Health & Safety

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Health and Safety Policy 

Introduction 

This policy is written within the framework of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974  and its subsequent Regulations. A copy of this policy should be displayed in the main office. 

It will be reviewed, added to, or modified from time to time and may be supplemented in  appropriate cases by further statements related to the work of the Charity. Copies and  subsequent amendments will be made available to all employees and volunteers. 

The success of this Policy depends on the active support of all employees and volunteers to  achieve its objectives. 

Ozer umagen recognises the need for a well-defined policy setting out the standards it aims to achieve for protecting the Health and Safety of staff, volunteers, young people and  others. 

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the organisation and arrangements for achieving this  aim including the detailed responsibilities for key staff. 

Policy Statement 

Ozer Umagen will provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, volunteers, young  people and visitors; this will be achieved by implementing the health and safety objectives  detailed in this Policy. 

Ozer Umagen will provide for its employees and volunteers whilst working on the premises  or elsewhere: 

• Safe machinery and equipment, including vehicles; 
• Articles and substances for use at work that are safe when properly used, stored,  handled and transported 
• Information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees to work safely without risk to their health; 
• Premises and places of work that are well maintained, have safe access and egress for all and are without risk to health & safety; 
• Adequate welfare facilities 

Although the prime responsibility for health and safety under the Health and Safety at  Work Act lies with Ozer Umagen, as the employer, high standards of health and safety can  only be achieved with the full co-operation and awareness of all staff.

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Organisation and Responsibilities 

Health and Safety is the responsibility of all staff, these responsibilities are outlined in  below. 

Chief Executive 

The Chief Executive is responsible for the following: 

• Producing the Charity’s Health & Safety Policy. This shall include a statement of  intent, individual health and safety responsibilities, and the organisation,  arrangements and procedures; 
• Implementing and monitoring the Health & Safety Policy. 
• Establishing and maintaining systems within the Charity to ensure that health &  safety is effectively managed; 
• Allocating sufficient resources to enable health and safety to be successfully  managed; 
• This Policy is brought to the attention of all staff and volunteers; 
• Making arrangements for informing staff, volunteers and young people of relevant  safety procedures. 
• Accidents are investigated and reported using the established procedures; • Consult with staff on health and safety issues; 
• Training needs are identified and met; 
• Assessments for all risks to health and safety are carried out and the significant  findings recorded, with appropriate preventative measures being taken; • Fire precautions and procedures are implemented (including fire drills); • New employees and volunteers receive appropriate health and safety information,  instructions and training, including details of this Policy, fire and other safety  procedures; 
• Regular health and safety inspections of the premises are carried out. 

Fire Wardens (or fire stewards) 

Fire wardens are responsible for: 

• Familiarising themselves with their areas of responsibility, the escape routes and any  problem areas; 
• On hearing the fire alarm, they are responsible for: 

− Ensuring the safe evacuation of everyone in their area(s) of responsibility − Checking all rooms in their area(s) of responsibility; including toilets, rest  rooms and store rooms; to ensure that everyone has safely left the building. − Where possible, closing windows and doors as each room is checked; − Reporting to the Incident Manager to inform them that everyone has safely  evacuated the building, or to report any problems; 

− Ensuring that nobody re-enters the building until the Incident Manager has stated it is safe to do so; 

• Ensuring they are available, after the evacuation, to attend a debrief meeting to  discuss the evacuation, identify any problems and share information.

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• Monitoring to ensure that fire routes and exits are kept clear at all times. First Aiders 

First Aiders are responsible for: 

• Taking charge when someone is injured or falls ill; 
• Administering first aid in the event of an injury; 
• Calling for an ambulance, if required; 
• Looking after first aid equipment and ensuring it is restocked; 
• Keeping up to date with first aid training and ensuring they attend refresher training  prior to the expiry of their first aid certificate. 

All Employees and Volunteers 

Employees are required to: 

• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of other persons  affected by their acts or omissions; 
• Co-operate with their employer, so far as is necessary, to enable it to meet its  responsibilities for health, safety and welfare; 
• Be aware of, and follow, health and safety guidelines; 
• Use work equipment provided correctly, in accordance with instructions and  training; 
• Inform their manager of any work situations that represent a serious and immediate  danger to health, safety and welfare. 

