Health and Safety Policy

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

This statement of general policy in relation to Health and Safety is:
To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities
To consult with our employees and learners on matters affecting their health and safety
To provide and maintain safe equipment
To provide information, instruction and supervision for employees and learners
To ensure all employees and learners are competent to do their tasks, and to give them adequate training
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 at regular intervals
The items are shown in more detail on the next pages.

HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROCESS

Successful Mums Limited believes that consideration of the health, safety and welfare of staff and associates is an integral part of the management process. The provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act, associated Codes of Practice and E.C. Directives will be adopted as required standards within Successful Mums Limited. Responsibility for Health, Safety and Welfare matters shall be explicitly stated in management job descriptions.

Successful Mums Limited requires managers to approach Health, Safety and Welfare in a systematic way, by identifying hazards and problems, planning improvements, taking action and monitoring results so that the majority of Health, Safety and Welfare needs will be met through of day-to-day management, although many Health and Safety problems can be rectified with little additional time and cost.

For major additional expenditure, cases of need will be submitted to the Founder, Jane Knight.

If unpredictable Health and Safety issues arise during the year, the Founder must assess the degree of risk, in deciding the necessary resources and actions to commit to addressing these issues.

Management Responsibilities

This policy has been prepared and published under the requirements of Health and Safety legislation. The purpose of the policy is to establish general standards for health, safety and welfare at work and to distribute responsibility for their achievement to all staff and associates.

The Health & Safety Officer is Charlotte Edwardes, whilst overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of Jane Knight.

Successful Mums Limited‘s robust Health and Safety Policies will be regularly reviewed to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable:

That the declared statement of the Health and Safety at Work Policy is achieved

That all employees and associates within Successful Mums Limited are made fully aware that health and safety is regarded as having equal ranking with other responsibilities

The Health and Safety at Work Policy is reviewed regularly, and any changes are brought to the attention of Charlotte Edwardes and Jane Knight.

Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice is delegated to Charlotte Edwardes.

Consultation with employees is provided by Jane Knight.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE

The Health and Safety Representative is a nominated manager responsible for co-ordinating effective health and safety policies and controls across the organisation.

The Health and Safety Representative is responsible for:

  • the production and maintenance of Successful Mums Limited’s policy and ensuring that all guidelines are consistent with the policy;
  • its application;
  • monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of the policy;
  • the provision of general advice about the implication of the law;
  • the identification of health and safety training needs. The Health and Safety Representative also acts as Successful Mums Limited’s formal link with the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Health Departments and other external agencies;
  • the production and maintenance of Health and Safety Codes of Practice for each aspect of the services within Successful Mums Limited.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SPECIFIC WORKPLACES

The Health & Safety Representative will ensure, as far as is reasonable and practicable the health, safety, security and welfare of all persons employed by Successful Mums Limited. It is the responsibility of all employees to accept their personal involvement in the practical application of this Health and Safety policy

  • Any problems with equipment will be reported to Charlotte Edwardes.
  • The Health and Safety Law poster is displayed in all Successful Mums Limited premises.
  • First aid equipment is located at all premises and is clearly marked.
  • The accident book is kept at the front of the office.
  • All employees and learners must:
  • Co-operate with staff and associates on health and safety matters
  • Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety
  • Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
  • Report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person (as above)
  • Risk assessments will be undertaken by Health and Safety Representatives at each site, managed by Charlotte Edwardes. The findings will be reported to Jane Knight, who will also be responsible for actions to remove/control risks.

RECORDS, STATISTICS AND MONITORING

Successful Mums Limited will operate systems for recording, analysis and presentation of information about accidents, hazard situations and untoward occurrences. Advice on systems will be provided by the Health and Safety Representative, in conjunction, where appropriate with specialist advisory bodies for example local Environmental Health Departments. Information obtained from the analysis of accident statistics must be acted upon and, where necessary, bids for additional expenditure made to the Founder.

REPORTS TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE

The responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 to the Health and Safety Executive shall rest with the Founder, as delegated to the Health and Safety Representatives.
Charlotte Edwardes is responsible for reporting incidents .

SPECIALIST ADVISORY BODIES

Certain bodies and the individual members of those bodies have always had a Health and Safety role, most notably, the Health & Safety Executive, or local Environmental Health Departments. If further specialist advice is required, this may be obtained from expert individuals or bodies outside of Successful Mums Limited.

First Aid

It is the policy of Successful Mums Limited to make provision for First Aid and the training of ‘First Aiders’ in accordance with the First Aid Regulations (1982). The Health and Safety Representative is responsible for ensuring the Regulations are implemented and for identifying training needs.

FIRE

The Founder is responsible for ensuring that staff receives adequate fire training, and that nominated fire officers are designated in all Company premises.

In addition the Company will nominate a Fire Officer (this may be the Health and Safety Representative or this may be an external body to the Company) to:

  • report and advise on the standard of fire safety in the Company’s premises and the standard of fire training of its staff;
  • undertake overall responsibility for fire training;
  • assist in the investigation of all fires in the Company’s premises and to submit reports of such incidents.
  • Fire equipment is maintained regularly. Successful Mums Limited arranges testing and drills.

