Safety Statement Including Risk Assessment Health and Safety Authority 6th March 2012
Health & Safety Policy I / We of am / are committed to working in accordance with the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and other associated legislation. I / we are fulfilling our statutory obligations to manage and co-ordinate workplace safety and health and commit to as far as is reasonably practicable to ensuring that: Work activities are managed so as to ensure the safety, health and welfare of my / our employees. Our Safety Statement is maintained, updated and written risk assessments are carried out and reviewed as required and brought to the attention of all employees at least annually. Identified protective and preventive measures are implemented and maintained. Improper conduct likely to put an employee s safety and health at risk is prevented. A safe place of work is provided, which is adequately designed and maintained. A safe means of access and egress is provided. Safe plant and equipment is provided. Safe systems of work are provided. Risk s to health from any article or substance is prevented. Appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision are provided. Suitable protective clothing and equipment, where hazards cannot be eliminated, are provided. Emergency plans are prepared and revised. Welfare facilities are provided and adequately maintained. Competent personnel to advise and assist in securing the safety, health and welfare of my / our employees are employed when required. Signed: Date: Position: Managing Director / Owner
Roles and Responsibilities Employer s responsibilities include: A commitment to managing and conducting our work activities in order to protect your health and safety. Providing a safe place of work which is adequately designed and maintained Providing safe means of access and egress to and from the place of work Providing safe plant, equipment and machinery Providing safe systems of work, e.g. operating procedures Preventing improper conduct likely to put an employees safety and health at risk Preventing risk to health from any article or substance (including plant, tools, machinery, chemical substances and equipment) as applicable to the place of work Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision, taking account of the employee s capabilities, when an employee begins work or is transferred to new tasks, and when new technology is introduced Providing suitable protective clothing and equipment where hazards cannot be eliminated Preparing and revising emergency plans Designating staff to take on emergency duties as necessary Providing and maintaining welfare facilities for example toilets, changing rooms, canteen area etc Providing, where necessary, a competent person to advise and assist us in securing the safety, health and welfare of all of our employees. Note: Other Responsibilities included in Appendix I Employee s responsibilities include: Complying with relevant health and safety legislation. Ensuring that you are not under the influence of an intoxicant while working as this could endanger your safety, health and welfare or that of others Ensuring that you do not engage in improper conduct or other behaviour that is likely to endanger your safety, health and welfare or that of others Co-operating with your employer and any other person to help us and any other person to comply with their legal duties. Use in such a manner so as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or other means provided (whether for your use alone or for use in common with others) for securing your safety, health and welfare while at work. To report to your employer or immediate supervisor, without unreasonable delay, any defects in plant, equipment, place of work or system of work that might endanger safety, health or welfare at work of any employee or that of any other person of which you become aware.
No person(s) shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse any appliance, protective clothing, convenience, or equipment provided in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions or otherwise, for securing the safety, health and welfare of persons arising out of work activities. Attend training as may be required or as may be prescribed relating to safety, health and welfare at work or relating to work carried out by you. Note: Other Responsibilities included in Appendix I Contractor s responsibilities include: [A contractor is a person or organization who signs a contract to do certain work within a specified time for payment.] All contractors involved in work activity on our premises are expected to comply with our policy for safety, health and welfare and must ensure that their own safety statement is made available while the work is being carried out. Contractors are required to provide us with details on any potential hazards that may impact on the wellbeing of our employees while work is being carried out in our workplace. To ensure compliance with the legislation we will provide the contractor with the relevant sections of our safety statement to ensure that they are aware of the hazards in our workplace. Contractors must report to the designated person on arrival at our workplace Note: Other Responsibilities included in Appendix I Visitor s responsibilities include: [A visitor is a person other than an employee or contractor] All visitors to our premises are to be made aware of our safety procedures and where possible must be accompanied by an employee at all times. Visitors are required to conduct themselves in a safe manner at all times. Visitors are required to observe the fire policy and in the event of an emergency they should identify themselves to an employee and they shall be escorted to the designated assembly point. Note: Other Responsibilities included in Appendix I
Consultation and Participation We recognise that employee involvement in health and safety is an integral part of our safety management system. We are committed to providing adequate and appropriate consultation and we welcome the views of all our employees on issues relating to health and safety. In particular should we change, update, or modify the manner, the location or the way we carry out a work activity, including the introduction of any new machines, procedures, materials and substances, we will consult with all our relevant employees. Furthermore, should any of our employees raise any matters relating to their health and safety connected in any way to our work activities we will consider such matters and we will endeavor to take any necessary action that we consider necessary or appropriate to deal with the matters raised. Note: Other arrangements included in Appendix I Safety Representative (where appointed) Our employees will be facilitated if they wish to decide on, select and appoint a safety representative. Where appointed the safety representative may make representations to us on safety, health and welfare matters relating to the employees in the workplace. We will consider these representations, and act on them if necessary. The person selected as our safety representative who accepts any of our proposals to deal with safety or health issues cannot be held legally accountable for putting the proposal into effect. The functions of our safety representative include: The Safety representative may be involved in investigations of accidents and dangerous occurrences. A safety representative, having given reasonable notice to the employer, has the right to inspect the workplace at a frequency or on a schedule agreed between him or her and the employer, based on the nature and extent of the hazards in the place of work. The safety representative shall be given access to information that relates to the safety, health and welfare of employees and the powers to investigate accidents and dangerous occurrences subject to any limitations as outlined in the legislation. The safety representative shall be given the opportunity to receive appropriate health and safety training.
