The geographical location, duration, headcount requirement or special demands of some assignments may justify engaging another security company. A subcontractor may not be engaged in such a way that the client does not know who actually performs the work.

Viking Security engages subcontractors solely on the basis of the applicable sector rules and the contract concluded with the client.

Client consent

Another security company may only be engaged with the client’s prior consent. The contract, or an annex to it, records at least the following details of the party involved:

company name;
registered office;
company registration or other registry data;
operating licence details;
the subject and extent of the involvement.

The client is informed if the previously named subcontractor changes.

Subcontracting chains

A subcontractor engaged may not bring a further subcontractor into performance where sector regulation does not allow this. Those actually delivering the service must remain identifiable: a subcontracting chain in which responsibility, the employer or professional supervision cannot be clearly established is not acceptable.

Prior checks

Before concluding a subcontract we check, in proportion to the task, in particular:

the existence of the company and its representation details;
the required operating licence;
that liability insurance is in place;
the capacity required to perform the task;
the professional authorisations of the staff;
that lawful employment can be evidenced;
data protection and confidentiality arrangements;
the risks arising from the involvement.

The depth of these checks is matched to the value, duration, location and risk of the assignment.

Contract requirements

A subcontract must clearly settle the task to be performed, the service hours and headcount, the chain of instruction, on-site communication, the documentation, incident reporting, data protection and confidentiality, the liability rules, the right of inspection, the prohibition on engaging further subcontractors, and the consequences of breach.

Subcontractor personnel

The same on-site professional and ethical requirements apply to staff supplied by a subcontractor as to our own. A subcontractor’s officer may only be placed on duty if they:

hold the necessary authorisations;
have received the site induction;
have been made familiar with the guard instructions;
have undertaken confidentiality;
know the reporting and escalation routine;
are fit for duty.

Supervision and change notification

A subcontractor’s performance can be checked through on-site management inspection, review of service documentation, checks of attendance and roster data, re-examination of authorisations, evaluation of incident reports, client feedback and follow-up on irregularities found. Supervision does not release the subcontractor from its own employer and professional responsibility.

The subcontractor must notify us without delay of any change that could affect performance — in particular the lapse of a licence or of insurance, a change of manager or contact, a shortfall in personnel, a data protection incident, employment or official proceedings, or any circumstance threatening continuity of service.

Irregularity and exclusion

In the event of a serious or repeated breach, Viking Security is entitled to initiate the replacement of the person involved, corrective measures or — depending on the contract terms — termination of the subcontracting relationship. A subcontractor cannot be kept on duty merely because it would be difficult to replace them at short notice, if the conditions for lawful or safe performance are not met.