Set up and run a safe postal and courier operation

Before tackling the activity-specific licensing and authorisation regimes, your operation must meet the universal workplace duties that bind every employer. Postal and courier businesses carry particular risks from manual handling of parcels and mail bags, road traffic exposure for delivery drivers and riders, and fire safety in sorting offices, depots and warehouses.

A. Health and safety at work

Your general duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of your employees and anyone else affected by your undertaking. HSE is the enforcing authority for workplace health and safety across Great Britain. If you employ five or more people you must have a written health and safety policy and record your risk assessments. You must appoint a competent person to assist with health and safety. Northern Ireland has equivalent general-duty provisions under the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.

B. Fire safety

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all non-domestic premises — sorting offices, depots, warehouses, vehicle workshops and office buildings. The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment, provide escape routes, fire detection and alarm equipment, and train staff. In Scotland the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 applies; in Northern Ireland the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

C. Employers' liability insurance

If you employ anyone — including part-time, agency or contract workers under your direction — you must hold employers' liability insurance with at least £5 million cover under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. The certificate must be displayed at your premises or accessible electronically. The insurer issues the certificate — not HSE.

D. Equality

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination, harassment and victimisation across the nine protected characteristics in employment and service provision. You must consider reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. The Equality and Human Rights Commission enforces across Great Britain. In Northern Ireland, equivalent protections are provided by separate equality legislation enforced by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

E. Data protection

If you process personal data — employee records, customer addresses, delivery tracking data, CCTV — you must comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. Register with the Information Commissioner's Office and pay the data protection fee unless you are specifically exempt. The data protection regime applies UK-wide.