Health & Safety Policy

1. Policy Statement

Imperial Security is a professional, licensed security services company headquartered at 152 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX. We provide a comprehensive range of security services to businesses across the United Kingdom, including security guarding, door supervision, event security, hotel and concierge security, corporate security, retail security, close protection, educational security, construction site security, warehouse security, key holding, CCTV monitoring, and mobile patrol services.

Imperial Security is fully committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of all our employees, subcontractors, clients, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by our operations. We recognise that the security industry presents a unique and dynamic range of workplace risks, and we accept our legal, ethical, and moral duty to manage those risks effectively and responsibly.

It is the policy of Imperial Security to:

• Comply fully with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and all associated regulations, approved codes of practice, and guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
• Provide and maintain safe systems of work, safe premises, and safe working environments across all operational sites and deployments.
• Ensure the competence of all personnel through rigorous vetting, SIA licensing verification, induction training, and ongoing professional development.
• Identify, assess, and control workplace hazards through systematic risk assessment processes.
• Consult openly with employees and workers on matters affecting their health, safety, and welfare.
• Set measurable health and safety objectives and review our performance against these targets regularly.
• Investigate all incidents, accidents, and near misses thoroughly, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Review and continually improve this policy and our overall health and safety management system.

This policy applies to all Imperial Security employees, temporary workers, subcontracted security personnel, and to all activities conducted in the delivery of our services, whether on client premises, public locations, or company premises.

2. Legal Framework & Regulatory Compliance

Imperial Security operates within a comprehensive legal framework governing health and safety in the United Kingdom. Our policies, procedures, and practices are designed to meet or exceed the requirements of the following principal legislation and regulations:

Primary Legislation

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — the principal Act governing health and safety at work in Great Britain.
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 — requiring suitable and sufficient risk assessments, competent advice, and emergency procedures.
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) — governing the reporting of workplace accidents, injuries, and incidents.
• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 — setting minimum standards for the working environment.
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 — requiring suitable PPE to be provided and maintained.
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 — requiring assessment and reduction of risks from manual handling tasks.
• Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 — applicable to office-based and monitoring staff.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 — where relevant to cleaning or chemical use on site.
• Noise at Work Regulations 2005 — particularly relevant to event security operations.
• Working Time Regulations 1998 — governing rest periods and maximum working hours.
• First Aid at Work: Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 — requiring adequate first aid provision.
• Equality Act 2010 — ensuring health and safety provisions are applied equitably and without discrimination.

Industry-Specific Regulation

• Private Security Industry Act 2001 — all operatives hold valid Security Industry Authority (SIA) licences.
• Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensing conditions and code of conduct.
• Licensing Act 2003 — relevant to door supervision and licensed premises operations.

3. Organisational Responsibilities

Effective health and safety management requires clearly defined responsibilities at every level of the organisation. The following sets out the duties and accountabilities of each role within Imperial Security.

3.1 Managing Director

The Managing Director holds ultimate responsibility for health and safety within Imperial Security. Their duties include:

• Providing visible leadership and commitment to health and safety at the highest level.
• Ensuring sufficient financial and human resources are allocated to health and safety management.
• Approving and signing off this policy and any significant amendments.
• Reviewing organisational health and safety performance at regular intervals.
• Ensuring that health and safety objectives are embedded within the company's strategic plans.

3.2 Senior Management Team

• Translating policy commitments into operational procedures and practices.
• Ensuring all managers and supervisors understand and fulfil their health and safety responsibilities.
• Monitoring key health and safety performance indicators and reporting to the Managing Director.
• Ensuring that incidents are properly investigated and corrective actions are implemented.
• Leading by example in all matters relating to health and safety conduct.

3.3 Operations Managers & Supervisors

• Conducting and reviewing site-specific risk assessments prior to deploying security personnel.
• Briefing all security operatives on site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, and safe working practices before commencing assignments.
• Ensuring all personnel under their supervision are appropriately licensed, trained, and fit for duty.
• Monitoring compliance with this policy and associated procedures during deployments.
• Reporting all incidents, accidents, and near misses promptly to management.
• Conducting welfare checks on lone workers and remote deployments.

