Health and Safety

sales@johngreendecor.co.uk

Health, Safety and Welfare Policy

Statement of General Policy

John Green Decor Limited (the "Company") recognises that it has a statutory duty to provide a safe and healthy work place for its employees and subcontractors.

In order to carry out this duty the Company will, in so far as is reasonably practical, take appropriate action which will include the provision and maintenance of :-

systems and methods of work that are safe and without risks to health;

	plant machinery and appliances;
	safe arrangements for the handling, storage and movement of equipment and materials;
	adequate information, instruction and training to employees to enable them to be aware of hazards and to work in a safe and healthy manner;
	adequate welfare facilities;

The Company will ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, that these provisions will be applied in respect of employees working at premises not owned or operated by the Company.

The Company will, as far as is reasonably practical, coordinate safe working practices with other organisations and individuals, on whose premises its employees are working.

Responsibilities

The Proprietor has overall responsibility for Health, Safety and Welfare matters within the Company and for ensuring that this policy is reviewed, monitored and brought to the attention of all employees.

All employees as defined are responsible for the implementation and monitoring of this policy in respect of the contracts for which they are responsible.

Employees and subcontractors are responsible for ensuring that they adhere to the requirements of this policy and that they follow safe systems of work and the guidelines set out below and for the proper use of personal protective equipment provided by the Company.

Employees and subcontractors are also responsible for taking care of their own health and safety and that of other persons while working for the Company and for informing their respective managers or representatives of organisations on whose premises they are working, of any hazards encountered during their work.

The refusal of any employee or subcontractor to meet their obligations for health, safety and welfare will be regarded as a disciplinary matter.

Identification of hazards

The overall responsibility for the identification of hazards within the workplace rests with the Proprietor. However each manager appointed to a project has the responsibility to carry out a survey of the work place and to carry out a risk assessment in order to identify and address any potential hazards.

It will be the responsibility of all employees and subcontractors working for the Company to identify any additional hazards encountered in the work place and to bring them to the attention of their managers or other responsible person.

Potential hazards identified by the Company will be brought to the attention of all staff and subcontractors working at the work place. When working on premises not owned by the Company, any hazards identified will also be reported to the responsible person concerned.

Health and safety audit

The Company will carry out an annual health and safety audit to examine the health and safety arrangements within the Company against established standards.

The audit will include:

The policy and guidelines

The relevant regulations

The methods of work

The recording of hazards

The provision of information

The training and awareness of staff and subcontractors

Any deficiencies identified in the audit will be corrected as soon as possible.

The results of the audit will be reviewed and used to prepare a plan of action for the following year.

For this purpose we shall utilise the services of an independent external Health & Safety Practice, New Level Safety Limited (www.newlevelsafety.com)

Training

Health and safety training will be an essential part of the Company’s training plans. All new members of staff and subcontractors will receive health and safety training as part of their induction. The effectiveness of this training will be reviewed and update training will be carried out following the identification of additional hazards or on the issue of new regulations. Again, we shall utilise modules provided by our independent external Health & Safety Practice.

Records and Reports

The Company will maintain appropriate health and safety records for review and analysis. Records will include the hazards identified and reported by managers or members of staff prior to and during work, the results of health and safety audits and accidents.

Accidents

Employees and subcontractors are required to report all accidents to their managers. Following an accident the appropriate manager will examine the place where it occurred, question any witnesses, take measurements and/or photographs as appropriate, obtain expert advice where necessary from New Level Safety Limited and prepare a report of the accident.

First Aid

The Company will make provision for first aid and for the appropriate training of First Aiders.

Fire

The Company will ensure that, in Company premises, the fire exits are clearly marked and that adequate fire extinguishers are in place and are regularly checked. Staff will receive adequate training on evacuation procedures and selected staff will be trained on the use of fire equipment and the operation of fire procedures.

Maintenance and provision of equipment

All equipment owned by the Company will be regularly checked to ensure that it is working properly and safely. All members of staff required to operate any piece of equipment will be given appropriate training in its operation. Operating instructions and / or manuals will be available for selected pieces of equipment.

Lifting and handling

All employees and subcontractors will be responsible for safe methods of lifting and handling. Training will be given as appropriate. Any items that require handling or lifting which in the opinion of the member of staff is unsafe should be reported to the appropriate manager.

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)

The Company conforms to the requirements of the COSHH regulations and will identify those substances which are in use and which are hazardous to health. The Company will assess the risk of using the substances and will provide and use controls to prevent exposure to substances that are hazardous to health. It will ensure that adequate instructions are given to employees and subcontractors on the use of these substances.

General Health and Safety Guidelines to all Staff

All employees and subcontractors have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of other persons while working for the Company. These guidelines set out the minimum requirements to be followed by all employees and subcontractors to ensure that work can be carried out in a healthy and safe manner

Employees and subcontractors are required to adhere to these guidelines and any failure on the part of an employee or subcontractor to follow them will be considered as a disciplinary matter.

