Health & Safety - general statement of policy
Health & Safety – General Statement of Policy
QE2 Activity Centre’s policy is to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of working for all our employees and to provide such information, training and supervision needed for the purpose. QE2 Activity Centre also accepts responsibility for the health and safety of other people who might be affected by our activities.
These policies have been drawn up in line with current UK Health and Safety Legislation to help prevent Staff, Visitors and Contractors from being harmed whilst engaged in activities at the Centre.
Wayne Irish – Chair of the Management Committee
Phil Oates (BAHons) – Centre Manager
Kerry Lees – Senior Instructor
Marie Poore – Day Service Co-ordinator
Management of Health and Safety
QE2 Activity Centre recognises its responsibility to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees; by providing and maintaining healthy working conditions, safe equipment and systems of working for all employees and to provide such information, instruction, training and supervision needed for the purpose.
The Centre also accepts responsibility for the health and safety of other people who might be affected by its activities
Management Committee and manager
Employees recognise their responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who might be affected by their actions.
All staff
General Health and Safety Matters
General Health & Safety Policies and Risk Assessments will be drawn up by the Senior Management Team in consultation with other staff. This will be reviewed on an annual basis. All staff have a right & responsibility to contribute to this process.
Management Committee and manager
Manager to report to Management Committee which has the responsibility to ensure that appropriate Health & Safety Policies and Risk Assessments are in place. This should be an agenda item at each AGM.
Management Committee and manager
Activity Health and Safety Matters
Activity specific Health & Safety Policies and Risk Assessments will be drawn up by Manager and Senior Instructor, in consultation with other instructional staff.
M, SI
All activity staff have a responsibility to ensure that activities are run in line with national governing body guidelines and QE2 Activity Centre policies.
All staff
Day Service Health and Safety Matters
Day Service specific health and safety policies and risk assessments will be drawn up by the Day Service Manager and Manager.
M, DSM
Training and Information
Development of specific health and safety training for all employees, including, but not limited to, manual handling, first aid, fire safety, activity development, disability issues.
M, SI, DSM
Recording and reporting incidents
RIDDOR, Accident Book, Incident book for minor incidents and near misses. Reviewed quarterly.
M
Personal Protective Equipment
Activity specific, general. Will be maintained in good state of repair
SI
Working Time
35 hour working week, Lieu days for weekend work
M
Safe Systems of Work
Activity safety policies, day service policies, general health and safety policies
M, SI, DSM
Health Surveillance
If a member of staff suffers from any work related health issues this will be dealt with accordingly.
M
Young People
Work placements – young people carrying out volunteering or work placement will receive training appropriate to their level of understanding and planned involvement. Young people will shadow staff, remaining under supervision
A Risk Assessment will be carried out prior to young person starting a work placement at the centre.
M, SI, DSM
New and Expectant Mothers
Risks associated with manual handling, activity participation. Specific Risk Assessment will be undertaken for staff members who become pregnant.
See separate policy
M
Insurance
£10,000,000 Employers liability, held with St Paul’s
M
Risk Assessment
Grounds
Maintenance of grounds: Regular audit of grounds, pathways, overhanging trees
See maintenance checklist
M
Buildings
Buildings, including internal fixtures & fittings, will be maintained in good, clean condition
See maintenance checklist
M
Fire
See ‘Fire Risk Assessment’ Documents
M
Work equipment
Should be kept in a good state of repair, used only for the purpose intended and only used by appropriately trained persons. Monthly Inspections of tools
SI, all staff
Adventure activities
Preparation for activity sessions: Systems in place for setting up activities, see ‘Activity Safety Policies’ Document
Participation in activities (supervised). Appropriately qualified staff, working to NGB guidelines and the Centre’s own safety policies; equipment fit for purpose; appropriate PPE; instructional staff first aid trained.
