Abbott Construction shall effect the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974 and all relevant statutory legislation; expressing our belief in and accepting our legal and moral responsibility to protect and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of our employees and to not adversely affect others outside of our employment. We believe that our policy contributes to business performance through the provision of a structured framework to promote well-being and commitment, economical methods of work and through helping to prevent accidents. To this end, we place health, safety, and welfare uppermost within our business.
Our health and safety management policy shall revolve around risk control strategy through identification of hazards, risk, and safe systems of work, with the provision and application of adequate financial and physical resources to meet the demands of legislation, our policy, and our commitment towards planning and continual improvement. We shall also ensure that our activities are fully considered for emergency preparedness.
We shall consult, inform, supervise, and train our employees as necessary, encouraging their involvement and requiring full co-operation from them; and appoint or seek the guidance of competent persons to ensure our policy is implemented, maintained, and improved where practicable.
Where necessary we shall enforce the policy through disciplinary measures should the need arise; and employees are reminded that neglect of policy is considered serious misconduct.
We shall measure and monitor performance through the management structure and review policy annually or in light of legislation change, technical progress, significant changes to company structure or following any noted omissions.
This policy forms part of Abbot Construction’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework and supports our commitment to employee wellbeing, environmental responsibility, and social value.
We recognise that effective health and safety management contributes to delivering positive social value, particularly in protecting the wellbeing of our workforce and local communities.
Health and safety considerations are integrated with our Environmental Policy and Carbon Reduction Plan, particularly in relation to plant, transport, and safe, efficient working practices.
Note these are general responsibilities. Other specific responsibilities are identified within the arrangement’s sections and related clause numbers as identified. Please note that the on-occasion others may act temporarily in differing roles (e.g., Contracts Managers as Estimators etc.) and thereby accept the identified responsibility for that role.
All employees are required to comply with clauses 17, 19, 25, 26 & 27; and:
1) Know, understand, and implement policy, standards, and rules at all company work locations as applicable to personal work tasks.
2) Set a personal example at all times, particularly by wearing appropriate protective clothing and safety equipment.
3) Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and for the health and safety of those people who may be affected by their actions.
4) Report any incidents, accidents, or unsafe conditions
5) Co-operate with the requirements of this policy
6) Work in accordance with any training received
7) Specifically, fulfil all applicable requirements of the arrangements section
The Managing Director (MD) shall comply with clauses 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 21-23 (Inc.) and:
1) Will actively participate in and support the development of a positive health, safety, and environmental culture.
2) Will be familiar with the broad requirements of health, safety, and environmental legislation.
3) Have overall responsibility for the implementation, monitoring and review of the health, safety and environmental policy and ensure relevant parts are brought to the attention of employees (and others) as appropriate; and comply with the policy requirements when undertaking dual roles.
4) Ensure that all levels of staff receive adequate and appropriate training.
5) Ensure adequate insurances are maintained up to date.
6) Will monitor the performance of senior management in discharging their responsibilities under this policy.
7) Reprimand members of staff failing to discharge satisfactorily the responsibilities reasonably allocated to them under this policy.
8) Will ensure allocation of sufficient funds and resources to enable the policy to be operated effectively.
9) Will ensure the setting of specific aims and objectives and measurement of overall performance.
10) Liaise with external health and safety advisors and other relevant bodies, evaluating site inspection reports and audit reports provided and take appropriate actions on recommendations.
11) Maintain an open-door access policy.
Board of Directors shall comply with all clauses 1-11 and as applicable to their duties (including when
acting as a specific role e.g., contracts manager).
