EAM BUILDING CONTRACTORS Ltd HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

Transcription

1 EAM BUILDING CONTRACTORS Ltd HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY Under Section 2 (3) Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the Employer must prepare a Safety Policy, together with the Organisation Arrangements and Procedures to implement the Policy. I recommend this Health & Safety Policy Document to you as it is the aim of management to secure a safe and hazard free environment for all employees whilst at work. This can be achieved by developing health and safety rules, procedures and education in advance of legal requirements, and by thinking safety and re-enforcing "safety first attitudes". I hope all employees will endeavour to secure its full implementation, thereby protecting our employees, our customers and the environment in which we work. Edwin Maxwell Managing Director

2 CONTENTS Page 3 Statement of Company Policy on Health and Safety at Work. Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Organisation for Carrying Out the Health and Safety Policy i. Hierarchy of Responsibilities ii. Functional Responsibilities. Arrangements for Implementation of the Health & Safety Policy i. Accidents, First Aid & Work Related Ill Health ii. Emergency Procedures: Fire & Evacuation iii. Competence for Task & Training iv. Monitoring v. Electricity at Work vi. Risk Assessments a. Manual Handling b. COSHH c. Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems d. Noise at Work e. Display Screen Equipment f. Safe Plant & Machinery vii. Visitors/Sub-contractors on Site viii. Sub-contractors employed by EAM ix. Working on the Premises of Client Firms x. Drugs & Alcohol EAM Personnel Health and Safety Qualifications Page EAM General Health and Safety Training Programme Page Retained Health and Safety Adviser/Consultant(s) Page 2 of 21

3 Statement of Company Policy on Health & Safety at Work It is the policy of EAM to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent personal injury and damage to property, and to protect everyone (including the public) from foreseeable work hazards in so far as they come in contact with the company or its operations. The company aims, so far as is reasonably practicable, to: Provide safe and healthy working conditions for all its employees. Provide basic training and instruction, where necessary, to enable employees to perform their work safely and efficiently. Provide training in risk management and accident prevention to management, Foremen and supervisors in order to prevent accidents and ensure that good housekeeping standards are maintained. Make available all necessary safety devices and personal protective equipment as required and to supervise its use. Maintain a constant and continuing interest in health and safety matters by consulting and involving employees. Contact with relevant health and safety organisations such as the HSE and the British Safety Council so that up-to-date knowledge on legislation, codes of practice, and guidance relating to these activities is available. Ensure that work carried out by EAM Building Contractors Ltd does not adversely affect non-employees such as Sub-Contractors or Visitors whilst they are on company premises or, when delivering services on premises of other firms, the employees of that firm. Provide training and joint consultation in order to enable these objectives to be achieved. Ensure as far as is reasonably practicable that relevant Health and Safety legislation is adhered to. Revisions will be made to this policy whenever necessary in the light of changes in legislation or accident prevention techniques EA Maxwell Managing Director Page 3 of 21

4 Organisation for Carrying Out the Health & Safety Policy Hierarchy of Responsibility for the Management of Health and Safety In order to fulfil its Health and Safety Policy EAM Building Contractors Ltd t/a EAM Building Group has put in place the following organisation for carrying out the policy. Workers Safety Representative Clive Edwards Site Foremen/Supervisors John Martin Stephen Wisniewski Cleon Nelson Site Operatives Managing Director Edwin Maxwell Director for Health & Safety Jennifer Maxwell Health &Safety Committee Edwin Maxwell Jennifer Maxwell John Martin, Stephen Wisniewski, Clive Edwards Office Jennifer Maxwell Office Staff Page 4 of 21

