Health & Safety Policy

Health and Safety Policy

Health and Safety Policy

(updated 2nd April 2019)

1 Introduction

1.1 This policy sets out the ways in which Hen Corner will:

  • Comply with statutory requirements as set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and all other relevant health and safety legislation
  • Promote the occupational health and safety of all its team members, volunteers, directors, visitors and customers
  • Identify hazards and risks
  • Report and investigate accidents
  • Monitor and review the health and safety of team members, volunteer, visitors and customers

1.2 Hen Corner’s Health and Safety Policy has been based on and meets statutory requirements as set out in the following legislation:

  • The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
  • The Health and Safety (First Aid at Work) Regulations 1981
  • The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
  • The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
  • Display screen equipment regulations 1992

2 Policy Statement

2.1 Statutory Requirements

Hen Corner is committed to meeting its moral and legal responsibilities to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all its team members, volunteers, visitors and customers.  Hen Corner will provide healthy and safe working conditions, equipment and systems.

The following information in this section sets out the legal duty Hen Corner has and how we will address common health and safety issues.  Detailed information and mitigation of specific hazards and risks is found in the Hen Corner Risk Assessment

2.2 Building and Premises

Hen Corner will ensure that:

  • All buildings, plant and equipment meet statutory requirements and that any remedial action is carried out without delay and that any unsafe equipment is safely immobilised.
  • All subcontractors who are to work with  Hen Corner are made aware of all safety procedures and any hazards applicable to the areas in which they work.

2.3 Display Screen Equipment

In line with relevant legislation, Hen Corner will complete a workstation risk assessment for office-based employees to ensure that desk and IT equipment is suitable, safe and won’t cause injury.  Workstation assessments are to be completed every 12 months.

2.4 Personal Safety

All team members are expected to take responsibility for their own personal safety at all times.  Any additional team members working with Hen Corner will be confirmed and briefed in advance by the Team Leader.

2.5 Visitors to Hen Corner

Visitors may not be aware of the risks associated within the site, in particular growing sites, livestock (chickens) and bees, therefore all visitors must:

  • Arrange visits in advance, records to be kept by team leader
  • Be escorted by a team member at all times
  • Be made aware by the senior person of any safety provisions that may affect them and made aware of any hazardous process or situation to which they may be exposed.

2.6 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

In accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Hen Corner will:

  • Ensure that all chemicals are stored out of sight and reach of visitors, customers and children.
  • Maintain an up to date list of all chemicals brought in to the workplace and ensure that all products are used and stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
  • Train employees in the safe use of chemicals before using them in the workplace.
  • Employees, volunteers and visitors will be removed from an area while substances hazardous to health are being used.
  • Employees/volunteers consent should be obtained prior to exposing them to work with substances that could potentially have a hazardous effect.
  • Appropriate protective clothing and equipment will be provided by Hen Corner for use while working with substances hazardous to health

2.7 Manual Handling

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 covers the transporting or supporting of loads by hand or bodily force. This includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying and moving.

 

Hen Corner will provide employees and volunteers with necessary and regular training on manual handling.  Where manual handling may risk injuring an team member or volunteer, an assessment will be made as to the most appropriate way to remove or reduce the risk of injury.  Information will be provided on each handling load and an indication of the heaviest side.

2.8 Provision and Use of Equipment

Hen Corner is committed to providing safe work equipment for all team members and volunteers. All team and volunteers will be given the necessary training in the safe use and storage of equipment relevant to their role by an appointed, competent person. All equipment will conform to statutory requirements, be regularly tested and well maintained by an appointed, competent person.

2.9 Fire Prevention and Emergency Procedures

Hen Corner is our family home, all users of the premises are expected to minimise the risk of fire through common sense and good practise. The home is fitted with smoke alarms which are hard wired in and has domestic fire doors. There is a fire blanket stored in the kitchen. In the event of fire, it should be extinguished if safe to do so, all people should evacuate the property and the fire brigade should be called on 999.

2.10 First Aid at Work

The Team Leader is the First Aid officer for Hen Corner.  Necessary training will be provided and the First Aid officer will be responsible for:

  • Administering first aid where necessary
  • Recording accidents in the Accident Report Book when they occur and supplies used from the First Aid Box
  • Routinely checking and replacing supplies in all first aid boxes as required
  • Clearly marking the location of first aid boxes and notifying employees and volunteers
  • Routinely identifying and assessing workplace hazards and risks

2.11 Personal Protective Equipment

Appropriate protective equipment and clothing will be provided for team members, volunteers and visitors by Hen Corner.  Training in the safe use and storage of this equipment will be provided by an appointed, competent person. Daily cleaning and maintenance of protective clothing is the responsibility of the person it has been issued to and expenses incurred will be reimbursed by Hen Corner.

2.12 Smoke Free

Hen Corner maintains a No Smoking policy in all places of work.  Places of work include the buildings gardens and vehicles. The No Smoking policy applies to all team members, directors, volunteers, contractors, customers, members and visitors whilst engaged in Hen Corner business.

