Company Health & Safety Policy

General

It is our policy that all works to be carried out by this company shall be undertaken by trained and competent personnel in such a way as to ensure, so far as reasonably practical, the health and safety and welfare of all employees and all persons who may be affected by our operations. 

We are committed to providing a safe and healthy working and living environment by delivering high quality professional services to our clients, and by taking pro-active measures to ensure the safe execution of all work undertaken.

1. All our staff have the right to a safe working environment.

2. Our clients and the public have a right to a safe environment during the site works.

3. Our staff have a responsibly to work safely and follow safe working practice.

4. Site supervisors are responsible for safety on sites.

5. Safety should never be compromised to meet deadlines or targets

Details of the Company's safety organisation are outlined below.

Safety Organisation Structure

The following shall constitute the Safety Committee:

    Chairman                             Director

    Safety Representative           Director

    Safety Collator                      Office Manager

    Site Safety Co-Coordinator     Project Manager

    On-site Safety Supervisor       Site Supervisor

Company Health and Safety Policy

This is a statement of the general policy of this company with respect to the Health and Safety at Work of our employees, the organisation, and the arrangements that are in force to bring this to the notice of all employees so as to ensure it is followed.

It shall be the duty of every employee while at work:

1) To take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons as may be affected by his acts or omissions at work, and

2) As regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.

It is our policy that the site will be run efficiently and safely, and at a standard where risk to personnel is non-existent (or where this is not completely possible the works shall be carefully controlled to avoid accidents occurring) at all times, whether the personnel involved be Employees, Sub-Contractors, the Client or the Client's Visitors.

Company Safety Rules

The Company views the statutory requirements as the minimum standard acceptable, rather than the maximum.  Prevention of all accidents is the objective of our safety efforts rather than only those where the potential for serious loss is most apparent.  This Company believes that accidents are preventable and are the results of causes related to unsafe and inefficient procedures or methods, unsafe physical conditions, unsafe equipment and unsafe personal acts.  Carelessness and apathy are usually one or more of these factors in combination.  In addition to the statutory requirements, the following safe operating practices and procedures will be rigidly adhered to and enforced.  Sub-contractors in our employ shall be made aware of our safety rules.  Sub-contractors will be given a copy of our Safety Policy and will be required to inform their staff working on our sites so that they abide by it, without exception.

Each employee and Sub-contractor must:

1) Execute his duties in an orderly and tidy manner.

2) Familiarise himself with all aspects of machinery and equipment he may use, taking due care to comply with all specific instructions and safety devices (i.e. never operate machinery/equipment of any kind when a necessary safety device is not fitted).

3) Fully understand all aspects of the Company's Fire Policy and familiarise himself with the positions and operating procedures of any appliances and alarm points.  While on sites, to make themselves aware of the special procedures for that site, and the locations of appliances and alarm points there.  

4) Keep any corridors and Fire Exits free from obstruction.  Similarly, while on sites to keep the fire exits and corridors free from obstruction, and report any violations to the client where such obstructions are outside our responsibility.

5) When visiting construction sites and clients/suppliers premises etc., comply with all safety regulations in force.  This includes signing into the building at Reception or Security, and upon leaving the building.  It also includes obtaining the client's Work Permit and, where appropriate, a Hot Works Permit before starting the work on site, and complying with the associated directions.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment shall be worn without exception whenever necessary.  Arrangements can be made for the purchase of items of personal protective equipment when the issue of these items is not already standard procedure.

Alcohol & Drugs at Work

Alcohol consumption and drug use is on the increase and it is easy to accept their effect on one's reactions and behaviour as normal yet they can seriously affect one's ability to work safely for long periods after consumption.  With approx. 35% of all fatal accidents related to drugs and alcohol, it is our policy that none of our employees be permitted to work if found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and they may face disciplinary action.  Employees are warned not to get drunk the night before and expect to work safely the next day.

If you feel that you or anyone you are working with has difficulties with drink or drugs, report it to your senior immediately.  We will do our best to help, which may include sick leave and assistance in finding suitable treatment.

Everyone is responsible to act if they become aware that drugs or alcohol are affecting safety at work for themselves or others.  If you notice anyone you are working with is under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including many shop medications for colds, allergies, and painkillers that can affect one's ability to work safely) inform your senior immediately.

Sub-Contractors

Any sub-contractors employed by the company must also wear and use suitable safety equipment during installation activities.  If in the opinion of the Company's Safety Co-ordinator, or On-site Safety Supervisor, a subcontractor's employees are not properly equipped to carry out the works safely, they will (at no additional cost to the Company or Client) be asked to leave site and return properly equipped, any loss of production or costs incurred shall be born by subcontractor.

Safety Responsibilities

1.  The Safety Co-ordinators are responsible for the safety function and will report to the Director of the Company on Health and Safety matters at regular intervals.

2.  The Safety Supervisors are responsible for safety on sites, in workshops and in the office.

3.  Site Foremen are appointed as Safety Supervisors for the purposes of the Construction (General Provisions) Regulations 1961.

4.  The employees are responsible for and are expected to involve themselves in safety matters and to report any unsafe equipment, dangerous situations or breaches of the companies' policy and safety rules to their respective Safety Supervisors.

5.  Sub-contractors are required to accept the terms of this Company's safety policy and procedures as their own before work commences on site.

6.  The main function of the appointed Site Safety Co-ordinator will be:
a) To advise the Safety Supervisor concerned of any breach of the Safety Regulations or dangerous practises that comes to his attention.
b) To bring to the attention of the Safety Supervisor concerned advice of improvements and alterations which would benefit and safeguard employees.

7. Any site safety signs will be adhered to and will be inspected as necessary to ensure that they are in the correct position, clean and legible at all times.  Any damaged signs are to be replaced immediately.

 "Remember, every employee has a duty not to interfere or misuse anything provided in the interest of health and safety on the site".

Accident Reporting

All accidents must be reported to the Site Safety Supervisor (Foreman) or his deputy, who in turn must record all details of the incident in the Accident Book.  A copy of this report must be forwarded to the Safety Collator, who will arrange for any necessary notification of the accident to be made to the appropriate authority.  All site accidents must be reported in the client's Accident book as well as our own.

Loss of materials, plant, etc. or damage to plant or property is to be reported immediately to one of the proprietors so that our insurers can be informed promptly.

First Aid

Site supervisors are required to review with any new employees any safety hazards and specific safety rules applicable to the work given to him before putting him to work.  The site supervisor will talk with the new man briefly about safety before he starts work at the site.  The new man shall at this time be fully briefed as to the location of first aid facilities and escape routes, etc.  The Company Safety Committee shall review training needs at all levels within the Company at regular intervals.

Specialist Advice

All legal requirements shall be met and the Company Policy regarding health and/or safety to property and persons, and the regulations with regard to both employer and public liability insurances shall be adhered to.  Before commencement of any work on site, a copy of the customers' health and safety statement and any codes of practice, or requirements laid down therein, should be sought out and followed.