S&W DESIGN AND BUILD LIMITED HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

INTRODUCTION

We believe that it is in the interest of all who work for the business as a whole that we provide healthy and safe working conditions. We will make, use and transport our product safely. We believe that safe management is good management and should be measured alongside other management objectives. We recognise that accidents cause injury and suffering to people and damage to property, plant and product and that they are preventable. We will ensure that our business is managed safely. We will provide a safe and healthy working environment. We regard Government legislation and Codes of Practice as minimum standards which should be improved upon where it is reasonable to do so. We aim for excellence in safety performance. We all have responsibility to safeguard ourselves and our actions, either by instruction or example and must not put other people or company plant or property at risk.

 

OJECTIVES

We will ensure that each of us is provided with the skill, resources and motivation to understand and fulfil our part in contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. This will achieve:

  • The provision of a safe and healthy environment and safe working procedures.
  • The avoidance of injuries.
  • The control of loss and damage to plant, property, products and the environment.

To achieve these objectives, S&W will:

  • Review safety performance on a regular basis.
  • Provide sufficient resources for safety training.
  • Provide specialist support to line management through Health & Safety Committee.
  • Review policy regularly.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

All Employees

Every person, regardless of their position, has a legal duty of care to other people. This liability cannot be passed on to another person, nor delegated. There are also specific duties under certain Regulations and Codes of Practice. Overall responsibility for S&W’s Health & Safety policy and performance rests with the Director and his management team. Responsibility for establishing and maintaining the policy rests with the Health and Safety Committee.

The Director will:

Ensure that his managers know and accept their responsibilities and accountabilities.
Set measurable safety standards and timescales for managers.
Ensure that safety standards are established and that they meet or exceed legal requirements.
Review each quarter safety performance produced by Health & Safety Committee.
Provide an organisation and resources to put the objectives into effect.

The Engineering Manager

Will be accountable for the health and safety of all employees and for contractors and visitors to site. Ensure that members of the public outside the site boundary are not put at risk as a result of business activities within his control. Ensure that the managers understand, accept and fulfil their responsibilities and accountabilities. Plan, set up and review health and safety programmes. Ensure that accountabilities and targets of the management team include measureable and achievable health and safety items within a reasonable timescale. Monitor the performance of the management team and the safety programme. Ensure that new or refurbished plant is not operated until it meets current health and safety standards, and the operators have received adequate training in safe operation. Provide a training resource for all levels of employee to ensure that they are adequately informed and skilled in health and safety matters.

S&W Management

These managers are responsible for and will be held accountable for health and safety matters within their control. As part of a management team they have the objectives of achieving zero accident rate and will:

Ensure that all personnel under their control know and accept their accountabilities for health and safety and that they are equipped to achieve their objectives.
Clearly define safe operating procedures and ensure that they are understood and observed.
Operate with all company and local statutory standards.
Ensure that employees are properly trained.
Ensure that accident, incident and injury investigations are carried out promptly and competently in accordance with statutory and company requirements.
Examine all reports and ensure that remedial action is implemented without delay.
Report to the Health and Safety committee any issues which require remedy which are outside their responsibility. Supervision has a unique and important role to play in safety management.

They will:

Set an example by working safely and competently.
Take immediate action to stop any unsafe practice or procedure.
Understand the legal and company requirements and co-operate in their implementation.
Ensure that new starters or casual workers receive sufficient safety training before starting work.
Ensure that their operators are provided with proper and suitable protective clothing.
Investigate all accidents, incidents and injuries in line with standing instructions.
Act promptly to remedy any hazard brought to their attention by their operators.

All Employees will:

Co-operate with management so that the health and safety objectives can be met.
Ensure that they understand the safety rules and procedures relating to their work.
Always behave in a safe manner and not place themselves or others at risk.
Report promptly any unsafe conditions or practices.
Wear any protective clothing or equipment provided, take good care of it and report defects promptly.
Co-operate in the investigation into accidents and incidents.

Site Supervision/Project Engineers

This definition covers personnel who have responsibility for the installation of operation of plant and services.