In addition, female workers must notify their employer as soon as possible after they  become pregnant in order that a risk assessment can be carried out to ensure the safety of  the mother and unborn child. 

 General Arrangements for Implementing the Health, Safety and  Welfare Policy 

Accident/Incident Management, Reporting & Investigation 

An accident is an unplanned event that results in injury or damage. 

A near miss is an unplanned event that does not result in injury or damage. 

In the event of a young person or adult having an accident it is important for the first  member of staff at the scene to assess the situation before moving the injured party. 

The qualified first aider should be informed immediately. He/she will assess what needs to  be done. 

The First aider will instruct a colleague to get the first aid box and to telephone a parent if  running a crèche and an ambulance if required. 

First aid will be administered where necessary (see first aid procedure). The injured party  will be monitored until there are no further concerns.

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If the accident/incident is of serious nature and an ambulance is required the person with  the facts should inform the paramedic of the situation. If the accident involves a young  person they should be accompanied to hospital by a suitable adult. 

All accidents should be recorded in the accident book/accident form as soon as possible. 

All accidents should be investigated and action taken to prevent a re-occurrence where  possible. 

Incidents which fall within the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and  Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013 e.g. major injuries, accidents resulting in  employees being absent from work for more than 7 days, or members of the public going to  hospital from the scene of the accident etc will be reported to the Health and Safety  Executive by the Health and Safety Function. 

For more information about RIDDOR refer to the HSE document Reporting Accidents and Incidents at Work: a brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) 

Consultation with Employees 

Under the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 and the Safety  Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 an employer has a duty to consult  with employees on matters of health and safety. 

Employees will be consulted on the following: 

• The introduction of any measure which may substantially affect their health and safety at work; 
• Arrangements for getting competent people to help them comply with health and safety  laws; 
• Information on risks arising from their work, measures to reduce or get rid of those risks  and what employees should do if they are exposed to a risk; 
• The planning and organisation of health and safety training and the health and safety  consequences of introducing new technology; 

Control of Contractors 

Ozer Umagen recognises its’ responsibilities in relation to the use of contractors. 

In any client/contractor relationship, both parties will have duties under health and safety  law. Similarly, if the contractor employs sub-contractors, to carry out some or all of the  work, all parties will have some health and safety responsibilities. 

Clients need to satisfy themselves that contractors are competent (i.e. they have sufficient  skills and knowledge) to do the job safely and without risks to health and safety. The degree  of competence required will depend on the work to be done. 

The client and contractor are required to agree the risk assessment for the contracted work  and the preventative and protective steps that will apply when work is in progress.

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Consideration should be given to those risks from each other’s work that could affect the  health and safety of the workforce or anyone else. 

Clients are required to manage and supervise the work of the contractors. The more impact  the contractor’s work could have on the health and safety of anyone likely to be affected,  the greater the management and supervisory responsibilities of the client. Clients therefore  need sufficient knowledge and expertise to manage and supervise the contracted work. 

Ozer Umagen will ensure that contractors visiting their premises do not pose a risk to their  own health and safety or that of others present. 

Contractors in turn should notify Ozer Umagen of any hazards arising from their activities,  which may affect the occupants of the building. 

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 impose duties on  employers to protect employees who may be exposed to substances hazardous to health at  work, and others who may be affected by such work. 

COSHH covers chemicals, products containing chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, gases, and biological agents (bacteria, fungi and viruses). If there is a hazard symbol  displayed on the packaging then the contents are classed as a hazardous substance. COSHH  also covers asphyxiating gases, biological agents that cause diseases such as Leptospirosis or  Legionnaires Disease; and biological agents used in laboratories. 

COSHH doesn’t cover lead, asbestos or radioactive substances because they have their own  specific regulations. 

Ozer Umagen will ensure that COSHH assessments will be carried out on all hazardous  substances prior to use. The COSHH assessment, which provide information on specific  hazards, first aid measures, personal protective equipment etc. will be reviewed as  appropriate, or every five years, whichever is the sooner. 

For further information refer to the HSE document The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice and guidance 

Display Screen Equipment 

The Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations 1992 require employers to minimise the  risks to employees who habitually use display screen equipment as a significant part of their  normal work. 

