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Victoria Urban Contractors

Health & Safety

1. Health & Safety Policy Statement

Victoria Urban Contractors is committed to achieving and maintaining the highest standards of health and safety on all our construction sites. The health, safety, and welfare of our employees, subcontractors, clients, and members of the public is our paramount concern and will never be compromised for the sake of programme or cost.

This policy is endorsed by the Director of the Company and applies to all works carried out by Victoria Urban Contractors, whether on domestic or commercial sites.

We are committed to full compliance with the following legislation (and any subsequent amendments):

  • The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
  • The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
  • The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  • The Work at Height Regulations 2005
  • The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
  • The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
  • The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
  • The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
  • All other relevant health, safety, and welfare legislation

2. Our Responsibilities

Victoria Urban Contractors accepts its responsibilities as an employer and contractor. We will:

  • Provide and maintain safe plant, equipment, and tools, ensuring they are regularly inspected and serviced.
  • Ensure the safe handling, storage, and transport of all materials and substances used on site.
  • Provide adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision to all employees and subcontractors.
  • Maintain a safe working environment with adequate welfare facilities.
  • Conduct thorough risk assessments before the commencement of any works.
  • Provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all workers at no cost.
  • Appoint competent persons to oversee health and safety on every project.
  • Regularly review and update this policy and all associated procedures.

3. Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RAMS)

All works undertaken by Victoria Urban Contractors are preceded by written Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS). These documents identify the hazards associated with specific tasks, assess the level of risk, and detail the control measures to be implemented to eliminate or reduce those risks.

Our RAMS process includes:

  • Site-specific hazard identification: Every site is assessed individually to identify unique hazards, including existing structural conditions, proximity to services (gas, water, electricity), access constraints, and neighbouring properties.
  • Task-specific risk assessment: Each trade activity (demolition, excavation, steelwork, roofing, electrical, plumbing, etc.) has its own risk assessment detailing specific hazards and controls.
  • Control measures: Documented control measures are implemented before any works commence. These may include exclusion zones, temporary supports, dust suppression, PPE requirements, and permit-to-work systems.
  • Dynamic risk assessment: Workers are trained to continually assess changing conditions on site and stop work if unsafe conditions arise.

RAMS are available for client review upon request.

4. Employee & Subcontractor Requirements

  • All operatives working on Victoria Urban Contractors sites hold a valid CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card appropriate to their trade and skill level.
  • Every worker receives a mandatory site induction before commencing work on any new site. This covers site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, welfare arrangements, and project rules.
  • Regular toolbox talks and safety briefings are conducted to address ongoing risks, seasonal hazards, and lessons learned from incidents or near misses.
  • All subcontractors are vetted for competence before engagement. This includes verification of qualifications, insurance, and relevant experience.
  • Right-to-work verification is carried out for all workers in accordance with UK immigration law.
  • Workers are required to report any unsafe conditions, defective equipment, or health concerns immediately to their supervisor.

5. Site Safety Measures

The following safety measures are implemented on all Victoria Urban Contractors sites as appropriate:

Signage & Barriers

  • Clear health and safety signage displayed at all site entrances and within the work area.
  • Appropriate barriers, hoarding, and fencing to separate the work area from occupied areas and the public.

Dust & Noise Control

  • Dust suppression measures including wet cutting, extraction equipment, and sealed enclosures where required.
  • Noise mitigation through selection of appropriate tools, timing of noisy works, and provision of hearing protection.

Asbestos

  • All workers are asbestos awareness trained.
  • Where asbestos is suspected, work is stopped immediately and a licensed asbestos removal contractor is engaged.
  • Refurbishment and demolition asbestos surveys are arranged where required.

Working at Height

  • All work at height is carried out in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
  • Scaffolding is erected and inspected by competent persons (CISRS qualified where applicable).
  • Edge protection, safety nets, and harness systems are used where appropriate.
  • Ladders are used as a last resort and only for short-duration, low-risk tasks.

Electrical Safety

  • All portable electrical equipment is PAT tested.
  • 110V reduced voltage tools are used on site wherever possible.
  • Isolation procedures are followed before any work on or near existing electrical installations.

Fire Prevention

  • Fire extinguishers are available on all sites.
  • Hot works permits are issued for any welding, cutting, or heat-generating activities.
  • Emergency evacuation procedures are communicated during site induction.

Manual Handling

  • Manual handling risk assessments are conducted for heavy or awkward loads.
  • Mechanical aids (wheelbarrows, hoists, pallet trucks) are provided to reduce manual handling risks.

COSHH Compliance

  • All hazardous substances used on site have accompanying COSHH assessments and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
  • Workers are trained in the safe use, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances.
  • Appropriate PPE (gloves, masks, eye protection) is provided for all COSHH-rated activities.

6. Insurance

Victoria Urban Contractors maintains the following insurance policies to protect our clients, employees, and the public:

  • Public Liability Insurance — Comprehensive cover for injury to third parties or damage to third-party property arising from our works.
  • Employer's Liability Insurance — Statutory cover for our employees as required by the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.
  • Professional Indemnity Insurance — Where applicable, covering design and advisory services.

Copies of our insurance certificates are available upon request.

7. Certifications & Accreditations

  • Gas Safe Register — All gas engineers on our team are Gas Safe registered, ensuring legal compliance for all gas work.
  • NICEIC — Our electricians are NICEIC certified, providing assurance that all electrical work meets BS 7671 standards.
  • CSCS — All operatives hold valid Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards.

8. Reporting & Incident Procedures

RIDDOR Compliance

Victoria Urban Contractors fully complies with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). All reportable incidents are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) within the statutory timescales.

Near-Miss Reporting

We actively encourage a culture of near-miss reporting. All workers are expected to report any situation that could have resulted in injury or damage, even if no actual harm occurred. Near-miss reports are investigated and used to improve our safety procedures.

Incident Investigation

All accidents, incidents, and near misses are investigated by the site supervisor and, where appropriate, the Director. Investigation findings are documented and shared with the team to prevent recurrence.

First Aid

Adequate first aid provisions are maintained on all sites, including a stocked first aid kit and at least one appointed first aider or emergency first aid at work trained person.

9. Client Cooperation

To help us maintain a safe working environment, we kindly ask our clients to:

  • Provide safe access to the property and work areas during agreed working hours.
  • Inform us of any known hazards at the property (e.g., asbestos, unsafe structures, buried services, contamination).
  • Cooperate with our safety measures, including any temporary restrictions on access to certain areas.
  • Keep children and pets away from the work area at all times.
  • Refrain from entering scaffolded areas, excavations, or any cordoned-off zones.
  • Report any concerns about site safety to the site supervisor immediately.

10. Review & Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if prompted by changes in legislation, significant incidents, or changes to our operations. We are committed to continuous improvement in our health and safety performance.

Feedback and safety suggestions from employees, subcontractors, and clients are always welcome and will be given proper consideration.

Last reviewed: January 2026 Next review due: January 2027

Signed on behalf of:

Victoria Urban Contractors Ltd Company No. 15302043 662 High Road, London, N12 0NL 07525 849451 | [email protected]