1) To provide direction and planning and ensure policy is set
2) To ensure competent personnel are engaged to manage the business with regards health, safety, and welfare
3) To ensure provision of adequate resources to implement and maintain health and safety measures
4) To monitor performance and ensure corrective actions are implemented where necessary
The Construction Director (CD) shall comply with clauses 2, 5, 6 – 9 (Inc.), 11, 13, 14, 18, 22 & 23 and as 1
– 11 as MD
Safety Co-ordinator (SC) shall comply with clauses 1, 3-7 (Inc.), 9, 13, 20, 22, 24,26 & 28 and as I – 9 of
CM’s
Contracts Managers (CM’s and when acting as) shall comply with clauses 2, 5 – 18 (Inc.), 22-24 (Inc. & 26
– 28 (Inc.) and:
1) Will actively participate in and support the development of a positive health, safety and environmental culture and aid company efforts to achieve the set objectives.
2) Will be familiar with the broad requirements of health, safety, and environmental legislation.
3) Be specifically responsible for ensuring the requirements of health, safety and environmental legislation and the requirements of this policy, as far as it relates to construction projects, is implemented and performance monitored.
4) Specifically monitor the performance of operatives and contractors under their direction, reprimanding them within company guidelines for breaches of policy or legislative requirements.
5) Make representation to their line manager in respect of required resources and ensure allocated resources are suitably used.
6) Ensure sites are properly set up with adequate welfare and first aid facilities from the first day of use until the last day on site.
7) Liaise closely with clients, forepersons and health and safety professionals on all health, safety, and environmental issues.
8) Comply with company policy when undertaken associated roles (e.g., acting as an estimator/buyer).
9) Maintain an open-door access policy.
Site Managers, Supervisors and Working Forepersons (SM’s, Sup & WF) shall comply with clauses 2, 5-8
(Inc.), 11 – 16 (Inc.), 19, 23, 25 & 28 and:
1) Will actively participate in and support the development of a positive health, safety and environmental culture and aid company efforts to achieve the set objectives.
2) Will be familiar with the broad requirements of health, safety, and environmental legislation.
3) Be specifically responsible for ensuring the requirements of health, safety and environmental legislation and the requirements of this policy, as far as it relates to construction projects, is implemented and performance monitored.
4) Specifically monitor the performance of operatives and contractors under their direction, reprimanding them within company guidelines for breaches of policy or legislative requirements.
5) Consult and co-operate with their line managers and visiting advisors on health, safety, and environmental topics as appropriate.
6) Ensure inductions and works’ briefings are carried out and that operatives and contractors are aware of the hazards and risks and work to the required safe system of work.
7) Undertake inspections and tool-box-talks.
Estimators also have specific duties under clauses 16 and 23.
1) Information:
Advisory literature on health and safety matters will be obtained from various sources such as the HSE and other authority bodies, our external consultants and trade associations, etc. by all designations within the company and forwarded to the SC for collation, evaluation and dissemination as deemed appropriate throughout the company to the relevant persons.
2) Induction and Training:
The MD shall ensure training needs are evaluated from assessment of employee engagement, development, refresher, post-training review, legal and policy requirements that impose duties upon individuals and in respect of submissions by senior management for specific requirements and continual improvement. The MD shall ensure training is carried out as required and determined by him.
Induction training in accordance with the requirements of the CDM Regulations for construction site work shall be carried out by SM’s, Sup and WF on the first day on site. They shall also carry out regular tool-box- talk training. General induction to the company shall take place on the first day of work and shall be carried out by the Line Manager for that post.
We shall implement and maintain a training record matrix sheet to ensure refresher training is carried out when required.
3) Consultation and Communication:
It is the company policy to consult and communicate with employees (and others (e.g., contractors)) as may be necessary through a range of mediums including an open-door policy by management, the induction process, work briefs and tool-box-talks bulletins, site meetings and directly through line management communication chains. We shall hold periodic health and safety committee meetings, inviting a range of staff from all levels within the company.
We shall operate a policy where non or poor English-speaking labour is employed, they will either speak English as a second language being able to understand simple instructions adequately, or an interpreter will be required at all times. We shall seek the help of language line and make use of leaflets printed in different languages from the HSE where required. We shall ensure that where visually or hearing-impaired persons are employed that adequate communication measures are provided.