3.4 Security Operatives, Door Supervisors & All Field Personnel

• Complying with all health and safety instructions, procedures, and safe systems of work.
• Using personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety equipment as required and instructed.
• Reporting hazards, incidents, near misses, and any concerns about safety to their supervisor or manager promptly.
• Not undertaking activities for which they have not been trained or licensed.
• Cooperating fully with any investigation following an incident.
• Looking after their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

3.5 Subcontractors

Imperial Security engages subcontracted security personnel on a regular basis. All subcontractors engaged by Imperial Security are required to:

• Hold valid SIA licences appropriate to the role in which they are deployed.
• Comply with this Health & Safety Policy and all associated Imperial Security procedures whilst on assignment.
• Provide evidence of relevant training, certifications, and competence as requested.
• Report any incidents, injuries, or hazards to the designated Imperial Security supervisor immediately.

4. Risk Assessment & Management

Imperial Security maintains a robust, proactive approach to risk assessment as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Risk assessment is the foundation of our health and safety management system.

4.1 General Principles

All risk assessments conducted by Imperial Security will:

• Identify all significant hazards likely to be encountered in the performance of security duties.
• Evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm arising from those hazards.
• Identify and implement appropriate control measures, following the hierarchy of controls (eliminate, substitute, engineer, administrate, PPE).
• Be documented and retained on record for audit and review purposes.
• Be reviewed whenever there is a significant change to the working environment, task, or following any incident.
• Be completed by a competent person with appropriate knowledge of both the work activity and the assessment methodology.

4.2 Service-Specific Risk Assessment

Given the breadth of services delivered by Imperial Security, we carry out tailored risk assessments for each distinct service area:

5. Lone Working

A significant proportion of Imperial Security's workforce operates alone or in isolated conditions, particularly security guards on patrol, key holding operatives, and night security personnel. We recognise the heightened risks associated with lone working and have implemented specific controls.

• All lone workers are briefed on site-specific hazards and emergency contact procedures before commencing their deployment.
• A lone worker check-in system is maintained, with supervisors responsible for confirming the welfare of lone operatives at regular, agreed intervals throughout each shift.
• All lone workers are provided with a functioning means of communication — including mobile telephone or radio — at all times during their assignment.
• Clear escalation procedures are in place, specifying actions to be taken should a lone worker fail to make a scheduled check-in.
• Risk assessments for lone working assignments are reviewed regularly and following any reported incident.
• Lone workers are trained in personal safety techniques, de-escalation, and are made aware of their right to withdraw from situations they deem unsafe.

6. Violence & Aggression in the Workplace

Imperial Security acknowledges that personnel working in security roles, particularly in door supervision, event security, and retail security, may be exposed to violence, threats, and aggression from members of the public. This risk is taken seriously and managed proactively.

• All security operatives are trained in conflict management, de-escalation techniques, and physical intervention in accordance with SIA licensing standards.
• Specific risk assessments are conducted for assignments with a known or elevated risk of violence or aggression.
• All incidents of violence, threats, and verbal abuse are recorded, reported, and investigated.
• Personnel are trained to prioritise personal safety and are actively discouraged from placing themselves in unnecessary danger in defence of property.
• Post-incident support, including access to occupational health or employee assistance programmes, is made available to any operative involved in a violent or traumatic incident.
• Where technology is available, CCTV and body-worn camera footage is used to assist in managing risks and investigating incidents.

7. Manual Handling

Manual handling activities arise in various Imperial Security service areas, including construction site security, warehouse security, hotel and concierge security, and event security (for example, moving barriers or equipment). The following controls are applied:

• Manual handling risk assessments are completed for all tasks where manual handling presents a significant risk of injury.
• Manual handling tasks are avoided or mechanised wherever reasonably practicable.
• Where manual handling cannot be avoided, personnel receive appropriate training in safe lifting, carrying, and handling techniques.
• Operatives are instructed to report any musculoskeletal symptoms or discomfort arising from manual handling activities.
• Appropriate handling aids and equipment are provided and maintained in good working order.

8. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Imperial Security provides suitable and sufficient personal protective equipment to all personnel where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. The provision and use of PPE complies with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022.

• PPE requirements are identified through risk assessment for each service area and assignment.
• All PPE provided by Imperial Security is CE or UKCA marked, fit for purpose, and maintained in good condition.
• Personnel are trained in the correct use, fitting, storage, and maintenance of all PPE issued to them.
• All personnel are required to use PPE as instructed and to report any defects or damage to PPE immediately.
• PPE is provided free of charge to employees. Where PPE is issued to individuals, they are responsible for its care and proper use during their assignment.
• Typical PPE provisions may include, depending on the nature of the assignment: high-visibility vests or jackets, protective footwear, gloves, stab-resistant vests, and body armour where risk-assessed and required.

