1. About this policy

 

1.1 We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of staff and anyone affected by our business activities, and to providing a safe and suitable environment for all those attending our premises.

 

1.2 This policy sets out our arrangements in relation to:

(a) assessment and control of health and safety risks arising from work activities;

(b) preventing accidents and work-related ill health;

(c) provision and maintenance of a safe workplace and equipment;

(d) information, instruction, training and supervision in safe working methods and procedures;

(e) emergency procedures in cases of fire or other major incident.

 

1.3 This policy does not form part of any employee's contract of employment and we may amend it at any time. We will continue to review this policy to ensure it is achieving its aims.

 

2. Responsibility for this policy

 

2.1 Lisa Jones is the Principal Health and Safety Officer with day-to-day responsibility for health and safety matters.

 

3. Your responsibilities

 

3.1 All staff share responsibility for achieving safe working conditions. You must take care of your own health and safety and that of others, observe applicable safety rules and follow instructions for the safe use of equipment.

 

3.2 You should report any health and safety concerns immediately to your line manager or the Principle Health and Safety Office.

 

3.3 You must co-operate with managers on health and safety matters, including the investigation of any incident.

 

3.4 Failure to comply with this policy may be treated as misconduct and dealt with as a disciplinary issue.

 

4. Training

 

4.1 We will ensure that you are given adequate training and supervision to perform your work competently and safely.

 

4.2 Staff will be given a health and safety induction and provided with appropriate safety training, including, as appropriate in each case: manual handling; control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH); working at height; asbestos awareness; gas safety; electrical safety; and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

 

5. Equipment

 

5.1 You must use equipment in accordance with any instructions given to you. Any equipment fault or damage must immediately be reported to your line manager.

 

5.2 No member of staff should attempt to repair equipment unless trained to do so.

 

5.3 Lisa Jones  is responsible for ensuring equipment safety and maintenance.

 

6. Accidents and first aid

 

6. 1Details of first aid facilities and the names of trained first aiders are displayed on the notice boards.

 

6.2 All accidents and injuries at work, however minor, should be reported and recorded in the Accident Book which is kept in the Grooming salon

 

6.3 The Principal Health and Safety Officer is responsible for investigating any injuries or work-related disease, preparing and keeping accident records, and for submitting reports to the relevant authorities if required under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

 

7. Fire safety

 

7.1 All staff should familiarise themselves with the fire safety instructions, which are displayed on notice boards and near fire exits in the workplace.

 

7.2 If you hear a fire alarm, leave the building immediately by the nearest fire exit and go to the fire assembly point shown on the fire safety notices. Do not stop to collect belongings and do not use the lifts. Do not re-enter the building until told to do so.

 

7.3 If you discover a fire do not attempt to tackle it unless it is safe and you have been trained or feel competent to do so. You should operate the nearest fire alarm and, if you have sufficient time, call reception and report the location of the fire.

 

7.4Nominated individuals will be trained in the correct use of fire extinguishers.

 

7.5 You should notify your manager if there is anything (for example, impaired mobility) that might impede your evacuation in the event of a fire. A personal evacuation plan will be drawn up and brought to the attention of colleagues working in your vicinity.

 

7.6 Fire drills will be held at regular intervals and must be taken seriously.

 

8. Risk assessments and measures to control risk

 

8.1 We carry out general workplace risk assessments periodically. The purpose is to assess the risks to health and safety of employees, visitors and other third parties as a result of our activities, and to identify any measures that need to be taken to control those risks.

 

8.2 Measures will be taken to avoid or reduce the need to lift or carry items which could cause injury (manual handling) and to provide training on manual handling as necessary.

 

8.3 The use of hazardous substances at work will be avoided wherever possible and less hazardous alternatives will be used where available. Training on the control of substances hazardous to health will be provided as necessary.

 

8.4 Personal protective equipment is provided where there are risks that cannot be adequately controlled by other means.

 

8.5 Lisa Jones is responsible for workplace risk assessments and any measures to control risks.

 

9. Computers and display screen equipment

 

9.1 If you use a computer screen or other display screen equipment (DSE) habitually as a significant part of your work:

(a) you should try and organise your activity so that you take frequent short breaks from looking at the screen;

(b) you are entitled to a workstation assessment;

(c) you are entitled to an eyesight test by an optician at our expense.

 

9.2 You should contact your line manager to request a workstation assessment or an eye test. Eye tests should be repeated at regular intervals as advised by the optician, usually every two years. However, if you develop eye problems which may be caused by DSE work (such as headaches, eyestrain, or difficulty focusing) you can request a further eye test at any time.

 

9.3 We will not normally pay for glasses or contact lenses, unless your vision cannot be corrected by normal glasses or contact lenses and you need special glasses designed for the display screen distance. In such cases please discuss this with us.

 

Date: 1st September 2023

 

Reviewer: Lisa Jones

 

Review Date: 1st September 2024