Health & Safety Policy
Requirements
The Isle of Man has adopted health and safety legislation that differs from that in use in the UK. Whilst there is a great deal of similarity in the primary Act, The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 as applied to the Island by Order, many of the regulations have been drafted locally. Others are amended versions of legislation that applies in the UK.
Unadopted UK legislation is best viewed as an illustration of good practice. UK legislation and guidance may be helpful in explaining the general duties imposed by the 1974 Act.
Within the HSW Act 1974 the law says that every business must have a policy for managing health and safety
A health and safety policy sets out your general approach to health and safety. It explains how you, as an employer, will manage health and safety in your business. It should clearly say who does what, when and how.
If you have five or more employees, you must write your policy down. If you have fewer than five employees you do not have to write anything down, but it is useful to do so.
For the Royal Manx Agricultural Society council members and volunteers are classed as employees therefore requiring a written policy
You must share the policy, and any changes to it, with your employees.
Policy
1.1. It is The Royal Manx Agricultural Society’s general policy that an environment is created and maintained at all events which is both safe and healthy for the benefit of all members, participants and spectators. The prevention of all accidents, particularly those involving personal injury or damage to equipment and property is recognised as being essential.
1.2. The Society will conduct its undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons who may be affected by its activities are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
1.3. The Society will bring to the notice of all exhibitors, retailers, caterers and their agents and employees their duty to co-operate with the Society to ensure that this policy is effective, and to offer all necessary assistance to ensure the health and safety of all persons at all times. 1.4. The Royal Manx Agricultural Society’s Health and Safety Policy Statement commits the Society to the implementation of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (plus any amendments as from time to time may occur), and actively seeks the co-operation of all members, participants, exhibitors and the public for their commitment to the same.
1.5. The Society will revise this Safety Policy Statement, as required by section 2(3) of the Health and Safety at Work Act l974 as often as may be appropriate
Responsibilities
The President
The President is responsible for the overall arrangements and for ensuring that the company’s operations are executed at all times in such a manner as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees and others who may be affected by its operations.
In particular the President will:
1 Ensure there is an effective company policy for health and safety and that all employees, contractors and temporary workers are made aware of their individual responsibility.
2 To understand and ensure, through the appointment of competent persons, that the company’s responsibilities as employers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and any relevant Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments are met.
3 To appoint a Director responsible for safety.
4 To ensure that all Directors, council members and supervisors understand and fulfil their responsibilities with regard to health and safety.
5 Arrange for funds and facilities to meet the requirements of company policy and legislation.
6 Make provision for adequate and appropriate training to be given to all employees / volunteers.
7 To ensure that notification and reporting procedures to the relevant statutory authorities are carried out.
8 Set a personal example on all matters of health and safety.
Director Responsible for Health and Safety
The Show Director is responsible for Health and Safety is accountable to the President for all matters relating to health, safety and welfare of employees, volunteers and those affected by the companies operations.
In particular the Show Director will:
1 Understand and ensure that the implications and duties imposed by new Acts of Parliament/Tynwald, Statutory Instruments, H.S.E. Guidance Notes and Codes of Practice are brought to the attention of the Board of Directors.
2 To bring company related health and safety matters to the attention of the Board of Directors at regular intervals.
3 To ensure that good communications exist between employer, employees and volunteers and are maintained.
4 Liaise with the person appointed in the role of Safety Officer over the full range of their duties and responsibilities, with respect to inspections, audits, report recommendations, changes in legislation and advice obtained from other sources.
5 Ensure adequate means of distributing and communicating health, safety and welfare information obtained for the H.S.E., Safety organisations and Trade associations regarding new techniques of accident prevention, new legislation requirements and codes of practice etc.
6 Ensure that an adequate programme of training for health and safety is established and that the safety culture is encouraged amongst employees / volunteers.
7 Set a personal example at all times by using the correct personal protective clothing/equipment and following all safety requirements and procedures.
