HEALTH AND SAFETY  POLICY

Dated Sept 2012

The next date for review of this policy is ……………Sept 2013…………………

Statement of general policy

•    To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities
•    To consult with employees on matters affecting their health and safety
•    To provide and maintain safe plant and equipment
•    To ensure safe handling and use of substances
•    To provide information, instruction and supervision for employees, volunteers and students
•    To ensure all employees, volunteers and students are given adequate training and are competent to do their tasks
•    To prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health
•    To maintain safe and healthy working conditions
•    To review and revise this policy as necessary and at least annually.

Responsibilities:

Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of the Directors of Respect4us CIC.
Day to day responsibility for health and safety is delegated to:
•    Workshop areas, maintenance and safe use of tools and equipment, minibus – Jason Robotham
•    All visits and work outside the premises – Liz Easton
•    Fire Safety, catering and food safety – Dominic Boddington

Consultation

Respect4us has five employees who meet formally at the start and the end of the day and raise health and safety concerns with each other as they arise.  Any necessary action is taken immediately.

Equipment

•    PAT testing is carried out annually.  
•    Decisions about the purchase of new equipment are made jointly.  

COSHH assessments

Jason Robotham carries out COSHH assessments for any substances used in the workshops.  Dominic Boddington is responsible for general cleaning and catering substances.  COSHH arrangements are reviewed jointly by the full team on a regular basis.

Training

We are a small, highly trained, qualified, competent and experienced team.  As the business grows and expands we will review our training procedures.

Accidents and first aid

All members of staff are qualified first aiders.  First aid equipment is available in each of the units.  Liz Easton is the appointed person responsible for records and who reports under RIDDOR.  An accident book is maintained in the office.

Monitoring

Monitoring of conditions, safe working practices and accidents are carried out by the staff team in their routine daily meetings.

Emergency procedures

Fire risk assessments are the responsibility of Dominic Boddington.  These are reviewed after every incident and at least annually.  Escape routes and extinguishers are visually checked daily.  Emergency procedures are explained to students and drills practiced regularly.

Reviewed September 2010