The Managing Director of the Company has overall responsibility for health and safety in the Company, and has responsibility for overseeing, implementing and monitoring the health and safety procedures. The MD and his senior team will conduct regular inspections of the workplace, maintains safety records and will investigate / report on accidents at work.

Training

Safety training is an integral part of an effective health and safety programme. It is essential that every employee is trained to perform their job safely. All employees will be trained in safe working practices and procedures as part of their initial induction. Further training will be given and will include instruction on the safe use of any equipment provided.

Employees at Special Risk

The Company recognises that some workers may from time to time be at increased risk of injury or ill-health resulting from work activities. The Company therefore requires that all employees advise their line manager if they become aware of any change in their personal circumstances which could result in their being at increased risk. This could include medical conditions, permanent or temporary disability, where reasonable adjustments maybe required to be implemented, this includes, but not restricted to; taking any prescribed or over the counter medication, knowledge of pregnancy.

Learners

Every learner will receive a full Health and Safety briefing on the Company’s responsibilities to their health, safety and welfare. It will include their own responsibility as part of their initial induction, which is to be reinforced during their time on programme. Wilful breaches of the Company’s Health and Safety Policy will be referred back to their employer.

First Aid and Reporting Accidents at Work

First aid boxes are located at strategic points around the workplace. All employees will be shown the location of the nearest first aid box and will be given the names of the designated first aid personnel.

All injuries, however small, sustained by a person at work must be reported to their line manager or the Managing Director and recorded in the accident book. Accident records are crucial to the effective monitoring of health and safety procedures and must therefore be accurate and comprehensive. The Managing Director will inspect the accident book on a regular basis and all accidents will be investigated and a report prepared, with any necessary action being taken to prevent a recurrence of the problem.

Fire

Fire is a significant risk within the workplace. All employees have a duty to conduct their operations in such a way as to minimise the risk of fire and they are under a duty to report immediately any fire, smoke or potential fire hazards, such as faulty electric cable or loose connections. Employees should never attempt to repair or interfere with electrical equipment or wiring themselves. The safety officer is responsible for the maintenance and testing of fire alarms and firefighting, prevention and detection equipment.

Smoke detectors and manually operated fire alarms are located at strategic points throughout the workplace. If a smoke detector sounds or fire is discovered, it is the responsibility of any employee present to activate the alarm and evacuate the building. Fire extinguishers are also located at strategic points throughout the workplace. Employees are expected to tackle a fire themselves only if it would pose no threat to their personal safety to do so. If the situation is dangerous or potentially dangerous, the employee should activate the fire alarm and evacuate the building immediately.
Fire doors designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke throughout the workplace have been installed at strategic points. Fire doors are designed to close automatically after opening and must never be blocked or wedged open. Fire exits are also located at strategic points throughout the workplace. Fire exit doors and corridors must never be locked, blocked or used as storage space. All employees must ensure they are familiar with their evacuation route and designated assembly point in case of fire. Practice fire drills will be conducted on a regular basis to ensure employee familiarity with emergency evacuation procedures.

Emergency lighting has been installed in exit corridors and above emergency exit doors in case of power failure. Lifts also have emergency lighting installed although they should not be used in the case of an emergency evacuation (see Fire Safety Policy below).

Company Safety Rules
All employees should be aware of and adhere to the Company’s rules and procedures on health and safety.
All employees must immediately report any unsafe working practices or conditions to their line Manager and or Managing Director.
Horseplay, practical joking, running in the workplace, misuse of equipment or any other acts which might jeopardise the health and safety of any other person are forbidden.
Any person whose levels of alertness are reduced due to illness or fatigue will not be allowed to work if this might jeopardise the health and safety of any person.
Employees must not adjust, move or otherwise tamper with any electrical equipment or machinery in a manner not within the scope of their job duties.
All waste materials must be disposed of carefully in the receptacles provided and in such a way that they do not constitute a hazard to other workers.
No employee should undertake a job which appears to be unsafe.
No employee should undertake a job until they have received adequate safety instruction and they are authorised to carry out the task.
All injuries must be reported to the employee’s line manager or to the Managing Director.
All materials must be properly and safely used and when not in use properly and safely secured.
Work should be well-planned to avoid injuries in the handling of heavy materials and while using equipment.
Suitable clothing and footwear must be worn at all times. Personal protective equipment must be worn where appropriate.
Work stations and work sites must be kept clean and tidy and any spillage must be cleaned up immediately.
Employees should use handrails when going up and down stairs, should never read while walking, must close filing cabinet drawers when not in use and must keep all floor areas free of obstruction.

Access
Walkways and passageways must be kept clear and free from obstructions at all times.
If a walkway or passageway becomes wet, it should be clearly marked with warning signs and any liquid spilt on the floor should be wiped up immediately.
Trailing cables should not be left in any passageway.
Where objects are stored in or around a passageway, care must be taken to ensure that no long or sharp edges jut out into the passageway.
Where a passageway is being used by vehicles or other moving machinery, an alternative route should be used by pedestrians where possible. If no alternative route is available, the area must be clearly marked with warning signs.

Tools and Equipment
Company machinery, tools and equipment are only to be used by qualified and authorised personnel.
It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure that any tools or equipment they use are in a good and safe condition. Any tools or equipment which are defective must be reported to a line manager or to the Managing Director.
All tools must be properly and safely stored when not in use.
No tool should be used without the manufacturer’s recommended shields, guards or attachments.
Approved personal protective equipment must be properly used where appropriate.
Persons using machine tools must not wear clothing, jewellery or long hair in such a way as might pose a risk to their own or anyone else’s safety.
Employees are prohibited from using any tool or piece of equipment for any purpose other than its intended purpose.

Manual Handling
Lifting and moving of objects should always be done by mechanical devices rather than manual handling wherever reasonably practicable. The equipment used should be appropriate for the task at hand.
The load to be lifted or moved must be inspected for sharp edges and wet patches.
When lifting or moving a load with sharp or splintered edges, gloves must be worn.
The route over which the load is to be lifted should be inspected to ensure it is free of obstructions.
Employees should not attempt to lift or move a load which is too heavy to manage comfortably. Employees should ask for assistance if there is any danger of strain.
When lifting an object off the ground, employees should assume a squatting position, keeping the back straight. The load should be lifted by straightening the knees, not the back.
Employees should not attempt to obtain items from shelves which are beyond their reach. A ladder or stepping stool should be used. Employees should not use chairs or any makeshift device for climbing and should never climb up the shelves themselves.

Version 4.0 / Control date 18 Feb 2022 / Policy Author Stuart McDonagh / Review date Feb 2023