These guidelines are reviewed annually as part of the Company’s health and safety audit procedures, however any member of staff wishing to add to or amend a guideline should contact the Proprietor.

1. Fires and alarms

	Obey all non smoking signs and instructions.
	Dispose of all waste paper or other waste items in the designated containers or areas.
	When working on customer’s premises ensure that you are aware of their fire procedures.
	In the event of a fire, sound the alarm and report it immediately to your manager or to the site manager.
	In the event of the fire alarm being sounded, vacate the premises through the marked fire exits and remain in the assembly area until notified.
	Staff trained in the use of fire fighting equipment should ensure that they know the location of the equipment and how to use it.

2. First Aid

	Ensure that all injuries, however minor, are referred to your nearest first aider.
	Where necessary have them treated at your nearest medical centre.
	Ensure all injuries are reported to your manager or site manager and that they are recorded in the Company’s or site accident book in accordance with current RIDDOR Regulations.

3. Accidents

	Prior to starting work, review the health and safety information provided by your manager or site manager and ensure that you are aware of any hazards.
	Review the site and ensure that all hazards have been identified and addressed.
	Report any additional hazards to your manager or site manager.

Should an accident occur, report it immediately to the person in charge.

4. Personal Protective Equipment

	Always wear the personal protective equipment supplied by the Company.
	Always wear hard hats in accordance with the local requirements and as instructed by your manager or site manager.
	Ensure that the equipment issued to you is available and maintained.
	Ensure that the equipment issued to you provides you with adequate protection for the work you are doing.
	Requests for replacement and additional equipment should be placed with your manager.

5. Plant and Equipment

	Do not operate any plant or equipment unless you are authorised to do so by your manager or site manager.
	Before operating any piece of plant or equipment ensure you know how to operate it.
	Ensure that, where necessary, you have been given training in the operation of the plant or equipment.
	Check that, where necessary, an operating manual or other instruction exists for the plant or equipment.
	Check that the plant or equipment has been properly maintained.
	Ensure that all moving parts are properly guarded.
	Do not remove any guarding or interfere in any way with parts of the plant or equipment.
	Report any faults on the plant or equipment immediately to your manager or site manager.
	Do not use any damaged or faulty equipment.
	Check that all electrical equipment has been tested.
	Ensure that electrical cables, plugs, switches and sockets are undamaged.
	Ensure that any plant or equipment cannot be used by other people when you are not present.

6. Ladders, Scaffolding and working at above ground

	Ensure that the ladder, scaffolding or platform is undamaged and in a usable condition.
	Ensure that the ladder, scaffolding or platform is stable and secure.
	Always climb up ladders, scaffolding and platforms using the hand holds provided.

Beware of wet and greasy parts of the ladder, scaffolding or platform.

	Ensure that any substances or equipment being used at height is adequately secured to prevent dropping.
	Ensure that ladders, scaffoldings or platforms are inaccessible to unauthorised persons.

7. Lifting and handling

	Do not try to lift any object heavier than you are capable of lifting easily and safely.
	Request assistance with lifting heavy objects.
	Where possible, use mechanical equipment to lift heavy objects.
	Always lift by placing your feet firmly on the ground, bending your knees and keeping your back straight.
	Wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp or rough edges.
	Wear suitable footwear to guard against injuries caused by dropping the object.

8. The control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)

	Ensure that the hazards associated with the use of any materials are known.
	Ensure that the methods of using the materials in a way to minimise those hazards are known.
	Always read the safety instructions printed on the label, on data cards or on other instructions supplied with the material.
	If the instructions are not present report the matter to your manager before using.

9. Working in the office

	Keep your work area clean and tidy.
	Check for trip hazards, e.g. trailing cables and worn carpets.
	Do not obstruct fire or emergency exits.
	Throw waste paper in the bins provided.
	Read the fire drill notice and make sure you are aware of the evacuation procedures and assembly point.
	Make sure the fire extinguishers are in place.
	Only use equipment according to the manufacturers’ instructions

	Do not overload filing cabinets.
	Adopt a recommended safe working posture.
	When using computers and visual display units, take regular breaks and arrange to have regular eye tests.

Provision of Competent Persons

In accordance with The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 & ACoP, Employers must appoint competent people to assist them in undertaking measures to comply with the Regulations eg in risk assessment, health surveillance, devising and applying protective measures. For this purpose we utilise the services of an independent external Health & Safety Practice, New Level Safety Limited.

New Level Safety Limited, Regus House, Victory Way, Admirals Park, Dartford, Kent. DA2 6AG

Tel (Switchboard): 0870 351 7698 Fax: 0870 351 7699 Email: enquiries@newlevelsafety.com

Web: www.newlevelsafety.com