Health and Safety policy
1: General Statement
1. Quadring Parish Council recognises and accepts its responsibilities as an employer to provide a safe and healthy working environment for its Clerk, Members, contractors, voluntary helpers and any others who may be affected by activities of the Council.
2. The Council will meet its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and Regulations, and will provide as far as is reasonably, practicable, the resources to fulfil this commitment.
3. The Council will seek as and when appropriate, expert technical advice on Health and Safety to assist the Clerk in fulfilling the Council’s responsibilities for ensuring safe working conditions.
2: Aims of the Health and Safety Policy
To provide as far as is reasonably practicable:
1. A safe place of work and a safe working environment.
2. Arrangements for considering, reporting and reviewing Health and Safety matters at work, including risk assessments of working activities.
3. Systems of work that are safe and without risks to health.
4. Obtaining specialist technical advice and assistance on matters concerning Health and Safety when necessary.
5. Sufficient information, instruction and training for the Parish Clerk, Members, contractors and voluntary helpers to carry out their work safely.
6. Care and attention to the health, safety and welfare of the Clerk, Members, contractors, voluntary helpers and members of the public who may be affected by the Council’s activities.
3: Arrangements and Responsibilities for carrying out the Health and Safety Policy
As the Council’s Safety Officer, the Clerk will:
1. Keep informed of relevant health and safety legislation
2. Advise the Council on the resources and arrangements needed to implement the Health and Safety Policy.
3. Ensure that matters of health and safety are discussed at Parish Council meetings when appropriate.
4. Ensure that risk assessments are carried out of working practices and facilities, with subsequent consideration and review of any necessary corrective or protective measures,
5. Consider requesting contractors to supply a written method statement and risk assessment prior to starting major works.
6. Make arrangements to ensure those contractors or voluntary helpers working for the Council comply with all reasonable health and safety requirements. All contractors will be required to abide by the terms of the scope of work specified by the Council and will be given a copy of the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
7. Ensure that work activities by the Council, if any, do not unreasonably jeopardise the health and safety of members of the public.
8. Maintain a record of notifiable accidents.
9. When an accident or hazardous incident occurs, take immediate action to prevent a recurrence or further accident and to complete the necessary accident reporting procedure.
10. Act as the contact and liaison point for the Health and Safety Executive.
4: All employees, Members, contractors and voluntary helpers will:
1. Co-operate fully with the aims and requirements of the Council’s Health and Safety Policy. Comply with relevant Codes of Practice for Health and safety or work instructions for health and safety.
2. Take reasonable care for their own health and safety, use appropriate personal protective clothing and where appropriate ensure that first aid materials are available.
3. Take reasonable care for health and safety of other people who may be affected by their activities.
4. Not intentionally interfere with or remove safety guards, safety devices or other equipment provided for Health and Safety. 5. Not misuse any plant equipment, equipment, tools or materials. 6. Report any accidents or hazardous incidents to the Clerk.
Adopted by council on 23rd September 2024 - review 2025