https://thecoachcompany.co.uk
Effective Date: 1st June 2025
Review Date: 1st June 2026
Prepared by: Health & Safety Compliance Officer
Approved by: Operations Director
At The Coach Company UK, the health, safety, and welfare of our passengers, staff, and the wider public are our highest priority. We are fully committed to complying with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, relevant UK transport legislation, and industry best practice standards to ensure our coach and minibus operations are safe, well-managed, and continuously reviewed. This document outlines our key risk assessment processes, control measures, and mitigation strategies across all areas of our operation, with the objective of minimising risk while providing reliable and comfortable transport services.
This risk assessment covers the following activities:
| Hazard | Risk | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Driver fatigue or distraction | Road traffic incidents | All drivers undergo regular CPC training and adhere to driving hours regulated by DVSA. Vehicles are fitted with tachographs and telematics. |
| Mechanical failure | Injury or breakdown | Daily walk-around checks, planned maintenance schedules, and immediate reporting systems in place. |
| Adverse weather conditions | Skidding, reduced visibility | Drivers receive winter and adverse weather training. Vehicles are equipped with emergency kits and appropriate tyres. |
| Hazard | Risk | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Slips/trips when boarding or exiting | Passenger injury | Drivers assist with safe boarding. Vehicles have anti-slip floors and visible handrails. |
| Unruly behaviour on board | Disruption, injury | Company policy enforces a strict passenger code of conduct. Drivers can report and refuse service if required. |
| Incorrect use of seatbelts | Injury during emergency braking | Safety signage is displayed in all vehicles. Drivers perform a visual seatbelt check before departure. |
| Hazard | Risk | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Lone working during out-of-hours jobs | Assault, injury | 24/7 control room support, vehicle tracking, and emergency contact protocols in place. |
| Manual handling (luggage or equipment) | Musculoskeletal injuries | Training provided on safe lifting techniques. Drivers are not expected to handle heavy or bulky items alone. |
| Hazard | Risk | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure to cleaning chemicals | Skin/eye irritation, respiratory issues | COSHH-compliant substances are used. Staff are trained and provided with PPE. |
| Spread of infectious diseases (e.g. COVID-19) | Illness to passengers or staff | Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place, especially on high-contact surfaces. Vehicles are ventilated, and sanitiser is provided. |
| Hazard | Risk | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Fire on board | Injury or fatalit | Fire extinguishers are checked monthly, and clearly marked exits are present. Drivers are trained in evacuation protocols. |
| Road accident | Injury to occupants | Emergency contact cards, first aid kits, and incident reporting procedures in every vehicle. All drivers are first-aid trained. |
| Passenger taken ill | Delayed journey, health risk | Drivers follow the health emergency SOP and contact emergency services if needed. |
We operate school services under enhanced safeguarding and child protection protocols. These include:
We conduct formal reviews of our risk assessments annually or following any:
Staff are encouraged to report all hazards or safety concerns. Toolbox talks, refresher training, and regular briefings ensure a shared culture of safety across our organisation.
We retain a flexible COVID-19 response protocol, which can be reactivated if public health guidance changes. This includes vehicle fogging, mask protocols, driver partition screens, and contactless boarding.
A full copy of our detailed operational risk assessments is available upon request. For more information, please contact:
Health & Safety Officer
Email: info@thecoachcompany.co.uk
Phone: 0800 171 2105
Website: thecoachcompany.co.uk
We affirm that all reasonable measures have been taken to ensure a safe working environment for our staff and a safe travel experience for our passengers. We remain committed to ongoing improvement and legislative compliance across all aspects of our service delivery.
Signed: Operations Director
The Coach Company UK
Date: 1st June 2025
