Health and Safety policy
BRANT BROUGHTON AND STRATTLETHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
Adopted on 22.10.19 Reviewed & agreed 23.7.20 12.5.22 11.5.23
1. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
1.1 Our policy is to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all our employees, and to provide such information, instruction, training and supervision as they need for this purpose.
1.2 The allocation of duties for safety matters and the particular arrangements which we will make to implement the policy are set out below.
1.3 The policy will be kept up to date, particularly as the Council’s activities change in nature and size. To ensure this, the policy and the way in which it has operated will be reviewed every year by the Parish Councillors.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 Overall and final responsibility for health and safety in the Council and for compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act and Regulations made under the Act is that of the Parish Councillors. The Clerk is responsible for this policy being carried out.
2.2 All employees have the responsibility to co-operate with the Council to achieve a healthy and safe workplace and to take reasonable care of themselves and others.
2.3 Whenever an employee or Councillor notices a health or safety problem which they are not able to put right, they must inform the Clerk.
2.4 The Clerk will keep a central record of notified accidents.
3. TRAINING
The Clerk has overall responsibility for training.
4. FURNITURE FITTINGS AND EQUIPMENT
4.1 Office equipment whether manually or electrically operated much not be used by unauthorised, untrained personnel.
4.2 Filing cabinets should always have sufficient weight in the bottom drawer to prevent the cabinet from tipping when a full top drawer is opened. Damaged or defective cabinets must not be used.
5. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
5.1 Only contractors or authorised Councillors who have received training and instruction in the operation of machinery and equipment may do so.
5.2 All dangerous moving parts of machinery must be guarded. Guards must not be removed except for the purpose of repair and maintenance.
5.3 The engines of any motorised equipment must be stopped before any inspection or adjustment is carried out. In the case of electrically operated machines the plug lead must be disconnected.
5.4 Children must not be allowed to play in an area where machinery is in use. Machinery must not be left unattended where children or others may interfere with them.
5.5 Stones and similar objects must be cleared from the path of equipment to prevent such objects being projected from machinery.
5.6 Fuel tanks must only be filled in the open, with the engine stopped. No risk of naked flames or smoking is allowed in the vicinity of a fuel tank or storage can. Fuel may only be stored in a safety can approved for said purpose.
5.7 The manufacturers instructions regarding the safe use of chemicals must be adhered to.
5.8 Appropriate protective clothing such as gloves and overalls, face masks and boots, must be used when operating with machinery and chemicals including herbicides and pesticides.
5.9 Ladders and stepladders must be in good condition and free from defects and securely positioned at all times when in use.
5.10 Pathways on Council owned premises