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Policies - Health and Safety
1) Statement
of policy
Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council recognises the importance of
the effective management of health and safety management to
all those who come into contact with the work of the Shadow
Council.
So far as is practical FSYC will aim to provide
A safe place of work and safe access to it
A healthy working environment
Safe equipment and systems of work
Arrangements for the safe use, handling, storage and transport
of articles and substances used for work
Sufficient information, instructions, training ands supervision
to enable all staff to avoid hazards and contribute positively
to their own health and safety at work
Systems to ensure all work activities and locations are subject
to risk assessment by the Project Worker and that action to
control risks is taken where identified as necessary
Administrative and management systems designed to ensure effective
safety management
A procedure for the recording, reporting and monitoring of all
accidents and incidents of ill health occurring as a result
of FSYC work activities and effective follow up where needed
Systems to ensure the health and safety of all persons other
than employees affected by Shadow Council work, especially volunteers
and users of our services
Methods to ensure that contractors work to safety standards
set down by FSYC
2) Dissemination of the Policy
This policy will be sent to all Shadow Councillors, Post Primary
Schools and Colleges and members of the Management Committee
and will be put on the web site
3) Monitoring the Policy
This policy will be reviewed at least once during the term of
office of each new Shadow Council by Shadow Councillors and
the Management Committee.
4) Liability Insurance
FSYC shall purchase appropriate liability insurance which satisfies
the requirements of the relevant law applicable in Great Britain.
A copy of the Certificate of Employer's Liability Insurance
shall be displayed in the office of the Shadow Council.
5) Roles and Responsibilities
The Management Committee
The Management Committee has the final responsibility for the
Health and Safety within FSYC. This includes:
Reviewing the Health and Safety Policy to check that it is
appropriate to all Shadow Council related activities
Ensuring Shadow Councillors, employees and committee members
keep to procedures designed in relation to this policy
Ensuring organisations and individuals using the services of
the Shadow Council operated within the Health and Safety Policy
Securing and allocation of resources for maintenance of Health
and Safety including training if needed
Approving reports on Health and Safety where necessary
Handling complaints in relation to Health and Safety
The Project Worker(s)
The Project Worker has the responsibility for the implementation
of the policy in the day to day running of the Shadow Council.
This includes:
Ensuring Shadow Councillors are aware of the policy
Ensuring individuals and organisations working with the Shadow
Council operate within the remit of the policy
Reporting to the Management Committee on Health andSafety Issues
Carrying out risk assessments where needed
Keeping a record of any incidents that take place in relation
to Health and Safety
Ensuring appropriate consultation with relevant organisations
and/or individuals on Health and Safety Issues
Making sure Health and Safety issues are included in budgeting
Handling informal complaints on Health and Safety
All employees, volunteers, Shadow Councillors, Past Shadow Councillors,
Delegates and anybody else working with the Shadow Council
These must:
Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and
that of others
Report any special considerations that may need to be taken
into account (eg allergies) with regard to their own Health
and Safety
Report any dangers, incidents or accidents to the Project Worker
or Management Committee
Report any training needs in relation to Health and Safety to
the Project Worker or Management Committee
6) Specific Policies
Appropriate policies are needed on:
a) Workplace risk assessment
b) Young People's Protection
c) Transport
d) Accident and incident reporting
e) First aid
f) Smoking/alcohol and drugs
g) Emergency procedures
h) Lone working
i) Manual moving and handling
j) Equipment
7) Written policies
Work Place Risk Assessment
It is the responsibility of the Project Worker to assess risks
presented by the day-to-day office work; opportunities and meetings
presented by consulting organisations; Shadow Council initiated
projects and residentials and associated travel and communication.
This involves ensuring the implementation of all policies relevant
to Health and Safety.
Proper account should be taken of disabilities related on membership
forms.
Where knowledge of health and safety requirements is beyond
the expertise of the Project Worker, appropriate specialist
guidance should be sought before any action is taken.
The Project Worker, answerable to the Management Committee,
may stop an activity at any stage if he/she feels that it presents
an unacceptable level of risk.
Young people's protection
See separate policy
Transport
See separate policy
Accident and incident reporting
All incidents relating to health and safety should be recorded
in a book kept in the first aid kit on the bookshelf in the
Shadow Council office.
Shadow Councillors, Delegates and Past Shadow Councillors will
be encouraged to use the complaints procedure in relation to
any issues relating to Health and Safety.
This encourages them, or a representative acting on their behalf,
to raise issues with the Project Worker and/or members of the
Management Committee.
First aid
A first aid kit will be kept on the bookshelf in the Shadow
Council office.
The Project Worker(s) should receive training in first aid.
Smoking, alcohol and drugs
Under age smoking and drinking will be discouraged. Where incidents
persist after an initial warning parental contact will be sought.
Alcohol will not be permitted at residentials organised by the
Shadow Council given that most of its members are underage.
Emergency procedures
In the event of an accident the Project Worker/assigned adult
should get immediate help for the injured party without going
beyond their capability or putting anybody at risk - not using
first aid if they are not qualified ensure they do not have
contact with any body fluid summon first aid assistance
attempt to minimise reoccurrence/distress contact relevant parents/organisations/individuals
at the earliest possible stage
a) FSYC office
Fire and bomb scare evacuation procedures for the office will
be displayed on the back of the office door
b) On residentials/trips
Parents will be informed of the details of all overnight residentials
and trips outside the county.
The Project Worker accompanying Shadow Councillors/Delegates
will carry contact details of all young people attending together
with details of any medical conditions specified on membership
forms. They will also carry a mobile phone.
Where there is only one accompanying adult, appropriate adult
contacts at the venue should be identified to young people at
the earliest stage.
For meetings where the Project Worker is not present and a suitably
screened adult from a different organisation is in charge, contact
details for those attending should be supplied to the adult
by parents or the young person attending.
A meeting point should be identified for people to assemble
in the event of an emergency. This meeting point should be secondary
to any evacuation procedures that may be in place for the venue.
Lone working
As a general rule there should never be less than three people
at any gathering. The aim is to provide witnesses to any wrongdoing
and protect individuals from false accusations.
Where this is unavoidable, parents should be informed beforehand
where possible.
Where this is not possible (eg young person visiting the Shadow
Council office) the door to any enclosed space should be kept
open.
All staff and volunteers should be made aware that working alone
with one young person is not good practice.
Workers/volunteers should inform the reception desk when they
are entering or leaving the building or when they will be absent
due to holidays. A message should also be left on the answer
machine explaining prolonged absences.
When a worker is alone in the office building they should be
informed by reception staff. It is then the worker's responsibility
to check all doors are closed and lights off and set the alarm.
Manual moving and handling
Assistance should be sought for handling and moving heavy items.
Equipment
Equipment should be serviced in line with manufacturers recommendations.
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