In accordance with section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, it is the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees. There is no requirement for an organisation with less than 5 employees to have a documented Health and Safety Policy however in line with National Association of Local Councils (NALC) recommended best practice and the Councils commitment to quality, the following policy statements set out the Councils commitment to Health and Safety.
The overall and final responsibility for Health and Safety rests with the Parish Council but day to day responsibility for the implementation of this policy sits with the Clerk.
| Item | Policy Statement | Arrangements |
| General Health and Safety principles | To ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees. To ensure that the Parish Council are suitably insured. | Risk Assessments to be completed wherever a need arises or circumstances change and circulated. Personal protective equipment to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways. Follow the guidance with regards to manual handling avoiding hazardous manual handling wherever possible, assessing the risks and reducing the risk of injury so far as is possible. All persons using equipment at work or under council direction must be adequately trained. Persons should be competent for the work they undertake. Training – along with knowledge, experience and skill – helps develop such competence. |
| Equipment | To provide and maintain plant, equipment and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health | Equipment shall be stored appropriately, checked, maintained and defects addressed. Regular PAT testing schedule and fixed electrical testing (upon changes to electrics or at least every 7 years). |
| Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) | To put in place arrangements for ensuring safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances; | Having regard of exposure to substances. Consideration of COSHH Risk Assessments as appropriate. Reporting of all Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences |
| Information | To provide information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the health and safety at work of employees | Employees are to be competent, suitably trained and instructed. This can be met through employees completing an initial induction, annual appraisals and regular communication with their line manager. The Parish Council has a training policy. Employees should know where to go for health and safety information and further advice. |
| Place of Work | To provide and maintain a working environment for employees that is safe, without risks to health, and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work. To ensure that access to and egress to / from or to maintain it is safe and without such risks. | Places of work are suitably assessed for risks. Suitable arrangements for lone workers. |
| Contractors and risks to non-employees | To consider the safety of non-employees including contractors and ensure contractors do not expose non-employees (e.g. visitors or members of the public) to risks to their health and safety. | Ensure contractors are competent to undertake the work. Ask for references where appropriate. Check that the type of work has been undertaken by the contractor previously. Request contractors have appropriate public liability insurance cover. Ask to see evidence of risk assessments especially where non-employees are exposed to risks. |
| Emergency procedures | Evacuations in the event of fire or other major incidents. A fire risk assessment is available at: https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities | Fire exits and escape routes signed. Evacuation plans reviewed and tested. Fire Risk Assessment and Fire Safety Equipment responsibilities are in conjunction with any members or clubs using Parish Council buildings. |
This policy should be reviewed if circumstances of the Parish Council or its employees change.
| Health and safety law poster | Leaflet provided to staff, resourced from: Health and safety law (leaflet) (hse.gov.uk) |
| First aid boxes | Clerks home. |
| Accident Reporting / book | Accidents and ill health at work reported under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor |
This Policy cannot hope to cover all of the relevant legal provisions in detail. The Council may seek advice from:
- National Association of Local Councils
- Avon Local Councils Association
- Health and Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk
Additional Information
There are a number of regulations which may be relevant to support this policy. These include:
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992