Organisation name:
Policy Title: HEALTH & SAFETY
1.0 (Name of organisation), through its Governing Body, acknowledges its legal responsibility as an employer for providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees, volunteers and all other persons entering the premises occupied by (name of organisation), or carrying out the business of providing an advocacy service for (name of organisation).
2.0 (Name of organisation) is, through the Governing Body, Trustees, and at all levels of management, committed to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that:
2.1All personnel are safeguarded fully in respect of health, safety and welfare whilst at work.
2.2Members of the public who enter our premises as
contractors, employees, volunteers, service users or visitors are not exposed to any health and safety risks during the course of their business. However, everyone has an overriding responsibility for their own safety.
2.3No work is carried out by (name of organisation), or by contractors employed by them to work on the premises, which is likely to expose employees, volunteers, service users or members of the public to hazards to health, unless suitable and sufficient assessments of the risk are made and necessary controls to prevent or control the risks have been introduced. This applies also to the storage and transportation of articles and substances.
3.0The Governing Bodyof (name of organisation)have the ultimate responsibility for the implementation of this policy.
3.1It is the responsibility of the Chief Executive to ensure that the requirements of all aspects of Health and Safety Legislation are established, and to advise the Governing Body accordingly.
4.0The Governing Body’s objectives are:
4.1 To provide conditions of work for all personnel which prevent any danger to health. This means that assessments will be carried out to enable hazards and risks to be identified and controls put in place to enable the highest possible standards of safety to the staff or public.
4.2 To ensure that all plant, machinery and equipment is maintained properly and that none will be used knowingly when it may present any risk to the safety of personnel and the public.
4.3 To provide means of access and exit which are safe and without risks to health.
4.4To provide comprehensive information, instruction, training and supervision, with the object of ensuring so far as is reasonably practicable the health and safety at work of every employee, volunteer and visitor,
4.5 To ensure that the health, safety and welfare of all employees, volunteers, clients and visitors is under continuous review by management at all levels.
ORGANISATION & ARRANGEMENTS
It is the responsibility of the Chief Executive of (name of organisation) to monitor Health and Safety within the organisation and to report any issues to the Governing Body. This responsibility may be delegated to other staff members as appropriate and agreed by the Chief Executive and Governing Body.
1.0ACCIDENTS AND NEAR MISSES
1.1 All accidents must be reported to the Chief Executive of (name of organisation).
1.2 All accidents occurring on any part of the premises occupied by (name of organisation), or incurred whist any member of staff or volunteer is carrying out the business of (name of organisation) must be recorded in the accident book which is held by the (name of post of person holding book).
1.3All “near misses” which could have caused injury should be reported to the Chief Executive.
2.0 FIRST AID
2.1 A First Aid box will kept on each work site.
2.2 The (name of post of person) is responsible for maintaining the First Aid Box.
2.3Names of (name of organisation’s) trained First Aiders will be shown on the Health & Safety Executive poster which is displayed in (place where poster is displayed)
2.4It is the responsibility of the Chief Executive of (name of organisation) to ensure that there are sufficient trained First Aiders within the organisation and that their training is kept up to date.
3.0 FIRE
3.1 The Chief Executive is responsible for Fire Precautions and Procedures at (name of organisation).
3.2Full details of the Fire Precautions and Procedures of (name of organisation) are detailed at Appendix 1 of this policy.
4.0 SECURITY
4.1It is the responsibility of all personnel working at (Name of organisation’s) premises to ensure their own security. Everyone should therefore:
4.1.1Ensure that all doors and windows are closed and locked where possible, and switch off all heaters, lights, etc if they are the last person to leave the office.
4.1.2Ensure that the intruder alarm is set if they are the last person to leave the office.
4.1.3Individuals are responsible for the safe keeping of their own money and personal belongings whilst on (name of organisation’s) premises. (Name of organisation) cannot be held responsible for any losses of money or personal property whatsoever.
4.1.4All members of staff (where appropriate) will be issued with personal alarms, with which they should familiarise themselves and utilise as advised in the accompanying instructions.
4.1.5The exterior office door should be locked at all times when any individual is alone in the office.
5.0 DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT
5.1 All managers at (name of organisation) will have a
copy of HSE leaflet INDG36 “Working with VDUs” and
will comply with the guidelines contained therein, and bring it to the attention of all personnel of (name of organisation).
