Health And Safety Policy
Part 1 – Introduction
This document has been complied to provide information and guidance to all employees on the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and organisational arrangements for implementation of the Policy. The parish council recognises and accepts its responsibility as an employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health, safety and welfare at work of all its employees and others who may be affected by it’s activities. The small number of persons actually employed by the council means that it is not required to have a ‘written’ health and safety policy under the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (section 2 (3)), this document therefore has been developed to provide simple guidance and consistency in the management of occupational safety and health for council employees and parish councillors.
Part 2 – Statement of Health & Safety Policy
2.1 It is the policy of the Council to provide and monitor safe and healthy work environments, safe plant & equipment and safe systems of work for all employees and councillors and to provide such information, training and supervision as may be required for this purpose. The Council also accepts its responsibility for the health and safety of other people who may be affected by its activities.
2.2 The allocation of duties for health & safety matters and the particular arrangements necessary to implement the policy are set out below.
2.3 The council will ensure that persons with particular responsibility under this policy are provided with relevant training to ensure they are competent to undertake those duties and records of such training will be maintained.
Part 3 – The Organisation and Responsibilities
3.1 Overall Responsibility.
The Parish Clerk has overall responsibility for ensuring;
(a) the implementation of this Health and Safety Policy, and;
(b) an annual review of the policy is undertaken and agreed by the council.
3.2 Delegated Responsibility.
In particular the Parish Clerk is responsible for;
(a) establishing safe systems of work and procedures for carrying out the Health and Safety Policy of the Council, incorporating any regulations, approved codes of practice and other relevant legislation,
(b) ensuring that safe working procedures and safe systems of work are implemented by staff and that a safe working environment is provided for them,
(c) ensuring that all employees receive adequate training, information and supervision to maintain safe standards,
(d) ensuring all safety rules are observed and that protective clothing and equipment is worn or used where required,
(e) ensuring that all machinery and equipment is properly maintained and safe to use, and,
(f) ensuring that contractors are selected and appointed in accordance with this policy,
(g) ensuring that premises used for Parish Council activities e.g. regular meetings, are suitable for that use taking into account fire safety and general health and safety considerations,
(h) ensuring that facilities for the storage and safe keeping of Parish Council records and documents are suitable for that use taking into account fire and security arrangements.
3.3 Employees and Parish Councillors have the responsibility to co-operate with the Clerk to achieve a healthy and safe workplace and to take reasonable care of themselves and others.
3.4 Employees and members of the Parish Council are also required to:
(a) make themselves familiar with and conform to the Council’s Health and Safety Policy,
(b) observe safety rules at all times,
(c) where required, wear protective clothing and use appropriate safety devices provided,
(d) report all accidents, injuries to persons and damage to vehicles, plant and equipment to the Clerk,
(e) make themselves aware of the location of first aid facilities,
(f) report all safety hazards as a matter of urgency to the Clerk,
(g) know what to do in the case of fire or other emergency and the location of fire fighting equipment,
(h) maintain good housekeeping at all times,
(i) observe safe standards of behaviour and dress,
(j) avoid any kind of horseplay or practical joking.
3.5 It shall be the duty of staff and councillors to carry out a visual safety inspection of plant and equipment prior to use.
3.6 It shall be the duty of the Clerk to investigate all accidents and to submit a full report to the Chairman of the relevant committee. The Clerk will issue instructions to ensure such accidents are not repeated and where appropriate make recommendation on accident prevention.
3.7 It shall be the responsibility of the Clerk to monitor the maintenance of all equipment and to submit an annual report for consideration by the relevant committee on obsolete machinery.
Part 4 – General Arrangements
4.1 Selection and appointment of contractors.
4.1.1 Where contractors and sub-contractors are engaged by the Council, they must maintain effective control of themselves and those working under them so as to ensure that they comply with the responsibilities and duties set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and any subsequent legislation.
4.1.2 Contractors should ensure that any electrical appliances brought onto Council premises shall be safe, in good working order and used in a safe manner.
4.1.3 Selection of contractors by the Parish Council shall take into account the criteria given in 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 above.
4.2 Accident, Incident reporting and investigation.
4.3.1 The accident book is retained by the Parish Clerk.
4.3Fire Safety.
4.4.1 The Parish Council uses Croft Village Hall for meetings and associated activity although it does not act as the ‘responsible person’ for fire safety purposes. The Clerk ensures that premises used for Parish Council activity have a current and approved fire safety risk assessment with the findings communicated to the Parish Council via the Clerk.
4.4.2 It shall be the responsibility of the Clerk or other named person to ensure that the escape route and passageways are kept clear at all times when the Parish Council is using premises rented for that purpose.
4.4 Training.
4.5.1 It is the policy of this Council that all employees and parish council members shall receive training in all safety aspects of their activities carried out on behalf of the council. Courses, where necessary, shall be held for this purpose.
4.5.2 Induction. It shall be the duty of the Clerk to issue to all newly appointed staff and parish councillors a copy of the Council’s Health
and Safety Policy and such supplements as are applicable to that person’s duties and responsibilities.
4.5.3 It shall be the duty of the Clerk to ensure that all new staff and parish councillors receive adequate training in all safety aspects of their activity undertaken on behalf of the parish council.
4.5 Visitors.
4.6.1 The Parish Council shall ensure that those not in the employment of the Council, including the general public, are not exposed to risk to their safety or health when attending parish council meetings.
4.6 Risk Assessment.
4.7.1 Activity risk assessments. The council recognises that it has a duty to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments of its activities in order to determine whether additional controls are required. These activities are limited to those carried out by the Parish Council Clerk, Parish Councillors and the Handyman. Records of these risk assessments are retained by the Parish Council Clerk.
The parish council approved this statement on the date given below and this has been recorded in the relevant minutes.
Date
Signed on behalf of the Parish Council by the Clerk.