9. Mental Health & Wellbeing

Imperial Security recognises that the security industry can be demanding both physically and psychologically. We are committed to supporting the mental health and general wellbeing of all our personnel.

• We promote an open and supportive workplace culture in which personnel are encouraged to speak up about mental health concerns without fear of stigma or adverse consequences.
• Supervisors and managers are trained to recognise early signs of stress, anxiety, burnout, and other mental health concerns among their teams.
• All personnel involved in a traumatic or distressing incident — including violent confrontations, accidents, or fatalities — are offered appropriate post-incident support and, where necessary, access to professional counselling.
• Working hours and shift patterns are managed to minimise fatigue, with compliance with the Working Time Regulations 1998 maintained at all times.
• Operatives are encouraged to raise concerns about workload, shift patterns, or any factors they believe are adversely affecting their health or wellbeing.

10. Training & Competence

The delivery of safe and effective security services is entirely dependent upon the competence of our personnel. Imperial Security maintains a comprehensive training and development framework.

• All security operatives must hold a valid, current SIA licence appropriate to the role in which they are employed — including Security Guard, Door Supervisor, Close Protection, or CCTV Operator licences as applicable.
• All new personnel complete a structured induction programme covering company policies (including this Health & Safety Policy), emergency procedures, reporting obligations, and site-specific briefings.
• Role-specific training is delivered for specialist service areas, including conflict management, first aid at work, fire safety awareness, manual handling, lone worker safety, safeguarding (for educational security), and construction site safety awareness.
• All SIA-licenced personnel are required to maintain their licensing requirements, including First Aid at Work certification renewal, as a condition of continued engagement.
• Training records are maintained for all personnel and are made available for inspection by the SIA, HSE, or any relevant regulatory authority upon request.
• Imperial Security actively supports continuous professional development and encourages personnel to undertake additional qualifications relevant to their roles.

11. Incident Reporting & Investigation

Imperial Security operates a transparent, no-blame culture with respect to reporting of accidents, incidents, and near misses. All such events provide valuable information that enables us to improve our health and safety performance.

11.1 Reporting Obligations

• All accidents, injuries, and incidents — regardless of severity — must be reported to the duty supervisor as soon as practicable after the event.
• All near misses (events which did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so) must also be reported.
• Reports are recorded in the company's incident register and retained securely.
• Serious incidents, including those specified under RIDDOR 2013, are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) within the required timeframe. Reportable incidents under RIDDOR include fatal injuries, specified injuries to workers, injuries to non-workers requiring hospital treatment, and dangerous occurrences.

11.2 Investigation Process

• All reported incidents are investigated to establish the root cause and contributing factors.
• Investigations are conducted by a competent person at a level commensurate with the severity and potential of the incident.
• Investigation findings are documented and reviewed by senior management.
• Corrective and preventive actions are identified, assigned to a responsible person, and tracked through to completion.
• Where appropriate, lessons learned from investigations are communicated across the wider team to prevent recurrence.

12. Emergency Procedures & First Aid

12.1 Emergency Procedures

Imperial Security ensures that all personnel are familiar with the emergency procedures applicable to each deployment:

• Site-specific emergency procedures — including fire evacuation routes, assembly points, and emergency contact numbers — are communicated to operatives during their site briefing.
• Security personnel on client premises are briefed on the client's own emergency procedures and are expected to cooperate fully with client fire marshals, building management, and emergency services.
• In the event of a major emergency, operatives are trained to contact emergency services immediately and to follow the relevant emergency protocol for their assignment.
• Imperial Security maintains contact procedures with a 24-hour operations centre to support operatives during emergencies.

12.2 First Aid

• A risk-based assessment of first aid needs is conducted for each service area and deployment.
• All SIA-licenced operatives hold a valid First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate, renewed as required under SIA licensing conditions.
• First aid kits are maintained in all Imperial Security operational vehicles and at the company's registered premises.
• First aid provision at event security and large-scale deployments is assessed specifically, with additional first aiders or liaison with dedicated medical services arranged as appropriate.
• All uses of first aid are recorded and the details retained in the incident register.

13. Fire Safety

Imperial Security complies fully with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in respect of its own premises and provides fire safety guidance to operatives deployed on client sites.

