As an employer we must prepare a written health and safety policy statement explaining how we intend to protect the health and safety at work of our employees and anyone else who might be affected by our work activities. Our Health and Safety Policy and Arrangements reflect our commitment to the provision of a safe working environment. They also meet a requirement to identify the duties and responsibilities for employees with responsibilities for managing health and safety in our workplace.

We also have a responsibility and duty to ensure that you are:

• Aware of and understand our Health and Safety General Policy.
• Aware of and understand the health and safety rules relating to your work.
• Provided with adequate information, instruction, training and supervision.
• Made aware of the significant risks associated with your work activities and how they may affect others.
• Provided with Safe Systems of Work.
• Provided with a safe and healthy working environment.

The policy is reviewed at regular intervals.

We ask you to acknowledge that you have read and understood the rules set out in this handbook, that you will obey them and any other rules or changes that are drawn to your attention. We will also provide, as appropriate, additional documents, training and instruction to help you to carry out your work safely and without risk to your health.

In support of our Health and Safety Policy the SSAFA - Controller has identified key personnel for its implementation and allocated specific responsibilities as set out here and in the following pages

Responsibilities are allocated to key management personnel as below.

Key

Control - SSAFA Controller

HoSEF - Head of Services, Estates - Facilities

DOSCO - Director of   Social Care Operations

DOCHS - Director of Community Healthcare Services (Overseas)

Introduction

Health and safety legislation places specific duties on employers to make arrangements to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees whilst at work and anyone else (visitors, contractors, etc) who might be affected by their business activity.

To help us comply with these duties we have assigned specific health and safety responsibilities to Key Personnel as shown on the previous page.

In addition, we have a health and safety management system that includes:

• Our Health and Safety Policy.
• Safety responsibilities for key personnel.
• Safety arrangements to deal with health and safety issues in our workplace. Risk assessments.
• Procedures to deal with emergencies. Employee safety rules.
• Additional information such as documented Safe Systems of Work, specific safety rules and fire precautions, are also provided.

Other health and safety information provided to employees includes:

• The official Health and Safety Law Poster.
• A current Employer’s Liability Insurance Certificate.
• Health and safety booklets and information sheets.
• Information about significant findings from risk assessments and action to be taken. Information relating to Safe Systems of Work and work procedures.

• All work-related injuries, however minor, must be reported to your manager at the earliest opportunity and recorded in the Accident Book.
• Report all injuries, incidents, near misses, dangerous occurrences and damage to property or equipment to your manager at the earliest opportunity.

• You may only use your mobile phone at designated break times.
• Our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy and procedures must be considered alongside all health and safety issues. There may also be implications from accident, incident or near miss investigations.
• Our Safeguarding policy and procedures must be considered alongside all health and safety issues. There may also be implications from accident, incident or near miss investigations. Do not operate any equipment or use hazardous and dangerous substances unless you have been trained and authorised.
• Use all work equipment in accordance with your training and instruction. Before use check that it is safe and in full working order.
• Report faulty, damaged, defective or malfunctioning equipment to your manager without delay. Do not attempt repairs unless you have been trained and authorised.
• When cleaning work equipment you must use the correct procedure as instructed. Work equipment must not be left switched on without someone in control of it.
• If you are under 18 years old you must not operate or clean dangerous machinery without direct supervision and instruction.
• Use all hazardous substances in accordance with written assessments, procedures and instructions.
• Hazardous, flammable or explosive substances that are not in immediate use must be stored correctly in their designated safe storage areas.
• Always follow safe working procedures and the training and instructions you have been given on handling glassware.
• When lifting or moving a service user you must consult and follow the instructions set out in their Care Plan.
• Always follow our Drugs and Alcohol Policy.
• Carry out manual handling tasks as instructed and according to your training. You must comply with all of our safe working procedures.
• When at work you must always wear suitable footwear.

• Always use the correct tools provided for your work.
• Clear up spillages as soon as possible, clean as you go. If the spillage is of a hazardous substance report it to a manager.
• All hazardous waste must be disposed of in a safe and approved manner. Do not allow hazardous substances to enter drains or sewers.
• Keep floors and other work areas free from obstruction and all other areas clean and tidy. Clean as you go.
• Dispose of all rubbish and waste materials as instructed.
• Disinfection procedures must be followed as instructed.
• You must report any hazardous conditions to management.

• Do not obstruct any fire escape route, fire equipment or fire doors at any time. Locked or obstructed fire escape routes must be reported immediately to management.
• You must comply with all established emergency procedures.
• You must report any use of firefighting equipment to management.
• Do not attempt to fight fires unless you have been trained how to do so. You must not interfere with or misuse any fire equipment provided.
• Fire doors must be kept closed at all times unless they are fitted with an automatic closing device linked to the fire alarm.

