- AXA UK is providing body cameras to contractors during work to remove flammable cladding and insulation from customers’ buildings so ongoing essential safety work can be monitored and saved for future reference
- Dozens of multi-occupancy properties across the UK require dangerous building materials to be removed in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which revealed issues with flammable cladding
- Keeping a record of the work will provide detailed information about the materials and workmanship to assist underwriters in accurately assessing and pricing risk
AXA UK is providing body cameras to contractors so they can record essential safety work to buildings containing flammable cladding and insulation. The recordings will provide detailed information about materials used, together with evidence of working practices and site management for the areas being refurbished.
The danger of flammable cladding was highlighted by the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, and some of AXA UK’s customers’ properties now require remediation to make them safer and more resilient to fire.
However, a lack of records of the materials used in the construction of multi-occupancy buildings like Grenfell sets a huge challenge in identifying those that are affected and what needs to be replaced. Flammable insulation and poor workmanship can be hidden beneath external cladding, and evidence of what has been done has often been impossible to trace once work is completed and contractors have left site.
AXA UK will use Motorola Solutions VT100 body cameras when responding to incidents. The video can be live streamed if required so contractors can liaise directly with AXA risk engineers. All records are stored using secure cloud technology, ensuring material captured cannot be edited or tampered with. This technology is trusted by the UK’s emergency services and law enforcement organisations across the globe. Those working on the buildings can wear the cameras on their person so there’s no need to down tools to film or take photos.
AXA UK is supporting customers whose properties have been affected by this issue. The insurer is keeping premiums as low as possible despite the increased risk associated with these buildings, which are amongst the most hazardous construction types. Where buildings are renovated, AXA UK has honoured its commitment to reduce premiums to reflect the reduced risk.