FT2 Health & Safety Policy and Procedures
Revised February 2006
c. FT2 October 2000
Introduction
The aim of health and safety legislation in the United Kingdom is to ensure the health and safety and welfare of people affected by work activities.
The legislation places legal duties on a number of parties including Employers, Employees, the Self-employed and Contractors.
Health and safety management is an important part of good business practice for FT2 Management and all Employees, Freelance Staff and Contractors.
This document sets out in detail the FT2 Health & Safety Policy and all employees, trainees and apprentices are expected to abide by this policy at all times.
All Directors and Management are required to understand their responsibilities regarding the Company H&S Policy and training courses to that end are regularly taking place.
Staff and Sub Contract labour will be informed of their responsibilities regarding FT2 Health & Safety Policy either through training, consultation or during induction.
The Directors are committed to ensure the maximum effort in Health & Safety Policy is developed across the Organisation. If you are in any doubt regarding your role in this process please talk to the FT2 Director or Centre Co-ordinator.
FT2 supports the Learning and Skills Council's policy that learners are entitled to learning that takes place in a safe, healthy and supportive environment and that safe learning is essential to maximise learners' experience and achievement.
It is important that you have read and understood the relevant documentation.
The Company Directors shall endeavour to review this Policy as and when changes within FT2 in terms of named persons responsible or documentation occur or 12 months which ever is the soonest.
This document is a condensed version of the Company?s Health and Safety Policy. The Safe Working Practices Folder containing the full documentation supporting this Policy is held in the main office at FT2.
1. The Board of Directors at FT2 believes that a committed policy for effective health and safety arrangements is an essential element in the pursuit of their objective to produce high quality training and assessment initiatives for the film, television and media industry.
2. To this end, the Company Directors recognise and accept their statutory legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and all other pursuant relevant legislation. The Director of FT2 is responsible for Health & Safety Policy, and accepts their overall responsibility for ensuring that effective Health and Safety arrangements exist at all work places at which the Company is undertaking its business activities.
3. In furtherance of (1) above, FT2 acknowledges that its duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, towards all persons affected by their business activities, so far as is reasonably practicable, extends to include:-
- The provision and maintenance of plant, equipment and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health.
- Arrangements for ensuring safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances.
- Provision of instruction, information and training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of all employees.
- Provision and maintenance of a safe place of work and safe access to and egress from that place of work.
- The provision of a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
- Provision of adequate welfare facilities and arrangements.
- Compliance with all relevant statutory requirements for health, safety and welfare.
- The suitable and sufficient assessment of all risks to health and safety and the communication of control initiatives to all persons exposed to identified risks.
- Keep detailed records on all Health and Safety matters.
- Establish surveillance systems of Employees' health.
- To ensure emergency plans to include evacuation procedures are in place and communication of such plans are given to all staff affected.
4. The Directors have appointed an external advisor as the ?competent person? as defined under Regulation 6 of The Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999. He will advise FT2 Management on all Health and Safety matters to assist the Company in achieving legal compliance as far as is reasonably practicable. He will also update the Board as required on all new and amended applicable legislation.
5. In recognition of the corporate duties under the Reporting of Injuries, Disease & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), the Company has introduced a system for reporting appropriate accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
6. In recognition of its statutory duty, under the Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, FT2 has taken out appropriate ?approved? insurance. This insures against liability for bodily injury or disease suffered by any of its employees arising out of, and in the course of their employment, provided only that it was caused by the negligence and/or breach of statutory duty on the part of FT2. The certificate of this insurance will be prominently displayed, in order that it can be inspected by employees and if required, at all reasonable times by a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspector.
7. All persons employed by FT2 agree, as a term of their contract of employment or contract for services, to take reasonable care for the health and safety of him or herself and of other persons who may be affected by his or her acts or omissions at work and to comply with their individual duties under all legislation as described in (2) above. All persons employed must also co-operate generally, to enable the Company to carry out their health and safety duties towards them. Failure to comply with Health and Safety duties, regulations, Codes of Practice, safety rules and safe systems of work may result in dismissal from employment or a contract for services withdrawn.
8. In recognition of its duties towards the General Public and all lawful visitors to FT2 premises and locations, the Company regards the extent of its duties as compatible with the following pieces of legislation: - Sections 3 and 4 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Regulations 9 and 10 of The Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 and the Occupiers? Liability Acts 1957 and 1984.
