The policy of our company Happy Hearts Day Nursery is to provide and maintain a safe and healthy workplace by ensuring that work equipment is safe and that a safe system of work is provided for all of our employees. We will also provide suitable and sufficient information, instructions training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the health and safety of our employees and this shall include suitable and sufficient welfare, sanitary and working facilities as required.
All employees at the setting have a duty to ensure that they work in a safe manner and that their acts or omissions do not cause harm to themselves or others in the vicinity. Employees will be encouraged to bring to the attention of the management any concerns regarding any health and safety issues.
Happy Hearts Day Nursery recognises its duty of care towards others that are not in our employment. These people include; visitors and contractors who have reason to come into contact with our business activities and premises. These persons will be given suitable and sufficient information and instructions to ensure their health and safety. The actions of visitors and contractors will be controlled in such a way so as not to cause harm to our employees or themselves.
To ensure that the Policy is implemented and maintained so that Happy Hearts Day Nursery keeps within the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 the person named below will ensure that sufficient resources, both financial and physical are available so that the Policy and its arrangements can be implemented effectively.
We believe that this Health and Safety Policy complies with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and will be subject to a regular review annually or when there are any significant changes.
Overall responsibility for health and safety at Happy Hearts Day Nursery rests with Joanne Gordon, Owner/Manager
It is our duty and responsibility as employers under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 section 2.1 and 2.2 a-e and this policy to:
We also recognise that a breach of health and safety legislation by our company constitutes a criminal offence. An Enforcing Authority may take criminal proceeding against the Company or its management. This can result in penalties, i.e. fines and / or imprisonment.
In addition to the previously described general responsibilities, the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 places legal duties on all employees.
These are:
Section 7 ‘Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974’
Section 8 ‘Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974’
Employees should bear in mind that a breach of health and safety legislation by an individual constitutes a criminal offence and action may be taken by an Enforcing Authority against an individual. Such action can result in penalties, i.e. fines and / or imprisonment.
The overall responsibility for health and safety within Happy Hearts Day Nursery rests with Joanne Gordon
The above named person will ensure that sufficient resources, both financial and physical are available so that the Policy and its arrangements can be implemented effectively.
To ensure that the Policy is implemented and maintained so that Happy Hearts Day Nursery keeps within the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 the above named person may delegate duties to employees who will provide support to meet the responsibilities.
These individuals may also delegate duties to other employees so as to enable the requirements of the Policy to be carried out with due diligence.
Delegation of the individual duties and responsibilities to employees does not in any way detract or remove the ultimate responsibility and duty of care placed on the above person by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974strong>
The duties of those employees with responsibility for health and safety are set out within our Policy. Details of their individual responsibilities are set out within the Arrangements for Health and Safety section.
The person responsible for ensuring this Policy is put into practice is Joanne Gordon
Other duties will include:
The competent assistance and advice is provided by Employment Law Advisory Services Ltd
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 7, requires that every employer must appoint one or more competent persons to assist them with the implementation and provision of health and safety measures.
The organisation of Health and Safety Consultants indicated above has been contracted to ensure that Happy Hearts Day Nursery is provided with the necessary information, advice and assistance to comply with current Health and Safety Legislation.
Employment Law Advisory Services Limited will carry out audits of our Health and Safety Management Documentation in order to measure our health and safety performance. These will be completed within the contractual arrangements at no more than twelve monthly intervals.
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYEES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2009 The regulations require information relating to health, safety and welfare to be provided for our employees by means of posters or leaflets in the ‘approved form’ and published for the purposes of the regulations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Happy Hearts Day Nursery has a legal duty under the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations (HSIER) to display the approved poster in a prominent position in the workplace or to provide each worker with a copy of the approved leaflet that outlines British health and safety law.
All notices whether on Happy Hearts Day Nursery premises or elsewhere issued in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and its associated legislation must be complied with.
All employees, visitors, and contractors alike must take the necessary action to ensure that they are familiar, as far as is reasonably practicable, with any warning signs and the meanings and interpretations of signs, both advisory and warning, and comply with them.
Any suggestions on how we may improve health and safety within Happy Hearts Day Nursery should be communicated to your manager/supervisor for assessment and feasibility.
