Health and Safety Policy

Health and Safety Policy

1. Introduction

This document is intended to help all those who will be concerned in maintaining a high profile in respect of health and safety. It clearly defines individual responsibilities; gives detailed action to take in the case of emergencies and highlights areas, which are particularly hazardous. Some sections will not be applicable to all staff.

2. College Safety Policy

It is essential that everyone in the College is aware of, and becomes familiar with, procedures for dealing with matters concerning health and safety, such as emergencies and the treatment of injured persons.

This document will not itself produce a safe working environment; this will be achieved by the full co-operation of staff and students.

A. Organisation of Safe Working Conditions in College

The Corporation has delegated responsibilities regarding Manchester Victoria College to the Principal. The Principal accepts these responsibilities and insists that the following matters are dealt with on a continuing basis:-

A1. Safety Inspection

Actions will be conducted to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. This will be achieved by inspections of the working environment carried out regularly by the appropriate Head of Section or his/her delegate. A record of each inspection will be kept and remedial action taken. 

A2. Fire Notices

These notices will be displayed in all classrooms, offices and on notice boards throughout the College. All students will have their attention drawn to the fire notices during induction week. Fire drills will take place at regular intervals with a minimum of one per term. A record of these drills is maintained in the Fire Log, located in the Health & Safety Coordinator's office. All new staff and students will be informed of what to do in the case of fire by their respective Head of Section, their Course Manager or the College Health & Safety Coordinator. All staff must know how to use the fire equipment in their work area and must ensure that students know the fire procedures and can carry them out. At intervals, the College Health & Safety Coordinator will arrange demonstrations for the use of fire fighting equipment for staff and students.

A3. First Aid

Details of the College's first aid facilities will be displayed on notice boards. Rooms containing first aid boxes will have the white cross on a green background sign. A list will be displayed of all those holding recognized First Aid Certificates. Only those with appropriate qualifications can administer first aid policy.

A4. New Hazards

Any new plant, products, equipment or premises will be risk assessed by the Head of Department and the College Health & Safety Officer and the risk assessment implemented before the plant, products, equipment or premises are used.

B. Safety Reporting

B1. Health and Safety Representatives

Each Department (as defined by the membership of the Health & Safety Committee) will nominate a Health & Safety Representative to attend the Health & Safety Committee. The functions of the Safety Representative are:

1. To communicate to the Committee any complaints by any employee he/she represents relating to that employee's health, safety or welfare at work.
2. To promote health and safety in the workplace.
3. To attend meetings of the Health & Safety Committee to which he/she has been appointed and to produce written reports to that committee as requested.

B2. Hazard Reporting

Any suspected hazard will be reported to the Head of Department who, after investigation, will bring the matter to the notice of the Health and Safety Coordinator or, in his absence, the Senior Manager responsible for health and safety without delay. Any employee whose work involves a hazard is authorized to cease the activity concerned until the hazard has been reported and the Head of Section confirms or rejects the action taken.

B3. Accidents

It is the policy of the College to take all reasonably practicable steps to avoid accidents occurring. In the event of an accident, the first concern will be the care of the person or persons who have suffered injury. The accident will be reported to the persons detailed on the incident report form. The reporter shall ensure that adequate arrangements are made for the care of any injured persons. It will be policy to investigate all accidents, including those not involving injury, and the Health & Safety Officer who will report the result of the investigation to the College Health & Safety Committee will make arrangements for the investigation.

B4. Safety Rules/Codes of Practice 

Certain safety rules are essential to ensure the health and safety of the employees who work in the areas to which they relate. This applies particularly to the laboratories, workshops, refectory, kitchens, fire precautions, some activities at the farm and equine and all activities associated with firearms. Such rules as are considered necessary will be drawn up in consultation with representatives of the employees and will be attached to this document as codes of practice.

B5. Contractors on Site  

Separate procedures are laid down for contractors and visitors to site and are attached to the main Health and Safety Policy.

B6. Hazard Identification

All activities, processes, substances and work places must be risk assessed under the direction of the Managers identified within this policy. 

