Health and Safety Policy
Adopted at meeting held on 5th September 2024.
1. General Statement
I. Sudbrooke Parish Council recognises and accepts its responsibilities as an employer for providing a safe and healthy working environment for all its employees, contractors, voluntary helpers and others who may be affected by the activities of the Council.
II. The Council will meet its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974, and will provide, as far as is reasonably practicable, the resources necessary to fulfil this commitment.
III. The Council will seek, as and when appropriate, expert technical advice on Health and Safety to assist the Council in fulfilling its responsibilities for ensuring safe working conditions.
2. Aims of the Health and Safety Policy
To provide as far as is reasonably practicable:
I. A safe place of work and a safe working environment.
II. Arrangements for considering, reporting and reviewing matters of Health and Safety at work, including regular risk assessments of working activities.
III. Systems of work that are safe and without risks to health.
IV. Obtaining specialist technical advice and assistance on matters of Health and Safety when necessary.
V. Sufficient information, instruction and training for employees, contractors and voluntary helpers to carry out their work safely.
VI. Care and attention to the health, safety and welfare of employees, 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
The Council will:
I. Keep informed of relevant health and safety legislation.
II. Provide the resources and arrangements necessary to fulfil its responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy which shall be reviewed each year
III. Make effective arrangements to implement the Health and Safety Policy.
IV. Ensure that matters of health and safety are regularly discussed at meetings of the Parish Council.
V. Ensure that regular risk assessments are carried out for working practices and facilities, with subsequent consideration and review of any necessary corrective/protective measures. Risk assessments will be reviewed annually.
VI. Maintain a file of risk assessments, summarized in the minutes.
Make effective arrangements to ensure those contractors or voluntary helpers working for the Council comply with all reasonable health and safety requirements. All contractors will be
VII. required to abide by the terms of their contractors' service level agreement and specified scope of work and will be given a copy of the Council's Health & Safety Policy.
VIII. Ensure that work activities by the Council do not unreasonably jeopardies the health and safety of members of the public.
IX. Maintain a central record of notified accidents.
X. 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.
XI. Act as the contact and liaison point for the Health and Safety Executive.
3.1 All employees, contractors and voluntary helpers will:
I. Co-operate fully with the aims and requirements of the Council's Service Agreement for Contractors and Health and Safety Policy. Comply with Codes of Practice or work instructions for health and safety.
II. Take reasonable care for their own health and safety, to use appropriate personal protective clothing and, where appropriate, ensure that appropriate first aid materials are available.
III. Take reasonable care for the health and safety of other people who may be affected by their activities.
IV. Contractors will provide sufficient documentation to comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulation 2015 to ensure the council are fulfilling their ‘Duty of Care’
V. To comply with the Councils information, instruction and training.
VI. Not intentionally interfere with or remove safety guards, safety devices or other equipment provided for health and safety.
VII. Not misuse any plant, equipment tools or materials.
VIII. Report any accidents or hazardous incidents to the Clerk. This policy will be reviewed annually and as required.
4. Additional Health and Safety Policy Matters
In addition to the above the Parish Council will:
Undertake regular inspections of the Play area, noting any items that are deemed hazardous. These will be reported to the Clerk who will inform all Councillors so that immediate remedial work or repair may be organized. The Play area checks will be discussed as an item on the agenda (if required) and the risk assessment updated as necessary.
5. Policy Review
This Policy will be reviewed and updated following any major changes in procedures, personnel or annually whichever occurs first.