5 Functional Responsibilities for Carrying Out Health and Safety Managing Director The Managing Director (MD), Edwin Maxwell, will have overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. He will ensure that the company complies with relevant statutory legislation and regulations which apply to the company as an employer and to the operations carried out as part of the business of the company. In ensuring the good management of health and safety within EAM the MD is responsible for: the health and safety of workers; reducing the risks to others affected by the company s activities, for example, customers and members of the public. He will ensure, amongst other things, that risks are properly assessed and managed and that all individuals charged with Health and Safety responsibilities have the necessary competence, resources and support to carry out their functions. In addition he will ensure that the Health and Safety Executive are informed in the event of a reportable accident and arrange for investigations to be made of incidents and accidents. He is also responsible for ensuring that suitable procedures are adopted and implemented in the management of fire risks at all EAM work sites including the head office. He will ensure that, the company fulfils its duties in relation to sub-contractors and that such contractors employed by EAM also fulfil their respective duties in regard to health and safety. Director for Health and Safety The Director for Health and Safety, Jennifer Maxwell, will work with and support the MD to ensure the health and safety of workers and reduction of risks to others, including members of the public, affected by EAM work activities. She will ensure that the company is kept aware of and regularly updated on health and safety legislation, regulation and issues. The functions of the Director for H&S are to: Encourage the development of safety consciousness within the Company. Circulate information to Directors, Site Foremen and Employees on legal requirements in respect of health and safety. Ensure that health and safety risk management issues are properly addressed by the strategic leaders of the company and throughout the organisation. Ensure that workplace precautions for the management of risk and health and safety risk management systems are in place and remain effective. Ensure that management systems provide for effective monitoring and reporting of the company s health and safety performance. Ensure that arrangements are in place for all employees to receive relevant induction, training and effective supervision for tasks they have to perform. Ensure that a company safety training programme is developed, implemented and recorded for the organisation generally and individual employees specifically. Page 5 of 21

6 The Director will also ensure that: the company collects and analyse relevant health and safety statistics; has effective arrangements in place for planning, organising, controlling, monitoring and reviewing preventive and protective measures. Coordinate the work of the Health & Safety Committee Health and Safety Committee Within the company persons will be nominated to form the joint management workforce Health and Safety Committee, the Worker Safety Representative will act as the representative of the workforce. The main function of the Safety Committee is to assist the MD to improve the management and effectiveness of health and safety in the Company. The Safety Committee will meet at intervals to support the role and functions of the MD and to assist in the development, promotion, monitoring and review of the company s health and safety management systems as necessary. In addition the committee will provide a forum for addressing health and safety issues on a regular basis. In particular the Safety Committee will: Analyse accidents and causes of notifiable occupational diseases Consider and analyse safety audit reports Monitor the effectiveness of health and safety training Consider reports and factual information provided by HSE inspectors and Environmental Health Officers Monitor and review the adequacy of health and safety communications within the workplace Continuously monitor all arrangements for health and safety and advise on them whenever necessary. Assist in the assessment and management of risks, carry out safety inspections, accident and incident investigations as necessary. Identify unsafe working practices and/or plant; reporting and making recommendations on safety procedures, safe systems of work and equipment to improve health and safety standards in the workplace. In the absence of the MD and/or the Director for Health and Safety members of the Health and Safety Committee may be delegated to oversee the procedures and processes for fulfilment of the company s duties and responsibilities for health and safety. It is the policy of EAM to encourage employees to participate in joint accident prevention measures. If any employee wishes to have an item considered by the Health and Safety committee, details of the item must be given to the Safety Representative, Foreman, Supervisor or Director for Safety at least 7 days before the Safety Committee meeting. Worker Safety Representative The Safety Representative will be elected from the workforce to represent and communicate their needs and views to the Company. As part of their role the Safety Representative has the right: Page 6 of 21

