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1.1 (A) Organisation
This statement applies to 1st Line Defence Limited (referred to in this statement as ‘The Company‘).
1.2 (B) Organisational Structure
The Company is controlled by the Managing Director and is made up of Office Staff (permanent employees) and Ground Staff (permanent and zero hour employees).
The Company’s offices are located at Unit 3 and Unit 18 Maple Park, Essex Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0EX, United Kingdom. Office Staff are based at both these locations, whilst Ground Staff will work at client sites nationwide across the UK, as directed by the Operations Department.
The Company are providers of unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk mitigation services, primarily in support of the UK construction industry. We assist clients by providing bespoke solutions to any potential risk posed across the UK and around the world from unexploded bombs and munitions related to current and former military land use and aerial bombing.
Everything from risk assessments to on-site support and surveys can be provided in order to assess and reduce the risk to ground personnel. Demand for these services is relatively consistent throughout the year.
The labour supplied to the Company in pursuance of its operation is carried out in the United Kingdom, nationwide.
1.3 (C) Definitions
The Company considers that modern slavery encompasses:
- Human trafficking;
- Forced work, through mental or physical threat;
- Being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse of the threat of abuse;
- Being dehumanised, treated as a commodity or being bought or sold as property;
- Being physically constrained or to have restriction placed on freedom of movement.
1.4 (D) Commitment
The Company acknowledges its responsibilities in relation to tackling modern slavery and commits to complying with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Company understands that this requires an ongoing review of both its internal practices in relation to its labour force and, additionally, its supply chains.
The Company does not enter into business with any other organisations, in the United Kingdom or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to involve itself in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
No labour provided to the Company in the pursuance of the provision of its own services is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. The Company strictly adheres to the minimum standards required in relation to its responsibilities under relevant employment legislation in the United Kingdom.
1.5 (E) Supply Chains
In order to fulfil its activities, the Company’s main supply chains include those related to office functions e.g. network support, personnel, building maintenance services.
1.6 (F) Potential Exposure
In general, the Company considers its exposure to slavery/human trafficking to be relatively low. Nonetheless it has taken steps to ensure that such practices do not take place in its business nor the business of any organisation that supplies goods and/or services to it.
1.7 (G) Steps
The Company carries out due diligence processes in relation to ensuring slavery and/or human trafficking does not take place in its organisation or supply chains, including conducting a review of the controls of its suppliers.
The Company has not, to its knowledge, conducted any business with another organisation which has been found to have involved itself with modern slavery.
In accordance with section 54(4) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Company has taken the following steps to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place:
- Contacted all current suppliers on the Approved Supplier list for their Modern Slavery Statement. Should a Supplier to 1st Line Defence not currently have a Modern Slavery Statement we will endeavour work with the Supplier to produce one or conduct an audit of their process to limit the risk.
- All new Suppliers are required to complete a Supplier questionnaire and supply a copy of their Modern Slavery Statement.
- The recruitment and induction process includes checks for the right to work in the UK.
- The company handbook includes Whistle Blower, Anti Bribery and Equality, Inclusion and Diversity statements.
- Internal training program for all staff includes Modern Slavery.
1.8 (H) Key Performance Indicators
The Company has set the following key performance indicators to measure its effectiveness in ensuring modern slavery is not taking place in the Company or its supply chains:
- Measure the return of supplier questionnaires and Modern Slavery Statements;
- Ensure all staff have received appropriate training.
1.9 (I) Policies
The Company utilises Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will be reviewed for each financial year.
1.10 (J) Training
The Company provides training to staff to effectively implement its stance on modern slavery, for example internal training and processes regarding the impacts of modern slavery.
1.11 (K) Slavery Compliance Officer
The Company has a Slavery Compliance Officer, to whom all concerns regarding modern slavery should be addressed, and who will then undertake relevant action with regard to the Company obligations in this regard.
