Health and Safety Policy
Last Review: November 2023
Next review: 2025
1. Policy Statement
2. Organisation Structure for Health and Safety
3. Arrangements
1. Policy Statement
Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council recognises that it has a legal duty of care to protect the health and safety of its employees and others who may be affected by the Parish Council’s activities. The Parish Council is committed to meeting its responsibilities to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of its employees, elected Members, contractors, volunteers, agency staff and any other person who may be affected by its activities. Reference to employees also applies to volunteers working on behalf of the Parish Council.
The Policy provides the framework by which the management of health and safety within the Parish Council will be carried out, including all necessary arrangements and organisation. Effective communication and competence throughout the organisation will be essential to the success of the Policy.
To enable the Parish Council to carry out these responsibilities it will, so far as is reasonably practicable, take steps to:
• make the meeting/workplace safe and without risks to health where possible.
• keep dust, fumes, and noise under control.
• ensure that articles and substances are stored, moved, and used safely.
• providing adequate welfare facilities.
• provide such information, instruction, training, and supervision as is needed.
• provide free any protective clothing or equipment required by law and determined by suitable and sufficient risk assessments.
• report certain injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences to the enforcing authority.
• provide adequate first aid facilities.
• consult with staff about matters affecting employees’ health and safety.
The Parish Council delegates the main responsibility for health and safety to the Council’s Clerk/Proper Officer but for this policy to be successful, it is the personal responsibility of each Councillor, employee, elected Member, contractor, volunteer, and agency staff member to:
• take reasonable care in carrying out their activities to minimise the risk to their own health, safety, and welfare and that of their colleagues or others who may be affected by their actions.
• co-operate with the Parish Council and colleagues in the carrying out of their duties to establish safe systems of work.
• bring to the attention of any hazards, dangerous practices, accidents, or incidents of which they become aware.
The allocation for safety matters and the arrangements that the Parish Council will make to implement the policy are set out below. This policy and the way it is operated will be reviewed annually.
This Policy will be supplemented by further policies and procedures relating to work activities.
2. Organisation Structure for Health and Safety
Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council has the ultimate responsibility for the Health and Safety within the Parish Council and will:
a. Take appropriate preventative/protective measures.
b. Provide adequate and competent supervisions of all activities involving risk.
c. Establish and maintain systems for consulting staff, members and voluntary workers about health and safety issues.
d. Ensure all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided to employees and that they are trained in its use and proper maintenance and storage.
e. Encourage all staff to set a high standard of health and safety management.
f. Ensure all contractors comply with the necessary health and safety standards and produce the relative insurance certificate.
g. Maintain accurate records of accidents and other events with health and safety implications.
Employees will:
a. Take responsibility for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
b. Report any health and safety problems that arise which they are unable to resolves themselves.
c. Carry out their duties in a way that does not affect their own health and safety and that of others and to ensure that PPE is used at the appropriate times.
d. Undertake any training and instructions in health and safety related to subject to ensure that they are competent to carry out their duties safely.
3. Arrangements
• Accidents/occurrences
To be reported to the Clerk for noting in the accident book. If the clerk suffered the incident, then a Councillor (Chair/Deputy preferably) should be notified.
• First Aid box is in the Village Hall.
• Safety Training
All staff are to be given the relevant training at the relevant time.
• Fire Precautions
Councillors and Staff are to be aware of fire exits, assembly points and actions to be taken in the event of a fire.
• Electrical Safety
All portable appliances are to be checked annually by a qualified electrical contractor.
• Vehicle Safety
No person to drive or operate machinery on Parish Council business unless authorised to do so and holding the appropriate licence. Vehicles are only to be used for the purposes intended.
• Manual Handling
No employee is expected to lift over 25kg male or 16 kg female without assistance. All staff that maybe involved in physical handling will be trained in the correct procedures to adopt.
• Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
All employees are to receive training in the correct use of DSEs.
• Play Area Equipment
All playground is to be inspected at least once a month and the necessary form completed. Any defect must be reported to the Clerk immediately. An annual survey and report is to be carried out by an approved agent. Recommendations made in the report must be brought to the attention of the Parish Council and appropriate action taken.
• Risk Assessments
The Clerk will ensure that all activities subject to risk assessment are assessed in accordance with the relevant legislation. Assessments will be recorded, and records maintained by the Clerk.