Health & Safety Policy
HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT
The Board of Directors of Klimatec Limited has responsibility for health and safety. I have been delegated the responsibility for health and safety within the company. I welcome that responsibility and this policy document says how I intend discharging it.
It is our policy that all operations are executed at all times by trained and competent personnel in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees and all persons who may be affected by our operations.
We are committed to providing a safe and healthy working and living environment by delivering high quality professional services to our clients and taking proactive measures to ensure the safe execution of all work undertaken.
We require high standards of health and safety from our employees and contractors and are committed to monitoring our achievements and delivering a continually improving performance.
The prevention of all accidents involving personal injury or property damage is essential to the culture and operation of all Klimatec Limited activities.
This policy and associated implementation documentation will be publicised to all employees and will be reviewed on a regular basis to be updated or revalidated as appropriate.
Health & Safety Arrangements
The Directors are responsible for implementation of the Safety Policy within their own sphere of operations, including the co-ordination and monitoring of the policy and for effective safety communications within the Company.
The Operations Managers are responsible to the nominated Director to ensure the continuing development of the health and safety culture across the organisation.
The Operations Managers will ensure that adequate safety risk management arrangements are in place in each branch of the Company and that all staff receives guidance and support on the implementation of suitable health and safety procedures.
The Health & Safety Committee (HSC) will work alongside the Operations Managers monitoring that appropriate safety training and instruction is provided by the Company that accident prevention is included in all relevant training programmes and that competent professional advice is available to all and can be readily accessed by all levels of employee.
The prime responsibility for a safe place of work and the safety of operations rests clearly upon all sectors of management and the Company will ensure that this policy is pursued with diligence through clearly defined management structures and individual responsibilities.
The Company believes that everyone has a responsibility for “safety”. It is therefore incumbent on all employees to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions and to cooperate with the Company in its arrangements to perform or comply with statutory obligations and to meet safety objectives.
Klimatec Limited Health & Safety Policy
Klimatec Limited affords the same degree of importance to the health and safety of employees as we do to other commercial priorities.
Our aim is to achieve a working environment, which is accident and ill health free for all employees, and to this end we shall pursue continuing improvement in performance from year to year.
We also recognise our responsibilities for the health and safety of others that may be affected by our business activities and we shall conduct our business in a manner reflecting our social responsibilities and conscience.
The company, on its part, shall discharge its statutory duties by:
Identifying work related hazards, assessing the risks related to them, and implementing appropriate protective and preventive measures
Providing and maintaining safe plant and work equipment
Ensure safe handling and use of substances
Establishing and enforcing safe methods of work
Recruiting and appointing personnel possessing the skills, abilities and technical qualifications commensurate with their role and level of responsibility and providing training where necessary
Ensuring that tasks given to employees are within their skills, knowledge and ability to perform
Ensuring that the technical competence of employees is maintained through the provision of refresher training as appropriate
Promoting awareness of health and safety and of good practice through the effective communication of relevant information
Furnishing the resources needed to meet these objectives.
Taking disciplinary action for any breach of Company safety law
All employees, on their part, shall be encouraged to contribute actively towards achieving a work environment, which is accident and ill health free.
This policy will be reviewed annually to assess its effectiveness and to ensure that it reflects changing needs and circumstances.
THE ORGANISATION FOR HEALTH & SAFETY
Health and safety is a line management function. Directors and Managers at all levels have responsibilities, according to their position, for the health, safety and welfare of employees under their control and others who may be affected by the Company’s activities. The Company structure for managing health and safety is given below.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees
Take responsibility and reasonable care of their own safety and for the safety of others that may be affected by what they do or fail to do.
Co-operate with the Company and not interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare.
Comply with all procedures, rules and instructions which affect their work and report to their Manager or Supervisor any defective plant or equipment or any hazardous situation.
Ensure that they are aware of, and adhere to, emergency arrangements and any additional safety guidance issued by the Company.
Show a commitment to safety and set a personal example.
Health & Safety Committee (HSC) Representative
Ensure regular communication with employees with regards to health and safety issues and concerns
Convey any issues and concerns with operations managers and director responsible for health and safety and implement controls
Attend regular health and safety meetings with operations managers and director of health and safety
Communicate health and safety updates and changes to employees
Nominated Health & Safety Director of the company (Paul Bibby)
Promote an interest and enthusiasm for health and safety throughout the Company.
