Safety & Security
Safety is our Number One priority
2.1 Safety
The health and safety of our employees and customers is our paramount concern. Safety underpins all our operations and our central motto is "If you cannot do it safely, don't do it".
We have developed the following high-level health and safety policy, which underpins all of our operational health and safety policies:
(a) General Statement
The Board of Directors of FirstGroup is committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all of its employees at work and also the safety of customers and others.
(b) This policy seeks continuous improvement and compliance with legislation, having proper regard to the protection of people, premises, property and the environment. It is based on the principles that:
- All injuries can be prevented
- The goal is zero injuries
- Safety is the responsibility of all employees
- Working safely is a condition of employment
(c) The Managing Directors (UK Bus and UK Rail) and Presidents, FirstGroup Student, FirstGroup Transit and FirstGroup Services ("the nominated directors"), are tasked to ensure that so far as is reasonably practicable:
- There are adequate arrangements and organisation for health and safety in place within their area of responsibility
- Responsibilities for carrying out these arrangements are clearly allocated
- All staff are given appropriate information, instruction and training
- Adequate supervision is provided to ensure compliance with policies and safe systems of work
- All other legal and statutory duties on health and safety incumbent upon FirstGroup are complied within all their operations and locations
- Performance targets are set to achieve a step change in safety performance
- Adequate resources are allocated and competent persons are appointed to support the achievement of the above objectives.
(d) We will continually monitor the health and safety performance of our operations which will be subjected to periodic safety audits to assess performance. The nominated directors will:
- Present a monthly report on health and safety to the Executive Safety Committee
- Report to the Board all fatal and notifiable injuries to staff or other persons within 24 hours.
The nine key safety principles with which all FirstGroup employees are required to comply are set out below:
- Do not endanger yourself or others.
Report any hazardous condition or practice that may cause injury to people property or the environment. - Obey all rules, signs and instructions.
If you do not understand speak to your manager before you start work. - Keep your work area clean and tidy.
Disorder causes accidents, wastes time, energy and materials. - Wear protective clothing and equipment as required.
Keep it in good condition, wear it correctly and ask for a replacement if it becomes damaged or unfit for use. - All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to your manager.
Seek immediate help and first aid (if necessary). - Do not adjust modify or repair any piece of work equipment unless you are competent and authorised to do so.
- Use only the correct tools and equipment for the job.
Check that they are in good condition before use and use them safely. - Before lifting, assess the load and your capability to move it.
Make sure you get help with any heavy or awkward items, and follow approved techniques. - If you have any suggestions to improve safety in your workplace, tell your supervisor or manager.
We also require contractors to comply with this policy whilst they are working at our premises.
2.2 Security
(a) General Statement
Security is a key issue for our passengers, our staff and our business. We recognise the range of security issues which can arise and have implemented the following high level security policy.
(b) The Board of Directors of FirstGroup is committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the security of passengers using our services, our employees at work and our property.
(c) The threats to security are wide ranging, significant and, in the main, driven by external influences. The ability to control risks varies. However, we have the ability to address or mitigate all of the threats which apply. To be successful in this we need the co-operation and engagement of all of our staff and our passengers.
(d) Security is an area in which we seek continuous development and improvement and compliance with existing and emerging legislation. We will heighten the profile of security to ensure all members of staff understand why they should and how they can play their part. We will also work on ways to involve passengers. Our efforts will bring greater personal and corporate security and business benefit.
(e) This statement provides guidance and direction to all employees on what is both required and expected of them. We are confident our staff will appreciate the reasons for this and the benefits to them, their colleagues, our passengers and our property.
(f) We aim to achieve, so far as is reasonably practicable:
- A secure environment for passengers using our services
- A secure environment for staff in their work
- Security of our property
- Security of our systems and processes
(g) We will develop systems to monitor our performance on security within our operations. All operations will be subject to periodic inspection and review.
(h) The Group Head of Security will provide regular reports on group security to the Executive Management Board.
(i) FirstGroup recognises that this security policy needs to be supported by actions and processes to ensure delivery. The following measures are in place to assist this:
- A security strategy is in place, which underpins our policy, identifies the key strategic security issues for the business and the approach being taken to address these. This is designed to provide a structure, which allows measurement, review and ongoing refinement.
(j) A specialist security department has been developed which operates across all of our United Kingdom and North American operations.
(k) The importance of security is emphasised to all staff through regular security briefings and a "Security" section has been created on our intranet system. This provides security advice and guidance and contact details for key security personnel. It also ensures our security specialists can be accessed by all our staff when they are needed.
- Staff are actively encouraged to report security concerns. To support this there is a confidential telephone reporting system which allows staff to report any concerns with anonymity. This is specifically designed to give staff the confidence to report their concerns even in circumstances where they may find conventional line management routes difficult.
(l) This approach to security allows us to ensure we have a process to translate our policy into effective implementation within the organisation. It also allows us to formally recognise and demonstrate our commitment to the need for continuous development and improvement in this important aspect of our business.
We also require contractors to comply with this policy whilst they are working at our premises.