1. General Statement of Policy
Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of its employees, chauffeurs, contractors, passengers, visitors and other persons who may be affected by our activities.
We recognise that effective health and safety management is an essential part of providing a professional chauffeur service and maintaining high operational standards.
We aim to comply with our responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and other applicable health and safety legislation.
Our objective is not simply to meet minimum legal standards. We seek to continuously improve the way workplace and transport-related risks are identified, assessed and controlled.
2. Our Health and Safety Objectives
Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd aims to:
- Identify and control risks arising from our work activities
- Provide and maintain safe working practices
- Maintain vehicles and equipment in safe operating condition
- Provide appropriate information, instruction and supervision
- Ensure chauffeurs are competent to perform their duties
- Promote responsible and defensive driving
- Protect passengers throughout their journey
- Maintain suitable welfare arrangements
- Reduce the risk of workplace injury and occupational illness
- Review incidents and take corrective action where appropriate
- Maintain compliance with relevant private hire and road safety requirements
Health and safety is the responsibility of everyone working with or on behalf of the business.
3. Management Responsibilities
The management of Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd is responsible for establishing appropriate health and safety arrangements.
Management will seek to ensure that:
- Risks are assessed where reasonably necessary
- Appropriate control measures are introduced
- Vehicles used for passenger transport are suitable and maintained
- Chauffeurs meet applicable licensing requirements
- Relevant information is communicated to staff and drivers
- Accidents and significant incidents are recorded and reviewed
- Health and safety procedures are periodically reviewed
- Contractors and third parties are selected with due consideration for safety
Management will allocate reasonable resources to support these responsibilities.
4. Chauffeur Responsibilities
Every chauffeur is expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of passengers and other road users.
Chauffeurs should:
- Comply with road traffic laws
- Hold the appropriate licence for the work undertaken
- Follow company safety procedures
- Drive responsibly and according to road conditions
- Wear a seat belt where required
- Encourage passengers to use seat belts
- Report vehicle defects promptly
- Avoid driving when medically unfit
- Avoid driving while excessively fatigued
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
- Follow applicable rules relating to prescribed medication
- Maintain professional behaviour
- Take reasonable steps to protect passengers during boarding and exit
Any unsafe condition should be reported as soon as reasonably practicable.
5. Driver Competence and Suitability
Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd recognises that competent chauffeurs are central to passenger safety.
Drivers may be required to demonstrate appropriate qualifications, licensing and suitability for professional passenger transport.
Depending on the role and applicable licensing authority, requirements may include:
- Appropriate private hire or chauffeur licensing
- Driving licence checks
- DBS checks
- Medical fitness assessments
- Safeguarding awareness
- Relevant professional driving qualifications
- Evidence of experience and competence
Additional driver development may be encouraged where appropriate.
6. Vehicle Safety
Vehicles used for chauffeur services must be maintained in a roadworthy and safe condition.
Reasonable checks should be made to ensure that important safety systems remain operational.
These may include:
- Tyres
- Brakes
- Lights
- Indicators
- Windscreen condition
- Mirrors
- Seat belts
- Fluid levels
- Warning lights
- Doors and locks
- Vehicle cleanliness
- Emergency equipment where applicable
Drivers should not knowingly operate a vehicle where a defect creates an unacceptable safety risk.
Vehicle defects should be reported and appropriate repairs arranged.
7. Servicing and Maintenance
Vehicles should be serviced and maintained according to appropriate schedules and legal requirements.
Maintenance records should be retained where required.
Safety-critical faults should be addressed promptly.
Where a vehicle becomes unsafe during a journey, the chauffeur should stop at a safe location where reasonably possible and contact the appropriate operational support.
Passenger safety should take priority over completing the journey in an unsafe vehicle.
8. Seat Belts and Passenger Restraints
Seat belts must be maintained in usable condition.
Passengers should use seat belts where legally required.
Children must travel using appropriate restraints where required by law.
Where customers have particular accessibility or child travel requirements, they should inform Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd when booking so suitable arrangements can be considered.