CONDEMNATION AND DISPOSAL OF EQUIPMENT

Procedures for the, condemnation and disposal of equipment are set out in the Successful Mums Limited’s Standing Financial Instructions. Staff introducing new equipment should have new equipment checked by the Health and Safety Representative. 

FOOD HYGIENE

The Health and Safety Representatives shall be responsible for any food acquisition, storage, processing and serving, and staff induction and training. In addition, the Health and Safety Representative shall be responsible for ensuring that these functions are undertaken to the necessary legal standards. Any suspected outbreak of food poisoning or other unexplained and possibly food related incidents must be reported to the Health & Safety Representative.

LIFTING AND HANDLING

The Health and Safety Representative will identify specific training needs and will ensure training in lifting and handling is provided to staff.

NON-SMOKING ON COMPANY PREMISES

In line with legislation, Successful Mums Limited has agreed that there will be no smoking in its buildings. The overall aim is to reduce smoking and so save life, reduce risk of fire, prevent unnecessary illness and chronic disability. The rules relating to smoking are available from the Health and Safety Representative.

CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) requires Successful Mums Limited to identify those substances which are in use and which are hazardous to health (as legally defined) and to assess the risk of those substances. Successful Mums Limited must also provide and use controls to prevent exposure to substances hazardous to health; maintain controls by monitoring exposure or by health surveillance of employees; and provide information, instruction and training for employees on all these matters. The appointed Health and Safety Representative is responsible for implementing these Regulations.

COMPUTER INSTALLATIONS AND VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS

All new computer installations must adhere to the British Standard Specifications and comply with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. All new employees operating VDUs are issued with a copy of the Health and Safety Executive Booklet entitled ‘Working with VDUs’. New employees who regularly use VDUs will be required to undergo sight screening.

CONTROL OF WORKING TIME

Successful Mums Limited is committed to the principles of the Working Time Regulations (1998). No member of staff is expected to work more than 48 hours per week (including overtime) unless there are exceptional circumstances. Similarly, all other requirements of the regulations e.g. in relation to breaks, night workers etc. will be complied with by all staff.

HEALTH AND SAFETY AND THE INDIVIDUAL

The Health and Safety at Work Act requires each employee ‘to take reasonable care for the Health and Safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by their acts and omissions’ and co-operate with management to enable management to carry out their responsibilities under the Act. Employees have equal responsibility with Successful Mums Limited for Health and Safety at Work.

The refusal of any employee to meet their obligations will be regarded as a matter to be dealt with under the Disciplinary Procedure. In normal circumstances counselling of the employee should be sufficient. With a continuing problem, or where an employee leaves them self or other employees open to risk or injury, it may be necessary to implement the formal stages of the Disciplinary Procedure.

PEOPLE WORKING ON COMPANY PREMISES NOT EMPLOYED BY THE COMPANY

Persons working in Successful Mums Limited premises who are employed by other organisations are expected to follow Company Health and Safety Policies with regard to their personal safety and their method of work. This responsibility will be included in contracts or working arrangements. Similarly seconded Company employees working in other host premises will be expected to follow the host employers Health and Safety Policy.

VISITORS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Successful Mums Limited wishes to ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable, the Health, Safety and Welfare of visitors to Company establishments will be of the highest standard.

Any member of staff who notices persons acting in a way, which would endanger other staff, should normally inform the Founder. If the danger is immediate, common sense must be used to give warning, call for assistance or give aid as necessary. It is equally important not to over-react to a situation.

CONTRACTORS

Successful Mums Limited wishes to ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable, the Health, Safety and Welfare of Contractors working in the Company’s establishments will be of the highest standards. In addition, Contractors and their employees have an obligation so far as is reasonably practicable to ensure all equipment, materials and premises under their control are safe and without risks to health.

Contractors must also observe Successful Mums Limited’s Fire Safety Procedures. These obligations will be drawn to the attention of the Contractors in the contract document issued to them. In addition the Directors will be identified in the contract as having authority to stop the work of Contractors who are placing themselves, other staff, or visitors at risk. Any member of staff, who judges there is a risk where contractors are working, should inform the Founder immediately.

In tendering, Contractors will be asked to confirm they have a written Health, Safety and Welfare Policy. The Company’s Manager responsible for managing the Contract will also be responsible for monitoring the Health and Safety performance of the Contractor and the Contractor’s performance will be a factor in deciding whether or not to invite the Contractor to tender again.

THE SAFE LEARNER

Successful Mums Limited is committed to support the principles of the Safe Learner, following the six key elements of the Safe Learner Blueprint. All learners are afforded the same rights as employees with regard to working in a safe and healthy environment. We have a separate document detailing our strategy to meet the Safe Learner principles.

SAFEGUARDING

This Policy and procedure should also be looked at in relation to the safeguarding policy and procedures. Any items within the areas of concern within Health and Safety that may reflect on the learners safeguarding and or wellbeing should be also logged on the Safeguarding form.

POLICY REVIEW

This policy shall be reviewed annually and amended accordingly at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

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