We shall ensure changes to the policy are brought to the attention of employees through issue of the document.
The MD/SC will be responsible for ensuring the above policy is implemented and monitored.
4) Competent advice:
We subscribe to the services of H & K Safety Services Limited for external competent advice. We have appointed a safety co-ordinator internally to assist us in discharging our duties.
5) Supervision, Monitoring, Measurement, Review and Audit:
Our CM’s and external consultants shall conduct periodic ad-hoc site inspections and record the findings. The CD will evaluate all reports, including collated key performance indicators to ensure recommendations are carried out as appropriate. Health and safety objectives have been set to enable us to measure our performance annually at our senior management and health and safety committee meetings. On site supervision shall be determined by our CM’s and implemented by our SM’s, Sup and WF at site level.
We shall undertake a programme of annual reviews arranged by the SC
We shall develop health and safety strategies for sites bi-annually and evaluate these through periodic on site sampling (CD/SC)
We shall monitor accident statistics, sickness, and absence levels (SC)
We shall monitor any health surveillance reports (SC)
We shall monitor inspections and audit returns from external sources (CD/CM’s/SC).
Reports on the above will be presented and evaluated for necessary action at senior management meetings by the designated person(s).
6) Risk Assessment, Safe System of Work and Control Hierarchy:
It shall be the company policy to assess all aspects of our undertakings to determine significant risks, of which when determined shall be recorded and communicated to those who may be exposed. Risk assessments shall be reviewed periodically to ensure that they remain suitable and sufficient with any changes being communicated to those affected (SC).
We have developed initial risk assessments that are issued by the CD and CM’s and re-evaluated on site by our SM’s, Sup & WF.
The risk assessment process shall be used to identify adequate measures to control that risk and to develop a safe system of work and where necessary emergency procedures that shall be written and follow the company expected hierarchy of:
In addition, where a specific hierarchy has been determined by regulation, then these shall be followed.
We shall seek specific advice where special risks arise from circumstances with which we are unfamiliar or do not have relevant competencies to properly evaluate or control.
With particular reference to young persons, new and expectant mothers, and non-English speaking personnel, it is the company policy to take specific account of the vulnerability of these groups and to assess the potential impact of company undertakings upon them to determine adequate controls.
The CD and CM’s shall evaluate contractors risk assessments prior to forwarding to site and evaluation as above.
The SC shall ensure assessments are developed and reviewed for the office and yard areas.
7) Substances Hazardous to Health:
As part of our general risk assessment policy identified above, it is our policy to evaluate all activities to determine potential exposure to COSHH related substances and whether hazardous substances can be substituted for substances less hazardous. No substances that fall into this category can be used until an assessment has been made after considering the environment in which it is to be used and the potential exposure levels, duration etc. have been considered. Hazard safety data sheets shall be obtained (by the buyer) to assist with the assessment process. We shall also consider affecting issues (from processes and biological) and ensure adequate control measures have been determined, those affected given relevant information, instruction, training, and supervision.
COSHH assessment processes shall be designated as risk assessment above with assistance from external bodies as required.
8) Plant and Equipment:
All of our plant and equipment is subject to regular inspection, and maintenance and where required thorough examination certification or calibration.
The CD is responsible for ensuring that all plant and equipment is maintained in accordance with maintenance and testing frequencies. Operators are responsible for ensuring that plant and equipment is inspected prior to use (and regularly when in use on site) and is accompanied by required certification. They are also responsible for reporting defects and ensuring defective plant and equipment is not used.
The MD is responsible for the determination of new plant and equipment purchased to consider safety features (including noise, vibration, and fume emissions).
Those hiring plant and equipment are responsible for ensuring it is fit for purpose and the required certificate of conformity, test/calibration certification, inspection and maintenance records and instructions for use are included and passed onto the end user, who shall inspect prior to use. Plant hired shall be considered for noise, vibration, and fume emissions.
