The Society accepts responsibility within the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, for the safety, health and well being of staff during working hours and at other times when employed on the Society’s business.

It is everybody’s responsibility to take care for the safety of themselves and colleagues whilst at work, to comply with any instruction issued by the Society relating to the above act, and report any accident or near miss.

Health & Safety Policy

The Society pursues a policy to promote health and safety at work and seeks the co-operation of all employees for that purpose. We will provide working conditions, which comply with the relevant statutory requirements and officially approved codes of practice.

Particular attention will be paid to:

1. Providing information, instruction and supervision to enable all employees to contribute positively to their own health and safety e.g. Training sessions

2. Electrical equipment and systems of work to ensure that they are safe and do not endanger health e.g. computers, telephones, faxes, printers, scanners, guillotine.
Step Ladders

3. Providing safe arrangements for the storage, handling and movement of materials and substances e.g. fire extinguisher training, cleaning products, safety ladders.

4. Providing safe means of entry and exit to premises under the Society’s control.

Injury and illness can happen in any environment and it is the Society’s objective to reduce the incidence of these to an absolute minimum e.g. Health & Safety IT examinations. Reporting Accidents

Step 1 In the event of an accident causing injury staff must ensure that the injured person is being cared for and send immediately for a supervisor. Do not move the injured person.

Step 2. Report the full details to immediate supervisor who will record the incident in the accident book. The record will be regularly inspected by the safety officers. The accident will be reported to the inspecting authority as and when necessary.

Step 3. Any "near miss" incident which occurs should also be reported to immediate supervisors who will be responsible for making a report to their senior line manager.

Step 4. All accidents will be investigated by the appropriate safety officer, and the staff health and safety representative. A report will be made to the Chief Executive who will ensure that any necessary action is taken to prevent recurrence.

First Aid
During the induction programme employees will be shown the location of the nearest first aid box to their work area.

Fire
Fire exits must be kept clear from obstruction. All employees must know their evacuation route and assembly point in case of fire, and be fully conversant with the Society's 'General Instructions in the Event of a Fire' which are contained in the Security Manual.

Untitled Document Fire

e.g. All staff to immediately leave the building and meet on the main Car Park where nominated staff Fire Officers will check that the building is empty and that all staff are accounted for.

Hazard Reporting

Should a member of staff need to report a “hazard” e.g. broken chair, cables across the floor, then the following process must be followed.

Employees must report a hazard to their line manager. This can be done by completing a form, which is readily available on the society’s computer system.

This will then be dealt with by one of the health and safety committee members. Physical Security of the Staff

It is essential that all staff are aware of the location of alarm buttons, fire alarm buttons/extinguishers and emergency exits and the operation of the video recorder and closed circuit television equipment.

Anyone answering calls to a switchboard should be fully conversant with the procedure when faced with a ransom demand or a bomb threat.

It is the responsibility of the branch manager to follow the Society's policy and to ensure that all possible precautions are taken at all times to safeguard staff, members of the public, premises and their contents.

Whilst all necessary precautions should be taken to protect and safeguard cash and property, this requirement must never take precedence over the safety of staff or members of the public. THE FIRST CONSIDERATION IN THE EVENT OF A ROBBERY ATTEMPT IS THE SAFETY OF THE STAFF AND PUBLIC.

Counselling Support Services

The Society recognises the effect trauma can have on staff and has a policy of supporting staff in these circumstances.

General Security Issues
Entry & Exit Procedures in Branch Premises by Branch Staff
Entry onto Branch Premises by Non-Branch Staff
Keys
Cameras
Alarms
Safes

In the Event of a Fire
Raising the Alarm
Evacuation
Calling the Fire Brigade
Fire Extinguishers
Hazards