Health and Safety Policy Introduction

Health and Safety Policy Introduction Armstrong Learning, Access to Music, and Cheshire Training Associates recognise that risks to our health, safety and welfare are ever present in our day-to-day working environment. There can be many obstacles in achieving good health and safety standards. These include the pressure of day-to-day workloads, performance targets, financial constraints and the complexity of the organisation. However, moral and legal obligations should always take priority. The potential for a serious accident will always exist but good management and the implementation of safe systems of work can eliminate and/or control the hazards. There are good and bad practices, however, by carrying out risk assessments we can measure potential risk of hazards and thereby take appropriate action. If any action or process is deemed dangerous or unsafe, we recognise that it must be dealt with immediately. By implementing the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Health & Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 and in particular to Article 4 General Duties to Employers to their Employees and associated regulations, we seek to provide and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a safe and healthy working environment. We recognise that failure to comply with legislation could result in prosecution and penalties. Section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, (Section 4(3) of the Health & Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978) states 'it shall be the duty of every employer to prepare and as often as may be appropriate, revise a written statement of their general policy with respect to the health and safety at work of their employees and the organisation and arrangements, for the time being in force for carrying out that policy, and to bring that statement and any revision of it to the notice of all his employees'. This document is therefore available to all employees and third parties and covers all aspects of the Group s operations. We recognise that a good Health and Safety policy is an aid to inspection. This policy outlines who is responsible for key issues. It is recognised that in order to achieve the objectives outlined below, the active support of all employees, students, clients, contractors and members of the public is essential. Armstrong Learning, Access to Music, and Cheshire Training Associates, are leading companies in their field, and are committed to health and safety good practice and are constantly striving to improve. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 1

Health and Safety Policy General Statement This is a declaration of the individual company s intent to provide and maintain, so far as reasonably practicable, a safe and healthy working environment and to enlist the support of employees towards achieving these ends. It is our policy of to develop a positive health and safety culture throughout the organisation because we believe that high health and safety standards are a prerequisite in the pursuit of company efficiency and competitiveness. To achieve this we will, where reasonably practicable, progressively identify all workplace hazards and take appropriate measures to eliminate or control risks to employees and others affected by our operations by applying positive control standards and provision of information, training and supervision as needed. Employees and others are reminded that they have a duty to ensure that the company's Health and Safety Policy is observed and in particular they are required: - To take reasonable care for their own health and safety at work and of those who may be affected by their actions, or by their omissions. To co-operate with their employer to ensure that any duty, or requirement, for health and safety imposed upon their employer by law is performed or complied with. Not to intentionally, or recklessly, interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare. To report to supervisory staff, or the safety co-coordinator/manager, hazardous conditions or defects in the company safety arrangements. Each company recognises that it has the ultimate legal responsibility for health and safety policy formulation and implementation. Accordingly, the undersigned director accepts overall responsibility. In turn, all levels of management and all supervisors are responsible for carrying out health and safety systems prescribed in this policy. The Chief Exectuive will ensure that the safety plan includes sufficient resources for the successful implementation of the health and safety policy and management systems. Where appropriate, the appointed employee(s) responsible for the health and safety management systems within the company, as appointed from time to time by the Chief Executive will carry out the monitoring and review of the company s health and safety management policy. Development of the health and safety policy and management systems will be continuous. In addition to this, normal business meetings will give health and safety equal standing on the agenda. The companies will appoint competent persons to assist the company directors to implement this policy. These persons are to provide independent and authoritative advice to managers with individual responsibilities for health and safety. Adrian Armstrong, Chief Executive Armstrong Learning/Access to Music/Cheshire Training Associates AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 2

Health and Safety Policy Organisation Directory of Responsibility: Directors Adrian Armstrong The responsible director s: - Recognise and accept the overall responsibility for health and safety, and ensure that all arrangements outlined in the policy are in place to satisfy the applicable Health and Safety Regulations and approved Codes of Practice. Delegate specific responsibilities to the company management and other personnel as appropriate. Ensure his/her own safety and the safety of others (colleagues, students, visitors, contractors and the general public). As the company s services develop, modify the names of responsible persons and amend the policy accordingly. Ensure that all arrangements outlined in this policy are implemented and updated as necessary. Ensure all staff undertake relevant Health and Safety training. Request and receive an annual report on health and safety activity including analysis of accidents, incidents and actions taken and which will incorporate recommendations for amendment or update of the policy and associated procedures. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 3

