Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and practical standards used to protect the wellbeing of employees, contractors, visitors, and anyone else affected by our activities. The aim is to create a workplace where risk is managed responsibly, unsafe conditions are addressed promptly, and everyone understands their role in preventing harm. A strong health and safety policy is not just a document; it is a commitment to consistent safe working practices, careful supervision, and continuous improvement.

We believe that safety is a shared responsibility. Management must provide clear direction, suitable resources, and effective oversight, while individuals must follow instructions, use equipment properly, and report hazards without delay. This approach helps build a positive safety culture where concerns are taken seriously and preventive action is part of everyday work. The purpose of this policy is to reduce accidents, prevent ill health, and support safe operations across all activities.

This policy applies to all work areas, tasks, and work-related situations where hazards may arise. It covers routine operations, maintenance activities, use of tools and equipment, manual handling, fire precautions, housekeeping, and emergency response. The health and safety policy also applies when activities change, new processes are introduced, or external factors create additional risk. Where particular tasks require more detailed procedures, those arrangements must support and align with this overarching policy.

Policy Principles

Our occupational health and safety policy is based on a simple principle: risks should be identified early and controlled proportionately. We aim to eliminate hazards where possible and reduce remaining risks through suitable safeguards. This includes using safe systems of work, maintaining equipment in good condition, providing the right information and instruction, and encouraging early reporting of near misses.

Key commitments

• Prevent harm by identifying hazards before they lead to accidents or ill health.
• Provide safe equipment, suitable protective measures, and appropriate supervision.
• Ensure workers understand the hazards relevant to their work.
• Review control measures when tasks, materials, or conditions change.
• Promote clear communication, accountability, and timely corrective action.

We also recognise the importance of wellbeing in maintaining a safe workplace. Fatigue, stress, poor ergonomics, and lack of support can affect concentration and increase the likelihood of incidents. For that reason, the workplace health and safety policy includes attention to both physical and psychological risks, helping to create a more resilient and reliable working environment.

Risk assessment is a central part of this policy. Before work begins, relevant hazards should be assessed and the level of risk determined. Controls should then be chosen using a sensible hierarchy: remove the hazard, substitute a safer option, apply engineering controls, use administrative controls, and provide personal protective equipment where needed. This structured approach ensures that the health and safety framework remains practical and effective.

Training and instruction are essential to good safety performance. People must be given enough information to understand their tasks, the risks involved, and the correct way to work safely. New starters, temporary workers, and anyone changing duties should receive suitable induction and task-specific guidance. Refresher training should be provided when necessary to maintain competence and support consistent application of the occupational health and safety requirements.

Incident reporting is equally important. All accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, and concerns about health should be reported as soon as possible so that action can be taken. Reporting is not about blame; it is about learning and improvement. Every report should be reviewed, investigated where appropriate, and used to strengthen controls. This helps prevent repetition and improves the overall effectiveness of the safety policy.

Responsibilities

Senior leaders are responsible for ensuring this policy is implemented, reviewed, and supported by suitable resources. They must set expectations, monitor performance, and lead by example. Managers and supervisors must ensure safe methods are followed, risk controls are in place, and concerns are dealt with promptly. They should also make sure that employees are not asked to complete work under unsafe conditions or unrealistic time pressures.

Employees and contractors are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and others. This includes following instructions, using safety equipment correctly, keeping work areas tidy, and stopping work if a serious hazard is identified. Everyone should remain alert to changing conditions and speak up if something seems unsafe. A reliable health and safety policy depends on active participation from every level of the organisation.

Visitors and other non-employees must also be protected. They should be informed of relevant risks and expected to comply with local safety arrangements while on site. Clear signage, restricted access where necessary, and supervision of higher-risk areas may be used to reduce exposure. The goal is to ensure that all people affected by operations are safeguarded through consistent and visible health and safety management.

Emergency preparedness is part of good risk control. Suitable arrangements should be in place for fire, first aid, evacuation, spill response, and other foreseeable emergencies. People should know how to raise an alarm, where to go, and what actions to avoid. These arrangements must be reviewed periodically so they remain relevant, practical, and aligned with the wider workplace safety policy.

Monitoring and review ensure the policy remains effective over time. Safety performance should be checked through inspections, audits, incident analysis, and routine observations. Where weaknesses are found, corrective action should be taken without delay. The policy should be reviewed at planned intervals and whenever significant changes occur, such as new equipment, altered work practices, or evidence that existing controls are no longer sufficient.

In summary, this Health and Safety Policy provides a clear foundation for preventing injury, protecting wellbeing, and maintaining a safe place of work. It depends on leadership, cooperation, training, communication, and ongoing review. By embedding safe practices into daily operations and treating risk management as a priority, we can support a healthier, more responsible, and more productive working environment for everyone.