All employees and others who may be affected by the contents of this Policy are advised and a master copy of the ‘Health and Safety Policy’ statement for Happy Hearts Day Nursery is retained in the main office. The policy contains detailed information relating to the business activities and a copy is available for you to read.
Happy Hearts Day Nursery consider themselves responsible employers, we will ensure that all employees read the policy and any areas that are not understood are explained to them in detail.
Where there are employees who are not represented by safety representatives under The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 amended 1997 the employer must consult those employees in good time on matters concerning their health and safety at work. This will be carried out by meetings, toolbox talks, use of the notice board and an open door policy.
To allow the business to carry out this duty consultation with employees will be the responsibility of Joanne Gordon
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Regulation 3, requires that we must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the health and safety risks to our employees whilst they are at work. We will also consider those that are not in our employment who may come into contact with our business activities or premises. Before embarking on this task we need to have an understanding of the following:
Happy Hearts Day Nursery will ensure that we carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments of all the tasks and equipment connected with our business activities that are likely to present a significant risk of injury or ill health to our employees or others within our activities.
The person responsible for ensuring that the risk assessments are undertaken is Joanne Gordon
The risk assessments will be made available to all our employees who will read them. After reading and understanding the content of the risk assessment, the employee must sign our confirmation sheet to confirm that they have read and understood the assessment and its findings.
The responsibility for the implementation of risk assessments and any controls that are required rests with the nominated person identified above and shall be supported by any other employees as is required.
The manager or deputy will also monitor the effectiveness of any actions resulting from the findings of the risk assessments. Any deficiencies that are identified will be reported to the person responsible for carrying out the risk assessments.
All risk assessments will be reviewed annually as a minimum or if there is any significant change that affects the validity of the risk assessment, whichever comes sooner.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as Amended) require us to carry out an assessment and record the risks involved with using, storing and handling hazardous substances.
Hazardous substances will not be used handled or stored until a suitable and sufficient risk assessment has been carried out. The findings and content of the risk assessment will be communicated to all employees likely to come into contact with the substance.
Material safety data sheets (MSDS) will be obtained for all hazardous substances purchased and this information will be retained. We understand these data sheets are freely available from suppliers and manufacturers who have a legal obligation to provide them.
We also recognise that as a result of our business undertaking hazardous substances may develop as a result of our business practices. These substances will also be assessed and controlled.
The person responsible for ensuring that the CoSHH assessments are carried out is Joanne Gordon
After reading and understanding the content of the CoSHH assessments the employee will sign the confirmation sheet to confirm that they have read and understood the assessment and its findings.
Responsibility for implementation of CoSHH assessments and any controls that are required rests with the nominated person identified above and supported by any other employees as is required.
The manager / deputy will monitor the effectiveness of the CoSHH assessment and any deficiencies will be reported to the person responsible for carrying out the CoSHH assessments.
All CoSHH assessments will be reviewed annually or if there are any significant changes that affect the validity of the risk assessment, whichever comes sooner.
Control of Infection
To control the risks associated with biological hazards such as viruses from blood, faeces, and urine there must be infection control policies put into place as a separate item to the Health and Safety Policy, although they should both support each other.
The person responsible for the Infection Control policy is Joanne Gordon
The Infection Control Policy must address such issues as:
The policy must be made available and read by all employees who must sign the signature sheet to indicate that they have read and understood the policy.
The person responsible for carrying out the Water Temperature and checks is Joanne Gordon
Any questions about the policy must be directed to:
The policy must be reviewed annually or when any significant change occurs which ever is soonest
The policy will be reviewed by Joanne Gordon
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) require that all manual handling tasks must be avoided where reasonably practicable, where this is not reasonably practicable then an assessment of the risks to employees must be carried out. The manual handling assessments will be made available to all employees.
After reading and understanding the manual handling assessment, the employee will sign the confirmation sheet to confirm that they have read and understood the content of the assessment.
The person responsible for ensuring that the manual handling assessments are carried out is Joanne Gordon
Responsibility for implementation of manual handling assessments and any controls that are required rests with the nominated person above, supported by any other employees as required.
The manager/deputy will monitor the effectiveness of the manual handling assessments. Any deficiencies will be reported to the person responsible for carrying out the manual handling assessments.