Directory of Responsibility: Cont d. Health & Safety Advisor (Events). Jono Heale Head of Events/National Events Manager. Access to Music Ltd. Unit B, Sugar House Yard, Sugar House Lane, Bow, London, E15 2QS. Tel: 0208 555 3305. Fax: 0208 5553374. The Health & Safety Advisor (Events) must: - Be responsible for the implementation of ATM s Health, Safety and Welfare policy and related procedures and management systems. Ensure his/her own safety and the safety of others (colleagues, students, visitors, contractors and the general public). Provide independent advice and support to directors and managers with individual responsibilities for health and safety. Contribute to the creation, development and review of company health and safety policies and procedures. Be the point of contact and advisor for Health and Safety matters regarding off-site events and activities. Provide advice and support to employees regarding off-site events and activities. Implement risk assessments and instigate control measures where and when appropriate. When appropriate or in the absence on the Premises Manager, maintain records of accidents and near misses and report to the HSE as necessary under the RIDDOR 1995. Co-ordinate and maintain H & S records relating to working with contractors. Supply suitable H & S resources for events including PPE and first aid kits. Adopt a Fire Marshall/Warden role to act in an emergency evacuation situation. Liaise with external authorities and organisations as required. Contribute to the production of the annual report of health and safety and associated analysis. Any other duties commensurate with the grading of this post, as agreed with line manager. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 4

Directory of Responsibility: Cont d. Health & Safety Advisor (Premises). Sue Warner Estates Manager. Access to Music Ltd. Heath Mill Studios, 68 Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AR Tel: 03301233155 mob: 07971560304 The Health & Safety Advisor (Premises) : - Assist with the management and development of the individual company s premises in conjunction with appropriate Managers, Landlords or agents Ensure as much as is reasonably practicable that the groups business locations and delivery sites are maintained in good order. Advise and support the development and implementation of the Group s Health, Safety and Welfare policies, procedures and management systems. Assist with the review of corporate policy and procedures to comply with changes in H & S legislation. Point of contact for Health and Safety matters regarding facilities and premises. Provide independent advice and support to staff at all levels of staff with or without individual responsibilities for health and safety as required. Co-ordinate and maintain H & S records relating to working with contractors, asbestos surveys, risk assessments. Carry out premises & fire risk assessment, apply suitable controls working closely with Centre Managers. Monitor and review as necessary. Provide, inspect, monitor and review Health & Safety documentation at each site i.e. Centre Health & Safety Management records including safety checks, fire drills, service/maintenance documentation etc. Supply suitable H & S resources including fire precautions and prevention equipment, PPE and first aid kits. Maintain records of accidents and near misses and report to the HSE as necessary under the RIDDOR 1995. Ensure appointed staff receive and refresh first aid training. Liaise with external authorities and organisations as required. Provide an annual report to the directors of health and safety activity including analysis of accidents, incidents and actions taken and which will incorporate recommendations for amendment or update of the policy and associated procedures. Any other duties commensurate with the grading of this post, as agreed with line manager. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 5

Directory of Responsibility: Cont d. Team leaders, Centre Managers, Line Managers, Supervisors/Coordinators. Based at various locations including Access to Music and Cheshire Training Associates delivery centres, individual Business premises and offsite venues. Contact details available upon request from: Centre Managers, Project Coordinators, Line Managers & Supervisors must: - Be familiar with the company Health and Safety Policy. Maintain the Health and Safety Management Systems and filing for their department/centre. Report all Health and Safety issues to the Report all accidents and dangerous occurrences to the Heath and Safety advisors within 24 hours. Ensure their own safety and the safety of others (colleagues, students, visitors,contractors and the general public). Ensure that approved risk assessment action points are carried out and control measures observed and periodically reviewed. If appointed and trained to do so, adopt a Fire Marshall role and appoint Fire Wardens to act in an emergency evacuation situation. Ensure that a suitable record of all persons (including staff & visitors) on site is accurately recorded. Ensure that all visitors are suitably supervised when on site. Ensure that all contractors comply with company safety arrangements. Ensure that all persons under their control, including visitors, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe systems of work are practiced. Maintain good housekeeping standards and arrange for regular clean-up periods. Ensure that adequate and clear access and egress is maintained at all times. Ensure that staff are competent in the use of relevant workplace equipment. Ensure that all equipment, including portable appliances, are maintained and kept in good condition. Ensure that first aid supplies are monitored and replenished. Show a personal example by always working in a safe manner and by wearing the safety equipment (PPE) provided where appropriate. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 6