Other people, who use DSE only occasionally, are not covered by the requirements of the  Regulations, however, employers still have general duties under other health and safety at  work legislation. 

‘Users’, as defined by the Regulations, are employees who use DSE for a significant part of  their normal work (daily, for continuous periods of more than an hour).

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Where users are identified, the following must be ensured: 

• Workstations are assessed using the HSE workstation assessment checklist and the risks reduced, as applicable; 
• Workstations meet the minimum requirements as outlined on the HSE checklist; • Work is planned to allow adequate breaks or changes of activity; 
• On request, eye tests are arranged, and a contribution made towards spectacles if they are required for DSE use; and 
• Health and safety training and information is provided. 

Driving 

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc 1974, employers have a general duty to ensure  the health and safety of employees and others who may be affected by their undertaking.  This includes employees who may be required to drive as part of their duties. They may be  required to drive either their own private vehicle or a Ozer Umagen vehicle, e.g. minibus  (see section 3.17). 

Employees may use their own vehicle for work only if they have the correct level of  insurance. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure they have the correct insurance  (usually referred to as Occasional Business use on the policy) and they must provide a copy  of their Car Insurance Policy document to their line manager if they intend using their own  vehicle for work. It is also the responsibility of the employee to ensure their car is  roadworthy, taxed and has a valid MOT. 

Electricity at Work 

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 set out specific requirements on electrical safety.  These Regulations place a duty on employers to ensure that electrical systems are designed,  constructed, used and maintained so as to prevent danger. ‘Systems’ includes all apparatus  as well as the mains supply. 

All portable electrical appliances should be visually checked before use. In particular,  attention should be paid to the condition of power cables and of their terminations, as these  are often damaged, wrenched and jerked, which may loosen their connections. 

The repair of most portable electrical equipment requires specialist knowledge and expertise if the faulty or damaged equipment is to be restored to the necessary safe  condition. Staff may undertake minor repairs (e.g. replacement of a flexible cable) where  they are competent to do so. 

All portable electrical equipment such as drills, irons, kettles etc should be subject to a  detailed inspection and test by a competent person at least every 12 months. A written  record of the tests, in the form of a logbook or register, should be maintained and be  available for examination and the equipment itself should be marked with some form of  identification and the date of the most recent test.

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Fixed electrical installations should be inspected by a competent person at least every five  years. New electrical installations and modifications to existing installations must be  carried out by a competent person (with competency being determined by experience,  knowledge and training). 

Further guidance can be found in the HSE guidance document (HSG107) Maintaining portable electrical equipment. 

Fire Safety 

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duty on employers to conduct a fire  risk assessment and take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire. 

Each Ozer Umagen location should have a “Responsible Person” who is ultimately  responsible for fire safety and who may have other competent people to assist them to  carry out their duties. These include undertaking a fire risk assessment, Emergency  Evacuation Plan, and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPS) for staff or visitors with  impaired mobility. 

Fire instruction notices are displayed throughout the premises advising the actions to be  taken on discovering a fire/on hearing the alarm. 

Fire Drills are conducted on regular basis and a record of the time taken to evacuate the  premises and any comments are noted. 

All staff have a duty to be aware of the fire and emergency procedures, to ensure that all  escape routes and fire exits are kept clear, and to report any defective or damaged fire  fighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers. 

Any fire that occurs within the premises, however minor, must be reported to Insert name. 

First Aid 

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 set out a duty of care on employers to  provide adequate and appropriate first aid provision for employees. 

The First-Aid Regulations do not oblige employers to provide first aid for members of the  public. However, Ozer Umagen, should include the public, children, young people and  others on their premises when making their assessment of first aid needs. 

It is usually necessary to ensure that there is at least one first aider available at all times,  taking into consideration staff absence, holidays, lunch breaks, before and after hours, etc 

Staff nominated to administer first aid will attend first aid at work or emergency first aid  training (Whichever is deemed most appropriate). 

Notices are displayed throughout the premises advising of the locations of first aid boxes  and the names of first aiders. 

Any accidents requiring first aid must be reported using the Accident form/Accident book.

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It is usually necessary to ensure that there is at least one first aider available at all times,  taking into consideration staff absence, holidays, lunch breaks, etc 

Staff nominated to administer first aid will attend one of the following courses: first aid at  work, emergency first aid, and paediatric first aid. (Which ever is deemed most appropriate). 