B7. House-keeping

The College attaches importance to the need for good housekeeping practices. It is policy to ensure that floors are kept free of anything that may cause slipping or tripping and that no waste materials, which could cause injury if trodden on, are allowed to remain where they fall. Items stored on shelves will be stored in such a way as to ensure that they do not cause injury to anyone working in the vicinity or to anyone passing by. Rubbish will not be allowed to accumulate in any working area and passageways will be kept clear at all times.

B8. Special Hazards

Portable electric mains operated equipment will be used only where this does not entail trailing power leads across walkways. Inflammable liquids will not be permitted in any room in the College in quantities that are in excess of that required to meet immediate needs and no radiant heat source will be used in any circumstances in which such use could incur a risk of fire or explosion.

B9. Maintenance and Inspection of Machinery

It will be the policy of the College to ensure that all equipment and machinery used by the College should be maintained in accordance with the instructions issued by the manufacturer. Where manufacturers' instructions are not available, the Head of Department will seek advice from the Health & Safety Coordinator to obtain such advice as may be needed for preparing those instructions. No maintenance will be carried out on any equipment or machinery while it is in use and it will be the responsibility of the operator to ensure that all power operated equipment is isolated from the source of power before maintenance work begins and that power is not restored until after the person who carries out the maintenance gives formal notification that the maintenance work has been completed. Head of Department will keep relevant records. 

C. Individual Responsibility 

C1. The Principal is responsible for: 

1. Devising any amendments to the College Health & Safety Policy as may be necessary, and enforcing the requirements of this policy
2. Allocating staff, funds and materials within the approved College budget or from central funds to meet the needs of the health and safety requirements of the College.
3. Appointing a Senior Manager to be responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective policy for health and safety within the College.

C2. Heads of Major Risk Assessment Areas

1. Will be designated, along with the areas they control for health and safety purposes, by the Principal and names and areas will be attached to the Health and Safety Policy and displayed on Notice Boards.
2. Will assist the Principal in establishing and maintaining an effective policy for health and safety at work within their designated areas.
3. Will be responsible for the risk assessment of all activities, processes, substances and work places within their designated area.

C3. Academic Managers are responsible to head of the Major Risk Assessment Area for:

1. Complying with all relevant legislation particularly that contained in "Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999".
2. Implementing the College's safety policies and procedures within their departments and work areas
3. Alerting the Health & Safety Committee of any item of safety equipment that may be required
4. Assisting in the investigation of accidents
5. Consulting regularly with the Health & Safety Coordinator, ensuring defects are rectified, and machinery and equipment adequately maintained 

C4. Teaching staff are responsible through their Head of Department for:-

1. Ensuring that the work of the College is carried out in accordance with the College Health & Safety Policy and its Codes of Practice
2. The safety of students whilst they are in their charge, whether in or outside the College
3. Ensuring that clear safety instructions and warnings are given.
4. Personally following safe working procedures and observing general safety regulations
5. Ensuring that the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations are adhered to.
6. Reporting accidents immediately using the College report form and completing the necessary and appropriate accident forms
7. Ensuring that, in the event of a serious accident, nothing is disturbed at the scene of the accident, except as might be necessary for the removal of a casualty
8. Initiate first aid as appropriate

C5. Students are responsible for:

1. Co-operating in keeping a tidy and safe working environment
2. Observing College Health & Safety regulations
3. Being appropriately dressed for the activity undertaken
4. Ensuring that they take the necessary safety precautions in the use of all equipment, premises and materials
5. Reporting any accidents immediately to the Lecturer in charge of their class or to any appropriate member of the College Staff.

D. Accidents to Students and Staff 

D1. If the accident is relatively minor and the casualty is moveable, the person in charge should arrange for the casualty to be taken to the Nurse or for a first aid person to attend.

D2. If the injury is more serious: Call an ambulance

D3. First aid boxes are available in all work places on the College Administration Office.

D4. First Aiders list will be posted on Notice Boards and amended as necessary.

D5. First aid should only be administered by a qualified first aid person and or appointed person.

D6. All accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Coordinator as soon as possible with information of action taken and treatment given.

D7. It is the responsibility of the person in charge when an accident occurs to fill in the Accident Report Book and Forms as soon as possible after the accident.

E. Health and Safety Training

Steps will be taken to ensure the staff and students are up to date regarding health and safety. Training will be managed by the line manager and coordinated by the Staff Development Manager.