4.1 Electrical Safety
All electrical systems and equipment are to be properly specified, designed, installed and checked periodically. Work on electrical systems or on any piece of electrically powered equipment will be authorised and carried out by a competent person only. Records of inspection and testing are held.
Inspection and testing of building electrical systems, circuits and distribution boards within most commercial premises require to be checked and certified every five years in accordance with BS7671 (as amended). All Systems will be identified with status and next date of inspection.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) will be routinely carried out throughout the Group sites. The frequency of test will be dependant on the nature of equipment and environment used. PAT test stickers are used to identify test status, failed, faulty or damaged equipment is withdrawn from use for repair or disposal.
4.2 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Where a „Hazardous Substance‟ is to be used, an assessment must be prepared in compliance with the „Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations‟ by the appropriate Manager and will be made available to the user. In the event of an accident involving a chemical, data sheets will be made available to advise on emergency treatment.
4.3 Personal Protective Equipment
In order to minimize the risk of personal injury and ill health and where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, protective equipment is issued to employees. Protective equipment is assessed to determine its suitability for the conditions of use. Any defective protective equipment must be reported.
There is an array of PPE available for use, including Hi Visibility clothing, Safety footwear, hard hat, Safety Glasses, Ear Defenders, Protective overalls, breathing apparatus and hand protection. Each Group site will display where at for what operations PPE is to be used. Failure to wear personal protective clothing may result in dismissal from the Company.
4.4 Manual Handling
On company induction, all staff will be given a copy of a Manual Handling guidance notes for their specific site. Employees are required to familiarise themselves with techniques and adopt them during their working day.
Additional Manual Handling training for all appropriate staff will be held periodically. All relevant employees are reminded of their obligation to participate in training provided by the Company to ensure that they understand how to safely carry out manual handling tasks. Employees are also requested to report to their managers any problems with manual handling, defects in the working environment, equipment or personal health status, which could affect their ability to work safely.
4.5 Use of Visual Display Units
The Company will purchase and provide appropriate equipment, processing systems and working environment suitable for display screen work.
A user is defined in law as a person for whom the use of the display screen forms a significant and substantial part of his/her working time. Everyone else using display screen equipment is termed a non-user.
The workstations will be reviewed on an ongoing basis or whenever there is a significant change to the office layout to ensure the workstations are set up appropriately for the work being carried out. All users and non-users are requested to report to their manager in the event of any problems with their display screen work, defects in environment, equipment or personal health.
The Company has a responsibility under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 to provide „eligible employees‟ with regular eye examinations and spectacles where these are required specifically when using a visual display unit.
The Company has made laptop computers available to employees who are required to travel in their role. Laptop users have the same rights to eye care
4.6 Company Vehicles and Driving
All staff that are involved in daily driving duties for the Water Wellbeing Group of companies are issued with a „Driver Information Manual‟. Driver training is supplied in line with legislative requirements. The company is to ensure that the vehicle is maintained in accordance with the manufacturer‟s instructions.
4.7 Good Housekeeping Policy
Good housekeeping is essential for safety and efficiency. All areas must be kept tidy to minimise the possibility of accidents. Rubbish must be disposed of immediately in the bins, compactors or skips provided. Items must be stored appropriately so they are not a potential danger to any person.
Loading of racks must not exceed the maximum safe load. Aisles and exits must be kept free of all materials. All deliveries and stock must be put away as soon as possible.
Managers and the Health and Safety Committee will carry out periodic site inspections. Employees must co-operate and carry out any actions
highlighted during inspections.
4.8 Hazard Spotting
All employees and sub contractors are required to report any situation that may be considered to be a hazard (i.e. a situation to cause harm) to a Manager or Director immediately. Quarterly site safety audits are carried out with any follow up actions taken where required.
4.9 Risk Assessments
Risks assessments are carried out throughout the group and reviewed each year. Completed assessments are recorded and where required displayed at the working are or point of risk. Where working procedures and company layout etc is altered, further risk assessments will be carried out.
During the process of risk assessment employees will be invited to tool box talks on health and safety awareness in their specific areas and have the opportunity to raise any health and safety concerns that they may have, for management to address.
Any improvement needed as a result of risk assessment will be completed within reasonable time and is dependent on the severity of the risk. All staff involved with identifying risks are suitably trained.