Health and Safety Policy
Health and safety policy statement
This is the Health and Safety Policy Statement of
Globalteer – Registered Charity England & Wales 1119706
Important notes:
1. For the purpose of this policy, volunteers are considered employees and are afforded the same protection. There is legally no such thing as a 'volunteer' in the UK. Therefore there is no legislation that explicitly covers volunteers. However, employer supported volunteers are covered by employment law, including when they are offsite volunteering and including out of work hours, if it is an employer-sponsored project. Therefore employers are bound by a 'duty of care' to do everything reasonable to protect their employees from coming to harm whilst volunteering.
2. Health and safety laws differ in each country where we operate. Globalteer and our partners are required to abide by the laws of each individual country. These laws may be to different standards but where possible, Globalteer will conform to UK standards.
3. Partner projects will abide by local health and safety standards but will be audited by Globalteer to limit risk to volunteers.
Our statement of general policy is:
· To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities
· To consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety
· To provide and maintain safe equipment
· To ensure safe handling and use of substances
· To provide information, instruction and supervision for employees
· To ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks, and to give them adequate training
· To prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health
· To maintain safe and healthy working conditions
· To review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals
· To carry out health and safety audits at all locations (offices, projects & accommodation)
Jim Elliott – General Manager Globalteer
This is the Health and Safety Policy Statement of
Globalteer – Registered Charity England & Wales 1119706
Important notes:
1. For the purpose of this policy, volunteers are considered employees and are afforded the same protection. There is legally no such thing as a 'volunteer' in the UK. Therefore there is no legislation that explicitly covers volunteers. However, employer supported volunteers are covered by employment law, including when they are offsite volunteering and including out of work hours, if it is an employer-sponsored project. Therefore employers are bound by a 'duty of care' to do everything reasonable to protect their employees from coming to harm whilst volunteering.
2. Health and safety laws differ in each country where we operate. Globalteer and our partners are required to abide by the laws of each individual country. These laws may be to different standards but where possible, Globalteer will conform to UK standards.
3. Partner projects will abide by local health and safety standards but will be audited by Globalteer to limit risk to volunteers.
Our statement of general policy is:
· To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities
· To consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety
· To provide and maintain safe equipment
· To ensure safe handling and use of substances
· To provide information, instruction and supervision for employees
· To ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks, and to give them adequate training
· To prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health
· To maintain safe and healthy working conditions
· To review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals
· To carry out health and safety audits at all locations (offices, projects & accommodation)
Jim Elliott – General Manager Globalteer
Responsibilities
1. Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of: The General Manager and the Senior Management of our partner projects.
2. Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice is delegated to: Senior staff at Project locations & Management of partner projects.
3. All employees have to:
· Co-operate with supervisors and managers on health and safety matters
· Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety
· Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
· Report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person
1. Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of: The General Manager and the Senior Management of our partner projects.
2. Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice is delegated to: Senior staff at Project locations & Management of partner projects.
3. All employees have to:
· Co-operate with supervisors and managers on health and safety matters
· Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety
· Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
· Report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person
Health and safety risks arising from our work activities
1. Risk assessments will be undertaken by: Senior Globalteer staff in project locations or regions.
2. The findings of the risk assessments will be made available to: The General Manager, Senior staff members in project regions and Partner Project management.
3. Action required to remove & control risks will be approved by: The General Manager
4. Assessments will be reviewed every 24 months or when the work activity significantly changes, whichever is soonest.
1. Risk assessments will be undertaken by: Senior Globalteer staff in project locations or regions.
2. The findings of the risk assessments will be made available to: The General Manager, Senior staff members in project regions and Partner Project management.
3. Action required to remove & control risks will be approved by: The General Manager
4. Assessments will be reviewed every 24 months or when the work activity significantly changes, whichever is soonest.
Consultation with employees
Employees are consulted directly. The basic principles of 'duty of care' are:
- Ensure the employer supported volunteers are adequately trained
- Ensure that the employer supported volunteers are adequately supported and supervised
- Ensure that employer supported volunteers are not placing themselves in danger
- Recommend that volunteers have adequate travel insurance to cover their work where possible.
Before every employer supported volunteering project, the following will be considered:
- Risk Assessment
- Health & Safety
- Insurance
Safe equipment
1. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for identifying all equipment needing maintenance.
2. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for ensuring effective maintenance procedures are drawn up.
3. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for ensuring that all identified maintenance is implemented.
4. Any problems found with equipment should be reported to senior staff at Project locations.
5. Senior staff at Project locations will check that new equipment meets health and safety standards before it is purchased.
Safe handling and use of substances
1. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for identifying all substances which need a COSHH assessment.
2. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for undertaking COSHH assessments.
3. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for ensuring that all actions identified in the assessments are implemented.
4. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for ensuring that all relevant employees are informed about the COSHH assessments.
5. Senior staff at Project locations will check that new substances can be used safely before they are purchased.
6. Assessments will be reviewed every 24 months or when the work activity changes, whichever is soonest.
1. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for identifying all equipment needing maintenance.
2. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for ensuring effective maintenance procedures are drawn up.
3. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for ensuring that all identified maintenance is implemented.
4. Any problems found with equipment should be reported to senior staff at Project locations.
5. Senior staff at Project locations will check that new equipment meets health and safety standards before it is purchased.
Safe handling and use of substances
1. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for identifying all substances which need a COSHH assessment.
2. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for undertaking COSHH assessments.
3. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for ensuring that all actions identified in the assessments are implemented.
4. Senior staff at Project locations will be responsible for ensuring that all relevant employees are informed about the COSHH assessments.
5. Senior staff at Project locations will check that new substances can be used safely before they are purchased.
6. Assessments will be reviewed every 24 months or when the work activity changes, whichever is soonest.
Information, instruction and supervision
1. The Health and Safety Law poster is displayed at UK locations operated by Globalteer
2. Health and safety advice is available from Globalteer or Partner Project staff at Project locations
Competency for tasks and training
1. Induction training will be provided for all employees by The nominated local project representative
2. Job specific training will be provided by The nominated local project representative
3. Specific jobs requiring special training are The nominated local project representative
4. Training will be identified, arranged and monitored by The General Manager or Senior staff at Project locations
1. The Health and Safety Law poster is displayed at UK locations operated by Globalteer
2. Health and safety advice is available from Globalteer or Partner Project staff at Project locations
Competency for tasks and training
1. Induction training will be provided for all employees by The nominated local project representative
2. Job specific training will be provided by The nominated local project representative
3. Specific jobs requiring special training are The nominated local project representative
4. Training will be identified, arranged and monitored by The General Manager or Senior staff at Project locations
Monitoring
To check our working conditions, and ensure our safe working practices are being followed, we will:
1. Assess any new project location, accommodation or office for health and safety.
2. Carry out risk assessments of project locations, accommodation and offices.
3. Investigate any incident or near miss.
4. Senior staff at Project locations is responsible for investigating accidents.
5. Senior staff at Project locations is responsible for investigating work-related causes of sickness absences.
6. Senior staff at Project locations is responsible for acting on investigation findings to prevent a recurrence.
To check our working conditions, and ensure our safe working practices are being followed, we will:
1. Assess any new project location, accommodation or office for health and safety.
2. Carry out risk assessments of project locations, accommodation and offices.
3. Investigate any incident or near miss.
4. Senior staff at Project locations is responsible for investigating accidents.
5. Senior staff at Project locations is responsible for investigating work-related causes of sickness absences.
6. Senior staff at Project locations is responsible for acting on investigation findings to prevent a recurrence.
Emergency procedures – fire and evacuation
1. Senior staff at Project locations are responsible for ensuring the fire risk assessment is undertaken and implemented.
2. Escape routes are checked by Senior staff at Project locations
3. Fire extinguishers are maintained and checked by Senior staff at Project locations
4. Alarms are tested by Senior staff at Project locations
Emergency procedures – Disasters
1. In case of natural disaster or otherwise occurring whilst overseas, Globalteer will follow the UK overseas embassy or local consulate guidelines. The UK government will be in a position to work with local government to best ensure the continued safety of overseas visitors.
2. For citizens of other countries that require assistance, Globalteer will contact the relevant embassy or consulate.
3. Emergency contacts will be informed when applicable.
Emergency procedures – Health
1. For health related emergencies, Globalteer and project partner staff will ensure those requiring assistance are located to the nearest and best health facility.
2. Emergency contacts will be informed when applicable.
1. Senior staff at Project locations are responsible for ensuring the fire risk assessment is undertaken and implemented.
