Safety Policy

1.0 GENERAL AIMS

1.1 The Directors undertake to ensure that they will comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and any other statutory legislation relating to Health and Safety at work which may be enacted from time to time, and which is applicable to this type of business.

1.2 It is the responsibility of the Directors to establish Health and Safety Policy, and to review procedures, however it is the responsibility of  every individual to follow procedures and work in a safe manner.  The Directors will actively review the Policy at not more than six monthly intervals.

1.3 Office meetings with staff are held regularly and Health and Safety is an agenda item. In this way procedures will be regularly reviewed and any change communicated.

1.4 Neglect by any member of staff of any safety procedure will be viewed very seriously, any serious breach of safety will be a dismissible offence.

1.5 A copy of the full Safety Policy is displayed on the notice board in the drawing office.

2.0    ORGANISATION

2.1 The Directors will undertake all reasonable measures to ensure the Health and Safety of all Employees both in the office, and on site. This Policy Statement sets out the broad framework by which such measures will, with the cooperation of the Employees, be implemented.

2.2 It will be the responsibility of the Directors to establish Health and Safety Policy, and to review procedures. Reviews will be undertaken to reflect any changes in working practice, both domestic and statutory, and otherwise on an annual basis or as the need arises.

2.3 The current Policy has been developed from current working practices (domestic and national) appropriate to a Civil and Structural Engineering design consultancy.

2.4 It will be the responsibility of all Employees to understand their own role in implementing the Policy, and in managing Health and Safety. All Employees have a duty to be aware of safety issues as they affect their working environment, and to report to the Directors any changes in procedure  necessary to ensure such safety.

2.5 Health and Safety is an item on the standard Agenda for the regular  staff meetings. The meetings will be considered the forum for raising and discussing relevant issues (although matters may be raised at any time), and the Directors will make any necessary revision to the Policy and circulate to all staff.

2.6 The Directors will ensure that the office environment and all equipment is safe, in accordance with current British Standards (where relevant) and well maintained. It will be the responsibility of all Employees to ensure their own individual environment and equipment is similarly maintained and that any potential hazards are promptly dealt with, and reported to the Directors.

2.7 In the event of any accident causing injury occurring during the course of employment with Peters Associates(Ripon) Ltd, details are to be entered into the accident book (held by the Secretary) and an accident report completed at the earliest opportunity. A first aid box is located in the Kitchen for dealing with minor injuries.

2.8 The Directors will undertake to provide all safety, and personal protective equipment for the safe undertaking of normal work related to out of office activities. All Employees must use such equipment in an appropriate manner and report any faults, breakages etc. Employees will be responsible for ensuring, so far as is reasonably possible, that they attend sites with all appropriate safety and personal protective equipment. This may include the attendance of a second person in certain circumstances, for example, surveys in remote locations, working at height or entering dilapidated buildings.

2.9 The safe operation and execution of safe procedures, and of implementing this Policy Statement, can only be achieved with the cooperation of all parties.

3.0    ARRANGEMENTS

3.1 The system for managing Health and Safety in one small office is described in Section 2.0 of this Policy.

3.2 The following hazards exist in the office working environment :

3.2.1 Use of computers, VDU’s, printers, plotters, Fax etc.

3.2.2 Use of electrical equipment, trailing cables to be avoided.

3.2.3 The risk of electric shock; no machines are to be opened for maintenance without first isolating from the mains supply.

3.2.4 The risk of fire; a no smoking policy is in operation, and electrical equipment is regularly maintained.

3.2.5 Smoke detectors, break glass units and fire alarms are provided at each floor level, and tested regularly.

3.2.6 Fire extinguishers are provided for tackling small fires.

3.2.7 Means of escape are identified; keep clear at all times, maintain emergency lighting.

3.2.8 An eyebath and eyewash solution is available in the Kitchen in the event of any eye contamination.

3.2.9 A first aid box is provided in the Kitchen for dealing with minor injuries.

3.2.10 In the event of any accident causing injury occurring during the course of employment with Peters Associates(Ripon) Ltd, details are to be entered into the accident book (held by the Secretary) and an accident report completed at the earliest opportunity.

3.3 The following possible hazards may exist when visiting sites outside the office :

3.3.2 Entering deep excavations.

3.3.3 Operational construction plant and equipment, e..g. cranes, excavators, trucks, compressors and the like.

3.3.4 Excessive noise or dust.

3.3.5 Presence of hazardous materials, particularly in older buildings.

3.3.6 Presence of vermin e.g. rodents, pigeons, and their excrement.

3.3.7 Fragile structures such as roofs, roof lights.

3.3.8 The activities of Contractors may create hazards if safety guidelines have not been applied.

3.4 The following safety policy applies when attending or dealing with sites outside the office :

3.4.1 The CDM Regulations 2007 impose a duty on designers to consider safety during the design process. Various HSE publications on safety in construction and during demolition are held in the technical library and should be referred to as required.

3.4.2 A copy of the Publication “Site Safe and You” is available in the technical library, and must be read by all staff who have cause to visit construction sites.

3.4.3 Protective clothing, overalls, reflective jackets, ear protectors, gloves, dust masks, safety boots and hard hats are provided and must be taken on site visits and used by staff whenever necessary.

3.4.4 Before leaving the office, all staff must inform a Director or Secretary of their destination (and contact) and anticipated time of arrival and anticipated time of return to the office.  If the staff member has no access to a mobile phone, the office mobile must be taken.

3.4.5 When visiting buildings or construction sites, all staff must take reasonable care of their own or other persons health and safety, and comply with the contractor’s own site specific safety arrangements. In the event that a contractor is behaving in an unsafe manner draw this to the attention of the site manager immediately.

Use any necessary safety equipment which is provided and do not take risks when climbing up ladders or entering into excavations.

3.4.6 Safety updates from the Association for Project Safety are circulated in the daily correspondence file and must be read by all staff with a responsibility for safety in design or who have cause to visit construction sites.

3.4.7 All staff who visit sites will be required to take the CSCS Managers Health and Safety Test.