Gas Safety 

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and the Gas Safety Regulations  2001, any work on gas systems and appliances could only be carried out by persons  registered with the Council of Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). Since 1st April 2009 CORGI  has been replaced by the Gas Safe Register. 

Work on gas systems and appliances can only be undertaken by persons who are Gas Safe Registered. 

If you smell gas: 

• Do not use any naked flames/other ignition sources 
• Open doors and windows 
• Contact the gas board 
• Do not switch on or off the lights or any portable switch appliance switch • Shut off the gas 
• Evacuate the premises, if appropriate 

Health & Wellbeing 

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974,establishes a duty for employers to ensure the  Health and Safetyof employees, whilst at work. This includes not only their physical health,  but also their mental health and wellbeing. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require a general risk assessment of all risks in the workplace, and this  will include the risk to staff from stress. 

The HSE defines stress as “the adverse effect people have to excessive pressure or other  types of demand placed on them”. 

Ozer Umagen recognises that stress per se is not an illness, but can result in stress related  illness such as anxiety or depression. Ozer Umagen will complete a risk assessment to  identify the main potential stressors and the control measures required in order to reduce  the risks to staff. 

Refer to the HSE Management standards for work related stress. 

Information, Instruction and Training 

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974,establishes the duty of the employer to supply  employees with such information, instruction, training and supervision as necessary to  ensure their health and safety at work.

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Ozer Umagen is committed to providing all staff with the appropriate information,  instruction, training and supervision to enable them to undertake their duties safely and  without risk to themselves or others. 

Induction training will be provided to all new employees appropriate to their role. 

Health and safety training, and refresher training will be organised for staff as appropriate,  and training records (including induction) will be kept. 

Legionella 

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 relates to the risk from  hazardous microorganisms, including Legionella. Under these Regulations, risk assessments  and the adoption of appropriate control measures are required to be put in place. 

Ozer Umagen will ensure that an adequate risk assessment of the water systems in its  buildings is carried out; and will identify and assess the risk of exposure to Legionella  bacteria from work activities and water systems on the premises and any necessary  precautionary measures. 

All water systems are subject to monitoring, inspection and testing at regular intervals by a  competent person. The written records of the risk assessments, monitoring, inspection and  test, in the form of logbook or register, should be maintained and should be retained for at  least 5 years. 

Further information can be found on HSE website www. hse.gov.uk 

Legionnaires’ disease – a guide for employers 

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment (LOLER) 

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) Regulations 1998 applies  to any item of lifting equipment including new or existing equipment, second-hand or leased  equipment and the accessories used for lifting. 

✓ Lifting equipment is work equipment designed and used for lifting and lowering  loads; such as cranes, lifts, and hoist; and includes its attachments used for  anchoring, fixing or supporting 

✓ Accessories for lifting are work equipment for attaching loads to machinery for  lifting, such as chains, ropes, slings, hooks, shackles and eyebolts 

✓ Load includes a person 

Generally, the Regulations require that lifting equipment provided for use at work is 

✓ Strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicate safe working  loads 

✓ Positioned and installed to minimise any risks

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✓ Used safely, i.e. the work is planned, organised and performed by competent people 

✓ Subject to ongoing thorough examination and, where appropriate, inspection by  competent people. 

Ozer Umagen requires that all lifting equipment be clearly marked to indicate the safe  working load. Where the safe working load is affected by the configuration of the  equipment, then the equipment must be marked to indicate its safe working load in each  configuration. Accessories for lifting, such as slings, must also be marked with their safe  working load. 

Ozer Umagen also requires that all lifting operations are properly planned by competent  person (someone with the relevant training and experience), appropriately supervised and  carried out safely. This includes undertaking either a generic or specific risk assessment of  the operation, as appropriate. 

Staff must not use lifting equipment unless they have received appropriate training and  must use the equipment in an appropriate manner, according to the information received in  training and from their line manager. 

Ozer Umagen requires that all lifting equipment undergoes a thorough examination by a  competent person before it is first put into use, unless the equipment has an EC declaration  of conformity made not more than 12 months before the equipment is put into service or it  is accompanied by physical evidence of its last thorough examination. 