2. Escape routes are checked by Senior staff at Project locations
3. Fire extinguishers are maintained and checked by Senior staff at Project locations
4. Alarms are tested by Senior staff at Project locations
Emergency procedures – Disasters
1. In case of natural disaster or otherwise occurring whilst overseas, Globalteer will follow the UK overseas embassy or local consulate guidelines. The UK government will be in a position to work with local government to best ensure the continued safety of overseas visitors.
2. For citizens of other countries that require assistance, Globalteer will contact the relevant embassy or consulate.
3. Emergency contacts will be informed when applicable.
Emergency procedures – Health
1. For health related emergencies, Globalteer and project partner staff will ensure those requiring assistance are located to the nearest and best health facility.
2. Emergency contacts will be informed when applicable.
Risk assessment
Risk assessment will be carried out on allocations where Globalteer staff and volunteers carry out their work. Risk assessment help protect workers and the organisation, as well as comply with the law. It helps focus on the risks that really matter – the ones with the potential to cause real harm.
For staff carrying out a risk assessment using the Globalteer ‘risk assessment’ form:
A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what in your work could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. The law does not expect you to eliminate all risk, but you are required to protect people ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’.
When thinking about your risk assessment, remember:
1. A hazard is anything that may cause harm, such as chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, an open drawer
2. The risk is the chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be.
Step 1 Identify the hazards
First you need to work out how people could be harmed. The risk assessment form includes tips on how to spot the hazards that matter.
Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how
Identify groups of people who might be harmed and how they might be harmed, eg ‘shelf stackers may suffer back injury from repeated lifting of boxes’.
Step 3 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
Having spotted the hazards, you then need to decide what to do about them.
Compare what you currently do with what’s accepted as good practice. If there is a difference, list what needs to be done.
When controlling risks, apply these principles, if possible in this order:
· Try a less risky option.
· Prevent access to the hazard.
· Organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard.
· Issue personal protective equipment.
· Provide welfare facilities.
Step 4 Record your findings and implement them
When writing down your results, keep it simple.
If, like many businesses, you find that there are quite a lot of improvements that you could make, don’t try to do everything at once. Make a plan of action to deal with the most important things first.
Step 5 Review your risk assessment and update if necessary
Few workplaces stay the same, so it makes sense to review what you are doing on an ongoing basis. Every year or so, formally review where you are to make sure you are still improving, or at least not sliding back. Set a date for the review and put it in your diary so you don’t forget it.
Risk assessment will be carried out on allocations where Globalteer staff and volunteers carry out their work. Risk assessment help protect workers and the organisation, as well as comply with the law. It helps focus on the risks that really matter – the ones with the potential to cause real harm.
For staff carrying out a risk assessment using the Globalteer ‘risk assessment’ form:
A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what in your work could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. The law does not expect you to eliminate all risk, but you are required to protect people ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’.
When thinking about your risk assessment, remember:
1. A hazard is anything that may cause harm, such as chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, an open drawer
2. The risk is the chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be.
Step 1 Identify the hazards
First you need to work out how people could be harmed. The risk assessment form includes tips on how to spot the hazards that matter.
Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how
Identify groups of people who might be harmed and how they might be harmed, eg ‘shelf stackers may suffer back injury from repeated lifting of boxes’.
Step 3 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
Having spotted the hazards, you then need to decide what to do about them.
Compare what you currently do with what’s accepted as good practice. If there is a difference, list what needs to be done.
When controlling risks, apply these principles, if possible in this order:
· Try a less risky option.
· Prevent access to the hazard.
· Organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard.
· Issue personal protective equipment.
· Provide welfare facilities.
Step 4 Record your findings and implement them
When writing down your results, keep it simple.
If, like many businesses, you find that there are quite a lot of improvements that you could make, don’t try to do everything at once. Make a plan of action to deal with the most important things first.
Step 5 Review your risk assessment and update if necessary
Few workplaces stay the same, so it makes sense to review what you are doing on an ongoing basis. Every year or so, formally review where you are to make sure you are still improving, or at least not sliding back. Set a date for the review and put it in your diary so you don’t forget it.
Risk Assessors can either use the quantitative method (numerical) or qualitative (L, M, or H).
