Health & Safety Policy

Policy Statement

This policy applies to all activities organised by the Crick Woodlands Management Committee. The Committee will take all reasonable and practical steps to provide and maintain a safe and healthy site for all its volunteers and visitors. 

The Committee recognises that accident prevention is an essential element of good work practice and the pursuit of it benefits the efficiency of their operations. It is recognised that effective prevention of injury and damage requires commitment at every level. 

Responsibilities

Crick Woodlands Management Committee has overall responsibility for all aspects of health and safety at Crick Woodlands and for ensuring appropriate arrangement is made to comply with all statutory requirements.
While not a legal requirement the committee, where practical, will carry out Risk Assessments for activities, operation of machinery and areas of work.
Instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of its members and volunteers will be provided.

Where necessary, health & safety inspections, investigations of accidents, incidents and near misses, and other dangerous occurrences will be reviewed by the committee in the interests of effective health and safety management.

Guidance notes, certificates, risk assessment reports, terms of reference, accident reports and copies of contractors’ public liability certificates will be held by an appropriate nominated Officer (Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer). A copy of the current insurance certificate shall be displayed inside the equipment container in Jubilee Wood.

Volunteers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own and others health and safety, work in accordance with training and advice, report accidents and dangerous incidents and raise with the committee any shortcomings in health and safety arrangements.

Reporting 

All accidents whilst must be recorded in the Accident Record Log following the procedures stated in the Crick Woodlands Accidents Policy and Procedure.

Alcohol, Drugs or Substance Misuse

Any volunteer thought to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave the site.

Volunteers at Special Risk

Crick Woodlands Management Committee recognizes certain people are subject to special risk which is reflected in their Diversity and Equalities Policy and Procedure.

Safe Handling of Substances

In seeking to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations 2002 the Committee will assess risk to health from substances used on site. A hazardous substance can be liquid, solid, dust powder, or gas which can damage health when it comes into contact with skin or eyes; or enters the body through the skin; or is breathed in, swallowed or even transferred to the mouth via contaminated hands.

A risk assessment will be carried out for substances considered by the committee hazardous to health and should be reviewed periodically or when new guidance is given. 

Communication

The principles in this Policy will be brought to the attention of all committee members.

Monitoring

The effectiveness of the Policy will be monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.