is responsible for what at every stage.

Starting from what you actually do.

A construction project involves overlapping commitments: delivery, deadlines, potential damage and financial guarantees. The questions to ask depend on your role as contractor, project owner or subcontractor. We start with the actual project and signed contracts, not with cover assumed to apply to everyone involved.

The aim is a clear allocation of responsibilities for the works, third parties, equipment and employees. A named contact for each notification also makes follow-up easier when the schedule or scope changes.

In your day-to-day work

Three situations to examine

01
Before work starts
A client requests a certificate or guarantee. Compare the requirement with the policy and guarantee wording, then identify any commitments that go beyond the cover available.
02
During construction
A subcontractor joins the site or additional work is agreed. Check responsibilities, the existing property affected and the changes that need to be notified before assuming the arrangements remain unchanged.
03
At handover
The works are handed over with outstanding reservations. Retain the dates and documents; distinguish between the end of construction cover, the handling of defects and the duration of guarantees issued.

Points to watch

Damage to the works and damage to third parties: identify the policies under which each item would be assessed.
Equipment you own, hire or hold on behalf of others: check values, locations and movements against the policies.
Prevention and employees: Suva emphasises site organisation and training; accident insurance (UVG/LAA) does not replace this preparation.

How we support you

We review the site's requirements alongside your policies, identify questions to confirm with insurers and organise the relevant certificates and guarantees. Endorsements, extensions and notifications are tracked using shared references. You retain control over decisions on the commitments you make to your clients.

Documents to prepare

Construction and subcontracting contracts, including amendments
Description of the works, amounts and updated schedule
Policies, certificates and complete guarantee wording
Equipment inventory and employee administrative information
Handover records, reservations and dates

Frequently asked questions

Your questions

Does the project owner's policy cover all subcontractors?

You need to check the people, activities and property covered by the policy. A shared policy does not remove the need to review each party's own commitments.

Is a certificate enough to accept a client's requirement?

It provides information about cover but does not replace the policy terms. Also compare the contractual requirement, exclusions and limits before committing.

What needs to be tracked when a construction project is extended?

Dates, scope, amounts and parties involved need to be checked against the policies and guarantees. Obtain confirmation of the necessary changes and retain the documents issued.