7 To investigate potential hazards and causes of accidents in the workplace. To investigate employee complaints concerning health and welfare at work. To make representation to the Company on matters arising from the above and on general matters affecting the health and welfare of the employees at the workplace. To carry out inspections after giving reasonable notice to the Company: o Of the workplace. o Of the relevant area after a reportable accident or dangerous occurrence; o Or after a reportable disease is contracted if it is safe to do so and it is in the interest of the employees o Of documents, which the employer is required to keep, relating to the workplace or the employees represented. To represent the employees in consultation with the HSE inspectors and to receive information from them. To attend meetings of the Safety Committee. The functions of the Safety Representative are interrelated and should be proactive rather than reactive in order to reduce risks and prevent accidents. Day-to-Day Responsibilities: Site Foremen/Supervisors Each site Foreman/Supervisor has delegated responsibility for health and safety and day-to-day responsibility for ensuring that this policy is put into practice and that health and safety standards are maintained within the workplace. In particular Foremen/Supervisors will: Ensure compliance with this health and safety policy document and other relevant legislation which applies to the workplace. Ensure that, in conjunction with the Director for Safety and/or Adviser, every employee in their team has received adequate training to perform the task to which he/she is assigned and is aware of any special safety rules which apply to that site, tool, equipment or work activity. Arranging, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Adviser, for all machinery and personal protective equipment to be regularly examined and such examinations to be documented. Ensure prompt action is taken to correct any unsafe condition, practice or system and that records are made of remedial action taken. Be members of the Health and Safety Committee Day-to-day Office responsibilities Jennifer Maxwell, Business Development Manager, has responsibility to ensure that the health and welfare of all office staff is adequately addressed. All Employees The attainment of adequate health and safety standards in the workplace relies on the cooperation of all employees. It is a statutory duty placed on every employee under the Health and safety at Work Act 1974 to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omission at work. Page 7 of 21

8 All employees shall; Read and understand the Company Health and Safety Policy and discuss with their Foreman/Supervisor, MD or Director for Safety any points which require clarification. Take reasonable care for their own and others health and safety in every aspect of their work. Observe and comply with Company safety rules and directives at all times. Cooperate with Foremen/Supervisors and the MD on health and safety matters at all times. Conform to and comply with all reasonable instructions given by their Foreman/Supervisor or MD. Wear and maintain appropriate safety equipment, use safety devices, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), provided for them as instructed and as required at all times. Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard theirs or others health and safety. Report all accidents or near accidents, whether accompanied by injury or not, to their immediate line manager/supervisor or the Director for Safety. Report faulty and defective tools and equipment to their Foreman/Supervisor, the MD or Director for Safety immediately and ensure that such items are not used by themselves or others. Report all hazards to their immediate manager/supervisor without delay and make suggestions to their immediate manager/supervisor to improve safety. Maintain safe working practices on customers premises. Notify the office on the first day of absence if they are off work due to work related illness or accident. (Details of any work related accident or illness must be recorded in the Accident Book). Health and Safety Adviser It is the aim of EAM to fulfil and manage its health and safety responsibilities in-house. However in order to ensure that the company is compliant with legislation and regulations and follow good practice the MD may appoint a Health & Safety Adviser/Consultant. The main functions of the Health and Safety Adviser will be: To Act as a reference point for advice and information on health and safety. To carry out delegated health and safety tasks on behalf of the MD To advise on matters relevant to health and safety as required by the health and Safety at Work (Etc) Act 1974 and other relevant health and safety legislation and regulation. Carry out periodic inspections/audits to ensure training, risk assessments and procedures are in place to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other Acts and Regulations currently in force. Advise on and contribute as necessary to the health and safety training requirements for employees. Page 8 of 21

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10 ARRANGEMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY Page 10 of 21