Ongoing thorough examination must also be undertaken to ensure that lifting equipment  remains safe for use. In the case of lifting equipment for the lifting of persons or an  accessory, a thorough examination is required at least every 6 months, for other lifting  equipment a thorough examination is required at least every 12 months. 

All defects of lifting equipment or lifting accessories must be reported and the equipment  taken out of use until the defect is rectified. 

The following documentation must be kept 

✓ An EC Declaration of conformity to be kept for the life of the equipment ✓ Examination reports to be kept for the following periods of time 

• Before first use, the examination reports of the lifting equipment should be  kept until the equipment is no longer in use. This applies to both installed and  freestanding equipment 
• Before first use, examination reports of lifting accessories should be kept for a minimum two years after the report was made 
• Ongoing examination reports should be kept until the next examination  report is received or for a period of 2 years whichever is later 

Further information and guidance on LOLER can be found in the following documents

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“Simple guide to the Lifting Operation and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998” HSE INDG  290. 

“Thorough examination of lifting equipment – a simple guide for employers” HSE INDG 422.  “Thorough examination and testing of lifts – simple guidance for lift owners” HSE INDG 339. 

Lone Working 

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty on employers to ensure the health and safety of employees. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to health and  safety of employees to which they are exposed whilst at work. This will include the risks to  staff from lone working. 

Lone workers have been defined by the HSE as ‘those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision”. Lone workers are found in a wide range of situations, and can be divided into those who work at fixed establishments (where only one person is on site,  where people work separately from others, or where people are working out of normal  working hours), and those who are mobile workers, working away from their main working  base. 

Ozer Umagen will ensure that all lone working activities are identified, and the risks from  such lone working activities are assessed and control measures identified and implemented  to minimise the risk to the health and safety of staff. 

All staff that work alone must be competent to carry out the activities they are engaged in,  must have received sufficient information to enable them work alone safely and to be able  to summon help and assistance if required. 

It is the responsibility of all staff to follow the defined lone working procedures and safe  systems of work, and to report immediately any problems or concerns to their line manager. 

Further guidance information is available in the HSE document Working alone in Safety (INDG73). 

Manual Handling 

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 apply to a wide range of manual  handling activities, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. These regulations  place specific duties on employers and employees. 

Employers are required to 

Avoid the need for manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable Assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that can’t be avoided  Reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably  practicable. 

Employees are required to 

✓ Follow appropriate systems of work laid down for their safety 

✓ Make proper use of equipment provided for their safety 

✓ Co-operate with their employer on health and safety matters 

✓ Inform the employer if they identify hazardous handling activities 

✓ Take care to ensure that their activities do not put others at risk 

✓ Make their manager aware of any medical/physical condition which could be made 

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worse by manual handling 

All staff members involved in manual handling will be given suitable and sufficient  information, instruction, training and supervision. Training will be recorded, monitored and  reviewed. 

Further information can be found in the HSE publication Getting to grips with Manual Handling 

If a member of staff develops any medical/physical condition, the responsible person should  be made aware immediately. A specific risk assessment must be carried out to cover the  activities/tasks and control measures should be taken accordingly. 

Minibuses 

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment (PUWER) Regulations 1998 set out specific  requirements for the selection, maintenance and inspection of work equipment, and the  provision of appropriate instruction, information and training, to ensure its safe use. These  Regulations cover minibuses that Ozer Umagen either owns, or hires. 

Each minibus must have a Section 19 Permit disc displayed on the windscreen to enable its  use without having to comply with the full passenger carrying vehicle entitlement (PCV)  operator licensing requirements and without the need for their drivers to have PCV  entitlement. 

Minibus drivers must be over the age of 21 and hold a Local Authority Minibus Permit. 

All minibus drivers must complete the vehicle log each time the minibus is used, and carry  out a pre-use check. 

All vehicles must have 

✓ An MOT if over 1 year old (13 or more passenger seats) or 3 years old (12 or less  passenger seats) 

✓ A valid certificate of insurance 

✓ A fire extinguisher complying with BS 5423 

✓ A first aid kit 

The minibus must, as a minimum, be subject to the following 

✓ Daily/pre-use checks by the driver 

✓ Annual maintenance (including MOT) 

✓ Two safety checks between annual maintenances 

New & Expectant Mothers 

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place a duty on employers  to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of  their employees, to which they are exposed whilst at work in order to identify the  measures that need to be taken to comply with health and safety legislation. 

