Health and Safety Policy

Health and safety is the responsibility of everyone within the business. This policy sets out how we identify hazards, assess risks and put appropriate controls in place.

Effective date 25 August 2026. Last updated 25 August 2026.

Sable and Stone Real Estate Ltd, company number 16748179, registered office 124 City Road, London, England, EC1V 2NX. General enquiries: enquiries@sableandstonerealestate.com.

1. Our commitment

Sable and Stone Real Estate Ltd ("Sable and Stone", "we", "us" or "our") is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, workers, contractors, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our activities.

We recognise that our work may involve office-based activities, property inspections, valuations, viewings, travel, meetings with members of the public, visits to occupied and unoccupied properties and interaction with contractors and other third parties.

We will take reasonably practicable steps to identify hazards, assess risks and implement appropriate controls. Our approach is based on the principle that health and safety is the responsibility of everyone within the business.

2. Our health and safety responsibilities

Sable and Stone will:

• identify significant health and safety hazards associated with our activities;
• carry out appropriate risk assessments;
• implement reasonable measures to eliminate or control identified risks;
• provide appropriate information, instruction and training;
• maintain safe working arrangements and equipment;
• provide suitable welfare facilities;
• maintain appropriate emergency procedures;
• investigate accidents, incidents and significant near misses;
• review our risk assessments and procedures when circumstances change;
• consult with employees where appropriate; and
• monitor our health and safety arrangements and improve them where necessary.

The Health and Safety Executive recommends that employers identify hazards, assess the likelihood and seriousness of harm, and take action to eliminate hazards or control risks.

3. Employees and workers

Everyone working for or on behalf of Sable and Stone has a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Employees and workers are expected to:

• follow company health and safety procedures;
• comply with reasonable instructions;
• use equipment safely;
• report hazards, defects and unsafe conditions;
• report accidents, incidents and near misses;
• attend required training;
• use provided protective equipment where applicable;
• avoid knowingly placing themselves or others at unnecessary risk; and
• cooperate with health and safety assessments and investigations.

4. Office health and safety

Our office environment will be maintained so far as reasonably practicable in a safe and suitable condition. This includes consideration of slips, trips and falls; electrical equipment; fire safety; emergency exits; lighting and ventilation; workplace temperature; housekeeping; workstation arrangements; manual handling; safe storage; and general workplace welfare.

Where employees regularly use display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work, appropriate workstation assessments and controls will be implemented. HSE guidance identifies workstation assessment, suitable controls, information and training as important measures for DSE users.

5. Display screen equipment and home working

Employees who regularly work with computers, laptops or other display screen equipment will be encouraged to maintain suitable working arrangements. Where appropriate, we will consider:

• workstation setup;
• seating and posture;
• screen positioning;
• keyboard and mouse positioning;
• lighting and glare;
• breaks and changes of activity;
• equipment provided for home working; and
• any reported discomfort or health concerns.

Employees should report any work-related discomfort or problems with their workstation to their manager.

6. Property viewings and inspections

Property viewings and inspections can involve risks that are different from those encountered in an office. Before or during a viewing or inspection, employees should consider hazards including:

• uneven floors and surfaces;
• stairs;
• poor lighting;
• unsecured areas;
• building defects;
• open windows or balconies;
• construction or renovation work;
• exposed electrical equipment;
• hazardous substances;
• animals;
• water damage;
• suspected asbestos-containing materials;
• vacant or derelict properties; and
• other foreseeable hazards.

Employees should not knowingly enter an area that presents an unacceptable risk. Where necessary, the viewing or inspection should be postponed until suitable controls are in place.

7. Lone working

Estate agency activities may require employees to work alone, including attending property viewings, valuations, inspections or meetings. Sable and Stone will maintain appropriate lone-working procedures based on the level of risk.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• recording the property address and appointment details;
• recording the expected start and finish time;
• maintaining contact with the office or designated colleague;
• using a check-in and check-out procedure;
• carrying a charged mobile phone;
• carrying out additional checks for higher-risk appointments;
• avoiding unnecessary entry into areas presenting an obvious hazard; and
• terminating an appointment where an employee reasonably believes that their safety is at risk.

8. Personal safety and aggressive behaviour

Sable and Stone recognises that employees may occasionally encounter challenging, aggressive or threatening behaviour from members of the public, clients, contractors or other persons.

Employees should:

• remain professional and avoid unnecessary confrontation;
• maintain an appropriate distance where possible;
• leave an unsafe situation rather than attempting to resolve it physically;
• contact emergency services where there is an immediate threat to life or safety;
• report threatening or abusive behaviour to management; and
• record relevant incidents in accordance with company procedures.

Violence, threats or intimidation directed towards employees will be taken seriously.