Directory of Responsibility: Cont d. Resource Management - AtM. John Lindsay IT Services Manager. Armstrong Learning Limited 24 Hulme Street, Manchester, M1 5BW Tel: 0161 247 4959. Fax: 0661 247 7778. The IT Services Manager must: - Be familiar with the company Health and Safety Policy. Manage a national inventory including recording service history of work equipment. Report all Health and Safety issues to the Health and Safety Coordinators. Report all accidents and dangerous occurrences to the Heath and Safety Cocoordinators within 24 hours. Ensure their own safety and the safety of others (colleagues, students, visitors, contractors and the general public). Ensure that approved risk assessment action points are carried out and control measures observed and periodically reviewed. If appointed and trained to do so, adopt a Fire Warden role to act in an emergency evacuation situation. Ensure that all contractors comply with company safety arrangements. Ensure that all persons under their control, including visitors, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe systems of work are practiced. Maintain good housekeeping standards. Ensure that members of staff are competent in the use of relevant workplace equipment. Ensure that all equipment relative to role, including portable appliances, is maintained and kept in good condition. Show a personal example by always working in a safe manner and by wearing the safety equipment (PPE) provided where appropriate. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 7

Directory of Responsibility: Cont d. All Employees Full-time, part-time, contract and temporary. Based at various locations including Access to Music and Cheshire Training Associates delivery centres, individual business premises and associated offsite venues and offices.. All employees must: - Ensure their own safety and the safety of others (colleagues, students, visitors, contractors and the general public). Be familiar with the company Health and Safety Policy. Co-operate in the implementation of this Health and Safety Policy. Comply with safe systems of work and safe working practice. Ensure that routine visual inspections are carried on all work equipment. Ensure that work equipment, including portable appliances, is only used for operations for which, and under condition for which, it is suitable. Report any fault or deficiency in the equipment to their line manager or supervisor immediately. Report all accidents and dangerous occurrences to their line manager or supervisor immediately. If appointed and trained to do so, adopt a Fire Warden role to act in an emergency evacuation situation. Maintain good housekeeping standards. Ensure that adequate and clear access and egress is maintained at all times. Show a personal example by always working in a safe manner and by wearing any safety equipment (PPE) provided where appropriate. Not misuse anything provided in the interest of health and safety. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 8

Health and Safety Policy Arrangements This part of the policy will provide information and act as a directory to the policies, systems and procedures in place for ensuring employees' health and safety. NOTE: Specific Policy documents and guidance material can be found on line via the staff intranet resource or via the Human Resources or Health and Safety team. A Alcohol Alcohol, Drugs & Substance Abuse Policy. Disciplinary Policy. Accident and Incident Reporting. Accident & Incident Reporting Policy & Procedure. Accident & Incident Report Form. Anti-Social Behavior see also Violence at Work. Disciplinary Policy. AIDS/HIV see First Aid Red Cross Guidance on First Aid and HIV/AIDS. HSE Guidance First Aid at Work. B Bullying & Harassment Equality & Diversity Strategy & Policy. Disciplinary Policy. C Catering & Food Hygiene. For Arrangements Contact Sue Warner. Competent Persons. One or more competent persons shall to be appointed to help managers comply with their duties under health and safety law. They will always remain as advisers/coordinators and shall not assume responsibility in law for health and safety matters. Competent persons should be identified by the Health and Safety Coordinators/advisers governed by the following factors: AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 9

dentification of evidence of relevant training and/or education whether formal, professional or informal or vocational/applied. Evidence of relevant qualifications. References from past employers. Presentation of portfolio of work completed. Identification as to whether the person is physically able to do the instructed job. Where appropriate, suitable occupational health surveillance (e.g. questionnaires) is to be carried out on the person in question by Health &Safety Advisors &/or Human Resources Department. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health COSHH Advisors &/or Personnel Department on staff potentially at risk. Child Protection. Child Protection Policy. D Disability. Equality & Diversity Strategy & Policy. Fire Emergency Evacuation Policy & Procedure Driving. Coordinators &/or Human Resources Department on staff potentially at risk. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 10

Occupational Driving Policy. Occupational Driving Questionnaire. Drugs. Alcohol, Drugs & Substance Abuse Policy. Disciplinary Policy. E Electrical Equipment (maintenance & testing). CB. Arrangements in progress (AtM) Contact John Lindsay. Evacuation Procedures. All business premises, ATM Centres and delivery locations are to have suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments are to be carried out where appropriate and records held at the All agreed evacuation procedures are to be on display in appropriate locations together with suitable signage. Emergency Evacuation Policy & Procedure. Fire Evacuation Policy & Procedure. Events (& offsite activities) Suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments are to be carried out where appropriate and records held at ATM s Head Office. Health & Safety at Off-Site Events. Loco Parentis Policy. Disciplinary Policy Equality & Diversity and Health & Safety. Equality & Diversity Strategy & Policy. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 11