Safety Officer
The primary role of the Safety Officer is to advise the Directors and Council on all safety, health and welfare matters to ensure the Company complies with its statutory obligations.
The Safety Officer is designated responsibility by the Director responsible for health and safety to control and update this Safety Manual and to ensure that all Departments operate to the procedures and instructions contained there: –
In particular the Safety Officer will:
1 Understand the application of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and other legislation relevant to the Companies business.
2 Keep up to date with changes in current legislation and to bring to the attention of the Director responsible for Health and Safety any relevant new legislation.
3 Attend such courses/seminars run by external sources to enable accurate interpretation of legislation to enable implementation within the organisation.
4 Ensure that all “assessments” as required by legislation are conducted and reviewed at relevant intervals and to maintain records of the same.
5 To recommend control measures and advise on the standard of P.P.E. issued to employees / volunteers.
6 Conduct health and safety inspections and prepare reports of all the company’s operations.
7 Immediately contact the Director responsible for health and safety if situations are found, that in the opinion of the Safety Officer, require immediate rectification or the stopping of any operation.
8 To notify the Director responsible for health and safety if the corrective action agreed after any workplace inspection is not implemented by the arranged date.
9 To carry out investigations into all accidents and near-miss incidents and to record the findings on the relevant forms.
10 Advise the Company Secretary of all incidents reportable under R.I.D.D.O.R.
11 To highlight areas where training/certification is required to meet the standards imposed by Legislation, Approved Codes of Practice, or H.S.E. guidance.
12 To bring new techniques for improving health, safety and welfare to the attention of the Director responsible for health and safety.
13 To set a personal example by wearing appropriate personal protective clothing/equipment and observing all safety requirements/procedures.
Other Directors, Council Members & Supervisors
Each Director, Council Member and Supervisor is responsible for his personal safety and that of all personnel under his or her authority, including others who may be affected by the company’s activities.
In particular they will:
1 Understand and implement the company safety policy.
2 Appreciate the responsibilities of personnel under their authority and ensure that each employee knows his/her responsibility and are equipped to play their part.
3 Conduct Risk Assessments on activities within their department ensuring that the methods and systems of work are safe. Also, that the necessary procedures, rules and regulations designed to achieve this are formulated, published and applied.
4 Provide written instructions of work methods outlining potential hazards and precautions, and ensure they are complied with.
5 Ensure accident and near-miss reporting procedures are understood and complied with and assist with accident investigations where appropriate.
6 Ensure all employees and sub-contractors are suitably trained/competent to carry out the prescribed task and that the necessary licenses/certificates of competence are in force and appropriate.
7 Ensure the Statutory Notices, the Safety Policy, Insurance Certificate and the names of Appointed First Aiders are displayed and maintained in prominent locations.
8 Ensure that all new employees in the company are provided with a copy of the policy statement, receive such induction training as may be laid down in procedures, are issued with personal protective equipment as required and their personal responsibilities as set out in this manual.
9 Reprimand any employee / volunteer for failing to discharge their health and safety responsibilities.
10 Set a personal example with regard to health and safety matters.
The Showfield Electrician
The Showfield Electrician is responsible for his personal safety and that of all personnel under his authority, including others who may be affected by the company’s activities. In particular he will: –
1 Understand and implement the Company Safety Policy.
2 Appreciate the responsibilities of personnel under their authority and ensure that each knows his/her responsibility and are equipped to play their part.
3 Ensure that all written schemes and procedures identified in Part 3 of this document are prepared, contain sufficient detail for each task to be critically analysed, and fully comprehensible to all required to use them.
4 Prepare and maintain a scheme which identifies work equipment requiring inspection by competent persons and ensuring that the equipment is easily identifiable and available for inspection on the date required.
5 Prepare and maintain suitable records of all inspections. These records to identify precisely what was inspected, how, who by, when, any defects found, remedial action taken and the date/time of the next inspection.
6 Conduct Risk Assessments on activities within their department ensuring that the methods and systems of work are safe. Also, that the necessary procedures, rules and regulations designed to achieve this are formulated, published and applied.
