This is the safety, health and environment (SHE) policy of the company.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SHE
Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of the board of directors. On a day-to-day basis responsibility lies with the Health and Safety Officer, who is responsible for the preparation and review of this policy. He is also responsible for the development and implementation of organisational procedures to ensure a safe working practice. This involves:
- ensuring current procedures are still effective and relevant to a changing business;
- passing on information relating to SHE to employees;
- keeping up to date with legislative requirements that relate to SHE.
SHE POLICY STATEMENT
The company recognises that it has a duty to secure the health, safety and welfare of all its employees by ensuring that the working environment is as safe as is practicable. This will be done through:
- ensuring all employees are competent to do their tasks and are given adequate training, information and supervision;
- maintenance of vehicles and equipment;
- safe handling and use of substances;
- consultation with employees on matters affecting their health and safety
This duty extends to those people who visit our premises and to the public in general. The above duties and responsibilities extend to all other employees; it is the duty of every employee to ensure that our working environment is as safe as is reasonably possible for themselves and for others. A safe and healthy working environment can be achieved and maintained by everyone working together, recognising that they are involved in the safety process and have a duty to secure the well being of others by observing safety regulations. To achieve this, good communication in relation to safety matters is necessary. Behaviour which puts others at risk may result in disciplinary action being taken.
The company will endeavour to make every effort to see that its activities will not harm the environment and will do all in its power to minimise its environmental impact. To this end the company will, whenever possible, attempt to recycle material rather than dispose of it. The remaining options, in order of priority, are: chemical treatment, with the intention of producing a less hazardous product; high-temperature incineration; and landfill. The company will reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill on an ongoing basis and will comply with the Landfill Directive as it comes into force in stages. The company recognises that under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 it has a duty of care for any waste that it consigns and has a procedure for auditing any disposal site or transport contractor that is used for this purpose.
PROCEDURE
Written working procedures relating to the company are in place and staff receive these in the form of a training pack. Procedures are reviewed and updated bi-annually or when working conditions change significantly, whichever occurs first.
Premises where hazardous substances are stored must comply with the site licence and must:
- be kept clean and tidy at all times;
- contain appropriate warning signs;
- contain safety and emergency equipment including personal protective equipment, spillage kits, fire extinguishers and first aid equipment
- provide adequate segregation of hazardous materials.
DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES
It is the duty of every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. It is also the duty of every employee to co-operate with any duty or requirement imposed on the company by any regulatory organisation. Employees must not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety. Any health and safety concerns must be reported to the Health and Safety Officer or a Director.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Emergency procedures for both sites and on vehicles are in place and are tested periodically. All employees are made aware of them as part of their training. Any incidents will be recorded and, if necessary, reported to the appropriate authority. The company will ensure adequate provision of emergency equipment and will ensure that equipment will be tested or inspected periodically if applicable. Fire extinguishers are serviced annually by a third party. Employees must inform the company if equipment is damaged or unusable. The Health and Safety Officer makes a periodic visual check of safety equipment in the transfer station.
ACCIDENTS AND FIRST AID
Both sites have persons qualified in first aid. There are first aid kits in the main office, the transfer station and all company vehicles. The transfer station and vehicles also carry eye-wash. The transfer station has an emergency shower. The Health and Safety Officer makes a periodic check of first aid stock. Any accidents and cases of work-related ill health are recorded.
WORK EQUIPMENT
The company will ensure adequate provision of personal protective equipment and will ensure that equipment will be tested or inspected periodically if applicable. The Health and Safety Officer makes a periodic check of respirator masks and cartridges in the transfer station. A record is kept of PPE issued to employees. Employees must inform the company if equipment is damaged or unusable. The directors will be jointly responsible for identifying all plant and equipment needing maintenance. The directors will be responsible for ensuring effective maintenance procedures and the suitability of new equipment purchased.
RISK ASSESSMENTS AND METHOD STATEMENTS
The company realises that it has a responsibility to carry out risk assessments for its activities including the use of equipment, buildings and hazardous substances. These assessments will be carried out by the Health and Safety Officer, in consultation with other employees. The findings will be presented to the Directors and made known to all employees affected. The Directors will be responsible for ensuring that actions identified in the assessments are implemented. The company has written method statements for its activities and these can be provided to any customer who may request them.
TRAINING
The future success of our business is directly dependent on the people who make up the business. No matter what position an individual holds within the company, he or she will have an effect, for good or for bad, on the performance of the company in the market place. It is essential that each member of the company has the skills necessary to carry out their task safely and effectively. In order to facilitate this, every member of staff will receive job-specific training and a written record of this, such that it may be referred to in future either by the employee or the company. It is vital that we ensure every member of the team is equipped with the right skills and knowledge.
WELFARE FACILITIES
The company will ensure that adequate welfare facilities are available at both sites applicable to the level of staff on site.
CONTRACTORS AND VISITORS
All contractors and visitors will be issued with the site rules to make them aware of the emergency procedures and the existence of hazards in the immediate environment.
REVIEW OF SHE POLICY
This policy and the organisational procedures to which it refers will be reviewed every two years or when working conditions change, whichever occurs first, and will be distributed to all employees as part of their training.
The Directors
January 2008