In addition, the Regulations identify two groups of workers, new and expectant mothers  and young persons, for whom a specific risk assessment must be undertaken, or an existing  risk assessment must be reviewed in order to identify any additional control measures that 

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may need to be taken. 

A “new or expectant mother” is taken to mean an employee who is pregnant; who has  given birth within the previous six months; or who is breast-feeding. 

When a member of staff notifies Ozer Umagen in writing that she is any of the above, then  a specific risk assessment must be carried out to cover the activities and tasks that person undertakes and any specific hazards that may be involved during the course of her work.  This risk assessment must be reviewed at least every three months. 

The main areas of concern for new and expectant mothers fall into three main categories  of physical, biological and chemical. 

Further advice can be found on the HSE website and in the HSE publication A Guide for New and Expectant Mothers who Work 

Offsite Visits 

At Ozer Umagen young people/children/adults will be provided with the opportunity to  participate in high quality, well organised offsite visits which will enable young  people/children/adults to achieve more. 

Ozer Umagen will ensure that visits are meticulously planned and organised. A thorough risk  assessment will be undertaken of every activity to identify potential risks hazards and  dangers. And this will be recorded on the risk assessment form. The risk assessment will be  shared with adults and staff supervising the trip. 

Parents and adults supervising the visit must have the appropriate vetting and checks. 

Permission consent must be obtained for all children taking part in any offsite activity  without their carer. 

Methods of transport must be appropriate for the distance being covered and coaches or  vehicles which are hired will be safe, road worthy and meet current legal requirements for  carrying children and passengers. 

Staff, parents and participants in the offsite activity will be made aware of the key times and  meeting points and procedures to follow if they cannot make a designated meeting point. 

The Leader will have emergency contact details for all activity participants and First Aiders  will accompany every offsite activity with first aid equipment. 

Carers will receive information on suitable clothing, lunch requirements and how they can  prepare their young person/child/adult for the visit. 

Personal Protective Equipment 

The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (PPE) 1992 are designed to protect people  from risks to their health.

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The PPE should be properly assessed before use to ensure it is suitable; be maintained and  stored properly. Employees should be provided with instructions and training on how to  use it safely and supervised to ensure the equipment is being used correctly. 

PPE is defined in the Regulations as “all equipment (including clothing protection against  the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects  him against one or more risks to his health or safety”, e.g. safety helmets, gloves, eye  protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses. 

All Personal Protective Equipment should be identified through risk assessment, but only if  the risks cannot be reduced by other means.

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Risk Assessment 

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to  make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to health and safety of employees to  which they are exposed whilst at work, and any others who may be affected by their  undertaking. Risk assessments must be communicated to all relevant parties and those at  risk must understand the risks and control measures. 

The risk assessment must be recorded, and reviewed if it is no longer valid, if there have  been significant changes in the matters to which it relates, or annually, whichever is the  sooner. 

Employees’ have a duty to cooperate with their employer when they are conducting risk  assessments and for cooperating with them in implementing any remedial action or control  measures to reduce the risk. 

Staff involvement and consultation will be ensured during the risk assessment process. 

Note: the Regulations stipulate that a specific risk assessment must be undertaken for New and Expectant Mothers, Young Persons (under 18 years of age). Statutory risk assessments  are also required for COSHH, DSE, Personal Protective Equipment & Manual Handling. 

Safety, Signs and Signals 

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 places duty on  employers to use and maintain appropriate health and safety signs, in order to make  persons aware of risks, where the risk to health and safety cannot be avoided or  adequately controlled by other means. 

Ozer Umagen will ensure that where the requirement for the posting of a safety sign has  been identified, such signs are posted at suitable locations, conform to the relevant  standards and are adequately maintained. 

Employees will be provided with appropriate instruction, information and training in the  use and understanding of safety signs, as applicable. 

Further information on safety signs and signals can be found in the HSE document Safety Signs and Signals: The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Guidance on Regulations 

Security 

Specific responsibility for security is not set down in legislation. However, security is related  to health and safety, therefore whoever has responsibility for health and safety should  consider what security measures are necessary to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable,  the safety of the staff young people/children/adults. 