The safety representative should be informed when an inspector from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) visits the premises and may accompany an inspector on an inspection. The safety representative shall not suffer any disadvantage through undertaking these functions. Our Safety Representative is Note: Other arrangements included in Appendix I Persons responsible for performing tasks The persons who are assigned responsibilities for carrying out health and safety tasks in particular are listed in the Appendix II
Welfare Facilities Requirements Welfare facilities are provided and maintained in a clean hygienic state for the use of our employees and visitors. A sample list of welfare facilities given in Appendix III Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) For all our work activities we will endeavor to ensure that all our employees are adequately protected and where it is not reasonably practicable to reduce or eliminate the risk, then as a last resort we will provide PPE appropriate to the task / work environment. As required we will ensure: Provision of adequate and suitable PPE. Ensure PPE is maintained used and replaced as recommended by the manufacturer s instructions. Record information of supply and training in use of PPE as required Having received the appropriate PPE we will expect our employees to: Use PPE properly whenever it is required. Report any defects in or damage to the PPE immediately. Participate in any training or instruction we provide on PPE. Inform us of any medical conditions they have that might be affected by the use of the PPE provided to them. A sample PPE register is given in Appendix III
First Aid Based on the type of hazards that exist in our work place we will ensure that we have provided adequate first aid equipment and facilities. Furthermore an Occupational First Aider will be provided should specific hazards in our workplace be identified through our risk assessment as requiring a trained First Aider. A sample list of first aid arrangements is given in Appendix III. Pregnant Employees There are specific regulations dealing with pregnancy at work which we will apply when any of our employees informs us that they are pregnant, has recently given birth or is breastfeeding and who provides us with an appropriate medical certificate. As the earliest stages of pregnancy are the most critical ones for the developing child it is in our employee s best interest to let us know she is pregnant as soon as possible. We will carry out a specific risk assessment for that employee. We will particularly take account of any medical advice our employee has received. If a risk cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level we will: adjust the working conditions or hours of work or both. If this is not possible, we provide alternate work and if this is not possible we will facilitate granting the employee health and safety leave. When carrying out such a risk assessment we will identify hazards in the workplace that could pose a health and safety risk to the new and expectant mothers and take appropriate action to remove or reduce the risk. We will keep this risk assessment under review and update as necessary. Furthermore we will ensure that pregnant, post natal or breastfeeding employees have a suitable place to rest. Note: Other arrangements included in Appendix I Young Workers There are specific regulations dealing with young persons at work which we will comply with in the event of a person under 18yrs of age entering employment with us. In particular; If the young person is under 16yrs old we will obtain written permission from their parent or guardian. We will not exceed the recommended working hours for young persons We will assess the risk to the safety and health of the young person arising from their lack of experience, maturity or awareness of risk any work activity likely to involve a risk of harmful exposure to physical, biological or chemical agents the physical and psychological capacity of the young person
and put in place all required control measures Work Related Stress and Dignity at Work As your employer we will as far as reasonably practicable ensure that; No employee s workload is so high that he or she will have to consistently work overtime. No employee will be subjected to harassment or degrading behavior from colleagues or managers and that everyone in the workplace treats others with respect and courtesy even if they do not get along. No employee has to work in an environment which is unsafe and in which they would be worried about accidents. Employees are trained so they can do their jobs effectively and safely Everyone knows what their core job is There is in place a Dignity at Work Policy outlining our procedures with regard to addressing bullying and harassment at work, this is in keeping with the HSA Code of Practice on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work. Emergency Procedures Emergency refers to any event that may require an evacuation of the premises (e.g. gas leak, fire, bomb threat, etc.). On hearing the alarm all employees, visitors and customers are required to: GO IMMEDIATELY to the emergency exits, closing all doors as you leave. DON T wait to find out what s happening. DON T stop to collect personal items. GO at once to your assembly point and wait for further instruction. DO NOT re-enter the building until authorised to do so by the emergency services. A sample list of Emergency Contacts is given in Appendix III
Our Risk Assessments In carrying out our risk assessments and in consultation with our employees we have reviewed our workplace and work practices, we have both identified the hazards that exist and made an assessment of the risks arising from these hazards. Where additional controls are required to avoid or reduce the risk these have been identified on the risk assessment and action list and will be implemented by the responsible person. We will make every reasonable effort to give priority to the implementation of outstanding controls for those hazards of most concern. Where we are of the opinion that the necessary competence to carry out particular risk assessments is not available in house additional expertise will be obtained. All our risk assessments will be reviewed and revised if required at least annually or more often if something arises which could affect the risk assessments.