9. This Policy has been prepared in furtherance of section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and binds all Managers, Employees and any other person affected by the Company?s business activities.
10. In keeping with section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, a copy of this statement is on FT2 notice boards and can also be obtained from the Main office at FT2. The Policy will be reviewed from time to time as deemed appropriate. Any revision will be brought to the attention of all Employees.
11. Copies of the full Health and Safety Policy and Safe Working Practices to include organisation and arrangements can be obtained from the FT2 Director or the Centre Co-ordinator.
Signed: Dated
Sharon Goode Director (responsible for Health and Safety Policy)
Policy Implementation Responsibilities
1. Ensure the day to day implementation of the Health and Safety Policy is given enough time and energy to fulfil the requirements placed on the Company under legal statute and common law.
2. Ensure that adequate records are kept within the Organisation on all matters relating to health and safety.
3. Ensure that suitable and sufficient assessments of risks to the health and safety of all Employees and others affected by the business activities of the Company are carried out pro-actively and controls to minimise such risks are in place.
4. Ensure any control initiatives to be introduced to minimise risks are given equal priority in terms of time, trouble and resources as other Management disciplines.
5. Ensure all tasks, systems and consultation processes delegated by the FT2 Management Board for implementation are given priority, a safety plan introduced and brought to the attention of all staff.
6. Ensure all contracted crew involved in training, assessment or other delivery are fully aware of the Company policy regarding health and safety matters.
7. Ensure a procedure is introduced through the organisation that all legal requirements regarding health and safety information, certification and safe systems of work are undertaken by all freelance staff, sub contracted companies, venues and other facilities with records maintained of relevant documents, assessments etc.
8. Ensure there are regular meetings with the Company Health and Safety Advisor and a system introduced for the effective monitoring of health and safety standards throughout the Company.
9. Ensure all emergency procedures, first aid requirements and welfare facilities are in place at all times, to include temporary locations and offices.
Responsibilities for Health and Safety Arrangements
1. The law makes it the duty of everyone at work to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others with whom they share a workplace.
2. They must co-operate with Company Management to ensure that a safe and healthy working environment exists and is maintained.
3. It is the duty of Employees, Trainees and Apprentices not to misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health and safety.
4. All Employees, Trainees and Apprentices must report promptly to their immediate supervisor any hazardous situation or defect.
5. Employees, Trainees and Apprentices have a duty to use properly any personal protection safety equipment supplied to protect against risks of bodily injury when exposed to a hazard in the work place.
6. Employees, Trainees and Apprentices have a duty to act reasonably and with proper regard for health and safety at work. Horseplay at work could result in dismissal from employment and possible legal action taken.
Responsibilities for Health and Safety Arrangements
1. All Self Employed personnel such as freelance assessors and trainers are obliged by law to take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that they themselves are not put at risk, and others affected by their actions are likewise not put at risk.
2. With respect to many of the legal regulations that require employers to protect their employees from risk, the same types of regulations apply to the self-employed, requiring them to protect themselves and others. The legal duties will apply, whether or not people choose to comply with this Policy.
3. Self-employed persons will make proper consideration of health and safety before embarking on any work activity. Where appropriate they must initiate a risk assessment and inform all persons exposed to risks due to the work activity, of any control measures introduced to reduce the risk of injury.
The FT2 Management Board will formally discuss relevant Health and Safety issues at scheduled Board meetings.
This is in accordance with the terms of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Health & Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996.
PurposeThis is intended to provide a forum for the FT2 Management Board to inform and consult with nominated representatives in matters relating to Health & Safety, i.e. the Health & Sfety Policy Group.
Duties
The Committee will be responsible for the following:
1. Considering Policy prepared by the Policy Group for incorporation into the Health & Safety management system.
2. Recommending changes to Policy for consideration by the Policy Group.
3. Presenting the views of staff on matters pertaining to Health & Safety for consideration by the Policy Group.
4. Considering the results of all Site Inspection Reports by the Fire Wardens.
5. Co-operating and assisting in the conducting of Risk Assessment.
6. Monitoring the effectiveness of the safety content of employees training.
7. Considering all documentation pertaining to Health & Safety presented to the company by external statutory authorities.
8. Monitoring the effectiveness of communication by the Company to the employees.
9. Produce an extract of minutes of the FT2 Management Board meetings to be agreed by all members of the Board on items pertaining to the FT2 Health and Safety Policy and displayed on notice boards.