5.2 It is the responsibility of each member of personnel of (name of organisation) to ensure that they comply with the recommendations relating to good practice contained in this publication.
5.3 All personnel should receive training in best practice for
working at VDUs.
5.4 Risk assessments should be carried out at workstations on an annual basis.
6.0 MANUAL HANDLING
6.1 All managers at (name of organisation) will have a
copy of HSE leaflet INDG143 “Getting to grips with
manual handling”, will comply with the guidelines
contained therein, and bring it to the attention of all
personnel of (name of organisation).
6.2 All personnel should make proper use of equipment provided for their safety.
6.3 It is the responsibility of each member of personnel of (name of organisation) to ensure that they comply with the recommendations relating to good practice contained in this publication.
7.0 COSHH
7.1 All managers at (name of organisation) will have a
copy of HSE leaflet INDG136 “Working with
substances hazardous to health”, will comply with
the guidelines contained therein, and bring it to the
attention of all personnel of (name of organisation).
7.2 It is the responsibility of each member of personnel of (name of organisation) to ensure that they comply with the recommendations relating to good practice contained in this publication.
8.0RIDDOR
8.1 All managers at (name of organisation) will have a
copy of HSE leaflet MISC 769 “Incident at Work?”, will comply with the guidelines contained therein, and bring it to the attention of all personnel of (name of organisation).
8.2 It is the responsibility of each member of personnel of (name of organisation) to ensure that they comply with the recommendations relating to good practice contained in this publication.
PROCEDURE
1.0This policy requires the total co-operation of every person who works or volunteers for (name of organisation) and who has personal responsibilities under the law. (Name of organisation) requires everyone to:
1.1 Take reasonable precautions in safeguarding the
health and safety of themselves and others.
1.2 Observe all health and safety rules and procedures as
laid down by (name of organisation) and use all health
and safety equipment provided.
1.3 Alert management to any potential hazard that they
have noticed and report all accidents and any incidents
that have led, or may lead to, injury, illness or damage.
1.4 If any person fails to follow laid down Health and
Safety Procedures and policies or acts in a reckless
manner constituting a serious danger to the safety of any person or resulting in serious damage to (name of
organisation) property, disciplinary action will be taken.
2.0The policy will be monitored to make sure it is effective and will be regularly reviewed and revised as necessary.
Date this policy came into effect / Date approved by Governing BodyNext Review Date / As agreed by Governing Body
Name or position of person responsible for this policy
Other related policies / Appraisal
Complaints
Confidentiality
Employment
Equality
Home Working
Lone Working
Relevant legislation / Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
Useful information /
PRACTICE NOTE
Issued to:All Personnel / SUBJECT:
Health & safety / No:
Issued by: / Date issued: / Date amended: / For Information to:
HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
APPENDIX 1
FIRE PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES
1.0RESPONSIBILITY
All people using the (name of Organisation) office are responsible for knowing how to get out of the building, in case of fire. Clear instructions are displayed by all the fire extinguishers, and close to all exits.
2.0FIRE PROCEDURES
2.1Fire Alarms will be tested weekly at a regular and specific time.
2.2Fire Drills will be held every six months. When these take place all staff and volunteers will be expected to comply with Fire Action procedures
2.3 Smoke alarms will be tested monthly
3.0FIRE ACTION
3.1Anyone discovering a fire should attack the fire using the appliances provided - but only if it is safe to do so.
3.2Leave the building by (name of organisation’s) designated nearest fire exit taking visitors/members of the public with you.
3.3Alert anyone else who is in the building at the time.
3.4 Call the Fire Brigade by dialling 999 and quote the
correct address: (insert address and postcode)
3.5Ensure that no-one is left in the building, and that no-one returns until authorised to do so by the Senior Fire Officer.
3.6Afterwards, record the event in the accident book and inform the appropriate officer of the Governing Body.
4.0GENERAL POINTS
4.1 Staircases and doorways must be kept clear of obstructions at all times.
4.2If a person's clothing is on fire, wrap a blanket, coat or similar article closely around them and lay them on the ground to prevent flames reaching their head.
4.3 If electrical appliances are involved, switch off the electricity before dealing with the fire. The CO2 Carbon Dioxide Fire extinguishers provided may be used on live electrical fires.
5.0MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT
5.1Fire extinguishers will be maintained and tested annually.
5.1.1A record of the checks will be kept.
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