This policy sets out Luton International College’s responsibilities in respect of the Health & Safety of its staff, and anyone else working in or visiting Luton International College property.
1. Health and Safety Policy Statement – Introduction
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act of 1974 requires Luton International College to produce a written statement of policy, for all staff and volunteers, explaining its procedures and commitment to the health, safety and welfare of those members of staff.
2. General Policy
In accordance with Sections 2 and 3 of The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Luton International College and its managers will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare, of all its staff, volunteers and members of the general public where they have access to, or contact with, places where the business of Luton International College is transacted.
To this end Luton International College will, as far as is reasonably practicable, comply with all appropriate legislation and Approved Codes of Practice as may be issued by the Health and Safety Commission. Additionally, the Luton International College will take steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its staff and volunteers on Contract Sites by bringing the content of this Safety Policy and Mode of Implementation to the attention of Contractors.
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 employees on matters affecting their health and safety;
• To provide and maintain safe plant and equipment;
• To ensure safe handling and use of substances;
• To provide information, instruction and supervision for employees;
• To ensure all employees 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.
3. Organisation
Any specific responsibilities detailed in this section should be read in conjunction with the process specific responsibilities contained in Section 3. – General Arrangements.
Supervisors and Tutors
All Managers, Supervisors and Tutors are responsible for the safety of their team or class within the working environment and shall;
• ensure that Risk Assessments have been prepared for all tasks to be undertaken and that control measures adopted adequately minimise the risk to acceptable standards. They shall further ensure that the Risk Assessments are reviewed at least annually and the control measures revised as and when required.
• ensure that health & safety issues are raised on a regular basis at team meetings at all levels within their teams or classes.
• ensure that accidents and incidents that happen within their teams or classes are reported according to procedure and that they monitor sickness due to accidents at work and report appropriately to the Health & Safety Officer
• ensure that all new staff, volunteers and Learners are subject to induction in accordance with the relevant Luton International College Induction Policy.
Members of Staff and Volunteers
All staff and volunteers have a statutory duty to co-operate with the Luton International College in providing a safe and healthy working environment. In particular those they:
• Carry out their duties without endangering the health and safety of themselves, colleagues, third parties and/or the general public.
• Ask any person they observe to be behaving dangerously or working in an unsafe manner, to stop doing so, calling for appropriate support if such person fails to comply.
• Comply with all instructions appertaining to safety, by following all Luton International College procedures, all statutory provisions, Codes of Practice, Health and Safety Regulations and Safe Systems of Work and report any incidents where others are not so doing.
• Inform their immediate line manager of any defect or work situation, which may reasonably be considered to represent a danger or any shortcomings identified in the arrangements made for health and safety.
• Inform their manager of any personal health and safety requirements they may have.
• Use any equipment, including PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) provided, in accordance with the information, instruction and training they have received.
• At all times endeavour to facilitate the proper implementation of the Safety Policy.
• Report any incident or accident which has, or could have, resulted in illness, injury or damage to property; to their line manager and the Site Safety Officer as soon as possible.
• Members of staff and volunteers shall undertake personal (dynamic) assessments of risk, based on the signals, information, training and resources available. They shall make considered judgements in order to use the available resources in such a way as to achieve an acceptable level of safety whilst undertaking the task.
• Nominate Safety Representatives, via the recognised Trade Union, to raise issues relating to health and safety at work on their behalf.
4. Safety Representatives
By law, all workplaces must elect employee representatives for health & safety as set out in The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977. Unison is the recognised trade union in the Luton International College. Safety Representatives are Unison members, are elected by colleagues in that union (at least annually) and have agreed to undertake relevant training in Health & Safety.
Union Safety Representatives are not legally liable for anything they do or fail to do as a Safety Representative. They have legal rights but no legal duties.
Their functions are:
• To investigate potential hazards and dangerous occurrences at the workplace, examine the causes of accidents at the workplace and make representation to management on any matters arising.
• To investigate complaints by any employee that they represent relating to the employee’s health, safety and welfare at work and make representation to management on any matters arising.
• To make representation to management on general matters affecting the health, safety and welfare at work of the employees in the workplace.
• To carry out inspections of the workplace at least quarterly.
• To request and receive information if it affects the health and safety of their members.
• To attend meetings of the Health and Safety Committee.
Safety Representatives shall be permitted to take time off with pay, during working hours, as is necessary to perform the functions as set out above and to undergo any health and safety training as is reasonably necessary, for them to fulfil their role.
Contractors should be contractually obliged to provide copies of their own Health & Safety policies as appropriate and provide method statements as required by specific regulations governing their work. They should also comply with all relevant Luton International College Health and Safety requirements whilst on Luton International College premises.
1. Learners
All Learners have a responsibility to do everything they can to prevent injury to themselves, their fellow students, Luton International College Employees and any other person whilst on Luton International College premises.
Learners shall ensure they are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures.
Learners are required to report any accidents or near misses which have occurred, whilst on Luton International College premises or at any location where Work Placement is being undertaken, to their Tutor or other Luton International College employee, as soon a practicable
Learners shall use any equipment provided in accordance with the training that they have received. They are required to report any problems they foresee in any protection arrangements and inform their Tutor or other Luton International College employee, of any potential hazard, imminent danger or risk, no matter how small they seem at the time.
Learners are required to inform their Tutor of any personal health and safety need or requirement they may have.
6. General Arrangements
Induction Process
New members of staff will receive, as part of initial induction, guidance on health and safety, in accordance with Luton International College’s Induction Policy. This will include arrangements for First Aid and Fire Evacuation. Their personal obligations under the law will be explained. Additional training, where necessary, will be provided through line management to accommodate the specific needs of an individual.
Managers should also ensure that a Health & Safety induction takes place for members of staff who undertake a change in role or move office.
Learners also have an induction process that includes Health & Safety assessments.
7. Accident and Incident Reporting and Investigation
All injuries and dangerous occurrences will be reported and investigated, as soon as possible, by the line manager. Further investigation, where necessary, shall be made by the Site Safety Officer. Any necessary action shall be taken to remedy the situation. Where local action is not appropriate then specialist advice must be sought without undue delay.
As a matter of course, all accidents/incidents shall be brought to the attention of the Health and Safety Officer. All incidents / accidents giving rise to serious personal injury are to be reported to the Health and Safety Officer by the most direct means.
‘Near Miss’ incidents are to be reported using the ‘Critical Incident Procedure’. Further guidance can be found as an appendix to this policy.
The Health and Safety Officer shall have sole responsibility for reporting to the Health and Safety Executive any matters, which fall under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. The Head of Office Services shall be so responsible in the absence of the HSO.
8. First Aid Provision
Throughout Luton International College a number of personnel shall be trained and certified in accordance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations. Each ‘First Aid Post’ shall have the name of those trained in First Aid, who work in that building, displayed thereon. Additional signage displaying the names of those trained will be provided where appropriate.
Those who are not qualified should only render assistance, in the absence of a trained First Aider, if they are comfortable with any procedure they may employ.
9. Electrical Safety
In accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations the Luton International College shall arrange for the testing and servicing of both portable and fixed installations by a competent person. In addition, as part of the quarterly inspection by the Site Safety Officer, a routine check of leads, plugs etc., will be carried out. All staff, are reminded of the dangers of electricity and must take defective equipment out of use and report the matter as soon as possible.
10. General Conduct
The importance of standards cannot be stressed too highly. The commitment to health, safety and welfare is two-edged, on one side there are the obvious benefits to the individual and on the other, the benefits to Luton International College of reduced absenteeism due to ill health and injuries and an increase in general health and efficiency.