They will:

Ensure that the specification of plant or equipment meets health and safety standards.

Ensure that contractors engaged to install plant or services are fully aware of the general and local rules governing the safe behaviour of contractors.

Ensure that during the commissioning stage of plant and services, the operation is conducted safely and that the requirement to provide effective guarding is constantly observed.

Ensure that information concerning the safe operation, maintenance and servicing of the plant is provided to line management.

In co-operation with the site management, ensure that adequate training of operators is carried out before the plant or service is handed over.

CDM Projects – Projects will need to be evaluated to see if CDM Regulations apply where the following responsibilities would need to be established.

CDM co-ordinators – A ‘CDM co-ordinator’ has to be appointed to advise the client on projects that last more than 30 days or involve 500 person days of construction work. The CDM co-ordinator’s role is to advise the client on health and safety issues during the design and planning phases of construction work.

Designers – The term ‘designer’ has a broad meaning and relates to the function performed, rather than the profession or job title. Designers are those who, as part of their work, prepare design drawings, specifications, bills of quantities and specification of articles and substances. This could include architects, engineers and quantity surveyors.

Principal contractors – A ‘principal contractor’ has to be appointed for projects which last more than 30 days or involve 500 person days of construction work. The principal contractor’s role is to plan, manage and co-ordinate health and safety while construction work is being undertaken. The principal contractor is usually the main or managing contractor for the work.

Contractors – A ‘contractor’ is a business who is involved in construction, alteration, maintenance or demolition work. This could involve building, civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, demolition and maintenance companies, partnerships and the self-employed.

Workers – A worker could be for example, a plumber, electrician, scaffolder, painter, decorator, steel erector, as well as those supervising the work, such as a foreman and charge-hands.

 

HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE

Be accountable for all aspects of health and safety both in the workplace and on site.
Ensure that the managers understand, accept and fulfil their responsibilities and accountabilities.
Plan, set up and review health and safety programme.
Ensure that accountabilities and targets of the management team include measurable and achievable health and safety items within a reasonable timescale. Monitor the performance of the Management team and the safety programme.
Provide a training resource for all levels of employee to ensure that they are adequately informed and skilled in health and safety matters.
Produce a report of safety performance and of the safety programme every quarter and communicate this to employees. This will be via the Health and Safety board or memos.

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORTING

Regular reporting will be done every quarter and the results will be provided at the Health and Safety committee meetings. A report should be produced for each location showing:

  • Reportable accidents.
  • Days lost due to injury.
  • Number of employees on site.
  • Accidents/incidents ratio.
  • Health and Safety awareness activity (e.g. training etc.)

Reporting accidents should be subdivided as follows:

  • Contact with moving machinery.
  • Struck by moving object.
  • Struck against stationary object.
  • Slips, trips or falls.
  • Lifting or carrying.
  • Fall from height.
  • Trapped by object collapsing or overturning.
  • Exposure to or contact with harmful substances.
  • Other.

 

STAFF TRAINING

It is a company policy that all employees will receive the training required so that they can undertake their duties in a safe manner and with regard to safety of others. Training will be regularly reviewed and any refresher training required will be arranged. Employees are encouraged to identify their own requirements to ensure that they are fully conversant with new legislation. Training requirements will initially be identified at the induction stage and then reviewed regularly.

 

STAFF WELFARE FACILITIES

Employees will be provided with toilet and washing facilities both at our premises in March and also at our clients’ sites. Changing facilities will also be provided as will a canteen area for staff to use during their breaks. Drinks and snack vending machines are provided at our premises at March and a kitchen area is available separate to the canteen area which has a refrigerator and microwave for staff to use. Staff may be permitted to use clients’ canteen facilities when working on site but they should confirm with their supervisor in advance.

The company will arrange for work wear to be laundered weekly at its own expense.

The company’s premises are cleaned daily.

 

EQUIPMENT SAFETY

The Engineering Manager has responsibility for ensuring all our tools and equipment are safe and comply with health and safety legislation. The Engineering Manager will carry out a risk assessment for all work equipment highlighting action required to reduce risks and ensure that these control measures are put in place. The Engineering Manager will institute a regular maintenance programme for all tools and equipment and will promptly address any issues raised. Any maintenance work must only be undertaken by authorised personnel. The Engineering Manager will also institute a regular preventative maintenance programme e.g. servicing of crane in line with the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.

