Health and Safety Policy.
My Time for Young Carers takes the maintenance of health and safety extremely seriously as a matter of both legal and moral importance. We aim to create a safe and healthy environment for our members, volunteers, staff and visitors. All staff are required to familiarise themselves with the provisions contained within this policy as part of their induction are expected to act in accordance with this policy at all times.
My Time for Young Carers will highlight staff and volunteers responsibilities to health and safety issues in the following way:
During induction meeting
By providing a copy of the Health & Safety Policy
By providing a copy of risk assessments and responsibilities for unique activities
By providing training
By providing updates and learning.
Legislation
We aim to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all members, volunteers, staff, visitors and other individuals who may be affected by the organisation’s activities and actual existence. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety Work Regulations 1999 set the standards that must be met to ensure the health and safety of all employees and others who may be affected by any work activity.
Other regulations that exist to cover work activities that carry specific risks, for example, fire, first aid, computer work, electricity and equipment will be adhered to.
These include the following:
The Workplace, (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The board of Trustees will always strive to go beyond the minimum statutory standards to ensure that health and safety remains the first priority.
The steps below will be action as a matter of course:
• Create an environment that is safe and without risk to health.
• Prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health.
• Use, maintain and store equipment safely.
• Ensure that all staff are competent in the work in which they are engaged.
Responsibilities of the Management Committee, Staff and Volunteers
The identification, assessment and control of hazards within the organisation are vital in reducing accidents and incidents. Both the Chair and one other designated member of the board of Trustees are responsible for assessing risks to health and safety arising out of the organization's activities and introducing suitable steps to eliminate or control any such risk identified.
Name of Chair: Rev. Roger Jones
Name of designated person............................................................................................................
The board of Trustees holds the ultimate responsibility and liability for ensuring that the organisation operates in a safe and hazard free manner. The Chair along with the other designated person is responsible for ensuring that all those involved with the project understand and accept their responsibilities in relation to health and safety procedures.
The Management Committee will ensure that adequate arrangements exist for the following:
• Monitoring the effectiveness of the Health and Safety policy and authorising any necessary revisions to its provisions.
• Providing adequate resources, including financial, as is necessary to meet the organisations health and safety responsibilities.
• Providing adequate health and safety training for all staff.
• Ensuring that all accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences are adequately reported and recorded (including informing the Health and Safety Executive where appropriate).
• Reviewing all reported accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences, and the organisations response, to enable corrective measures to be implemented.
• Ensuring that all staff, students, volunteers and any other adult who come into contact with children at the organisation has appropriate DBS checks.
It is vital to ensure that health and safety matters are taken seriously by all members of staff and other persons who are affected by the organisation’s activities. Any staff member who has been found to have blatantly disregarded safety instructions or recognised safe practices will be subject to the procedures laid out in the Staff Disciplinary Procedures policy.
The Chair will ensure that:
• An additional designated member of staff is made jointly responsible with them for the health and safety and risk assessment provisions at the organisation, as set out in this and other policies.
• Regular safety inspections are carried out and the reports accurately logged.
• Any action required as a result of a health and safety inspection is taken as rapidly as possible.
• Information received on health and safety matters is distributed to the Trustees and all members of staff.
• An investigation is carried out on all reported accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences.
• Staff members and volunteers are adequately trained to fulfil their role within the Health and Safety policy.
Everyone involved in the service delivery of My Time for Young Carers is responsible for ensuring that the provisions of the Health and Safety policy is adhered to at all times. As such, they are required to:
• Have regard for the Health and Safety policy and their responsibilities under it.
• Have regard for any health and safety guidance issued by the Chair or the designated member of staff, and act upon it whenever appropriate.
• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety as well as of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
• Take all reasonable care to see that the equipment and premises that are used by members and visitors and the activities that are carried out at the organisation, are safe.
• Report any accidents, incidents or dangerous occurrences that have led to, or may in the future be likely to lead to, injury or damage, and assist in the investigation of any such events.
• Undergo relevant health and safety training when instructed to do so by the Chief Executive Officer.
Report any matter of concern regarding the Health and Safety policy to the board of Trustees.
Insurance
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, places a number of legal responsibilities on organisations. My Time for Young Carers will have insurance cover appropriate to our duties under this legislation, including Employer’ Liability Insurance; Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 for those employed by My Time. Responsibility will, in most cases, rest with the organisation, but staff will take reasonable care, both for themselves and other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. If the organisation is held responsible for any incident that may occur, public liability insurance will cover compensation.
Liability
Under provisions contained in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, the organisation has a duty to ensure that both members and any visitors are kept reasonably safe. The parties named in the wording of the premises contract are responsible for this duty.
The organisation’s full responsibilities and procedures in respect of Health and Safety are contained in this policy, alongside the relevant sections of the following policies:
• Staffing
• Physical Environment
• Equipment
• Risk Assessment
• Site Security
• Fire Safety
• Visits and holiday activities
• Health, Illness and Emergency
• Hygiene
• Managing Behaviour
• Child Protection or Adults at Risk
• Documentation and Information