Health & Safety Policy
Purpose
To promote and establish such measures as are reasonably practicable to ensure safety, health and welfare at work for all concerned.
These measures include:
- Providing and maintaining a safe and healthy place and working conditions
- Providing relevant H &S information, training and supervision for staff and volunteers
- Promoting safe working and the use of safety and protective equipment as appropriate
- Ensuring that Trustees, staff and volunteers are aware of and take an active interest in health and safety matters
Implementation
The Trustees of Age Concern Chandler’s Ford have overall responsibility for;
- All health and safety matters and for the safety and welfare of staff, volunteers and clients
- Ensure appropriate training, information and instruction is given to all clients, volunteers or contractors
- Ensuring this policy and related procedures remain relevant and are reviewed at reasonable intervals, at least annually
- Appointing a competent person to assist the Trustees on health and safety matters
Volunteers and clients have a responsibility to;
- Co-operate in working safely and report incidents and unsafe or unhealthy conditions
- Adhere to health and safety instructions and procedures
- Co-operate with investigations into accidents
- Not intentionally, or recklessly interfere with, or misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety.
Fire Safety
All Trustees, staff and volunteers must:
- Be aware of the fire action plan and the escape route(s) to use in an emergency
- Keep all identified fire doors and shutters closed and unobstructed
- Be aware of fire extinguisher locations and ensure that they are not obstructed or interfered with in any way.
- Not hang clothing or other materials over or near fire fighting equipment
- Not allow paper, oil, rags or other rubbish to accumulate
- Not allow smoking or vaping in any part of the premises.
- All flammable materials must be stored in sealed containers at a safe distance from possible sources of ignition
- Switch off at the mains any electrical equipment when not in use
- All gas fired equipment will be inspected annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Advice from the local Fire Brigade will be sought to ensure suitable fire fighting arrangements are in place
- All fire equipment will be serviced annually by a BAFE registered engineer
- Fire evacuation drills will be carried out regularly by volunteer organisations and a record maintained
Electrical Safety
- All fixed wiring will be maintained in a safe condition and tested regularly(minimum frequency 5 yearly)
- Volunteers and clients must use equipment for the purpose it was intended and must not alter it in any way
- Portable equipment will be tested regularly by a competent and qualified electrician, and a record will be maintained
Accident Reporting
- An accident book will be maintained in the first aid box in the kitchen with the First Aid Box.
- All accidents, no matter how small, must be entered by clients, volunteers or contractors
- Any accident of a more serious nature or potential of injury must be reported to a Trustee immediately. An investigation will be undertaken.
- Any accident or dangerous occurrence that is in scope of the HSE guidance will be reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR)
Dealing with Hazards
Actual or potential hazards should be dealt with by:
- Keeping all passages and areas clear and tidy
- Locking areas of danger and putting warning notices in place
- Maintaining chemicals and cleaning materials in safe and secure containers that are labelled and safely stored
- Ensuring correct use of equipment
- Reporting all hazardous conditions
All existing and new members of staff and volunteers must be made aware of these rules and must comply with them.
Respiratory infections, including COVID-19 – government guidance
The Trustees recognise the risk that Covid 19 presents in a community and multi use hall and the precautions that must be undertaken to minimise the risk for all staff, volunteers and users of the hall and it facilities.
As we learn to live safely with coronavirus (COVID-19), there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help to reduce the spread of other respiratory infections, such as flu, which can spread easily and may cause serious illness in some people. COVID-19, along with many other respiratory infections such as influenza (flu), can spread easily and cause serious illness in some people. You may be infected with a respiratory virus such as COVID-19 and not have any symptoms but still pass infection onto others.
The risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 is greatest when someone who is infected is physically close to, or sharing an enclosed and/or poorly ventilated space with, other people. When someone with a respiratory viral infection such as COVID-19 breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, they release small particles that contain the virus which causes the infection. These particles can be breathed in or can come into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. The particles can also land on surfaces and be passed from person to person via touch.
You will not always know whether someone you come into contact with is at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from respiratory infections, including COVID-19. They could be strangers (for example people you sit next to on public transport) or people you may have regular contact with (for example friends and work colleagues).
There are simple things you can do in your daily life that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and protect those at highest risk. Things you can choose to do are:
Get vaccinated.
Let fresh air in if meeting others indoors.
Practise good hygiene:
- wash your hands
- cover your coughs and sneezes
- clean your surroundings frequently
Wear a face covering or a face mask.
Face coverings and face masks can help reduce the chance of you spreading infection to others, especially in crowded and enclosed spaces, and may protect you from becoming infected by some respiratory viruses.
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-safely-with-respiratory-infections-including-covid-19
Any changes to the guidance will be acknowledged and acted upon with immediate effect.
The Covid 19 risk assessment will be displayed on the notice board in the communal area for all staff, volunteers and users.
Policy Review
| Date of Change: | Changed By: | Comments: |
| 06/03/21 | GMN | Annual review in line with agreed frequency addition of Covid 19 policy |
| 05/07/23 | Trustees | Biennial review |
| 23/10/25 | Trustees | Biennial review |