Line Management shall assess plant and equipment to be used and ensure the equipment is checked prior to use, (including suitability and training of the user and in relation to the activity and environment in which it is to be used).
Note: Contractors provide their own equipment and site tools are battery powered. It is our policy not to allow chargers on site and contractors bring sufficiently charged batteries for their equipment each day, therefore no PAT of site equipment is required.
9) Accident, Incident Reporting, and Investigation:
All accidents where harm is caused to persons are recorded in the accident book and statistics monitored (All employees). Reportable accidents are recorded and notified to the HSE (immediately for fatality / specified injuries and within 15 days for over-seven-day accidents, dangerous occurrences as advised, and diseases as notified by a medical practitioner) (SC responsibility). Our CD / CM’s shall investigate all over-seven-day accidents and incidents (fatalities and specified injury accidents with assistance from our external consultants). The MD will determine whether to seek external assistance in instances of notifiable disease or dangerous occurrences. Near miss incidents are recorded on site and evaluated at site meetings and as part of the annual review along with all other statistics. We shall record all over-three-day absence injuries.
10) First Aid:
It is company policy not to solely rely upon first aid provision by our clients but will assess the availability of each project. CM’s shall assess and determine their specific needs in this regard and ensure adequately trained personnel and suitably stocked first aid kits are provided for their areas/projects; and that the provision is maintained. Provision shall also be maintained at our office.
11) Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness:
CM’s will assess each project specifically for emergency preparedness (including for fire, services’ strikes, and scaffolding works), incorporating client specific requirements and ensure adequate arrangements are made and emergency plans prepared. SM’s, Sup & WF are responsible for ensuring plans are communicated, implemented, and monitored.
A fire risk assessment has been undertaken for our offices and is reviewed annually or in light of significant change by the CD.
All of our sites and premises shall be deemed as no smoking areas.
The MD is the named responsible person for fire safety in accordance with regulations.
12) Personal / Respiratory Protective Equipment:
It is company policy to evaluate hazards and risk and control by means other than PPE / RPE where practicable. Line management will assess risks and determine where, when and which PPE / RPE is necessary. We shall ensure that workers are trained and made aware of use, maintenance, and limitations of all PPE / RPE provided and supervise as necessary the wearing of when required. Where reliance is made on RPE we shall ensure all workers are face-fit tested.
We shall provide and replace PPE / RPE as determined necessary, and ensure equipment used has the relevant British Standard UKCA / European Norm, within any relevant expiry date. We shall retain a register of all PPE issued and ensure contractors at site level apply the conditions of our policy (SM’s, Sup & WF).
We shall retain a stock of standard PPE for immediate issue and replacement as required (SC).
13) Asbestos:
It is not company policy to knowingly work with asbestos containing materials and any such work shall be carried out through licensed contractors (CD and CM’s to ensure this policy is adhered to). The majority of our works are new-builds and are free from asbestos hazards. Where we undertake a refurbishment project, we shall ensure our operatives are trained in asbestos awareness and seek survey information and, where required, evidence of safe reoccupation to areas where asbestos has been removed prior to commencement (CD, CM’s). SM’s, Sup & WF shall ensure the policy is implemented on site.
We have had our premises surveyed and produced an asbestos management plan placed at reception for all to read upon signing in. The SC shall be responsible for ensuring this plan is monitored and updated as necessary and relevant information is passed to any maintenance workers.
14) Noise and vibration:
See also plant and equipment selection.
It is our policy to evaluate noise on each project and determine safe systems of work to isolate noisy activities or where this is not practicable, to determine necessary hearing protection zones and provide adequate PPE and ensure it is worn to reduce to below the exposure action value. CM’s will ensure this policy is adhered to and controls monitored at site level by our SM’s, Sup & WF.
Vibration levels of equipment shall be assessed, and trigger time determined. It is our policy not to exceed the exposure action level and CM’s are required to determine suitable control measures to ensure this policy is adhered to and controls monitored at site level by our SM’s, Sup & WF.