9. Driving and business travel

Where employees drive as part of their work, they are responsible for driving safely and complying with applicable road traffic laws. Employees should:

• ensure they are legally permitted and appropriately insured to drive for work;
• comply with road traffic laws;
• never drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs, fatigue or any other condition that makes driving unsafe;
• avoid using a handheld mobile phone while driving;
• ensure vehicles are maintained in a safe condition;
• take appropriate breaks on longer journeys; and
• report any relevant vehicle safety concerns.

Employees should not allow pressure to meet an appointment to compromise road safety.

10. Contractors and third parties

Where Sable and Stone appoints contractors or other third parties, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that relevant health and safety requirements are understood and appropriately managed.

Contractors may be required to provide evidence of appropriate competence, insurance, qualifications or risk assessments depending on the nature of their work. Contractors must follow reasonable site and safety instructions while working at premises under our control. Where another organisation controls a property or workplace, responsibilities will be coordinated where appropriate.

11. Property hazards

When dealing with properties, Sable and Stone may encounter hazards that are outside our direct control. Examples may include asbestos-containing materials; gas or electrical hazards; structural defects; mould or damp; contaminated materials; unsafe stairs or flooring; construction activities; water systems; pests or animals; and fire safety concerns.

Employees should not attempt specialist testing, removal, repair or remediation unless they are appropriately trained, competent and authorised to do so. Where a serious hazard is identified, the appropriate course of action may be to restrict access, notify the responsible person or property owner, and obtain appropriate professional assistance.

HSE guidance recognises that landlords and persons responsible for premises may have specific health and safety responsibilities, including responsibilities relating to hazards such as legionella.

12. Fire safety and emergencies

Sable and Stone will maintain appropriate arrangements for dealing with foreseeable emergencies at premises under our control. Employees should familiarise themselves with emergency exits, fire alarm arrangements, assembly points, emergency contact arrangements and procedures for reporting emergencies.

13. First aid

Appropriate first-aid arrangements will be maintained for workplaces under Sable and Stone's control, taking account of the nature and level of risk. Employees should report accidents and injuries promptly and seek appropriate medical assistance where necessary.

14. Accident and incident reporting

Employees, workers and contractors should report accidents; injuries; near misses; dangerous occurrences; significant hazards; and incidents involving threats or violence.

Reports will be reviewed to determine whether additional controls or changes to procedures are required. Where an incident may be reportable under applicable legislation, Sable and Stone will take appropriate steps to determine whether reporting requirements apply.

15. Manual handling

Employees should avoid unnecessary manual handling wherever reasonably practicable. Where manual handling is necessary, employees should consider the weight and size of the item; the distance involved; the route; available space; their own capabilities; and whether assistance or suitable equipment is required.

Employees should not attempt to lift or move an item that they reasonably believe is beyond their safe capability.

16. Health, wellbeing and work-related stress

Sable and Stone recognises that workplace health includes both physical and mental wellbeing. We will seek to identify and address reasonably foreseeable work-related health risks, including excessive workload, unreasonable work pressures, workplace conflict and other factors that may contribute to work-related stress.

Employees are encouraged to raise concerns with management at an early stage.

17. Training and information

Sable and Stone will provide health and safety information and training appropriate to employees' roles and responsibilities. Additional training may be provided where an employee's role involves particular risks, such as lone working; property inspections; fire safety; first aid; display screen equipment; manual handling; workplace risk assessment; or other role-specific hazards.

18. Risk assessments

Sable and Stone will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for relevant work activities. Risk assessments will be reviewed periodically; following significant incidents; following changes to working practices; when new activities or equipment are introduced; and where there is reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid.

The purpose of risk assessment is to identify hazards, evaluate risks and implement proportionate control measures.

19. Consultation and reporting concerns

Employees are encouraged to raise health and safety concerns without fear of unreasonable criticism or retaliation.

Concerns may be raised with Sable and Stone Real Estate Ltd, 124 City Road, London, England, EC1V 2NX, or by email to enquiries@sableandstonerealestate.com.

Serious concerns should be reported immediately to the appropriate manager or responsible person.

20. Review of this policy

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where there are significant changes to legislation; our business activities; our premises; working practices; staffing arrangements; property inspection procedures; or identified health and safety risks. The policy will also be reviewed following a significant accident or incident where appropriate.

21. Legal and guidance framework

This policy is intended to support Sable and Stone's compliance with applicable UK health and safety requirements. Relevant legislation and guidance may include, depending on the circumstances:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999;
• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992;
• Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992;
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998;
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992;
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002;
• Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012; and
• applicable fire safety legislation.

The precise requirements applicable to a particular property, employee or activity will depend on the circumstances.

22. Important disclaimer

Document control

• Policy: Health and Safety Policy
• Effective date: 25 August 2026
• Last updated: 25 August 2026
• Review frequency: at least annually and following significant changes
• Policy status: approved policy, subject to implementation and risk assessment