Ozer Umagen will ensure young people/children/adults stay safe by providing a safe and  secure environment.

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Examples of security measures: 

• Controlled entry system at gates and main entrance. 
• Fencing around perimeter 
• Intruder alarm system 
• Visitors signing book and badge system 
• Procedures for dealing with trespassers 
• Appropriate recording procedures for incidents relating to security 

Smoking 

The Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006 were introduced in England  to make virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England smoke free. 

As a result Ozer Umagen is strictly no smoking. 

The Regulations require the displaying of no-smoking signs in all smokefree premises and vehicles. 

Further information can be found on the Smokefree England website. 

Slips and Trips 

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974requires employers to ensure the health and safety  of employees and others who may be affected. The Act also requires the provision of a  place of work that is maintained in a safe condition, and a means of access and egress that  is safe and without risk. 

Ozer Umagen recognises that good housekeeping is essential to preventing slip and trip  accidents. Accordingly all staff are responsible for undertaking informal daily checks of  their own work areas. 

Where action is identified during workplace inspections but cannot be implemented  immediately, interim measures will be taken (e.g. using warning signs, barriers, etc.) and an  action plan produced to outline when the action will be implemented, who will be  responsible for ensuring it is implemented and the estimated completion date. 

All staff are responsible for undertaking informal daily checks of their own work areas. 

Where action is identified during workplace inspections but cannot be implemented  immediately, interim measures will be taken and an action plan produced to outline when  the action will be implemented, who will be responsible for ensuring it is implemented and  the estimated completion date. 

Violence/Personal Safety of Staff 

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a legal duty on employers to ensure the  Health and Safetyof employees at work and the Management of Health and Safety at Work

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Regulations 1999 places a duty on the employer to consider and assess the risks to  employees. This would include the risk of reasonably foreseeable violence. 

Violence may be defined as any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or  assaulted, either physically or verbally, in circumstances relating to their work. 

Physical or verbal abuse of Ozer Umagen employees will not be tolerated and a risk  assessment will be undertaken to identify and minimise the risk to staff from potenially  violent persons or situations. 

Employees will, where appropriate, receive information, instruction and training on the risks  from potential violence and aggression, and how to avoid or minimise potential violent or  aggressive situations. 

Ozer Umagen will support any employee who is assaulted or threatened in the course of  their duties. 

Waste including Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations All waste generated by Ozer Umagen will be disposed of responsibly. General waste will be disposed of in the wheelie bins provided by the Local Authority. 

Any hazardous waste will be disposed of in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. This may be via the Local Authority facilities or through a specialist  licensed contractor. 

Any waste being stored on site must be stored in such a way so as not to pose a risk to  employees or visitors. 

Waste is considered ‘hazardous’ under environmental legislation when it contains  substances or has properties that might make it harmful to human health or the  environment. Examples of hazardous waste include, fluorescent tubes, car batteries,  insulating oils. 

Any electrical or electronic waste must be disposed of in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2006. 

Any third party taking either hazardous waste or WEEE must be a registered waste carrier.  The waste must be accompanied by a waste transfer note or hazardous waste consignment  note (as appropriate) and taken to a suitable facility. 

A record of all waste documentation (transfer notes, copies of licences) must be kept. 

Members of staff must not take waste in their own private vehicles or in any Ozer Umagen vehicle unless they are a registered waste carrier (i.e. it is no longer possible to take waste  directly to a municipal refuse site). More information about registering as a waste carrier  can be found on the Environment Agency Website.

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Further information on the implication of the WEEE Regulations can be found on the HSE and Environment Agency websites. 

Work Equipment 

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 apply to all types of  work equipment. The Regulations generally apply to any equipment that is used by an  employee at work, for example hammers, knives, ladders, drilling machines, circular saws,  photocopiers, lifting equipment (including lifts) and motor vehicles. 

In general terms the Regulations require that equipment provided for use at work be 

✓ Suitable for the intended use 

✓ Safe for use 

✓ Maintained in a safe condition 

✓ Inspected 

✓ Used only by people who have received adequate information instruction and  training 

✓ Accompanied by suitable safety measures, e.g. guards, markings, warnings 

In addition to PUWER 1998, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the risks to  which employees are exposed to at work including work equipment. 

