Health and Safety Policy

 

Purpose

The policy, read in line with SoliHealth’s health and safety policy statement, outlines the responsibilities in relation to health and safety.

Employer Responsibilities 

The Senior Operations Manager is the designated person with overall responsibility for ensuring our compliance with Health and Safety legislation. They will ensure that: 

  • SoliHealth’s Health and Safety policy documentation and Health and Safety Management System are implemented, monitored, developed, communicated effectively, reviewed and amended as required 
  • a health and safety plan of continuous improvement is created and progress monitored 
  • staff understand the allocated responsibilities for health and safety defined in this policy 
  • suitable and sufficient funds, people, materials and equipment are provided to meet all health and safety requirements 
  • adequate insurance cover is provided and renewed 
  • competent persons are appointed to provide health and safety assistance and advice 
  • an adequate system of maintenance exists and operates to keep premises, plant and work equipment in a safe condition 
  • they communicate and consult with staff on health and safety issues 
  • an effective training programme is established to ensure staff are competent to carry out their work in a safe manner 
  • the monitoring activities required by this system are undertaken 
  • effective contingency plans are in place with a designated competent person in charge of the planning and control measures for situations involving imminent danger.
  • adequate training, information, instruction and supervision is provided to ensure that work is conducted safely 
  • health and safety objectives are set and their achievement is measured and reported in the annual report.  

Management / Clinical Lead responsibilities 

Managers / Clinical Leads will ensure that in their areas of control:

  • they actively lead the implementation of our Health and Safety Policy and Health and Safety Management System
  • they supervise their staff to ensure that they work safely, providing increased supervision for new and young workers
  • safe systems of work are developed and implemented
  • risk assessments are completed, recorded and regularly reviewed covering all processes and activities where a risk to health and safety exists. The significant findings of these assessments are brought to the attention of staff, contractors, visitors and members of the public who may be affected
  • health and safety checklists required by this system are completed at the designated frequencies
  • adequate resources are allocated to implement the safety policy and meet all safety requirements
  • the health and safety plan of continuous improvement is progressed and scheduled actions are completed on time and validated
  • accidents, ill health and ‘near miss’ incidents at work are investigated, recorded in the site accident book and reported
  • they communicate and consult with staff on health and safety issues
  • they encourage staff to report hazards and raise health and safety concerns
  • safety training for staff is identified, undertaken and recorded to ensure staff are competent to carry out their work in a safe manner
  • issues concerning safety raised by anyone are thoroughly investigated and, when necessary, further effective controls implemented and communicated to staff
  • welfare facilities are provided and maintained in a satisfactory state
  • premises, plant and work equipment are maintained in a safe condition
  • statutory examinations are planned, completed and recorded
  • any safety issues that cannot be dealt with are referred to a senior manager for action
  • health and safety rules are followed by all
  • the monitoring and checking activities required by this system are completed.
  • personal protective equipment is readily available and maintained, and relevant staff are aware of the correct use of this and the procedures for replacement
  • hazardous substances are stored, transported, handled and used in a safe manner according to manufacturers’ instructions and established rules and procedures

Employee responsibilities

All employees are responsible for acting in a safe manner whilst at work. By understanding their responsibilities and following our safety rules, they will help SoliHealth comply with their legal duties and contributing to the safe running of our workplace.

All employees have the responsibility:

  • to take reasonable care of their own safety
  • to take reasonable care of the safety of others affected by what we do or fail to do
  • not to interfere with or misuse, intentionally or recklessly, anything provided in the interests of safety
  • to co-operate so that we as individuals and SoliHealth can fulfil our legal duties e.g., comply with our safety rules
  • to report any hazardous defects in equipment, or shortcomings in the existing safety arrangements, to a responsible person without delay
  • to set a good personal example in relation to health and safety.

Nominated nurses have the responsibility to:

  • re-stock first aid boxes at regular intervals and when necessary.

Fire Marshals have the responsibility to carry out the duties for which they are trained when emergency evacuation of the workplace is required.

Responsibility for health and safety

The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for the health and safety in this organisation. However, everyone in SoliHealth has responsibilities in relation to health and safety, as set out in this policy.