Hazard Current Controls Additional Controls (See Action List) Employee Consultation Default Actions that must be carried out on all Risk Assessments. Bring the risk assessment and safety statement to the attention of your employees
Our Action List Following the completion of the risk assessment this action list was generated. This list is comprised of controls we indicated during the risk assessment process that are required to be implemented in order to reduce the risk of accident/ill-health in our workplace. Note: You can complete this action list by printing and filling it out by hand or you can return to Manage Action List and complete online.
Hazard Employee Consultation Default Actions that must be carried out on all Risk Assessments. Additional Controls Required Bring the risk assessment and safety statement to the attention of your employees Action by Whom To be completed by Completed No
Appendix I Responsibilities and other Arrangements List any other arrangements of responsibilities that are specific to your workplace here Area of Responsibility Additional responsibility or arrangements if not already included Employers Employees Contractors Visitors Consultation and Participation Pregnant Employees Work related Stress and Dignity at work
Appendix II List the persons Identified as being responsible for Health & Safety tasks No. Tasks (Non-Exhaustive) Responsible Person (Where Required) 1. Ensuring our Safety Statement is accessible and available to all 2. Person responsible for managing & coordinating work activities. 3. Ensuring records are maintained such as training and provision of PPE. 4. Ensuring forms & registers are collected and filled out as required. 5. Ensuring Safety Data Sheets are filed and appropriate control measures implemented as required. 6. Ensuring accidents are investigated, reported and remedial measures implemented to prevent re-occurrence. 7. Ensuring risk assessments are carried out and updated as necessary. 8. The upkeep and maintenance of our welfare facilities. Signature 9. The upkeep of our First Aid Box and ordering of our first aid supplies. 10. Coordinating and managing our training requirements. 11. Upkeep and maintenance of the premises. Coordinating contractors activities 12. Management and coordination of emergency equipment and procedures including provision of fire extinguishers, fire drill, evacuation planning etc
Appendix III Sample registers and forms a. Welfare Facilities Welfare Facilities Adequate number of suitable toilet facilities Adequate washbasins with hot and cold running water Separate use of lavatories or washbasins for men and women, if so required Suitable washing facilities will include hot and cold running water, soap and clean towels or other suitable means of cleaning or drying. May depending on the nature of the work or for health reasons include separate showers for men and women. Suitable and adequate accommodation to take meals (canteen) including: ability to boil water; clean table surfaces; seats with back supports; adequate lighting and heating Provision of drinking water Suitable arrangements so that facilities are adequately maintained and kept clean Facilities to take shelter from the elements (relates to outdoor workstations), if required Provision of suitable means to dry clothing that have become damp due to the nature of the work Give detail as necessary b. PPE Register
Protective Personal Equipment Register No. Name PPE Received Date Signature c. Location of First Aid Facilities Location of First Aid Box(es) Give detail as appropriate Location of Emergency Numbers on display Contents of our First Aid Box are appropriate for the size of our business and the hazards arising and will be regularly checked and replenished as necessary by Location of First Aid room (if required) Occupational First Aider (if required)
d. Emergency Arrangements Your Assembly Point is located at Emergency Telephone Numbers Occupational First Aider Nearest Hospital / A&E Local Doctor Emergency Services Ambulance 112 Fire Brigade Garda Station ESB Networks 1850 372 999 Bord Gáis 1850 205 050 Eircom 1901 Health & Safety Authority 1890 289 389 Other (specify) Other (specify)