9. Fatigue Management
Driver fatigue can significantly increase road risk.
Chauffeurs are expected to manage working time and rest responsibly.
A chauffeur should not begin or continue driving where tiredness makes it unsafe to do so.
Where long-distance or extended-hour services are required, appropriate breaks or alternative driver arrangements should be considered.
Drivers should report fatigue concerns rather than continue a journey where safety may be compromised.
10. Alcohol, Drugs and Medication
Chauffeurs must not drive while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or any substance that impairs their ability to drive safely.
Drivers taking prescription or over-the-counter medication should follow medical guidance and should not drive where the medication may impair alertness, coordination or judgement.
Breaches of this requirement may result in removal from driving duties and further action where appropriate.
11. Passenger Conduct and Safety
Passengers are expected to behave in a way that does not compromise safe driving.
Passengers must not:
- Distract the chauffeur in a dangerous manner
- Interfere with vehicle controls
- Act violently or aggressively
- Damage safety equipment
- Carry prohibited or unlawful substances
- Create a serious hazard to the chauffeur or other passengers
Where a passenger presents an immediate safety risk, the chauffeur may stop the vehicle in a safe location and terminate the journey where reasonably necessary.
12. Boarding and Leaving Vehicles
Where reasonably practicable, chauffeurs should stop in a safe and lawful location for passengers to enter or leave the vehicle.
Particular care should be taken around:
- Busy roads
- Airports
- Railway stations
- Hotels
- Event venues
- Poorly lit areas
- Uneven surfaces
- Adverse weather
Where appropriate, chauffeurs may assist passengers with luggage while avoiding unsafe manual handling.
13. Manual Handling
Chauffeurs may occasionally need to handle luggage.
Manual handling should be carried out in a way that reduces the risk of injury.
Drivers should:
- Assess the weight and size of luggage
- Avoid unsafe lifting
- Use suitable lifting techniques
- Ask for assistance where an item is too heavy or awkward
- Avoid twisting while carrying heavy items
Passengers should inform us in advance where particularly heavy or unusual luggage will be transported.
14. Slips, Trips and Falls
Reasonable care should be taken to reduce slip, trip and fall risks around vehicles and work areas.
Particular attention should be paid during rain, snow, ice or poor lighting.
Chauffeurs should remain alert to kerbs, uneven surfaces, luggage and other obstacles when assisting passengers.
15. Adverse Weather
Weather conditions can affect vehicle and passenger safety.
During snow, ice, flooding, heavy rain, fog or severe weather, chauffeurs should adjust their driving to the conditions.
Where conditions make a journey unsafe, Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd may delay, reroute or cancel the journey.
Passenger and driver safety will take priority over maintaining an original schedule.
16. Roadside Emergencies
In the event of a breakdown, collision or other roadside emergency, the chauffeur should take reasonable steps to protect passengers and other road users.
Where appropriate this may include:
- Moving to a safe location
- Activating hazard warning lights
- Contacting emergency services
- Contacting roadside assistance
- Informing Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd
- Arranging alternative transport where appropriate
Passengers should follow reasonable safety instructions given by the chauffeur or emergency services.
17. Accidents and Incidents
All significant accidents, near misses and safety incidents should be reported.
Relevant details may include:
- Date and time
- Location
- Persons involved
- Vehicle information
- Description of events
- Injuries
- Damage
- Witness details
- Photographs where appropriate
Incidents will be reviewed where necessary to identify whether additional safety measures are required.
Statutory reporting obligations will be followed where applicable.
18. First Aid and Emergencies
Where reasonably practicable, appropriate arrangements should be in place for responding to emergencies.
Chauffeurs should know how to contact emergency services and should prioritise passenger welfare.
A chauffeur should not provide medical treatment beyond their level of competence.
For serious illness or injury, emergency medical assistance should be requested.
19. Cleaning and Hygiene
Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd seeks to maintain vehicles in a clean and presentable condition.
