Health & Safety Policy
1. We take very seriously our obligations and responsibilities under Health and Safety legislation. The objective is to provide you with a safe working environment and a safe system of work.
2. We regularly review working practices including the general working environment and individuals work stations to ensure that best practices are adhered to or adopted and that safety hazards are identified and accidents so far as reasonably practicable are avoided. In particular we regularly monitor the safety of any equipment or machinery provided for use by employees. Maintenance is regularly and scrupulously carried out and proper records are kept. All equipment and machinery provided complies with the appropriate UK standards and is designed or adapted for the purpose for which it is used. All employees who use or supervise the use of such equipment or machinery are properly trained in its use including Health and Safety considerations.
3. Health and Safety guidance is given to all new employees upon joining and regular refresher updating sessions are held for existing employees. We require the full co-operation and participation of all employees.
4. You are obliged to take reasonable care for your own safety and for the others who may be affected by your acts or omissions and to co-operate fully with us in the arrangements made in relation to Health and Safety matters. For example you must:-
Adhere to the prescribed safe system of working.
Report any faults or defects in machinery or equipment immediately.
Report any safety concerns at all immediately.
5. Only those qualified to do so and employed for that purpose may carry out repairs or maintenance to machinery or equipment.
6. Safety Officer
Managing Director will ensure that we are aware of and fully comply with our obligations under Health and Safety law.
All accidents and near misses irrespective of triviality must be reported to the Practice Manager who will ensure that any necessary preventative measures are introduced.
7. Evacuation
You should be familiar with the evacuation procedures, details of which will be displayed on the notice board.
Should you discover a fire you should immediately sound the fire alarm and notify the senior staff member present. Take time to study where the fire alarm is; escape routes and where the fire fighting equipment is.
8. First Aid
All accidents must be recorded using the accident book, kept at Reception, once completed the form should be removed and handed to the Practice Manager to be placed on file. If anyone becomes ill while at work and requires medical attention arrangements will be made to call a doctor or emergency services or take the employee to Accident & Emergency at the nearest hospital.
9. Hazards and Safety Risks
You have a responsibility to report any potential Health or Safety hazard including infectious or other diseases, accidents or injuries associated with the workplace. Examples are as follows:-
Fire risks, e.g. accumulation of combustible waste, blocking or obstruction of fire doors, corridors, or smoking in non-smoking areas.
Electrical problems, e.g. worn cables, loose connections, multiple connectors to power sockets, faulty wiring or trailing cables.
Defective equipment.
Defective flooring e.g. worn or frayed carpets, uneven or slippery surfaces.
Unsuitable loading or stacking.
Broken glass.
Carelessness by an employee or other person on the premises, e.g. attempting to repair equipment without proper training.
10. Improvements
You are encouraged to suggest improvements to the Health and Safety policy and suggestions should be made to the Safety Officer.
11. Discipline
Any breach or non-observance of the Health and Safety policy constitutes a disciplinary offence in respect of which you may in an appropriate case be dismissed.
12. General Employer Aims
So far as is reasonably practicable we aim to achieve the following:-
Premises heated to the minimum temperature required by law.
Safe equipment and systems.
Safe methods of handling, storage and transport of articles or goods.
Provide employees with information, instruction and training.
Ensure the place of work is safe with means of access and egress.
Provide a safe working environment.
We have a no smoking policy other than in designated areas.
All storage areas are safely laid out with adequate room for access in safety.
13. Display Screen Equipment
We have particular obligations where employees habitually use display screen equipment as a significant part of normal work. Workstations and work routines will regularly be reviewed to ensure that they comply with the law and to ensure that the employee has adequate breaks from the use of display screen equipment. Regular and proper training will be given to minimise Health and Safety problems. Free eye and eyesight tests are available for those appointed to use display screen equipment and for those who currently use this equipment at regular intervals. We will pay for glasses prescribed for the use of an employee when operating display screen equipment but not for designer frames or for lenses other than those prescribed specifically for use in connection with the operation of display screen equipment.