The Project Engineer responsible for a particular project will ensure that the correct equipment is available to staff to enable them to undertake the work required. Any new machinery purchased will be CE marked and will have an EC Declaration of Conformity. All new equipment must be supplied with instructions which are readily available to operators. Staff must not operate work equipment without being fully trained in its use.

Any hired in equipment must be supplied with the required instructions and staff should not operate it without being fully trained in its use.

Staff should not use any equipment that is defective in any way and must report this to their Line Manager immediately.

 

PERSONNEL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PROVISION

The company will provide all employees with the personnel protective equipment necessary for them to undertake their work safely. All new employees whose work requires them to have personnel protective equipment will be issued with the following during their induction.

  • Safety boots
  • Overalls
  • Hard hat
  • Hi viz waistcoat
  • Ear plugs
  • Ear defenders
  • Dust masks
  • Safety glasses
  • Safety gloves

All employees involved in welding activities will be issued with welding screens and gauntlets. If any of their personal protective equipment is damaged or has become worn, employees should advise their Line Manager immediately so that it can be replaced.

All Project Engineers must familiarise themselves with the requirements of our clients when working on their sites in respect of personnel protective equipment required and must ensure that all employees working on those sites have the required equipment prior to works commencing.

 

MANUAL HANDLING

Employees will be provided with guidance on manual handling at their induction but a summary is provided below and training will be provided if required.

Manual handling should be avoided if at all possible. Handling aids such as pallet truck or hoist should be used if appropriate. Loads should be assessed prior to handling so that potential problems are identified e.g. twisting, stooping, and ways of reducing the risk of injury are adopted i.e. using a lifting aid, reducing the amount of twisting/stooping. The working environment should be considered prior to manual handling i.e. removing obstructions, avoiding steps, improving lighting.

 

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SAFETY, INCLUDING STORAGE

The company recognises its responsibility for taking effective control measures to control employees’ exposure to substances hazardous to health. The company uses substances during the course of its work which can be harmful but any ill health caused by these substances is preventable by proper use and control of the substance. The Engineering Manager is responsible for risk assessing all such products and for implementing control measures to ensure that the risk to health is minimised.

Staff must ensure that they use all control equipment supplied i.e. dust extraction and that personal protective equipment is worn at all times.

All hazardous substances are stored under lock and key in a suitable container. Access is controlled by the Workshop Manager. Staff requiring to use any of these hazardous substances must make their request via the Workshop Manager who will issue staff with safety data sheets and details of our control measures for all products that may be hazardous to health.

ACCIDENT/FIRE SAFETY PROCEDURE/FIRST AID PROVISION

The Engineering Manager shall be responsible for administering this procedure and shall carry out random audits as necessary to ensure that the implementation and controls are effective and satisfactory. The Engineering Manager shall also be responsible for reviewing the Accident Report Books and where necessary implementing action to reduce/prevent reoccurrence, carrying out a full investigation into any incident reported and for submitting a full report to the Managing Director.

 

Reporting to RIDDOR

The Engineering Manager will be responsible for reporting in the prescribed manner to the Health and Safety Executive any incidents brought to his/her attention that are required to be advised to them under current legislation.

The Line Managers shall be responsible for the implementation and operating control of this procedure and shall ensure compliance by all employees, Contractors and their personnel.

Employees, Contractors and their personnel shall be responsible for complying with this procedure.

 

Reporting and Recording Accidents

S&W premises have an Accident book for the recording of Accidents. The recording of accidents in the Accident Book is the responsibility of the relevant Line Manager. The Accident Book is located in Administration together with the medical and first aid supplies. Any accidents, which are of a more serious nature, will be recorded on a separate form which will include details of witnesses and statements following interviews by the safety officer.

A notice shall be prominently displayed giving details of:

  • Address of local hospital with a casualty department.
  • Address of nearest doctor.
  • Procedure for calling an ambulance.