Risk level = Severity x Likelihood
Risk level = Severity x Likelihood
| Severity | ||||
| Slight L (1) |
Serious M (2) |
Major H (3) |
||
| Likelihood | Seldom L (1) |
L | L | M |
| Occasionally M (2) |
L | M | H | |
| Frequently H (3) |
M | H | H | |
Risk level = (1-2) L - Low; (3-4) M - Medium; (6-9) H - High
| Risk level | Action and Timescale | ||
| Trivial ( 1 ) |
No action is required to deal with trivial risks, and no documentary records need be kept (insignificant risk). |
||
| Acceptable ( 2 ) |
No further preventative action is necessary, but consideration should be given to cost-effective solutions, or improvements that impose minimal or no additional cost burden. Monitoring is required to ensure that the controls are maintained. | ||
| Moderate ( 3-4 ) |
Efforts should be made to reduce the risk, but the costs of prevention should be carefully measured and limited. Risk reduction measures should normally be implemented within three to six months, depending on the number of people exposed to the hazard. |
||
| Substantial ( 6 ) |
Work should not be started until the risk has been reduced. Considerable resources may have to be allocated to reduce the risk. Where the risk involves work in progress, the problem should be remedied as quickly as possible and certainly within one to three months. |
||
| Intolerable ( 9+ ) |
Work should not be started or continued until the risk level has been reduced. While the control measures should be cost-effective, the legal duty to reduce the risk is absolute. This means that if it is not possible to reduce the risk, even with unlimited resources, then the work must not be started or must remain prohibited. |
Risk Assessment Form
Location: Risk Assessor: Date:
Location: Risk Assessor: Date:
| Hazard = task/ activity with the potential to cause harm | Type of injury which could result if harm occurs | Type of People & number affected | Likelihood of injury occurring | Severity of Harm if injury does occur | RISK LEVEL L; M; or H. |
Current Control Measures in place | Further Control Measures required | Person Responsible to implement further measures required And Date to implement |
Date to Review |
||||
| With CURRENT CONTROL in place | |||||||||||||
| L | M | H | L | M | H | ||||||||
| |
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| |
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Examples: Manual handling / Toxins, chemical / Tripping, falling / Electrical equipment / Fire hazard / Vehicles
Accident & Near Miss Report Form
Use this form to report all accidents and near misses.
An accident is any unplanned event where
· someone is hurt, or
· someone could have been hurt if the circumstances had been slightly different (some people call this a “near miss”)
The form should be completed and signed by
· the immediate supervisor of the injured person or
· the person supervising the work or
· a representative of Globalteer or
· the person in charge of the area where the accident happened.
The completed form should be given to the senior person at the project location as soon as possible after the accident. Serious accidents should be reported immediately.
If appropriate, obtain signed statements from the injured person and from any witnesses giving their accounts of what happened and attach them to this report. (If you are unsure as to whether statements are needed, please discuss with the senior staff - a serious accident or one resulting in more than three days absence will usually require statements.) If statements cannot be obtained immediately, if for example the injured person has gone to hospital, do not delay completing this form and informing the senior staff about the accident.
Part A - about the accident
| When did it happen- local time? | Date |
Time |
||
| Where did it happen? (Include building name, street address, etc where appropriate) |
|
|||
Part B - about the injured person (if no-one was injured - go to Part D)
| What is the injured person’s full name? |
| What is his/her home address? |
|
| How old is he/she? | Is the injured person male or female? |
| If he/she works for Globalteer - what is his/her job title? | |
| If the injured person is a volunteer – was he/she working at a project location / at accommodation provided by Globalteer / Other? | |
| If the injured person was employed by someone else at the time of the accident - what is the name and address of his/her employer? | |
Part C - about the injury
| What was the injury and which part of the body was injured? |
| What treatment was given? |
| Who gave the treatment? |
| Did the injury cause absence from work or volunteering? |
Has the injured person returned to work or volunteering? | If yes, when did they return? |
Part D - describing what happened
Explain events leading up to the accident, the accident itself and afterwards (such as police involvement / hospitalisation).
Explain events leading up to the accident, the accident itself and afterwards (such as police involvement / hospitalisation).
| continue on a separate piece of paper if necessary |
Part E - about any witnesses
| Give the names and addresses of any witnesses to the accident. If there were no witnesses, please state this. |
|
Part F – recommendations to prevent a similar accident
Describe any actions which you recommend should be taken to prevent a similar accident in the future.
| continue on a separate piece of paper if necessary |
Part G - about the person completing this report
| What is your name? | What is your Job Title? | |
| What is your telephone number? | Does the injured person work for you? |
| Your signature |