However, management cannot carry out an assessment for all minor tasks therefore it is the responsibility of employees to mentally assess the risk of harm to themselves and others before carrying out manual handling.
Before carrying out any manual-handling task employees must consider
The Task - What you are going to do
The Individual – The persons own capabilities
The Load - The weight, size and shape of the load
The Environment – The environment to which the task is being undertaken
If in doubt get help
All manual handling assessments will be reviewed annually or if there is any significant changes that affect the validity of the risk assessment, whichever comes sooner.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be provided for employees where a risk assessment indicates there is a requirement. The equipment provided will be suitable for the task affording the necessary protection.
An assessment of personal protective equipment will be carried out and where a need is identified, the equipment will be provided at no cost to the user.
Where PPE is supplied then employees must use the equipment provided; this is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 section 7.
The person responsible for the assessment and provision of PPE is:
Any questions or complaints (e.g. discomfort) about the PPE provided should be directed to Joanne Gordon
The requirement for PPE will be reviewed regularly. PPE will always be used as a last resort when controlling risks.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires that all equipment and machinery used for work must be suitable for the task and fit for purpose. When choosing work equipment a number of factors must be considered:
The person responsible for the supply, procurement, and repair of work equipment and machinery is Joanne Gordon
Items of work equipment that require statutory inspection by competent persons will be inspected at the required intervals as stated below.
All portable electrical equipment will be inspected at regular intervals dependant on its type and usage.
Records of these inspections are kept in The office
All defects of any work equipment must be reported to Joanne Gordon
Records of repair and maintenance are retained and inspections of other work equipment that may deteriorate with use require such inspections.
Records of repair and maintenance are kept in Hallway cupboard
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 require that an assessment of all display screen equipment (DSE) and the workstation be carried out to identify any risks present.
Prior to carrying out the assessment a checklist will be completed so as to identify the presence of any significant risk.
We recognise that DSE users require training and will provide it as necessary.
The person responsible for the assessment of display screen equipment is Joanne Gordon
The assessments will be reviewed annually or when any significant change occurs.
Happy Hearts Day Nursery accepts their responsibility under these regulations. Should an employee have difficulty with their eyesight whilst using the display screen for their work, then we will pay for an eyesight test. This will determine if the employee requires corrective glasses to reduce the health risks involved in the use of computer screens.
If corrective eyewear is required then we will provide basic eyewear, which must be used whilst the operative is using the computer.
Happy Hearts Day Nursery will not pay for any other type of eyewear, such as bi focal or varifocal if an employee requires these then they must pay the cost difference.
The Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992 are designed to provide all employees with a safe place to work and adequate welfare facilities.
We will also ensure that the premises as well as any fixtures, fittings and plant within it do not present a health and safety risk to any visitors and contractors that may come into contact with our business activities and premises.
Workplace inspections that identify defects and omissions early will be carried out at regular intervals, when defects and omissions are identified then a time scale and person responsible for repair or implementation will be set.
Inspections of the buildings and outside environment will be carried out every Term
All defects and omissions must be reported promptly so that they can be dealt with. The person responsible for dealing with workplace defects is Joanne Gordon
The Institution of Electrical Engineers Regulations and the HSE recommend that a competent electrician should inspect fixed electrical installations at least every five years and a certificate of inspection obtained and retained.
The person responsible for ensuring electrical installations are inspected is Joanne Gordon
Any electrical defects must be reported to Joanne Gordon
In order to maintain a safe and health workplace, good housekeeping is extremely important. All employees have a part to play in the delivery of this requirement. They will ensure that their workplace and work equipment is kept in a clean and tidy condition, items and equipment must not be left on the floor to present a trip, slip or fall hazard and any cables are tucked away or routed away from traffic routes.
THE HEALTH ACT 2006
Chapter 28 of the Health Act is to make provision for the prohibition of smoking in certain premises, places and vehicles and therefore “Smoking” is not allowed in any of our workplaces or entrances where smoke can enter the building. This also applies where cigarette smoke can enter the building through a window. It is our policy to ensure that this legislation is fully applied and also includes our vehicles and therefore “Smoking” is not allowed. In the event of a person smoking in the workplace areas, disciplinary action will be taken.