FT2 Building Fire Evacuation Procedures
Fire Officer: Office Manager
Fire Wardens: Refer to Notice boards for names of Fire Wardens
The fire bells are tested every month. In the event of a fire the bell will ring continuously. Staff should follow the instructions of the Fire Wardens at all times. Wardens are responsible for making sure their respective floor has been evacuated.
1. It you detect a fire at the FT2 Building dial, or sound the alarm. There are "Break Glass" points on each floor, near fire exit doors.
2. Leave the building, do not re-enter the building unless the all clear is given by the emergency services.
3. Exit building using main staircase. Never use the lift.
Never travel up the building; always make your way down to street level.
Exit building as quickly as possible but remain calm, do not run and do not return to collect belongings.
4. On leaving the building make your way to the assembly point, which is outside . Do not use fire extinguishers unless you are trained to do so and in no circumstances should you place yourself at personal risk.
Water -Suitable for Wood, Paper, Textile and similar fires (Never use on electrical fires)
C02 - Suitable for Electrical, Flammable Liquids, Gasses
FT2 Building Assembly Point for Fire Alarm Evacuation
Assembly Point - outside Southwark Tavern (corner of Stoney Street and Southwark Street)
At FT2 there are qualified First-Aiders. A list of names can be found on the notice boards.
At FT2, first aid boxes are situated at Reception.
All accidents must be reported according to the Accident Reporting Procedures outlined below.
Our nearest Accident and Emergency Department is as follows:
St Thomas' HospitalLambeth Palace Road, SE1020 7188 7188
1. All accidents however minor should be reported immediately to the FT2 Director, the appropriate Head of Department or the most senior person if on attachment or during off-the-job training.
2. The Manager of the area in which the accident occurred must also be notified if different from point 1 above.
3. An Accident Report Form must be completed in the presence of the Manager. In more serious accidents details of any witnesses, environmental conditions will be recorded and any equipment, tools etc. involved isolated to make safe and also for possible inspection at a later date. If you are on location and no form is available then notes must be made and a form filled in as soon as possible.
4. Forms should be sent to the Director at FT2.More serious accidents will be reported immediately to the Company Safety Advisor.
5. Certain types of accidents will be reported to the Health and Safety Executive by phone/fax within 24 hours and the official form F2508 sent within 10 days.
6. When accidents require internal investigation, the FT2 Director will take charge with assistance from the Company Safety Advisor.
1. All Near Miss incidents must be reported immediately to the Manager of the Area in which the incident occurred or the most senior person if on location.
2. The Manager will complete a Near Miss Report Form clarifying steps to be taken in order to prevent recurrence. Advice will be sought from the Company Safety Advisor if appropriate. The forms can be found in the same directory as the Accident Report Forms.
3. If the incident took place at an external location for training, assessment or other activity then the incident must be reported to the appropriate Manager.
4. Certain types of incident (dangerous occurrence) will be reported to the Health & Safety Executive within 24 hours by phone/fax and the official Form F2508 sent within 10 days. The Company Health and Safety Adviser must be notified immediately of any H.S.E. reportable incident or accident.
5. In the extremely rare likelihood of an Industrial type disease being identified to a member(s) of staff, a reference list of diseases, which are reportable to the Health & Safety Executive, is included in the Health and Safety Policy and Safe Working Practices Folder. It is for this reason that any illness, which may be deemed as work related, is reported to the FT2 Director without delay.
Manual handling is a process that will affect most areas within FT2. The majority of injuries that occur in most industries are as a direct result of a manual handling operation.
If you feel that training in manual handling is appropriate for your job and your manager has not identified this, please bring it to their attention. Guidelines are available in the FT2 Health and Safety Policy and Safe Working Practices Folder.
PPE is the term given to any item of equipment that is worn by an individual to protect them from some form of harm. If the work you are asked to undertake requires the wearing of PPE then it must always be used.
The Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 require that all Employers and Self-employed persons conduct risk assessments of all significant risks due to their work activities.
Prior therefore to any work activity commencing, a suitable and sufficient Risk Assessment must be conducted by a trained member of staff. Where practicable risks to health and safety must be eliminated or effectively controlled utilising permanent fixed methods of controls rather than voluntary personal protective equipment.
Risk Assessment forms can be found in the FT2 Safe Working Practices Guide.
