Health and Safety Policy

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Our Responsibilities:

So far as is reasonably practicable we aim to achieve the following:

To provide a safe working environment with an appropriate means of access and egress.
To provide staff with effective information, instruction and training.
To provide safe equipment and systems.
To provide safe methods of handling, storing and transporting articles of goods.
To promote a no smoking policy other than in designated areas.
To promote a no drugs and no alcohol policy at work.
To ensure that storage areas are safely laid out with adequate room for access.
To provide premises that are heated and cooled to the temperatures required by law.

Employee Responsibilities:

All employees are obliged to take reasonable care for their own safety and for the safety of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions and to co-operate fully with us in the arrangements we make for Health and Safety. For example, staff must apply their informed judgment to:

Adhere to the prescribed safe system of working inside and outside our premises.
Report any faults or defects in equipment immediately to the Safety Officer.
Report any safety concerns immediately to the Safety Officer.
Report all accidents or near-misses to the Safety Officer, no matter how trivial.

Safety Officer:

The Safety Officer has the responsibility to ensure that staff are at all times aware of and fully comply with these obligations under Health and Safety law.

Until further notice, the Safety Officer is Andrew Plumridge.

Training:

Guidance on Health and Safety matters will be given to all new employees during their induction and regular refresher sessions held to ensure best practise is upheld at all times.

Evacuation:

Staff should familiarise themselves with the evacuation procedure, details of which are displayed where staff are working and highlighted during their induction and refreshers.

Should anyone discover a fire they should immediately sound the fire alarm and notify the senior staff member present.

First Aid:

All accidents must be reported to the Safety Officer. If any person (staff or visitor) becomes ill or is injured while at work and requires medical attention, arrangements will be made to call a paramedic, doctor, or emergency service, or to take the person to Accident & Emergency at the nearest hospital.

Hazards and Safety Risks:

Staff have a responsibility to report any potential health or safety hazard to the Safety Officer, including:

Fire risks, such as the accumulation of combustible waste, blocking or obstruction of fire doors, corridors, or smoking inside the building.
Electrical problems, such as worn cables, loose connections, multiple connectors to power sockets, faulty wiring or trailing cables.
Defective equipment.
Defective flooring, such as worn or frayed carpets, uneven or slippery surfaces.
Unsuitable loading or stacking.
Broken glass.
Carelessness by persons on the premises, such as attempting to repair equipment without proper training.

Discipline:

Any breach or non-observance of this Health and Safety Policy constitutes a potential disciplinary offence. Situations where an employee knowingly put others at risk may lead to the dismissal of that employee.

Regular Review:

Working practices and safety standards are reviewed annually, including the general working environment and individual workstations to ensure that best practices are adhered to and that safety hazards are identified so that accidents can be avoided so far as reasonably practicable. All equipment and machinery provided by us complies with the appropriate UK standard and has been designed or adapted for the purpose for which it is intended: this is regularly monitored and maintained by experienced repairers and proper records kept. Any person who uses or who supervises the use of such equipment or machinery is trained in its use including Health and Safety considerations.

Stakeholders are encouraged to suggest improvements to our Health and Safety Policy – all suggestions should be made to the Safety Officer.