Good Housekeeping is Everybody’s Responsibility
Under the Gas Safety (installation and use) Regulations 1998 we have a duty to ensure that any installations within the premises are installed and maintained by a competent person. The annual checks will include the effectiveness of any flue, the supply of air for combustion, the operational pressure and the safe function of appliances.
The person responsible for ensuring a Gas Safe Registered Engineer inspects the gas installations is Joanne Gordon
All workplaces use contractors from time to time for example electricians, window cleaners, painters, and decorators, plumbers and other trades persons. These will be controlled so that they work in a safe manner and do not cause any employee and other visitors to be at risk.
We also understand that the controls must also protect the contractor from any risk them from any hazards that may arise as a result of our business activities.
Prior to any contractor carrying out any work at our business premises or elsewhere on our behalf, the contractor must produce or complete the following:
The person responsible for the control of contractors is Joanne Gordon
LONE WORKING
Happy Hearts Day Nursery has a duty to ensure the safety of lone workers as far as reasonably practicable. As far as the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 is concerned, the responsibility of the employer to ensure the safety of lone workers does not differ much from that of the responsibility to ensure the safety of employees working in a group or under close supervision.
Employees must co-operate with management to enable them to comply with their health and safety duties in respect of lone working. Section 7 of HASWA requires employees to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
Happy Hearts Day Nursery will manage the risks associated with lone working by the following means;
Whether or not a person will be permitted to work alone in or out of normal hours, will depend on the degree of risk posed by the work, the working environment and on the individual.
The person responsible for ensuring that the risk assessment for lone working is carried out:
The person responsible for developing procedures for the lone working activity is Joanne Gordon
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 requires us to provide adequate first aid equipment and a sufficient number trained people to administer first aid when required.
We will carry out a first aid risk assessment; this will enable us to establish the number of trained first aid person/s we require as well as the amount of first aid equipment needed.
Factors considered will be:
The qualified first aid people or appointed persons are Joanne Gordon, Marie McNulty, Dianne Frewin, Rachel Barter, Chloe King
The first aid boxes are located at In the baby unit kitchen area & in the main kitchen area
All accidents are to be reported and entered in the accident book, which is located in The hallway cupboard
All accidents or near misses will be investigated and remedial actions identified this will prevent reoccurrence of the same or similar incidents. The level of investigation will depend upon the seriousness of the accident.
The person responsible for investigation of accidents or near misses is Joanne Gordon
Under these regulations specific work related accidents, diseases, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the Enforcing Authorities. The method of reporting is through the Incident Contact Centre (ICC).
Although there is a comprehensive list of reportable situations within the regulations the main incidents that must be reported are:
Employers must report injuries that lead to a worker being incapacitated for more than seven
consecutive days as the result of an occupational accident or injury (not counting the day of the accident but including weekends and rest days). The report must be made within 15 days of the accident.
The person responsible for reporting incidents is Joanne Gordon
Employers must still keep a record of the accident if the worker has been incapacitated for more than three consecutive days. An accident book, kept under the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979, can be treated as a record for the purposes of RIDDOR.
The record must include information such as:
Incidents and diseases can be reported by the following methods:
Online
Go to www.hse.gov.uk/riddor and complete the appropriate online report form. The form will then be submitted directly to the RIDDOR database. You will receive a copy for your records.
Telephone
All incidents can be reported online but a telephone service remains for reporting fatal and major injuries only. Call the Incident Contact Centre on 0845 300 9923 (opening hours Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5 pm).
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order2005 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 employers are required to undertake a specific risk assessment of the risks posed by fire within their businesses undertaking.
A specific fire risk assessment will be undertaken and the findings implemented.
The fire risk assessment will be reviewed at least annually, or if there is any significant change in the circumstances.
The fire evacuation will be practiced at least twice annually but not in the same six months.
The alarm system will be tested weekly
The person responsible for carrying out the evacuation practice and tests then recording the results isJoanne Gordon
The fire marshals are Joanne Gordon
The assembly point is situated at The front car park
All fire extinguishers are inspected by a competent person annually and must be replaced when discharged. The competent person for fire extinguisher inspection is Firelec
The emergency lighting will be tested monthly and any defects found reported and repaired. The person responsible for this is Joanne Gordon
Emergency exits and evacuation routes will be kept clear at all times and checked at regular intervals. The person responsible is Joanne Gordon
The evacuation plan will also include a procedure for the removal of visitors and contractors.