It shall be the responsibility of all personnel to co-operate with Management and Supervision to make the work place as safe as possible and all personnel shall:

Observe the Company Health and Safety policy and procedures. Wear appropriate safety equipment and use appropriate safety devices. Report to the Line Manager all accidents to themselves whilst on facility. Report to their immediate superior any observed accident or “near miss” and any damage to property or equipment.

Where the accident or injury requires medical/hospital attention which is beyond the capability available at the S&W premises, arrangements shall be made for transportation of the injured person to hospital either by car or ambulance (dependent upon the nature of the injury).

IF IN DOUBT CALL THE AMBULANCE

All “lost time” incidents and injuries requiring outside medical attention shall be reported to the Engineering Manager.

 

Fire Safety Procedure

The fire evacuation procedures will be practiced at least annually.

Training will be provided, as necessary, to any staff given extra fire safety responsibilities, such as fire marshals.

All new members of staff and temporary employees will be provided with induction training on how to raise the alarm and the available escape routes.

All escape routes will be clearly signposted and kept free of obstructions at all times.

All fire-related equipment will be regularly serviced and maintained; if any employee notices defective or missing equipment, they must report it to the Administration Assistant.

Alarm systems will be tested regularly; staff will be told when a test is scheduled.

Any other safety systems will be checked regularly to ensure correct operation, where necessary, e.g. emergency lighting, fire exit doors.

 

Procedure in the event of fire

On discovering a fire

If you discover a fire, raise the alarm immediately. If you have been trained and feel that it is safe to do so, attempt to fight the fire using the equipment provided. If this fails, evacuate immediately. Ensure that no-one is left in the room and close the door behind you. Proceed immediately to your designated Fire Assembly Point.

If you hear the fire alarm

Operate any essential shutdown devices, e.g. machinery. Report to your designated assembly point. If you are with a visitor, ensure they accompany you.

Fire Marshalls

Encourage staff around you to evacuate and to proceed to their designated assembly point. Report to the person in charge.

Person in Charge

Gather all information regarding the evacuation. Establish if it is a genuine fire or false alarm. Ensure that the fire brigade has been called. Liaise with the fire brigade on its arrival.

First Aid Provision

S&W is required to provide adequate and appropriate facilities and equipment to enable first aid to be rendered to individuals if they become injured or ill at work.

The responsibility for the assessment of first aid requirements lies with the Office Manager.

S&W will arrange for selected personnel to attend a first aid training course.

The level of first aid provision should be determined on the basis of the likelihood, at any particular workplace, of injuries arising which will require first aid treatment. The number of first aiders needed should therefore be determined on the basis of an overall appraisal of the premises’ risks, taking into account the following factors:

  • The nature of the work
  • Any specific workplace hazards
  • Any specific working arrangements
  • The number of employees (and others, if applicable) present at any one time.

The level of first aid can vary to reflect:

  • Changes in occupancy and work activity
  • Individuals working alone or in small groups
  • The ability and experience of the staff
  • The distribution of the workforce
  • Individuals potentially at greater risk eg young workers
  • The distance from other appropriate help or emergency services.
  • The accident history

The selection of first-aiders depends on a number of factors, including an individual’s:

  • Reliability, disposition and communication skills
  • Aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills
  • Ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures

Normal duties. These should be such that they may be left to go immediately and rapidly to an emergency.

The purpose of training is to equip candidates to deal effectively with injuries or illness which may occur at work. The key objective is that, on completion of training, successful candidates will be able to apply the competencies for the particular course they have been nominated for.

First Aid Box

A first aid box is located in the workshop and in the office kitchen. First Aid Boxes for the workplace should be the correct colour to comply with the latest legislation, i.e. a white cross on a green background. It should be of a suitable material designed to protect the contents from damp and dust.

The Administration Assistant is responsible for ensuring that the contents of the first aid box are replenished. They will check the contents of the box on a weekly basis. A list of the contents of the first aid box is located in the office kitchen.

There are signs located on the office kitchen door and the workshop main door indicating the location of the first aid boxes.

February 2020