Monitor and approve an effective Health and Safety Policy and that it is prepared and implemented and revised as often as necessary.
Ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to allow the requirements of the Health and Safety Policy to be fulfilled.
Ensure that health and safety is a prime consideration in all forward planning.
Ensure that health and safety is included on the agenda of Board Meetings and that actions are followed up.
Have overall responsibility for the health and safety within Klimatec Limited and ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare of anyone who may be affected by the Company’s activities, including employees, visitors, contractors, neighbours and members of the public.
Oversee the implementation, development and modification of the Company’s Health and Safety Policy, as required and ensure that it is reviewed at least annually.
Monitor operations to ensure that they conform to statutory requirements and the Company Health and Safety Policy and those procedures are implemented and maintained to fulfil these requirements.
Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Company’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures and ensure that the objectives of the policy are being achieved.
Monitor that all employees receive adequate and appropriate training to allow them to carry out their duties safely.
Ensure that clear lines of communication are established and maintained for communication of health and safety issues to and from employees and client base.
Directors and Managers
Ensure that all operations within their areas of responsibility conform to statutory requirements and the Company’s Health and Safety Policy and those procedures are implemented and maintained to fulfil these requirements.
Ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees and others who may be affected by activities within their areas of responsibility, including contractors, visitors, neighbours and members of the public.
Ensure that all employees under his/her control fully understand and observe all aspects of the Company’s Health and Safety Policy that affect them and that they receive the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to allow them to carry out their duties safely.
Maintain a level of knowledge of health and safety legislation and best practice concerning the activities in his/her areas of responsibility to ensure that he/she can implement the Company’s Health and Safety Policy effectively.
Monitor the effectiveness of the Company’s Health and Safety Policy within the areas of his/her responsibility and to recommend changes where necessary.
Ensure as far as is reasonably practicable that employees and others under his/her control follow safe working practices.
Ensure that clear lines of communication are established and maintained for communication of health and safety issues to and from employees and client base under his/her control.
Ensure that all plant, equipment and welfare facilities in areas under his/her control are fit for the purpose and are maintained in a clean and safe condition.
Ensure that hazardous substances stored or used in his/her areas of responsibility are kept and used in a manner that does not pose a risk to health or safety.
Ensure that high standards of housekeeping are maintained.
Ensure that safety is a prime consideration in all-future developments.
Advise the nominated Health and Safety Director of any health and safety matter or breach of statutory duty that cannot be effectively remedied.
Work to professional standards for their particular field of expertise.
Supervisors/Senior Engineers
Be familiar with legislation, best practice and the Company Health and Safety policy as it affects work in his/her area.
Ensure that employees and others under his/her control have received adequate training to allow them to work safely and that they follow safe working procedures
Incorporate safety in all instructions and ensure that they are obeyed.
Investigate all accidents and incidents and any complaints relating to safety, health and welfare in his/her area and report the results of the investigation to their Manager.
Do not permit the use of any plant or equipment that is in an unsafe condition and immediately report any defects to his/her Manager.
Participate in safety inspections and monitoring as required.
Maintain an organised safe and tidy work area.
Assist with the preparation, administration and review of the Company’s Health and Safety Policy.
Provide and/or arrange health and safety training.
Assist with the preparation of risk assessments and ensure that they are maintained.
Assist all levels of management with the preparation and implementation of health and safety procedures
Investigate lost time accidents and potentially serious dangerous occurrences as specified in the Accident Reporting Procedure.
Carry out regular health and safety inspections to ensure that safe systems of work are in operation and that statutory and Company requirements are being met and agree priorities for improvements with all levels of management.
Agree types of personal protective equipment and where it should be used with appropriate Managers
Have the authority to stop any operation where it is considered that risk of serious personal injury exists.
Any individual who does not comply with the responsibilities laid down in this Health and Safety Policy may be liable to disciplinary action. Some breaches may be considered as gross misconduct.
Arrangements & Health and Safety
Management Procedures
Management procedures are prepared and maintained, as necessary, to support the Health and Safety Policy.