A roll call will be carried out to ensure that all people are present. The role calls coordinators are Joanne Gordon
The Fire Procedure is as follows:
If you discover a fire:
When speaking to the Fire Brigade provide the following information:
Happy Hearts Day Nursery recognises that work related stress can cause ill health and will put controls in place to help prevent stress. However, Happy Hearts Day Nursery cannot be held responsible for stress caused by outside sources such as financial or domestic problems.
Because stress does not affect all people in the same way and that one person may find a job stressful when another does not, it is difficult to assess the risk to all employees. Therefore, employees must ensure that they report any undue stress that they may feel from different work activities
Stressful situations can be reported in confidence to Joanne Gordon
Stress counselling will be provided if and when necessary by By The Employees General Practitioner
It is important to Happy Hearts Day Nursery that the health, safety and welfare of all our employees are safeguarded. We recognise our responsibilities under the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 Regulation 16 and realise that if any of our employees become pregnant they must inform their manager/deputy as soon as is necessary to avoid any risks to the person. This can be verbally but must be followed up by a written confirmation from their doctor.
The management will carry out an individual specific risk assessment of the work that the employee does for the company to determine any risks to her and her unborn baby that may arise from the work activities.
The person responsible for ensuring that the risk assessment is carried out is Joanne Gordon
Where the risks are significant then assistance or alternative employment will be provided.
Pregnant employees must not:
Pregnant employees must.
To maintain a safe working environment for any pregnant employees a suitable rest area will be provided for them to rest if required.
Seating will be provided for the employee to carry out their work.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Regulation 19 defines a young person as someone who is over the legal school leaving age of 16 years but has not reached the age of 18 years.
Further consideration should be given to young people who are placed within the working environment on ‘Work Experience’. Happy Hearts Day Nursery will do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure students or children on placements are not placed in a working environment where there are significant risks to their health and safety.
Due to of their lack of experience, maturity and lack of awareness it is essential that they are supervised at all times until they gain the required experience, maturity and awareness of the risks.
The person responsible for ensuring that the risk assessment of the young person is carried out is Joanne Gordon
Any young person will be provided with all the information; instruction, training and supervision they require. They will also be provided with a mentor (responsible employee), who has accepted the responsibility of overseeing the young person.
Young persons will not be allowed:
The young person must
A Food Safety Policy is required for our food handling activities. This must be developed alongside this Health and Safety Policy. Guidance on food safety within our premises is available from the Local Environmental Health Department.
Food preparation safety falls under the requirements of this Health and Safety Policy. This requirement covers housekeeping, cleaning, layout of the food preparation area, the equipment in use and the condition of floors and surfaces etc.
The Person responsible for food safety is Joanne Gordon
All employees have a responsibility to ensure that a high degree of personal hygiene is maintained particularly when preparing food for service user consumption.
All employees have a duty to ensure a high degree of housekeeping is maintained but the person identified below has the duty to ensure this is carried out.
The person responsible for general kitchen housekeeping is Joanne Gordon
The Working at Height Regulations 2005 requires us to consider a number of key elements prior to carrying out any work that involves climbing from floor level.
We are required to suitably and sufficiently assess the risks involved in working at height. This will involve consideration of the following key factors:
We will carry out a risk assessment, taking into account the factors indicated above. If the work is beyond what we consider acceptable then we will call on the services of a specialist contractor to make the work zone easily accessible to our employees.
The person responsible for carrying out the working at height assessments isJoanne Gordon
Happy Hearts Day Nursery recognises the duty to provide its employees with whatever training is required so that they can carry out their job in a safe manner. This will ensure they are protected from hazards and that they do not cause anyone to be harmed by their activities.
To ensure this is carried out the person below has been appointed to identify any training needs Joanne Gordon
The type of training that will be provided is:
All training will be recorded and retained with the employee’s personal file as the employee will sign to confirm that they have received the training and understood it.
The person responsible for maintaining the training records is Joanne Gordon
Health and Safety Training should include: