Maintenance Work in Basement/Boiler room

I have come across a contractor who is carrying out maintenance in a basement boiler room during the alteration works of an old building. Head height is not good, lighting levels are ok, there are lots of ducting and machinery parts to negotiate. The is limited natural ventilation, and no forced ventilation.

Sometimes the Contractor sends one guy, so there's lone working issues. Currently there is no permit system, risk assessment or safe system of work in place for this high risk activity. The basement is constructed of very think walls, so no mobile phones work down there. There is no intercom in place.

I have raised the issue that there should be a two-man team for maintenance works in the basement, and have recommended that the client has an intercom system installed to the temporary offices upstairs. On completion of alteration works, there still needs ongoing work in the basement for PPM, so something needs putting in place. Any ideas?