Participation in activities (unsupervised). Potentially hazardous equipment (eg archery) locked away. Visitors instructed not to use other equipment (eg climbing wall)
M, SI
Lone worker
Leave details of movements with other staff, mobile phone contact with other staff, give information to visiting staff
M
Safe working practices
Working at height
See ‘Working at Height Policy’ Document
- WAH activity related : Climbing wall, zipwire – activity working practices
- Maintenance: Using ladders – appropriate training
SI
Manual handling issues
Training, identify specific problem areas, strategies to minimise risks
SI
Work environment
Material condition of buildings, ventilation, lighting, cleanliness of buildings
Maintenance checklist, maintenance programme, daily cleaning for Centre building,
M
Slips & trips
Maintenance checklist, provide appropriate signage , visitors warned of hazards of woodland paths
M, SI
Welfare facilities
Provision of toilets, washing facilities, eating and rest facilities for staff
M
Electricity
Monthly recorded check carried out for tools. Yearly PAT testing for the whole site. Fixed wiring inspected every 5 years by a suitably qualified electrician.
M
Gas supply
Gas tanks maintained by Calor. Boiler (GreenHouse and Gold) Inspected annually by qualified person. Annual inspection of pipework and heaters by competent person
M
Asbestos
Asbestos Survey carried out by Envirochem Ltd, September 2015. See Asbestos Register Folder.
M
Machinery & equipment
Provision & use of work equipment
Equipment should be used, maintained and stored correctly. Specialist equipment should only be used following an appropriate level of training. PPE provided where appropriate (ear defenders, goggles, face masks). See separate safety policy and risk assessment
M
Lifting operations & lifting equipment
See Manual Handling policy
M
Display screen equipment
See Display Screen Equipment Policy
M
Electrical equipment
See Portable Appliance Inspection Policy
M
General health issues
Manual handling
See Manual Handling Policy. Recognition of need to minimise lifting, moving and handling transactions, provide aids where appropriate and training for all staff
M, SI, DSM
Smoking
“No smoking” policy on site
M
Stress
Demands – consideration of staff abilities when timetabling
Control – level of autonomy in running sessions, within guidelines
Support – all staff have access to manager and colleagues at all times
Relationships – not being subject to unreasonable behaviours
Role – clearly defined roles and responsibilities
Change – management and communication of organisational change.
M
Infections
When working closely with clients there may be a risk of infection. This can be minimised by adopting the following precautions:
Vaccination against Hepatitis B
Cover open wounds & grazes with waterproof dressings
Make full and proper use of appropriate PPE
Seek medical attention as soon as possible following a potential exposure incident
Violence at work
Working with a diverse and challenging client group there may be a potential threat of violence. In practice this has not been a common problem at the Centre. Staff can help to diffuse potentially violent situations by remaining calm and unthreatening; listening and talking; or by removing other people from the area.
Centre staff should do what they can to support visiting staff but, in matters of challenging behaviour, visiting staff retain responsibility for their clients.
M, SI, DSM
Noise at work
Noise in hall – caused by too many people, or loud individuals. Management by monitoring and taking individuals or groups out of hall. PPE provided when using tools
SI
Hazardous substances
Control of substances hazardous to health
Cleaning materials – use low risk, non hazardous cleaning materials COSHH Folders kept near COSHH cupboards containing SDS and Risk Assessment
See separate Safety Policy and Risk Assessment
M
Flammable substances
Petrol – for the motorboat should be put into the motorboats fuel tank immediately.
Fuel storage onsite is a locked metal container away from the main buildings and is marked ‘Highly Flammable’.
Flamable paints, solvents or other chemicals are stored in a locked cupboard in the workshop building.
M
Biological hazards
Legionella bacteria. See ‘Leiginaires Disease Safety Policy’ document.
Farm Animals – Visitors to the farm are told by accompanying staff to ensure they wash their hands. Hand washing stations are located around the farm itself.
M, all staff
Lead n/a
Radiation n/a
Transport
Workplace transport, guidance to staff and visiting groups about need for care when travelling to & from river.
M
Transporting dangerous substances
Petrol – only to be transported in correct fuel containers
M
First aid
All staff first aid trained minimum of 8 Hour Emergency First Aid at Work or equivalent. Centre responsible for maintaining up-to-date qualifications. First aid kits available on activity sessions. Additional first aid kits available at Centre
M
Food safety
Food preparation areas (Centre kitchen and cabin kitchens) kept clean. Maintenance checklist. Food standards agency, Local authorities LA Inspection 2019 5 star
M
Product safety
AALA inspection, HCC approval. See activity safety policies
M, SI, All staff
Revised 01/20 PJO