11 Accidents, First Aid and Work Related Ill Health First aid facilities are provided in accordance with statutory requirements and a sufficient number of persons will be trained in first aid, their names will be posted on Company notice boards on work site and at the head office. Information on the First Aid facilities available will be given to all employees as part of their induction training. Details of First Aid arrangements and location of first aid boxes will also be displayed on Company notice boards. In addition: All new employees will be required to fill out a pre-employment health questionnaire, which will be kept on their personnel files. Health surveillance will be organised by the Director for Safety. First aid boxes will be kept on all work sites, at the head office and in all EAM vehicles. It is the qualified First Aider s and vehicle drivers responsibility to ensure that first aid boxes are kept fully stocked. In the case of an accident, employees will contact the nominated first aider on site for treatment. If the injury is classified as a reportable injury under RIDDOR the first aider will inform the Director for Health and Safety. In the absence of a nominated first aider, any Foreman/Supervisor or capable employee on duty is nominated to call an ambulance. Employees are responsible for reporting accidents, near accidents and work related ill health to their Foreman/Supervisor, or the Director for Health and Safety in the absence of the Foremen/Supervisor. All accidents and near accidents, whether accompanied by injury or not, must be reported to the Director for Health and Safety. All accidents, near accidents and cases of work related ill health are to be recorded in the accident book kept at the head office. The Director for Health & Safety is responsible for reporting notifiable accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the enforcing authority. Recommendations arising from accident investigations will be considered by the Health and Safety Committee and remedial action initiated as appropriate. Emergency Procedures: Fire & Evacuation Suitable assessment of the risk to employees and others in case of fire will be made in all work areas. Every employee will receive appropriate fire training during induction and once every twelve months on the procedure to be followed in the event of a fire. Fire drills will take place on Company premises and sites at least every six months. Fire Action Plans will be displayed on site and employees must make themselves familiar with them and obey these instructions. Fire fighting equipment will be provided in accordance with legal requirements. Mandatory requirements in respect of no smoking areas, storage rooms, handling of flammable materials and substances and other fire precaution measures will be brought to the attention of all employees. Instructions on safe practices will be published, posted in prominent areas and issued to employees; employees are required to adhere to these instructions. Page 11 of 21

12 A fire precaution logbook will be implemented where necessary on site, including records of training, evacuation drills, alarm systems maintenance, extinguisher maintenance and HSE visits. Fire training, extinguisher maintenance certificates and appropriate Risk Assessments will be readily available for inspection at all times. Competence for Task and Training EAM aims to employ managerial and administrative staff, tradesmen and women who are experienced with formal or grandfather rights qualifications. All site based staff will hold relevant CSCS cards; holding a CSCS card will be a mandatory requirement for site employment with EAM. New recruits will be required to apply for a CSCS card during the probationary period of their employment. Relevant safety training will be given to all employees in connection with their job role, function and responsibilities. All Foremen/supervisors are required to undertake the CITB Site Managers Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) following completion of their probationary employment period. The Director for Health and Safety and the Safety Adviser are required to hold relevant qualifications from appropriate Health and Safety training bodies e.g. IOSH, NEBOSH etc. Details of training courses attended will be recorded on a Company training log and entered on employees personnel records. Induction Training All employees will be given induction training prior to starting on site; site specific induction will be given by the relevant line manager Foreman/Supervisor. Induction training will be documented and filed in the employees personnel record. Induction training will include the arrangements in case of fire, first aid, accident and emergency and where appropriate, departmental safety rules. This will be repeated whenever an employee is transferred to another work area which has different arrangements. General Safety Training The appropriate safety training will be given to employees to ensure that they are competent to carry out their respective work activities and tasks safely. Additional training will be given as appropriate, primarily as Tool Box Talks, to cover the work operations undertaken by the company and carried out by individual employees. Tool Box Talks will, for example cover, manual handling, accident prevention, site operative s assessment of risk, working at heights and the use and maintenance of personal protective equipment. Specific Training Where a specific training need has been identified the Director for Health and Safety will source appropriate training courses. Training will be provided for specific operations such as working at heights use of harness, scaffold inspection, abrasive wheels etc. Training will also be given in compliance with specific regulations, for example, The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, Noise at Work, etc. Page 12 of 21

