Health and Safety Policy
Overview
This document summarises the Health and Safety Policy of WWW Group Ltd and associated companies, to conform with the The Health And Safety At Work Act (1974), The Fire Precautions Act (1971) and the Safety At Sports Grounds Act (1987). We believe that "good health and safety is no accident".
Management Summary
This document sets out the Health and Safety Policy of WWW Group and associated companies.All employees must read, understand and sign a copy of the Policy. They will be given a copy to keep, along with a copy of the Health and Safety Executive’s pocket card, printed from the web page http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/law.pdf. At the time of writing the latest version of this document was published in April 2009.
Good Health and Safety is a key operating policy for each of the Companies and is of paramount importance to the Directors. Breach of the policy will result in disciplinary action which may lead to dismissal.
This policy sets out both the responsibilities of the Companies (“the Employer”) and their staff (“the Employees”) and the special duties of the designated Responsible Person at each of the Companies’ buildings and sites. The appendices show the specific risk assessments for each of the Operating Companies’ processes.
In summary:
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The Employer will maintain safe plant and equipment and will identify and address risks in the work undertaken, adapting working methods and processes accordingly. The Employer will proactively assess the likely risks of any new work to be undertaken and will take steps to mitigate and risks identified. The Employer will also maintain detailed records of any accidents or near-misses that occur in the workplace, and will ensure that new employers are trained in health and safety matters before starting work, maintaining records of the training given.
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The Responsible Person will take day-to-day responsibility for Health and Safety at the place of work and will check for defects in plant and equipment regularly as well as ensuring that the Companies’ policies are adhered to, drawing any shortcomings to the attention of the Directors. The Responsible Person will advise the Directors on potential enhancements to working practices to increase safety.
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Employees must use the safety equipment provided and must follow the procedures laid down by the Employer. Employees must attend training sessions (which will be paid) as instructed, and must remain on the alert for health and safety defects, drawing these to the attention of the Responsible Person at their place of work without delay.
The over-riding ethos of this policy is that the Employer, Responsible Person and Employees will work together to promote a safe working environment for themselves, customers and visitors. The companies will address any defect where it is economical to do so, balanced with the probability and impact of any incident.
Employer’s Responsibilities
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To maintain plant and equipment to the required standard, ensuring the guards, statutory notices and instructions are in place and used. To provide free-of-charge safety clothing and equipment to employees as required.
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To establish work practices and methods which are safe and that address the risks identified in routine risk assessments, communicating these in a way that employees understand.
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To conduct risk assessments quarterly, with a comprehensive review
(a) at least annually for all areas of operation and
(b) before any new type of work is undertaken and to consult employees about health and safety matters. -
To train staff in safe working methods free-of-charge, spot-check adherence to the methods and maintain records of training given, spot-checks made and any corrective or disciplinary action taken to address any shortcomings.
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To ensure that no employee is asked to undertake a task for which they have not been appropriately trained. This particularly applies to new starters, who will receive induction training on their first day prior to any work being undertaken.
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To keep staff rooms, kitchens and toilets clean and free from merchandise and debris, ensuring that hot water, soap and hand drying facilities are provided at all times as well as cold drinking water.
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To provide appropriate first-aid facilities
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To report injuries, diseases and dangerous incidents at work to the Health and Safety Executive’s Contact Centre (0845 300 9923)
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To maintain insurance covering employees should they be hurt at work or made ill as a result of their work, displaying a copy of the current insurance certificate.
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To check daily that fire exits are clear and unobstructed, that any specific requirements of any Fire Certificate are meticulously adhered to and to conduct fire awareness training and fire drills at regular intervals, as defined by law.
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To respond promptly to any report of defective safety equipment or working practices from an Employee, the Responsible Person or an Environmental Health or Fire Officer.
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To promote dialogue among all Employees, Contractors and anyone else sharing the workplace about Health and Safety matters and embed good working practice as part of the Companies’ Culture.
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To comply with industry codes of conduct relevant to the disciplines of the specific business, for example the ISO rules for handling recycled computer equipment or hazardous chemicals
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Maintain appropriate lighting and heating.
Employee’s Responsibilities
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Follow the training given and the working practices required by the employer
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Take reasonable care of their own and other people’s health and safety
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Co-operate with the employer on health and safety matters
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Tell the Responsible Person or the Employer in person (or a duly elected Health and Safety Representative) about any work or inadequate precautions that may put anyone’s health and safety at serious risk.
Casual Workers
All casual workers will receive a Health and Safety Induction before commencing and will be handed a specially prepared pamphlet explaining our policies and ways of working, and given time to read it. No-one will commence work until they have satisfied their supervisor that they are familiar with the document, understand its importance and are appropriately dressed for the nature of the work that they are to undertake. A copy of the pamphlet is available on request from the Company via this link.
Policy Notices
Notice: Prohibition of Heavy Lifting
Employees are prohibited from heavy lifting. Items that are too heavy must be broken down into manageable units for lifting, or assistance must be sought from another person. Employers are required to bend from the knees when lifting objects from the floor or low shelving, as demonstrated during induction training.
Notice: Mobile Telephones
Employees are prohibited from using mobile telephones or other communications equipment while operating heavy plant or machinery, or while conducting electrical equipment inspections. This applies even when a hands-free device is fitted. Employees are also prohibited from using a mobile phone when driving on company business, except for short conversations where a hands-free device is fitted. Employees should stop at the roadside, where it is safe to do so and this is permitted by law, to conduct telephone conversations.
Notice: Driving When Tired
It is the Companies’ policy that you may not drive when tired. You are required to ensure that you have had adequate sleep before setting out on a journey on Company business. You are required to take a break of at least 15 minutes every 150 minutes when driving, or when you feel tired and it is safe and legal to stop.
Notice: Employment of Young Persons
It is the Companies’ policy that persons under sixteen years of age may only be employed (either permanently or on a casual basis) after permission has been sought from the Local Authority. Supervisors and Managers must familiarise themselves with the additional rules relating to meal breaks and rest periods that apply to people under eighteen years of age.