The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 lays down minimum standards with regard to health and safety in the workplace. It also places duties and responsibilities on employers and employees alike, breaches of which can result in criminal prosecution.

To promote interest and involvement in this important subject, we have produced this statement of our Health and Safety policies and of the arrangements for implementing them.

Health and Safety Policy

We regard the promotion of health and safety measures as a joint task for management and staff in all areas.
It is our duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all our employees by:
- Providing and maintaining plant, systems of work, premises and means of access and egress (exit) that are safe and without risk to health;
- adopting safe arrangements in connection with raw materials, chemicals, and other substances used in our business;
- providing employees with all the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision in connection with health and safety matters.
The operations of BEST Training are always conducted with due regard to the health and safety of its employees and those who use its premises and products.
We will continue to adopt procedures and methods which ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that employees and others who are affected by our operation are adequately protected against risks to their health and safety.
The general conduct of employees must be safe and therefore we insist on the following set of rules:
-Good housekeeping is essential
-Never run in any circumstances, not even in a fire.
-No horse-play; fooling around is dangerous.
-Always use the correct and safe method for doing the job.
-Safety appliances and protective clothing must be used where provided
-Signs and notices around the office must be obeyed.
-Possible dangers or dangerous practices must be reported immediately.
Best Training will continue to review all new heath and safety legislation and implement any action required by new legislation at the earliest possible moment.
Best Training will carry out an annual risk assessment of all premises and take note of and correct all shortcomings in any areas, as far as it is possible to do so.
Outreach Centres
Best Training will continue to adopt procedures and methods which ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that employees and learners attending outreach centres, who are affected by our operation are adequately protected against risks to their health and safety, not only by the Health & Safety procedures at the premises providing outreach facilities, but also in accordance with our own Health & Safety policies.

Commitment to Learner Safety

Best Training has a firm commitment to ensuring that learners are able to undertake their learning in premises that promote the ‘Safe learner’ ethos in a safe and healthy environment, and that all health and safety procedures are explained to learners at the outset of their training during their Induction Process. This will cover: personal Health and Safety in use of equipment within the centres, Fire Procedures, Acceptable Use of Internet facilities, Code of Conduct, Refreshment arrangements.

b) COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES

The proprietors of Best Training are responsible for the issue of Health and Safety Policy Statement, guidance on relevant statutory regulations, and for providing advice and guidance on legal issues relating to health and safety.

The employees of Best Training have the following responsibilities:

to work safely and efficiently, ensuring that their work does not adversely affect their own health and safety or that of anyone else.
to use any protective equipment or clothing provided
to report faults/accidents that have led or may lead to injury or damage
to follow all procedures and rules
to assist in investigations of accidents and dangerous occurrences
Not to indulge in horse-play or dangerous practices, or misuse safety equipment provided.

All people working in our premises are expected to co-operate fully in the matter of health and safety and are reminded that the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 clearly sets out the statutory obligations of the employee to:

to take reasonable care;
co-operate with the employer to ensure safe working
not interfere with or abuse safety devices and equipment

Failure to observe safety regulations or use protective equipment provided by Best Training may result in disciplinary action being taken and, in certain cases, could result in prosecution.

Accidents are avoidable if the rules are observed and if you recognise and accept the need to be constantly aware of the importance of behaving in such a manner as to protect yourself and your fellow workers.

c) GENERAL

Housekeeping and Cleanliness

A clean and tidy workplace, bench or machine is fundamental for safe working conditions. Stack carefully and clean up after completing the job.

Electrical Equipment

The maintenance and repair of electrical equipment is a specialist job and can have fatal results if not undertaken correctly. If the equipment is faulty, replace it at once.

Machine Cleaning

Never attempt to clean moving parts on a machine - switch off completely when cleaning down.

General Hazards

Look out for hazards like trailing wires, faulty electrical equipment, damaged flooring, broken or chipped glass and insecure chairs and stepladders and report all potential hazards to the management immediately.

Lifting and Stacking

Do not lift anything if you think it might be more than you can manage. Get someone to help you.

Fire Protection and Procedures

All employees are reminded of the importance of ensuring that the risk of an outbreak of fire on our premises is reduced to a minimum. Should an outbreak of fire occur it is the duty of everyone to:

raise the alarm
carry out any procedures assigned to them by the Fire Procedure Code.
ensure that all learners are out of the building first.
go immediately to the assembly point as directed by their superior;
render all possible assistance if called upon.

Employees are expected to read the Fire Notices (displayed in prominent positions in the building) and are also expected to know the locations of the fire exits, and the procedures. Fire drills may be called without warning. You are expected to follow the procedure immediately.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in ANY area of the building. This rule applies equally to all employees, all learners and all visitors. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.

Any breach of this rule will be severely dealt with and treated as gross misconduct.

This is both a Health and Safety issue and the rule must be observed.

ARRANGEMENTS

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The responsible person for Health and Safety in any Best Training Centre is the Centre Manager, who is responsible for overseeing that all criteria are met and adhered to.
The Health & Safety Policy will be reviewed annually and updated if necessary.
It is the responsibility of the named H & S person in each centre to keep up to date with all new legislation that might affect staff, learners or visitors to the centre.
Centre Inspections will be carried out annually at the same time as the annual risk assessment is carried out.
All new employees, including part – time staff, will be given a full H & S induction at the start of their work with Best Training. Any changes to H & S procedures will be notified to staff through email or at staff meetings.
Health and Safety policies are displayed in Reception.
Learners receive a Welcome booklet detailing the centre arrangements, Acceptable Internet Use policy, Code of Conduct etc

RISK ASSESSMENTS

Risk assessments will be carried out annually in all main premises and reviewed again following any accidents/incidents should these arise, or in the case of learners with special needs.
Outreach centres are subject to risk assessments from their own management, but it is the duty of any Best Training staff to notify that management immediately of any potential risks they identify, and to check that the risk has been eliminated prior to the next outreach learning day.

UNDER 18 YR OLD LEARNERS

Learners in this category will be screened prior to enrolment to identify any possible health and safety issues and risks
All learners in this category will be under constant supervision

ACCIDENTS & INCIDENTS

Any occurrences of this type should be reported to the management at the time to ensure the correct action is taken
All accidents/incidents are to be recorded in the Accident Book.
In the event of it being a reportable accident/incident, it is the responsibility of the named person to ensure that correct procedure is followed according to the RIDDOR guidance and notified to UFI Regional Performance Manager as soon as possible.

OUTREACH CENTRES

All outreach centres will be inspected for Health & Safety before being taken on as outreach centres. This will be done through an on-site inspection
Further inspections will not be carried out unless an incident occurs or a risk identified by Best Training staff on site.
It is the responsibility of the Outreach centre management to provide qualified 1st aider/appointed person on site.

For more information call 01202 747523