13 Health & Safety Information A library of Health and Safety documentation and papers is maintained by the Director for Health and safety in the office. The Library contains abstracts from the relevant legislation, health and safety guidance notes and leaflets and relevant health and safety reports to which all employees may have access by appointment. In addition, all Managers and Foremen are supplied with a safety manual containing the relevant health and safety legislation and codes of safe working practice. Safe Working Practice: Health and Safety Manual A safety manual will be provided to all new employees for their use as a reference guide to safe working practices. The manual will be reviewed and updated by the Health and Safety Committee as necessary to comply with changing regulations, procedures and practices. Monitoring In order to monitor working conditions, ensure safe working practices are being followed and the effectiveness of the health and safety policy, an inspection of all work-areas will be carried out at regular intervals by the Safety Adviser and/or members of the Health & Safety Committee. Site inspection will also follow each reportable accident or dangerous occurrence. The outcomes of such inspections will be recorded, communicated to the staff, discussed and acted on by the management and the Health and Safety Committee in order to prevent a recurrence. To ensure site safety Foremen/Supervisors are responsible for regular inspection of their site at least weekly or more frequently depending on the nature of the work tasks being carried out and/or tools and equipment in use on the site. Annual health and safety audit of work areas, documentation, policies and procedures shall be carried out by the Health and Safety Adviser. The Director for Health and Safety and the Health and Safety Adviser are responsible for investigating any accidents or near misses and work related sickness absence. All reports from inspections, audit and visits will be kept at the head office by the Director for Health and Safety. Electricity at Work Maintenance Work All electrical maintenance work will be carried out by competent electricians and details of this work will be documented. Wherever practicable, sensitive earth leakage or residual circuit breakers will be fitted to the distribution circuits to minimise electric shock. Page 13 of 21

14 Portable Electrical Equipment A register of all portable equipment will be kept and such equipment will be maintained at the appropriate intervals. Risk Assessments Suitable assessments will be made of the work and environment in order to identify the measures which need to be taken to comply with the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations, 1999, and other legislation and regulations. A Management Health & Safety Action Plan will be based on these assessments. The findings of risk assessments will be reported to the MD and Board of Directors. Copies of assessments will be filed on site and at the head office. Actions required to remove or control risks will be approved by the Contract Manager and or the MD. Foremen/Supervisors and the Contract manager will be responsible for ensuring the actions required will be implemented. The Health and safety Adviser will check that the implemented actions have removed, reduced or controlled the risks. Assessments will be reviewed annually or when the activity changes whichever is the soonest. Manual Handling Suitable assessments will be made of all operations involving manual handling and repetitive tasks. Where appropriate mechanised systems will be installed and all employees involved in manual handling will be provided with training and issued with relevant information on current legislation, safe procedures for manual handling, protection of their back and avoiding injury. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Suitable assessments will be made of the working environment wherever substances which are hazardous to health are used or where fumes are evolved from processes such as painting or welding. Assessments will be reviewed annually, when there are material changes to the substances/materials or when the work activity changes whichever is the soonest. The Health and Safety Adviser will be responsible for identifying all substances which need a COSHH assessment and put in place effective assessment protocols. In addition, the Adviser supported by the Director for Health and Safety will provide advice on new substance before they are either purchased or put into use. Foremen/Supervisors will be instructed by the Health and Safety Adviser, or delegated individual, in the identification of substances and materials requiring a COSHH assessment and how to carry assessments on site. Foremen/Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all relevant employees are informed about the COSHH assessments appropriate to their work and site. Foremen/Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all actions identified in the assessment are implemented. Page 14 of 21