• You must maintain high standards of personal hygiene at all times when at work. You must protect all open wounds with a suitable dressing.
• You must not consume food or drinks in a place where it may become contaminated.
• Use and treat the toilets, washing and welfare facilities with care and respect, keep them clean and tidy so that the risk of contamination and cross-infection are minimised.

• Report early signs of work related dermatitis (red, cracking, dry, sore skin) to your manager.
• Report any medical condition, symptoms or use of medication which could affect your safety or the safety of others to management. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action.
• You must inform your manager, as soon as possible, if you are pregnant.
• You must inform management of any infections or illness immediately. Decisions to keep you away from work, due to illness, will only be taken after careful consideration.
• You must not attend work under the influence of either alcohol or illegal drugs.
• You must comply with all workplace warning signs, signals and notices displayed.

• You must tell us, without delay, about endorsements or changes to your driving licence.
• You must tell us immediately about any medical condition likely to affect your ability to drive.
• Regular safety checks must be carried out on all work vehicles.
• Do not drive or operate any work vehicles without approval.
• You must not allow unauthorised passengers in work vehicles.
• You must not use work vehicles for unauthorised purposes.
• You must not overload work vehicles.
• You must not use a handheld mobile phone whilst driving.
• Smoking is not permitted in work vehicles.

• Use all personal protective equipment as instructed.
• You must not damage or misuse personal protective equipment.
• After use personal protective equipment must be properly cleaned and stored correctly.
• You must inform your manager about damaged, defective or lost personal protective equipment

• Where you are authorised to administer medication you must obey the established procedures.
• Do not administer medication unless you have been specifically authorised.
• You must not misuse drugs or medicines intended for our clients - this is a disciplinary offence.
• All drugs and medicines that are not needed must be disposed in the authorised manner.
• Any medication administered to our clients and service users must be carefully recorded.

You will be liable to summary dismissal if you are found to have acted in either of the following ways:

• Serious breaches of the preceding health and safety rules, which endanger the lives of or may cause serious injury to employees or any other person.
• Interference with or misuse of any equipment for use at work, such that it may cause harm.

If you have concerns about health or safety hazards in the workplace you should raise them with your supervisor or manager so that they do not go unnoticed and remedial action can be taken. Recognising that some people can feel uncomfortable about raising hazard issues we also have a system which allows you to report your concerns in writing and (should you choose) anonymously. Complete the Hazard Log form at the back of this handbook, put it in an envelope and place it in the mailbox. Should you need additional Hazard Log forms or would rather not use the one in this booklet you can get additional copies by asking your line manager. We encourage your participation in reporting hazards, so that defects or hazards can be quickly identified and remedied before they can cause injury or ill-health to you or your colleagues.

To promote your involvement in the health and safety of the organisation we provide various formal opportunities for staff consultation. Between those opportunities you should raise any general concerns about health and safety at work with your supervisor or manager.

Every effort will be made to provide consultation and communication on important health and safety issues such as:

• Risk assessments and subsequent safe systems of work.
• Workplace hazards.
• Emergency procedures.
• New working practices and new work equipment.
• Workplace welfare issues.

Hazards that have the potential to harm your health, or anyone connected with our activities are identified in our risk assessments.

It is our policy that we only use substances hazardous to health where there is no alternative safe substance that could be used. Where we have to use hazardous substances we always try to use those that present the lowest level of risk to people who use them.

Where risk assessment identifies the presence of occupational health hazards and risks we will always implement suitable control measures. Where occupational health surveillance is recognised as being able to recognise and protect against ill-health appropriate systems will be implemented. You will be told if you need to be involved.

We anticipate that you will cooperate and take part in health monitoring which will be for your benefit. The specific results of any monitoring carried out by a registered occupational health practitioner will always be confidential.

We also expect you to follow our rules for managing and controlling the spread of societal illnesses whilst at work.

We carry out the process of risk assessment to reduce the risk of injury and ill health, and identify:

• The significant hazards that you may be exposed to.
• Who could be harmed and how.
• The likelihood of anyone being harmed by the hazard.
• Existing control measures.
• What (if any) further actions are required.
• Appropriate safe systems of work and necessary training.

For further information on risk assessment and to view those relevant to your work you should speak to your supervisor or manager.

Applicable to all Employees, Visitors and Contractors

1. Obey all rules, signs, and instructions.
2. Attend health and safety training or induction as instructed.
3. Treat every service users with dignity and respect.
4. Do not administer any medication unless you have been specifically trained and authorised.
5. Do not carry out a work activity or attempt an activity for which you have not been trained.
6. Check all equipment before use to ensure that it is in a safe condition.
7. Wear Personal Protective Equipment as instructed.
8. Do not enter any areas for which you are unauthorised.
9. Report all accidents, incidents, hazards and near misses to you your manager or the Registered Manager as soon as possible after the incident.
10. Do not smoke any form of cigarette in the workplace.
11. Maintain good housekeeping at all times.
12. Keep pedestrian and vehicle traffic routes clear at all times