Risk Management
All activities are assessed for risk and where necessary appropriate action is taken to control risks and ensure safe systems of work. Where there is a significant risk to health and/or safety written safe systems of work are prepared and reviewed prior to the work being carried out. Plant and equipment is maintained, tested and inspected in accordance with regulations and appropriate records are maintained. Only trained personnel are allowed to use work equipment.
Training
All employees are provided with appropriate training to ensure that they are competent to work safely. This includes induction, technical and general health and safety training. As a minimum requirement all employees/engineers are trained in asbestos awareness and first aid, health and safety training is then tailored specifically to job role and specific works. Training is reviewed annually between line manager and employee, before project works commence, and should any job role changes occur. Management level employees will be trained to have a minimum of first aid, asbestos awareness and at least an IOSH qualification. Training is reviewed annually between line manager and employee, before project works commence, and should any job role changes occur.
New equipment being implemented within the company may require employees gaining specific training. When new equipment is purchased manufacturer recommendations are obtained in relation to training requirements. All employees who will be operating the equipment will be trained in safe use and practice. All others in vicinity of equipment will be prohibited from use, and the equipment stored adequately.
Health and safety training will be refreshed annually through the use of tool box talks and/or training providers, or more or less frequent depending on qualification, training and manufacturer requirements.
Communication
Employee participation and communication on health and safety issues is obtained by a free flow of information provided through the general management structure and through a Health and Safety Committee. The current Health & Safety Committee representative is Callum Small, and the director responsible for Health and Safety is Paul Bibby.
Emergency Procedures
Procedures are maintained for managing and reporting of emergency situations including fire, personal injury accidents and dangerous occurrences. Procedures are communicated to all staff and copies can be located on the Klimatec directory locatable through a PC connected to the server and on Infoshare, and via hard copies at Company branches.
Control of Contractors
Procedures are maintained to ensure that only authorised contractors are employed to carry out work on the Company’s behalf. Where appropriate written working procedures are obtained from contractors before work is started and/or their work is controlled by a permit to work.
Welfare Facilities
Wherever possible arrangements will be made with the client and/or Principle Contractor for the use of Welfare facilities at sites under their management. As a minimum the following requirements will be adhered to:
Toilet/washing facilities accessible on site
Eating/rest facilities accessible on site
First aid facilities accessible at all branches, customer sites, and vehicles
Provision and use of work equipment
All work equipment (including electrical equipment) used at work, as part of the companies undertaking will comply with the provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (P.U.W.E.R.) 1998
No employee will use work equipment for which they have not received specific training. No employee will knowingly misuse work equipment or remove any guards that are in place to minimise a specific risk.
All work equipment will be maintained and inspected at suitable intervals either internally by a competent person or by specialist external companies. The frequency of work equipment maintenance or inspection will be based on manufactures guidance and industry best practice. Any maintenance/inspection undertaken on company equipment will be formally recorded with a hard copy left on file.
If any faults or damage are found on any work equipment, stop using the work equipment and report the fault to your supervisor/line manager.
Hazardous Substances
The risks associated with hazardous substances are considered for all work activities. Alternative less harmful substances are used wherever possible. In case of risks to health, PPE is provided and used by employees, and health surveillance undertaken where necessary.
Before any hazardous substances are used during a work process, a material safety data sheet (MSDS) will be requested from the supplier and an appropriate assessment made of the risks from that substance undertaken by the Health and Safety co-ordinator/representative, in line with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). Assessments will be reviewed annually or when work activities/ requirements change, whichever is sooner.
An inventory of all substances and materials hazardous to health is held at the Warwick Head Office, the health and safety directory locatable through a PC connected to the server and on Infoshare.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment will be provided to all staff free of charge. Such equipment must only be used in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance and Company risk assessment. Failure to wear appropriate equipment is dangerous, and will lead to disciplinary action.
Monitoring of Health and Safety Performance
Health and safety performance is monitored through annual audits, planned inspections, site visits by the Supervisors, Managers, Directors or members of the Health and Safety Committee. Accident records are also used to monitor performance reactively. Written reports are prepared and where necessary prioritised programmes for improving health and safety performance are established and monitored.