Contractor’s assessments will follow the process identified in risk assessments above for both noise and vibration.
15) Services:
The following policy will be adopted within the company:
The CD shall ensure all services are controlled in line with the above at the office area. The CM’s shall ensure planning for the above on applicable projects and SM’s, Sup & WF as applicable shall ensure policy is adhered to at site level.
16) Work at Height:
The company policy is to thoroughly plan all work at height activities and avoid working at height wherever possible. Where this is not practicable, we shall select and provide suitable work equipment following an assessment by the CM’s in line with the hierarchy of control measures identified in the Work at Height Regulations.
It shall be our policy to only use ladders following an assessment to determine if alternative equipment can be used and the frequency, duration, and activity to be undertaken from ladders.
We shall ensure that only competent persons are permitted to work at height or manage such works and wherever practicable it shall be company policy not to allow lone working where any work at height activity is necessary and to provide adequate supervision. SM’s, Sup & WF shall be required to check and verify the suitability of equipment provided by our clients and others at site level.
Estimators shall ensure adequate resources for work at height have been allowed for in the tender process.
17) Manual Handling:
It shall be the company policy to avoid manual handling where practicably possible through the use of mechanical lifting aids. Risk assessments shall be undertaken in line with company policy where manual handling operations are necessary for consideration given to the task, the individual, the environment, and the load.
Staff will be provided with relevant training and instruction (see risk assessment and training responsibilities) and be expected to work to determine safe working methods.
18) Mechanical Lifting:
We shall ensure that all lifting activities are planned. Where we need to carry out lifting works Estimators shall consider the requirements at the planning stage. CD and CM’s shall engage contractors under a contract lift agreement, whereby they provide all equipment, personnel and planning or ensure competent persons are engaged to assess and provide a lifting plan. We have trained slinger/signalmen and shall utilise these where required, ensuring their role is considered at the planning stage. Only Trained Employees shall carry out this role on site.
19) Confined Spaces:
Whilst it is highly unlikely that we need to work in confined spaces, we shall assess projects (see risk assessment responsibility) and ensure our operatives are aware of developing their own confined spaces through the use of generators in enclosed areas. CM’s shall ensure the work is assessed and planned and SM’s, Sup & WF at site level will monitor all works in respect of this issue and All Employees are required to conform to this policy.
20) Display Screen Equipment:
It is company policy to evaluate and assess the risk from all display screen equipment use. We shall determine users and offer eye tests, providing standard eyeglasses where prescribed. The SC shall determine users, assessment (and review) and for ensuring users are aware of their entitlement, and to ensure our equipment purchasing policy is adhered to.
21) Working Time & Fatigue:
We recognise the importance of social life, and it is company policy to follow the Working Time Regulations to ensure that excessively long hours are not worked in any given period. We shall ensure adequate rest and break times are provided and that holiday entitlement meets the minimum requirement. The MD shall have the responsibility for ensuring this requirement is followed.
The Company encourages all employees to take full advantage of scheduled rest breaks. These are provided not only for comfort, but also to protect the health of employees and prevent excessive fatigue from causing accidents. A rest break should be taken away from your workstation wherever possible. On site, there shall be suitable welfare in compliance with Schedule 2 of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Work shall be coordinated to ensure suitable allocation of time, materials and resources are available to minimise fatigue of workers. Where workers feel they do not have sufficient time, materials and resources, they should report this to their Line Manager or Supervisor for remedy.
Symptoms of fatigue include:
Stress can impact fatigue on workers (see section Mental Health).
22) Health Surveillance:
It shall be company policy to assess our activities to prevent the need for health surveillance wherever practicably possible through the implementation of suitable control measures. However, where risk assessments identify that health surveillance is required, appropriate arrangements shall be put in place.
Abbott Construction has appointed a competent Occupational Health provider to undertake routine and annual health surveillance assessments where required. This includes monitoring exposures associated with construction activities such as noise, vibration, dust, and substances hazardous to health.