Ozer Umagen will ensure that risk assessments are in place for specific pieces of  equipment and effective measures taken to control the hazards associated with the use of  equipment. 

Ozer Umagen requires all employees who use equipment to undertake pre-use inspections  to identify any obvious defects (e.g. damaged casings, exposed wiring, etc.). All defects to  work equipment must be reported and the equipment taken out of use until the defect is  rectified. 

All the equipment provided must only be used for its intended purpose. Employees must not use work equipment unless they have received appropriate training  and must use the equipment in an appropriate manner, according to the information  received in training and instructions from their line manager. Young people using the work  equipment must be supervised at all times. 

All work equipment, where the failure of said item could result in a significant risk of injury,  are to be subject to at least an annual maintenance/inspection by a competent  person/organization. Where legislation imposes specific duties to undertake inspections at  set frequencies these will be carried out in accordance with the Regulations. The written  records of the inspection and maintenance, should be maintained and be available for  examination. 

When work equipment has reached the end of its working life or is no longer required it  must be disposed of safely.

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Work Experience and Young Persons 

Students on work placements/experience are regarded in health and safety law as  employees and therefore must be provided with the same health and safety protection  given to other employees. 

Work experience may be defined as a placement on an employer’s premises in which a student carries out a range of tasks or duties, more or less as an employee, but with the  emphasis on the learning aspects of the experience 

Students who are under the age of 18, taking part in work experience/ placements, are  considered Young Persons under health and safety law. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to specifically take account of young persons  when carrying out their risk assessments. 

If young persons have not previously been employed in the workplace, then existing risk  assessments should be reviewed accordingly. The assessment of risks to ‘young persons’  must be carried out before their employment or work placement period begins. 

Ozer Umagen will ensure that the parents/guardians of children, i.e. those under minimum  school leaving age, are informed of the key findings of the risk assessment before the  placement begins. 

All young people and students on work experience will be provided with appropriate  induction, information, instruction, training and supervision. 

More information can be found in the HSE document Young People and Work Experience: A Brief Guide to Health and Safety for Employers 

Working at Height 

The Working at Height Regulations 2005 requires that, “every employer shall take suitable  and sufficient action to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person falling a  distance liable to cause personal injury’. 

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 the Employer has  duties to undertake risk assessments including the duty to identify, assess and control risks  on their premises. 

Ozer Umagen will assess the risks from working at height and make plans to either avoid the  work at height, or to do the work more safely. 

Where work at height cannot be avoided suitable and appropriate work equipment will be  provided. It will be inspected, tested and maintained on a regular basis by a competent  person and records will be kept.

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Employees using the equipment should carry out visual checks prior to every use. They must  follow defined work procedures and safe systems of work whilst working at height. Any  faulty equipment should be taken out of use immediately and the appropriate manager  should be informed. 

All employees involved in working at height will be given full information, instruction and  training in the use of any relevant equipment. 

Further information is available in the HSE documents Working at Height: A brief guide and  Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders: A brief guide 

Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) 

Employers have a general duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the  health and safety of their employees at work, and others who are not employees but use  their premises. 

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 expand on these duties and  are intended to protect the health and safety of everyone in the workplace and to ensure  adequate welfare facilities are provided for people at work. 

The Regulations require employers to make provision for the following 

✓ Maintenance of a safe workplace, equipment and systems of work 

✓ Suitable and sufficient ventilation, lighting and indoor temperature ✓ A clean workplace and furnishings with easy to clean surfaces 

✓ Sufficient work space with suitable work stations and seating 

✓ Floors and traffic routes of suitable condition and free from damage or hazards ✓ The prevention of people falling from height, or being struck by falling objects ✓ Windows (and other transparent/translucent surfaces) made of safe materials, that  

do not expose people to risks to their health and safety, and are able to be cleaned  safely 

✓ Traffic routes organised to allow pedestrians and vehicles to circulate in a safe  manner 

✓ Suitable and sufficient toilets and washing facilities 

✓ An adequate supply of drinking water 

✓ Accommodation for personal or work clothing, and adequate facilities for changing  clothing where necessary 

✓ Facilities for rest and to eat meals 

Ozer Umagen will ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to cover these provisions,  so far as is reasonable practicable. 

Access to Policy Statement 

A copy of this statement is to be made available to all employees.

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