Regular cleaning helps protect passengers and chauffeurs and supports a professional travel environment.
Particular attention may be given to frequently touched areas including:
- Door handles
- Seat areas
- Seat belt fittings
- Interior controls
- Passenger contact surfaces
Where bodily fluids or another potentially hazardous contamination occurs, appropriate cleaning procedures should be followed before the vehicle returns to passenger service.
20. Hazardous Substances
Where cleaning products or other substances are used, they should be handled according to manufacturer instructions.
Where required, relevant information concerning safe storage, handling and use should be available.
Hazardous chemicals should not be left unsecured where passengers could access them.
21. Fire Safety
Smoking is not permitted in chauffeur vehicles where prohibited by law and company policy.
Vehicles should be maintained to reduce avoidable fire risks.
Drivers should not continue operating a vehicle where there are signs of serious electrical, fuel or overheating problems.
In the event of fire, passengers should leave the vehicle and move to a safe location before emergency services are contacted.
22. Lone Working
Chauffeurs may spend significant periods working independently.
The company recognises the risks associated with lone working, late-night travel and unfamiliar locations.
Where reasonably practicable, booking and journey information should be available to operational staff.
Live tracking, booking records and communication systems may be used to support operational awareness and passenger service.
Drivers should report threatening behaviour or unsafe circumstances promptly.
23. Violence, Abuse and Harassment
Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd does not tolerate violence, threats, harassment or abusive behaviour towards chauffeurs, employees, contractors or customers.
Where a person presents a credible safety risk, services may be refused or terminated.
Serious incidents may be reported to the police.
24. Contractors and Third-Party Operators
Where transportation or related services are subcontracted, reasonable care will be taken to use suitable operators.
Third-party chauffeurs and operators are expected to comply with relevant licensing, vehicle safety and legal requirements.
Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd will communicate relevant booking information necessary for the safe delivery of the service.
25. Information, Instruction and Training
We aim to provide employees and chauffeurs with information and guidance appropriate to their responsibilities.
Training may cover areas such as:
- Passenger safety
- Professional driving
- Safeguarding
- Emergency procedures
- Customer service
- Manual handling
- Vehicle checks
- Incident reporting
Training needs will be reviewed where appropriate.
26. Welfare
Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd recognises the importance of reasonable welfare arrangements for employees and drivers.
This includes consideration of:
- Rest breaks
- Access to appropriate facilities
- Working hours
- Fatigue
- Health conditions
- Safe working environments
Drivers are encouraged to raise health or welfare concerns that could affect their ability to work safely.
27. Risk Assessment
We will assess significant risks arising from our activities where reasonably necessary.
Risk assessments may consider:
- Driving
- Vehicle maintenance
- Passenger transport
- Manual handling
- Lone working
- Adverse weather
- Airport collections
- Night working
- Workplace activities
- Emergency situations
Control measures will be reviewed where circumstances change.
28. Consultation and Reporting
Employees and chauffeurs are encouraged to report hazards, defects, unsafe practices and suggestions for improving safety.
Open reporting supports continuous improvement and helps prevent incidents.
No person should knowingly ignore a serious safety risk.
29. Monitoring and Review
This Health and Safety Policy Statement will be reviewed periodically and when significant changes occur in:
- Legislation
- Business activities
- Vehicle operations
- Staffing arrangements
- Safety guidance
- Risk levels
Where necessary, policies and procedures will be updated accordingly.
30. Commitment
Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd considers health and safety an integral part of professional chauffeur operations.
We expect directors, employees, chauffeurs and contractors to cooperate in maintaining a safe environment for themselves, passengers and other road users.
Our aim is to provide reliable and professional transportation while managing health and safety risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Travel in Style Executive Chauffeurs Ltd
56 Goms Mill Road
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST3 2RF
Company Registration Number: 14600436
ICO Registration: ZB815307
Private Hire Operator Number: 335053
VAT Number: 469087839
Telephone: 01782 939094 / 01260 603604
Email: info@tischauffeurs.com