Visitors

Visitors to a premises are usually intending to stay for a short time, and so it is not normally practical to induct them fully. However, they can still be at risk and this needs to be controlled.

The first thing to consider is safe access to the premises. It should be clear where visitors are supposed to go, how they can get there and what they do when they arrive. If reception facilities cannot be arranged at the entrance, a safe route should be marked out with signs at the entrance informing visitors that they must stick to this route.

Usually the safest thing to do is to have the visitor accompanied by someone who knows the risks, rules and procedures (e.g. employee or fully inducted contractor). In a low hazard environment (e.g. office) this may not be necessary. In this case some simple instructions should be issued about where they can and cannot go, how to contact someone if they need to and what to do if the emergency alarms sound.