Health & Safety

This page provides an overview of the Health & Safety policy, including our responsibilities, employee responsibilities, and general guidelines. These are the Health & Safety statements that employees review during their induction period, which are underpinned by our comprehensive Health and Safety Policy Booklet.

Introduction

In compliance with the requirement of Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Seven Steps Support Ltd are effectively discharging their statutory duties by preparing a written Health and Safety Policy. A copy of the policy and associated employee handbook, which outline our health and safety arrangements and organisational structure, are held at Seven Steps Support Ltd’s main place of business.

Seven Steps Support Ltd are aware that in order to ensure the health and safety policy is maintained effectively, it is essential that all references and information are up-to-date and accurate. Should any changes occur within the Organisation, e.g. introduction of new processes or systems etc., or if changes occur that impact on the organisation of health and safety responsibilities, a nominated representative will liaise with Citation Ltd, whose Health and Safety Consultants will advise on any policy updates that are needed and arrange for such amendments to be forwarded.

The health and safety policy and management system requires constant monitoring by Seven Steps Support Ltd’s management and reviewed particularly following changes to the Organisation and following accidents or incidents to ensure continual legal compliance. Citation Ltd will review the policy at the time of annual inspection. In order for Seven Steps Support Ltd to discharge its statutory duties, employees are required by law, to co-operate with management in all matters concerning the health, safety and welfare of themselves and any other person who may be affected by their acts or omissions whilst at work. Seven Steps Support Ltd encourages all employees to inform management of any areas of the health and safety policy that they feel are inadequate or misrepresented to ensure that the policy is maintained as a true working document.

Citation Ltd will provide advice in line with relevant health and safety legislative frameworks, however, Seven Steps Support Ltd retain responsibility and accountability for the health, safety and welfare of their employees and others who may be affected by any acts and/or omissions made by the Organisation, including the implementation of risk control measures.

Health & Safety Policy Statement

The following is a statement of the Organisation‘s health and safety policy in accordance with Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It is the policy of Seven Steps Support Ltd to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees working for the Organisation and other persons who may be affected by our undertakings.

Seven Steps Support Ltd acknowledges that the key to successful health and safety management requires an effective policy, organisation and arrangements, which reflect the commitment of senior management. To maintain that commitment, we will continually measure, monitor, improve and revise where necessary, an annual plan to ensure that health and safety standards are adequately maintained.

The Directors will implement the Organisation’s health and safety policy and recommend any changes to meet new circumstances. Seven Steps Support Ltd recognises that successful health and safety management contributes to successful business performance and will allocate adequate finances and resources to meet these needs. The management of Seven Steps Support Ltd looks upon the promotion of health and safety measures as a mutual objective for themselves and employees. It is therefore, the policy of management to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent personal injury and damage to property. Also, the Organisation aims to protect everyone, including visitors and members of the public, insofar as they come into contact with our activities, from any foreseeable hazard or danger.

All employees have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and are informed of their personal responsibilities to take due care of the health and safety of themselves and to ensure that they do not endanger other persons by their acts or omissions. Employees are also informed that they must co-operate with the Organisation in order that it can comply with the legal requirements placed upon it and in the implementation of this policy. Seven Steps Support Ltd will ensure continued consultation with the workforce to enable all viewpoints and recommendations to be discussed at regular intervals.

The Organisation will ensure a systematic approach to identifying hazards, assessing the risks, determining suitable and sufficient control measures and informing employees of the correct procedures needed to maintain a safe working environment. We will provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe places and systems of work, safe plant and machinery, safe handling of materials and substances, the provision of adequate safety equipment and ensure that appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision is given.

We regard all health and safety legislation as the minimum standard and expect management to achieve their targets without compromising health and safety.

Enviromental Statement

Seven Steps Support Ltd is committed to preventing pollution and to complying with all relevant environmental legislation, regulations and other environmental requirements. We will regularly evaluate the environmental impact of our activities, products and services and we will take action to continually improve our environmental performance. It is our policy to:

Minimise the use of energy, water and natural resources
Minimise waste through prevention, re-use and recycling where possible
Dispose of waste safely and legally
Avoid the use of hazardous materials, where practical
Work with environmentally responsible suppliers
Prevent environmental damage and minimise nuisance factors such as noise and air pollution.

We will define environmental objectives, targets and improvement actions that are related to this policy and to our significant environmental aspects. We will regularly evaluate progress.

We are committed to providing relevant environmental training and promoting environmental awareness to employees and, where appropriate, to suppliers and to communicating our environmental performance.

We will implement processes to prevent environmental non-conformities and to ensure that we are prepared to deal with potential environmental emergencies. This policy will be regularly reviewed and updated to take account of organisational priorities and changes, environmental legislation and best practice.

Food Safety Statement

Employees have a statutory duty to take care of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. To enable these duties to be accomplished it is Seven Steps Support Ltd‘s intention to ensure that responsibilities for food safety matters are effectively assigned, accepted and fulfilled at all levels within our organisation.

