Health and Safety Policy

 

XL Farmcare UK Ltd (the Employer) takes health and safety issues seriously and is committed to protecting the health and safety of our staff and all those attending our premises. This policy is intended to help the employer achieve this by clarifying who is responsible for health and safety matters and what those responsibilities are. This is a statement of policy and may be amended by the Employer at its absolute discretion.

 

Achieving a healthy and safe workplace is a collective task shared between the employer and staff. This policy and the rules contained in it apply to all staff, irrespective of seniority, and consultants.

 

Employer responsibilities

 

The Employer is responsible for:

 

Taking reasonable steps to safeguard the health and safety of staff, people affected by the Employer’s business activities and of people visiting its premises;

Identifying health and safety risks and finding ways to manage or overcome them;

Providing a safe and healthy place of work and safe entry and exit arrangements, including during an emergency situation;

Providing and maintaining safe working areas, equipment and systems and, where necessary, appropriate protective clothing;

Providing safe arrangements for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;

Providing adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to enable all staff to do their work safely, to avoid hazards and to contribute positively to their own health and safety at work. Staff will be actively encouraged to ask questions if they are unsure about how to safely carry out their work;

Ensuring any health and safety representatives receive appropriate training to carry out their functions effectively;

Providing a health and safety induction and appropriate safety training to staff roles;

Promoting effective communication and consultation between the Employer and staff concerning health and safety and safety matters and will consult with staff directly relating to health and safety;

If an epidemic or pandemic alert is issued, providing instructions, arrangement and advice to staff as to the organisation of business operations and steps to be taken to minimise the risk of infection; and

Regularly monitoring and reviewing the management of health and safety at work, making any necessary changes and bringing those to the attention of all staff.

Comply with all legislation applicable to the Company’s activities.

 

Responsibilities of all staff

 

General staff responsibilities

 

All staff must:

 

Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions;

Co-operate with the Health and Safety Officer and the Employer generally to enable compliance with health and safety duties and requirements;

Comply with any health and safety instructions and rules, including instructions on the safe use of equipment;

Keep health and safety issues in the front of their minds and take personal responsibility for the health and safety implications of their own acts and omissions;

Keep the workplace tidy and hazard-free;

Report all health and safety concerns to the Health and Safety Officer promptly, including any potential risk, hazard or malfunction of equipment, however minor or trivial it may seem; and

Co-operate in the Employer’s investigation of any incident or accident which either has led to injury or which could have led to injury, in the Employer’s opinion

Refrain from manual handling unless trained and authorised.

 

Staff responsibilities relating to equipment

 

All staff must:

 

Use equipment as directed by any instructions given by representative of management or contained in any written operating manual or instructions for use and any relevant training;
Report any fault with, damage to or concern about any equipment (including health and safety equipment) or its use to the Health and Safety Officer who is responsible for maintenance and safety of equipment
Ensure that health and safety equipment is not interfered with; and
Do not attempt to repair equipment unless suitably trained and authorised;

 

Staff responsibilities relation to accidents and first aid

 

All Staff must:

 

Promptly report any accident at work involving personal injury, however trivial, to the Health and Safety Officer so that details can be recorded in the Accident Book and cooperate in any associated investigation;
Familiarise themselves with the details of first aid facilities and trained first aiders;
If an accident occurs, arrange for a first aider to attend the scene before notifying the Business Manager;
The Health and Safety Officer is responsible for investigating any injuries or work related disease, preparing and keeping accident records, and for submitting reports under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)

 

Staff responsibilities relating to emergency evacuation and fire

 

All staff must:

 

Familiarise themselves with the instructions about what to do if there is a fire;
Ensure they are aware of the location of fire extinguishers, fire exits and alternative ways of leaving the building in an emergency;
Comply with the instructions of fire wardens if there is a fire, suspected fire or fire alarm (or a practice drill for any these scenarios);
Co-operate in fire drills and take them seriously (ensuring that any visitors to the building do the same), fire drills will be held at least once every 12 months;
Ensure that the fire exits or fire notices or emergency exit signs are not obstructed or hidden at any time;
Notify the Health and Safety Officer immediately of any circumstances (for example, impaired mobility) which might hinder or delay evacuation in a fire. This will allow the Health and Safety Officer to discuss a personal evacuation plan for you, which will be shared with the fire wardens and colleagues working near to you;

 

Staff responsibilities relating to the discovery of a fire

 

All staff must:

 

Immediately trigger the nearest fire alarm if it is safe to do so. If not, give loud verbal warning to others i.e. Shout FIRE several times;
Attempt to tackle the fire ONLY if they have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers.

 

Staff responsibilities on hearing the fire alarm

 

All staff must:

 

Remain calm and immediately evacuate the building, walking quickly without running, following any instructions of the fire wardens;
Leave without stopping to collect personal belongings;
Remain out of the building until notified by a fire warden that it is safe to re-enter.

 

Risk assessments, display screen equipment and manual handling

 

Risk assessments are simply a careful examination of what in the workplace could cause harm to people. The Employer will consider measures to minimise any risks. The employer will carry out general workplace risk assessments when required or as reasonably requested by staff. Managers must ensure that any necessary risk assessments take place and the resulting recommendations are implemented. The Health and Safety Office is responsible for workplace risk assessments and any measures to control risks.

Staff who use a computer for prolonged periods of time should try, where possible to organise short breaks every few hours away from the computer screen. Workstation assessments will be carried out. Habitual users of computer screen users may request an eye test by contacting the Health and Safety Officer who will provide details and make the necessary arrangements should you wish to proceed.

Guidance on manual handling (for example, lifting and carrying heavy objects) can be obtained from the Health and Safety Officer and where necessary training will be provided. The employer will try to minimise or avoid the need for manual handling where there is a risk of injury.

 

Drugs and Alcohol

 

Anybody suspected of being under the influence of non-prescribed drugs and/or alcohol will be asked to vacate the premises and undergo a drug and/or alcohol test. Support will be offered to anybody who fails a drug and/or alcohol test.

 

Driving on Company Business

 

Anybody driving on company business shall:

 

obey the rules of the road
drive within the speed limit
adjust your driving speed and/or style based on the prevailing weather conditions
maintain the vehicle in a safe condition
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front
never use a mobile phone whilst driving, even in hands-free mode
never smoke inside the vehicle
reverse park whenever possible/practical
not eat or drink whilst driving

 

Non-compliance with health and safety rules

 

Any breach of health and safety rules or failure to comply with this policy could result in serious personal injury and will be taken very seriously. It is also likely to result in disciplinary action against the offender, in accordance with the Employer’s disciplinary procedure, up to and including immediate dismissal.