All health surveillance requirements shall be determined through the risk assessment process and ongoing monitoring of activities, including review of absence records, reported symptoms, and any identified trends
All health surveillance records and personal medical information shall be treated as strictly confidential and will be stored securely in accordance with data protection requirements. Access to such information will be restricted to authorised personnel and managed in line with company procedures.
Where health surveillance programmes are required, these shall be developed in consultation with our Occupational Health provider or other competent professionals to ensure they are appropriate to the risks identified.
It is company policy to ensure that any subcontractors engaged by Abbott Construction have suitable health surveillance arrangements in place where their activities require it.
Prior to commencement of works, subcontractors shall be required to provide confirmation that:
In addition, subcontractors shall complete a pre-start assessment form detailing:
The CM’s shall be responsible for ensuring this information is obtained and reviewed prior to commencement of works, and SM’s, Sups and WFshall monitor ongoing compliance at site level.
Abbott Construction will work collaboratively with subcontractors to ensure that health risks are effectively managed and that all persons working on our sites are adequately protected.
23) Contractor control:
We shall select contractors or individual workers from our current database of preferred contractors who have been selected on historical knowledge of performance or undergone a vetting procedure such as a questionnaire or other similar evaluation.
All other contractors or individuals will be subject to competency checks prior to appointment through a variety of methods including questionnaire response evaluation, document evaluation, references and interview and production of a valid CSCS card. This process shall include all client determined contractor use. The CD, CM’s and estimators shall be responsible for ensuring this process is adhered to and for the selection of competence check method.
Secondary vetting shall be undertaken through evaluation of site-based documentation or performance as monitored by our SM’s, Sup & WF.
Where contractors or individuals consistently fail to perform to our expected standards they will be removed from the preferred contractor's list and be subject to re-vetting of competency prior to any further appointment. Removal and re-engagement shall be the decision of the MD / CD.
Agency workers shall only be engaged from reputable agencies where relevant documented evidence of the person’s competencies has been provided.
Encourage contractors and suppliers to meet Abbott Construction’s standards for health, safety, environmental performance, and social responsibility.
24) Company vehicles:
It shall be the company policy to ensure all vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition at all times. Drivers will be responsible for ensuring they are properly driven and loaded, and for carrying out an inspection prior to use and for reporting defects. We shall only allow our vehicles to be driven by those with the appropriate licence and these shall be checked annually. The SC shall ensure risk assessments are undertaken and control measures adhered to.
25) Mobile phones:
In line with legislation, the use of hand-held phones while driving on company business is prohibited. They can only be used when safely parked, with the engine switched off, before commencing communication, whether the medium is speech, text, or any other form of data transfer. All Employees are expected to comply with this policy.
Hands-free mobile conversations are permissible with the correct equipment but should only take place when traffic conditions make it safe to do so. If it is not safe, calls should be ignored or terminated. It is our preferred policy for calls to be taken by the answer phone function and replied to when the driver has reached their destination.
On-site use of mobile phones will be restricted to the welfare areas where reasonably practicable. SM’s, Sup & WF shall enforce this policy.
26) Welfare, Housekeeping and Waste:
We shall ensure that our welfare provisions meet the requirements of the Workplace (Health and Safety) Regulations for the office and Schedule 2 to the CDM Regulations for site works.
The company shall enforce a policy of high standards of housekeeping at all premises, within company vehicles and on all project sites. The office has a cleaning and waste control programme in place, to be maintained by the SC and all projects will be assessed by the CM’s with appropriate control measures identified to maintain company policy throughout. The SM’s, Sup & WF shall enforce this policy at site level.
All sites shall be assessed for special/hazardous waste and relevant licences obtained and methods of removal determined. This shall be the responsibility of the CM’s, SM’s, Sup & WF.
All Employees are required to cooperate and assist the company in compliance with this policy.
27) CDM:
We undertake the role of the principal Contractor in accordance with the definition of the CDM Regulations. We do not undertake the role of the designer in accordance with the interpretation of the regulations.