7 Ensure that all electrical construction work under his control complies with all relevant construction statutory instruments.
8 Ensure accident and near-miss reporting procedures are understood and implemented. Assist with accident investigations where appropriate.
9 Ensure all employees, volunteers and sub-contractors are suitably trained/competent to carry out the prescribed task and that the necessary licenses/certificates of competence are in force and appropriate.
10 Ensure that the impending start of any new employee is advised to the Company Secretary in good time.
11 Reprimand any employee or volunteer for failing to discharge their health and safety responsibilities.
12 Set a personal example with regard to health and safety matters.
Sub-Contractors, Exhibitors and Trade Stand Owner
1 All Sub-Contractors, Exhibitors and Trades Stand Owner must comply with the aims of this policy as a condition of their subcontract and will be required to forward a copy of their Safety Policy and Safety plan for the work to the secretary of the Royal Manx Agricultural Society.
2 Sub-Contractors, Exhibitors and Trade Stand Owner will at pre-contract meetings or other time as may be stipulated, submit Assessments, Test Certificates and Method Statements to comply with Statutory requirements.
3 All Sub-Contractors, Exhibitors and Trade Stand Owner and their employees must respond to, and promptly comply with, any instruction issued by the Royal Manx Agricultural Society where it effects health and safety.
4 Operators certificates of competence and test certificates for the various types of plant and equipment to be used will be presented to site management before the operation commences.
5 Every Sub-Contractor, Exhibitor and Trade Stand Owner will be responsible for providing his employees with all necessary personal protective clothing and equipment.
6 All portable tooling and other plant and equipment will be maintained and in good working order and in the case of lighting appliances and electrical equipment evidence must be produced as to the correct testing and certification.
7 Any hired ride on plant will only be operated by persons appointed as being competent and where applicable certificated to C.I.T.B. or Q.P.T.C. standards for the plant in question.
8 Any materials or substances brought onto the site must be correctly labelled and in approved containers or packages. Such materials or substances must be advised to the site manager together with an appropriate C.O.S.H.H. assessment to ensure that the substance poses no risk to health or safety of those affected by its use and that the correct storage and fire precautions are adequately catered for.
9 Sub-Contractors, Exhibitors and Trade Stand Owners will be responsible for ensuring that the personnel placed on site are fully trained and competent in the work to be undertaken. Evidence of training will be required at the tendering stage and may be requested during site safety inspections/audits.
10 Sub-Contractors Exhibitors, and Trade Stand Owners will ensure that they maintain their workplaces in a safe condition and that their storage areas are kept clean, tidy and free from hazards.
11 Further conditions on any other health and safety matters will be contained in the conditions of order/contract and will form part of this policy’s requirements.
All Employees & Volunteers
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (M.H.S.W.R.) re-enacts the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which places responsibilities on the employer and employees alike. In this connection, the Company reminds employees of their duties under Section 7 of the act: to take care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Additionally, employees must also co-operate with the company to enable it to discharge its own responsibilities successfully.
Furthermore, all employees and volunteers are expected to:-
1 Carry out assigned tasks and duties in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions, and to comply with safety rules/procedures, regulations and codes of practice.
2 If aware of any unsafe practice or condition, or if in any doubt about the safety of any situation, consult their supervisor.
3 Obtain and use the correct tools/equipment for the work and not to use any that are unsafe or damaged. All tools, equipment and personal protective equipment must be stored in the approved place after use.
4 Ensure that all guards are securely fixed, and that all safety equipment and personal protective clothing/equipment provided are used.
5 Not to operate any plant or equipment unless authorised.
6 To report any accident, near-miss, dangerous occurrence or dangerous condition to their line management.
7 To switch off and secure unattended plant or equipment.
8 To avoid improvised arrangements and suggest safe ways of eliminating hazards.
9 Not to participate in horseplay or place fellow employees or volunteers in danger by their actions.