F Fire Precautions Fire Safety Policy Fire Evacuation Policy & Procedure. Emergency Evacuation Policy & Procedure. First Aid. Accident & Incident Reporting Policy & Procedure. Accident & Incident Report Form First Aid Box Contents. Additional external document/s HSE Guidance First Aid at Work. Red Cross Guidance First Aid & HIV. First Aiders Appointed Persons. Training records held by HR Department. New and refresher training courses are to be instigated by HR Department. First Aid Equipment & Resources. First Aid Box Contents. H Health & Safety Surveillance In accordance with the management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 6, the Company s shall ensure that its employees are provided with such health and safety surveillance as is appropriate having regard to the risk to their health and safety. Advisors &/or HR Department on staff potentially at risk. Further suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments are to be carried out where appropriate and records held at the Risk Assessments will be conducted by a competent person with relevant guidance from the company s Manual Handling Questionnaire Lone Working Policy Occupational Driving Policy & Questionnaire. Display Screen Equipment Policy & Questionnaire. Hearing Questionnaire. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 12

Health & Safety Advisors. One or more competent persons are to be appointed to help managers comply with their duties under health and safety law. They will always remain as advisers/coordinators and shall not assume responsibility in law for health and safety matters. The Health and Safety Advisors should: - Have received proper and suitable training. Keep up-to-date information systems on civil and criminal law and health & safety management. Know how to interpret the law as it applies to Access to Music. Actively participate in the establishment of organizational arrangements. Develop and maintain procedures to ensure that senior managers get a true picture of how well health and safety is being managed. e able to present their advice independently and effectively. Hot Work Hot Work Permit Hospital - Taking Students or Staff to Hospital. Transport to Hospital Policy & Procedure. Accident & Incident Reporting Policy & Procedure. Accident & Incident Report Form. Occupational Driving Policy. Loco Parentis Policy. Under 16 s Arrangements Form. HIV see AIDS and First Aid. I Illness Reporting see also Accident & Incident Reporting. For sickness from work contact the Human Resource Department. For the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences contact the Premises manager or a Health & Safety Advisor. L Loco-Parentis. Loco Parentis Policy. Health & Safety at Off-Site Events. Under 16 s Arrangements Form. Lone Working Advisors &/or Human Resource Department on staff potentially at risk. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 13

Suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments are to be carried out where appropriate and records held at The Risk Assessments will be conducted by a competent person with relevant guidance from the Company s Refer to document/s Risk Assessment Policy. Lone Working Policy & Procedure. M Manual Handling Advisors &/or Human Resource Department on staff potentially at risk. Manual handling training is to be delivered where appropriate. Manual Handling Questionnaire Maintaining Equipment Procedures. - see Electrical Equipment. Arrangements in progress. Contact John Lindsay in respect of AtM provisions. O Occupational Driving. Advisors &/or Human Resource Department on staff potentially at risk. Groups Head Offices. Occupational Driving Policy. Occupational Driving Questionnaire. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 14

P Personal Protection Equipment PPE Advisors &/or Human Resource Department on staff potentially at risk. PPE Issue Form. PPE Policy & Procedure. Permits to Work - see also Hot Work Permit. For Arrangements - Contact Sue Warner. Pregnancy Advisors &/or Human Resources Department on staff potentially at risk. Maternity, Paternity and Adoption policy Premises Maintenance. F Gas Regulation (Air Conditioning) Policy & Procedure. Other Arrangements in progress. Contact Sue Warner. R Report of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations RIDDOR - See Accident and Incident Reporting. Risk Assessment. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 15

S Security Personal see Lone Working. Premises Suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments are to be carried out where appropriate and records held at the For specific arrangements contact Sue Warner (Premises Manager). Smoking Smoke Free Policy. Dealing with Smoking (flowchart). Disciplinary Policy. Stress Policy. Stress Policy. T Teaching Resources Props, equipment Arrangements in progress - Contact Sue Warner. Training & Instruction. Annual training days shall be instigated and themed accordingly. All company Central Training Days shall provide a time allocation to address and present health and safety issues. Further arrangements in progress. Contact Ian Topping, Jono Heale. Travel & Transportation - see also Transport to Hospital Occupational Driving Policy. Risk Assessment Policy Lone Working Policy. U Under 16 Years of Age. Loco Parentis Policy. Under 16 s Arrangements Form. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 16

V Violence at Work. Coordinators &/or Human Resources Department on staff potentially at risk. Health and Safety Coordinators. Equality & Diversity Strategy & Policy. Disciplinary Policy. Lone Working Policy ccident & Incident Reporting Policy & Procedure. Accident & Incident Report Form. Visitor Procedures Visitor Procedure - Health & Safety Leaflet. Vehicle Use see Occupational Driving. W Working with Contractors Working with Contractors Policy. AL/ATM/CTA/ H&S Policy & Arrangements 072012 17