Responsibilities of the employer

The employer is responsible for ensuring that the employee’s health and safety is protected in all activities at work. In particular, the employer is responsible for the following:

Ensuring that there is safe and adequate plant and equipment

The employer will ensure that all plant and equipment is regularly inspected and maintained, in accordance with a maintenance schedule. All repairs will be carried out at the earliest opportunity. If any plant or equipment is judged to be damaged or unsuitable for use for any reason it will be put out of action, with clear signage.

Safe premises and place of work

The employer will ensure that the premises are safe, and that all hazards are removed where possible. If it is not possible to remove a hazard clear signage will be displayed advising employees and any other visitors to the premises of the nature of the hazard and the precautions that should be taken.

Competent and safe fellow employees

The employer will ensure that all employees receive the appropriate training so that they are competent in all their work duties. If any employee acts in a manner that is likely to put others in danger appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

A safe system of work

The employer will ensure that all processes of work are safe. If there are any hazards the employer will endeavour to remove them. If that is not possible appropriate signage will be displayed advising employees and any other visitors to the premises of the nature of the hazard and the precautions that should be taken.

Responsibilities of the employee

The employee is responsible for ensuring that his/her actions do not cause danger to themselves or to anyone else. The primary responsibilities of the employee include the following:

Not to tamper with any equipment

Employees should not carry out any alterations to equipment which might compromise health and safety. Employees who do tamper with equipment are likely to face disciplinary action, which could include summary dismissal.

Not to use any equipment without receiving appropriate training

No employee should use any equipment without having the appropriate training. The employee is responsible for attending any training that is arranged, and completing any assessments that are required.

To take reasonable care of their own health and safety

Employees are expected to act responsibly and to take care of their own health and safety. This includes wearing any necessary protective clothing and not acting in a dangerous manner. All employees must take care that their actions do not endanger any other employees or visitors to SoliHealth.

To use equipment appropriately

Employees should use equipment for the purpose for which it is provided, and no other purpose. If any equipment is damaged or unfit for purpose in any way the employee is required to inform the employer immediately.

To follow appropriate systems of work

All employees should follow the systems of work that have been specified by the employer. There should be no deviation from these systems without prior permission from the employer.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

The employer is responsible for supplying employees with any personal protective equipment (PPE) that is required.

If an employee does not have the appropriate PPE for a specific task then the employee should inform the employer immediately and not perform that task until the PPE is available.

The employee is responsible for taking care of the PPE that has been issued. If any PPE is damaged the employer should be informed immediately.

An employee is required to return all PPE that has been issued on leaving SoliHealth.

    Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

    The employer is responsible for ensuring employees complete workstation assessments, including those employees who work remotely, however infrequently and for taking appropriate action to mitigate risks identified by the workstation assessment. Incorrect use of DSE or poorly designed workstations or work environments can lead to pain in necks, shoulders, backs arms, wrists and hands as well as fatigue and eye strain.

    Chemicals and other substances 

    All chemicals and other substances that are hazardous to health must be stored and used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions. Such materials will have a COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002) label on them, and the guidance on this label must be followed in full.

    Risk assessments

    All line managers are required to carry out regular risk assessments of the area and activities under their management. These risk assessments should be carried out annually at least, and some risk assessments will require more regular completion.

    The risk assessments should be recorded in writing, with an agreed target date for any actions that have been identified.

    If there are any risks that cannot be eliminated all employees working in that area must be made aware.

    Manual handling

    All employees who are involved in any lifting or carrying must attend training in relation to manual handling. This training must be renewed every two years. The line manager is responsible for ensuring that all employees requiring this training attend the training course at the appropriate time.

    Accidents

    Although every effort will be made to ensure a safe environment it is accepted that accidents can occur.

    If an accident does occur this must be reported immediately to the service lead. It must also be recorded in the accident book held at the site on which the accident occurred.

    If any of the following occur they must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive under the RIDDOR procedures (see www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/).

    • Fatal accidents
    • Specified injuries
    • Accidents resulting in a period of absence of more than seven days
    • Injuries to the public where they have to be taken to hospital.

    In addition, some work-related diseases and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive. Following any accident the situation will be investigated to determine whether changes need to be made to equipment, training or systems to work so that a similar situation can be prevented in the future.