As a principal contractor we shall:
The CM’s shall ensure the policy is adhered to and all reasonable health and safety planning is undertaken, and information provided.
28) Temporary Works:
It is the company’s policy to evaluate all projects for temporary works at tender stage and to highlight the information required to carry out temporary works to project management. The company shall appoint a designated individual (DI), who in turn shall appoint a temporary works coordinator (TWC) for the project. The TWC shall evaluate all temporary works and produce a register identifying the works, how they will be controlled (e.g., engineered design or standard solution), and responsibilities. The TWC shall appoint temporary works supervisors (TWS) as necessary and ensure they are aware of their duties and have information and control systems to supervise the work.
We shall request assistance from contractors (e.g., to provide design information and a TWS where required) and ensure our own staff are trained to undertake the works.
29) Lone Working:
It shall be the company policy not to permit lone working on construction sites; especially where working at height activities are required. Should an occasion arise whereby lone working is necessary, the duration shall be kept to a minimum and shall not commence until a CM has undertaken a specific risk assessment (reviewed at site level by SM’s, Sup & WF). For office working the SC shall have responsibility for ensuring the policy is adhered to.
30) Mental Health Awareness:
It is our policy to provide an environment that promotes wellbeing and does not contribute to mental ill health through our working practices. This includes setting reasonable workloads, achievable targets, and providing adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision.
We shall raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing across the organisation and provide a designated point of contact for employees to raise concerns and seek initial support in confidence. Abbott Construction has trained Mental Health First Aiders within the organisation to provide additional support and guidance where required.
Where a diagnosis is made by a medical practitioner, we will support rehabilitation and, where reasonably practicable, implement appropriate adjustments to aid a safe and sustainable return to work.
31) Behavioural Management:
We recognise the importance of human factors influence on safety and follow the HSE Guidance Reducing error and influencing behaviour (HSG48). It is recognised that human factors are influenced by 3 major areas:
Careful consideration is given to these areas to ensure that jobs are allocated based on expertise and that the correct equipment is provided, along with skills and attitudes are addressed to ensure safe working practices. This comes from the top with the Director, Line Managers and Supervisors establishing a positive safety culture via providing the skills, training and equipment to undertake jobs safely and efficiently, and leading by example.
All accident investigations (see section 13) take into account human factors and ensure these are addressed to prevent recurrence.
All Employees are encouraged to report to Supervisors and Line Managers where they identify job design may be an issue. This includes the physical and mental aspects of job design. Employees should collaborate with Supervisors, Line Managers and those acting as Purchasers where they can assist with solutions. This shall be fed back into safe systems of works, with information supplied into risk assessments and method statements (see section 8) and selection of plant and equipment
32) Pandemics:
We shall follow all guidelines and Instructions issued by the Government for all future pandemics. The Managing Director shall ensure that the policy is reviewed, communicated, and adhered to in respect of this issue.
33) Disputes and Discipline
In the event of any dispute regarding health and safety matters, these should be addressed to Line Management (Director and Supervisors) to evaluate in the first instance, and if not successfully resolved, directed to the Managing Director in writing, who will determine the necessary action.
Failure to comply with the Company Health and Safety Policy or contravention of statutory requirements, regulations, rules, or procedures will be disciplined in accordance with company procedures.
34) Drugs and Alcohol
The company considers that individuals under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol present a serious danger to themselves and others around them whilst at work. Employees found to be using alcohol or drugs (which have not been prescribed by a doctor) during working hours, will face disciplinary action and possibly dismissal.
Supervisors and Line Managers are aware of the signs and symptoms of drug or alcohol use:
Those Employees who are required to take prescription drugs for an illness or ailment are requested to seek the advice of their doctor regarding the possible side effects of any such drug and likely effects in the workplace e.g. drowsiness, loss of concentration. These effects should be reported to your Supervisor and you may be required to undertake light duties or abstain from work.