As far as is reasonably practicable, we shall ensure that:

Adequate resources are provided to ensure that proper provision can be made for food safety
Risk assessments are carried out and periodically reviewed in accordance with the HACCP’s
Systems of work are provided and maintained that are safe and without risks to food safety
Arrangements for use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances for use at work are safe and without risks to health
All employees are provided with such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to secure their safety and health at work, the safety of others who may be affected by their actions and the safety of food on the premises
Where appropriate, health surveillance will be provided to employees
The provision and maintenance of all plant, machinery and equipment to ensure it is safe and without risk to health or food safety
The working environment of all employees is safe and without risk to health or food safety and that adequate provision is made with regard to the facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work
The place of work is safe and that there is safe access to and egress from the workplace
Monitoring activities are undertaken to maintain agreed standards
All food prepared or stored on the premises complies with all food safety requirements and is of the nature, substance and quality demanded
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 and operate with us in fulfilling our statutory duties
Not to interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of health and safety.

General Policy - Health, Safety, and Fire Statement

Persons responsible for Health & Safety:

Kim Broughton – Director (Assisted Living & Community Projects)

April Hutchinson - Manager (Short Breaks Service)

Our statement of general policy is:

to provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities;
to consult with our paid and unpaid workers on matters affecting their health and safety;
to provide and maintain safe equipment;
to ensure safe handling and use of substances;
to provide information, instruction, and supervision for workers;
to ensure all workers are competent to do their tasks and give them adequate training;
to prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health;
to maintain safe and healthy working conditions; and
to review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals.

Management Organizational Structure and Responsibilities

Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of: The Company Directors
Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice is delegated to: Coordinators / paid workers

All workers have to:

cooperate with supervisors and managers on health and safety matters;
not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety;
take reasonable care of their own health and safety; and
report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person (as detailed in this policy statement).

Health and Safety Risks Arising from Our Work Activities – Annual Audit and Regular Risk Assessments

It is the policy of the Company to require a thorough examination of health and safety performance against established standards in each area, at least annually. The technique to be adopted for such examinations will be the ‘Safety Audit’. The Audit requires review of:

standards laid down in the policy;
relevant regulations;
environmental factors;
staff attitudes and instructions;
methods of work;
contingency plans;
recording and provision of information about accidents and hazards and the assessment of risk.

The information obtained by the Audit will be used to form the basis of the plan for the area for the following year. Audits must be completed by June of each year. The responsibility for ensuring that audit activity is carried out as part of this policy rests with the Directors. It is the management’s responsibility to ensure that any deficiencies highlighted in the Audit are dealt with as speedily as possible.

In addition to carrying out Safety Audits, management is responsible for checking, at least quarterly, all portable equipment, including electrical appliances, in their area, and to ensure that all problems are immediately dealt with. This is recorded, and a copy is kept in the main office.

Managers have a continual responsibility for the elimination of hazards in order to maintain a safe working environment and will also be expected to carry out regular risk assessments in line with the Health and Safety Executive Guidelines;

employees and volunteers will be expected to carry out their own risk assessments on the tasks they are performing.

Consultation with Employees and Volunteers

The Company will give employees and volunteers the opportunity to be consulted on matters affecting their health and safety. Employees and volunteers will be involved in decisions that affect their health and safety.

Safe Equipment

The Company will ensure that equipment is maintained in a safe condition for employees and volunteers to use. This will be done by:

performing regular checks and maintenance;
ensuring proper storage of equipment; and
providing training for employees and volunteers on the safe use of equipment.

Safe Handling and Use of Substances

The Company will ensure that the handling, storage, and use of substances are carried out safely and in accordance with relevant regulations. This will be done by:

identifying substances that require a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment;
undertaking COSHH assessments;
providing training for employees and volunteers on the safe handling and use of substances; and
ensuring that all substances are stored securely and safely.

Information, Instruction, and Supervision

The Company will provide employees and volunteers with the necessary information, instruction, and supervision to ensure their health and safety while carrying out their work. This will be done by:

providing relevant training;
ensuring that employees and volunteers understand their health and safety responsibilities; and
maintaining open communication channels for employees and volunteers to raise any health and safety concerns.

Competency for Tasks and Training

The Company will ensure that all employees and volunteers are competent to carry out their tasks and will provide adequate training as needed. This will be done by:

providing appropriate training for new employees and volunteers;
identifying any additional training needs for existing employees and volunteers; and
keeping training records for all employees and volunteers.

The Company will maintain procedures for dealing with accidents, first aid, and work-related ill health. This will be done by:

providing first aid facilities;
reporting and investigating accidents and work-related ill health;
maintaining records of accidents and work-related ill health; and
reviewing procedures and implementing improvements as necessary.

Monitoring

The Company will monitor health and safety by:

conducting regular inspections and checks;
investigating accidents and work-related ill health;
acting on the results of audits and risk assessments; and
reviewing this policy and making improvements as necessary.

Emergency Procedures – Fire and Evacuation

The Company will maintain procedures for dealing with emergencies, such as fire and evacuation. This will be done by:

conducting regular fire drills;
ensuring that fire extinguishers are regularly checked and maintained;
providing training for employees and volunteers on fire safety; and
maintaining clear and up-to-date evacuation plans.