15 All employees are responsible for ensuring that they comply with the requirements of COSHH assessments. Noise at Work Suitable noise assessments will be made of the working environment and if necessary the mandatory noise warning notices will be displayed. All employees working in ear protection zones will receive the relevant training in the care and maintenance of ear defenders under Regs 10 and 11 Noise at Work Regulations Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Suitable assessments of all DSE workstations will be made and "habitual users" will be assessed advised and issued with relevant information.. Safe Plant and Equipment In order to ensure employees and the public s safety in relation to the use of plant and equipment on site the following must be observed: Only competent and authorized persons shall operate certain types of plant, equipment and tools. Foremen/Supervisors will be responsible identifying all equipment, tools and plant needing maintenance. Foremen/Supervisors and site operatives will be responsible for carrying out maintenance checks. The Health and Safety Adviser supported by the Director for Health and Safety will be responsible for ensuring that effective maintenance procedures are drawn up. The Director for Health and Safety will ensure that all identified maintenance is implemented. Any problems found with plant, tools or equipment should be reported to the site Foreman/Supervisor immediately. Visitors/Sub-contractors on Site All visitors and sub-contractors must report to the site Foreman/Supervisor prior to entering the site. They must sign in and out on the site Sign in Form. They must receive a safety induction from the Foreman/Supervisor in charge They must wear approved safety boots with steel toe caps and midsole protection, a safety helmet and high visibility jacket/coat. They must familiarise themselves with any health and safety rules and procedures which apply to that part of the premises/site in which they will be visiting or working. On hearing the fire alarm they must evacuate the building and they must report to the fire controller. They must be accompanied by a member of staff at all times unless by prior arrangement with the Contract Manager or MD. Page 15 of 21

16 Any illness, accident or abnormal incident must be reported to the Foreman/Supervisor or Contract Manager. Sub-contractors Prior to the commencement of work for or on behalf of EAM Building Contractors Ltd, all subcontractors must complete an EAM Subcontractor Approval Form and submit copies of current employers and public liability insurance documents, relevant licences e.g. for the movement of asbestos and other health and safety documentation to the MD for his approval. Subcontractors are required to: Comply with the requirements outlined above. Comply with the reasonable requests regarding health and safety procedures of the Foreman/Supervisor responsible for the site. Draw up a method statement of work, and agree it with the Contracts manager or MD, before undertaking any work involving hazardous operations or the use of hazardous substances. Agree and sign systems of work including permit to work if required. Working on the Premises of Client Firms When installing or maintaining equipment on the premises of a client firm the employees of EAM Building Contractors Ltd will conform to the Health & Safety Policy of the client firm and to the Method Statement of the client. If there are any special hazards within the client firm which may affect the employees of EAM Building Contractors Ltd additional health and safety training and instructions will be given to those employees. This will include the identification of the special hazards and the precautions which are needed to avoid those hazards. If an accident occurs on the site which causes a reportable injury, hospitalisation, loss of time or serious damage, then head office must be notified (Tel ) as well as the "responsible person" of the client firm. Accidents and Damage to Property or Equipment If an accident occurs when on site which causes a reportable injury, loss of time, hospitalisation or serious damage to plant, Head Office of EAM Building Contractors will be informed (Tel ) as well as the responsible person of the client firm. Installers When installing equipment the employees of EAM Building Contractors will endeavour to avoid damage to the property of the client. If a mishap occurs which involves serious damage to property Head Office will be informed immediately. Drugs and Alcohol EAM operates a zero tolerance policy towards drugs and alcohol. Any person suspected or found under the influence of either will be immediately suspended from work and may face disciplinary action including possible dismissal. Page 16 of 21

17 Any employee who is on prescribed medication which may interfere or affect their ability to work in a safe and competent manner must inform their line manager. In addition they must provide evidence that they are capable of being at work whilst taking the medication. Page 17 of 21

18 EAM Employee General Health & Safety Training Programme 2005/2006: Health & Safety Awareness Sun & Skin Care on Site Basic Site Safety Issues: Hazards in the Workplace Effective Communications 2006/2007: Noise & Vibration at Work Manual Handling Fire Risk Assessment and Fire Training Risk Assessment: Improving Site Safety COSHH: Control of Liquids, Dust & Fumes Accidents: Prevention, Control, Reporting & Investigation 2007/2008 Scaffold Awareness PPE Use and Care of PPE Accident prevention and Completion of Health & safety Forms Manual handling Good Practice and Technique Working at Height inc. JSP Inspection of Fall Arrest Harnesses & Lanyards 2008/2009 EAM Environmental management System Manual COSHH Awareness Asbestos Awareness Manual Handling Page 20 of 21

19 Health and Safety Adviser/Consultant Details on Application Page 21 of 21