• A fire risk assessment is conducted and maintained for Imperial Security's registered office premises at 152 City Road, London.
• Security operatives are trained in fire safety awareness as part of their induction, including how to raise the alarm, evacuation procedures, and the use of portable fire extinguishers.
• Where operatives are deployed on client premises, they are briefed on the client's fire evacuation procedures, assembly points, and the role they may be expected to play in supporting evacuation.
• Security personnel must never prop open fire doors, obstruct emergency exits, or allow fire escape routes to be compromised.

14. Health Surveillance & Occupational Health

Imperial Security takes account of occupational health risks associated with specific roles and activities:

• Night security and shift workers are made aware of the health risks associated with shift working, including disrupted sleep patterns and fatigue. Rest and break provisions comply with the Working Time Regulations 1998.
• CCTV monitoring staff are provided with appropriate display screen equipment (DSE) assessments and workstation adjustments in accordance with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.
• Personnel are encouraged to declare any health conditions that may affect their capacity to work safely in a security role, and reasonable adjustments are considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Operatives who are injured or who develop work-related ill health conditions are referred to appropriate occupational health support to facilitate a safe and sustainable return to work.

15. Consultation & Employee Engagement

Imperial Security is committed to meaningful consultation with its workforce on matters affecting their health, safety, and welfare. We believe that operatives on the ground often possess the most relevant knowledge of day-to-day risks and hazards.

• All personnel are encouraged to raise health and safety concerns with their immediate supervisor or directly with management at any time.
• Health and safety is a standing agenda item at management review meetings.
• New risk assessments, procedures, and policy amendments are communicated to relevant personnel before implementation.
• Feedback from personnel is actively sought when reviewing risk assessments and working practices.
• Imperial Security will respond to any health and safety concern raised in a timely manner and will communicate the outcome of any investigation or action taken.

16. Client Premises & Contractor Cooperation

When deploying security personnel to client premises, Imperial Security cooperates fully with client health and safety arrangements:

• Prior to deployment, Imperial Security obtains relevant health and safety information from the client, including site-specific risk assessments, emergency procedures, and any known hazards on the premises.
• Imperial Security shares relevant health and safety information — including the risk assessments conducted for the deployment with the client prior to commencement of the contract.
• Imperial Security operatives comply with all reasonable health and safety instructions given by client premises management, provided that such instructions do not require operatives to act unlawfully or place themselves in unnecessary danger.
• Regular liaison takes place between Imperial Security operational management and client facilities or operations managers to ensure that health and safety arrangements remain current and effective.

17. Monitoring, Review & Continuous Improvement

Imperial Security monitors its health and safety performance actively and commits to continuous improvement in all aspects of safety management.

17.1 Proactive Monitoring

• Regular site inspections and supervisory visits are conducted to assess compliance with this policy and associated procedures.
• Near miss reporting rates are monitored as an indicator of safety culture and engagement.
• Training records and SIA licence validity are checked and maintained on a continuous basis.

17.2 Reactive Monitoring

• Accident and incident rates are tracked and compared against industry benchmarks.
• RIDDOR reports are monitored and used to identify trends requiring management attention.
• Findings from internal investigations are reviewed by senior management.

17.3 Policy Review

• This Health & Safety Policy is reviewed annually or following any significant change to legislation, business activities, working practices, or following a serious incident.
• Reviews are conducted by the Senior Management Team with input from operational supervisors and, where appropriate, personnel representatives.
• Any amendments to this policy are communicated to all relevant personnel before they take effect.

18. SIA Licensing & Regulatory Compliance

Imperial Security is a Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulated company. All our operatives are licenced in accordance with the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Holding and maintaining valid SIA licences is a non-negotiable requirement for all personnel engaged in licensable activities.

• Imperial Security verifies the SIA licence of every operative prior to deployment on any assignment.
• Licence expiry dates are tracked and operatives are reminded well in advance of renewal deadlines.
• Any operative found to be operating without a valid, current SIA licence is immediately withdrawn from deployment pending resolution.
• Imperial Security cooperates fully with any SIA inspection or audit of its operations.
• We maintain records of all SIA licences held by our personnel and make these available for inspection by the SIA, clients, or relevant authorities upon request.

19. Environmental Responsibilities

Whilst the primary focus of this policy is health and safety, Imperial Security acknowledges its duty to conduct its operations in an environmentally responsible manner:

• Waste generated at Imperial Security's premises is disposed of lawfully and responsibly.
• Vehicles used for mobile patrol and key holding operations are maintained to a standard that minimises emissions.
• Operatives are encouraged to consider environmental impact in the performance of their duties, including responsible use of energy and resources at client sites.