 

3 Promoting Health and Safety

3.1 Hen Corner will take the following steps to ensure health and safety standards are understood and consistently implemented in all work locations:

  • Verbally inform all new team members and volunteers about health and safety as part of their induction
  • Provide access to an electronic copy of the Health and Safety Policy for all team members and volunteers
  • Request feedback from team members and volunteers for annual review of Health and Safety Policy
  • Undertake risk assessments for Hen Corner activities, both on site and off site, on a 12 month basis and feedback findings to all team members and volunteers

4 Identifying Hazards and Risks

To maintain a safe and healthy work environment, Hen Corner will make regular assessments at a minimum 12 month period of:

  • Risks to team members health and safety
  • Risks to others from the organisation’s activities;
  • Risk posed by fire;
  • Particular risks to young persons and vulnerable people.

Risk assessments will be reviewed every 12 months or sooner in the event that:

  • A change in legislation occurs
  • A change in control measures is implemented
  • A significant change in work is undertaken
  • Activities and tasks are transfer to new technology

Risk assessments will be signed by the Team Leader, filed and stored at Hen Corner and communicated with all team members and volunteers.  All risk assessments are made available for inspection by request and are on the website HenCorner.com. Hen Corner shall make and give effect to any appropriate arrangements for the effective planning, implementation, monitoring and review of any preventive or protective measures identified as a result of risk assessments.

5 Reporting and Investigating Accidents

5.1 Reporting accidents

All accidents, no matter how minor, will be reported to the Team Leader and recorded in the Hen Corner Accident Report Book (ARB).  The ARB is located on the dresser in the conservatory at Hen Corner. Supplies used from the First Aid Box will also be recorded in the ARB.

Dangerous occurrences, near misses and unsafe behaviour will be reported to the Team Leader as soon as possible after the event.  Deliberate unsafe behaviour may lead to a written warning for team members and volunteers.

The Team Leader will report any of the following serious incidents to the Health and Safety Executive within 10 days using form F2508:

  • Death of any person due to work activity
  • Major injury to a person at work
  • Incapacity of a person at work for more than 3 days
  • Fracture (other than to fingers or toes)
  • Amputation
  • Dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine;
  • Loss of sight (temporary or permanent);
  • Electric shock burn leading to hospital or unconsciousness;
  • Hospitalised for more than 24 hours

5.2 Incident investigation

Hen Corner’s Team Leader has responsibility for investigating health and safety incidents.  In the event that the Team Leader is directly involved in an incident, investigation responsibilities will be carried out by the owner of the property known as Hen Corner.

All accidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses will be investigated (where possible and reasonably practicable) within 48 hours.  An Incident Investigation Report is to be completed by the Team Leader and filed next to the Accident Report Book. The Accident Reporting Book and Incident Investigation Report will be used to modify workplace practices quickly where necessary and will form the basis of annual reviews to Hen Corner Health and Safety Policy.

 

6 Monitoring and Review

6.1 Monitoring

Hen Corner’s Team Leader will monitor health and safety procedures on a daily basis.  Health and Safety will be a standing item at all team meetings.

6.2 Review

The Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed annually. Risk assessments, the Accident Report Book and incident investigation findings will form the basis of each annual review.  team members and volunteers will be consulted for their views and feedback.

6.3 Roles and responsibilities

Health and safety in the workplace is the responsibility of all who are involved in the business.  Health and safety procedures and rules are only effective when everyone understands and implements them consistently.  The following outlines key areas of responsibility for all individuals engaged with Hen Corner.

Team Leader

The Team Leader has day to day responsibility for health and safety matters in the workplace, including:

  • Implementing safe methods of working and provision of protective clothing
  • Undertaking risk assessments
  • First Aid
  • Inducting new team members and volunteers and providing information on health and safety practices  
  • Fire precautions and emergency procedures
  • Investigating accidents, dangerous occurrences and recommending means of preventing recurrence
  • Advising and assisting with safety training of personnel
  • Ensuring that no operation carried out by contractors will place team members, volunteers, visitors and members of the public at risk.

Team Members and Volunteers Responsibilities

Each team member and volunteer is required to take reasonable care for the health and safety of him/herself and of other persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work.  Each team member and volunteer is required to co-operate with Hen Corner’s management to enable full implementation of health and safety practices in the workplace. Not doing so may result in a written warning.

Team members and volunteers are to engage fully in the induction process at Hen Corner and familiarise themselves with all policies and practices as set out in this document and associated risk assessments.  Team members and volunteers are encouraged to ask questions and request additional information on health and safety at any time. Adequate training and instruction will be provided.

All team members and volunteers will ensure that:

  • All accidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses are immediately reported to Hen Corner Team Leader
  • Where any team member identifies any condition, which in his or her opinion is hazardous, the situation will be immediately reported to the Team Leader
  • They are fully conversant with all fire procedures applicable to the area in which they are working.
  • All equipment provided for personal safety shall be used and maintained in a condition fit for that use, and any defects reported immediately to management.
  • They observe standards of dress consistent with safety and/or hygiene.
  • They are willing to undertake any training deemed necessary and provided by Hen Corner

6.4 Complaints

Formal and informal consultation regarding health and safety will take place between team members. A team member with a health and safety concern must inform their line manager in the first instance. If after investigation, the problem is not corrected in a reasonable time or the line manager decides that no further action is required and the employee is dissatisfied with the response, the employee may then refer the matter to the Team Leader.