Health & Safety Policy Statement.

Health and Safety at work etc. Act 1974 This is the Health and Safety Policy Statement of: Crowland Parish Council.

The Parish Council recognises and accepts its responsibility to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all its employees, contractors, visitors and those members of the public who maybe affected by our activities.

It is the Parish Council’s aim to promote, set and maintain the highest standards for health, safety and welfare matters. This will be achieved by:-

• Providing adequate control of health and safety risks arising from the work activities;
• Consulting with employees on matters affecting health and safety;
• Providing and maintaining safe plant and equipment;
• Ensuring safe handling and use of substances;
• Providing information, instruction and supervision;
• Ensuring all employees are competent to do their tasks;
• Preventing accidents and cases of work-related ill health;
• Maintaining safe and healthy working conditions;
• Reviewing and revising this policy as necessary at regular intervals.

The Parish Council will endeavour to eliminate any hazards which may result in personal injury, industrial illness, fire, security losses, property damage or harm to the environment.

SIGNED:                                                                                                         

Chairman of the Parish Council. (On behalf of Crowland Parish Council)

Date:     17.04.25         Review Date: April 2026

SIGNED:                                                                                                         

    Vice Chairperson of the Parish Council.(On behalf of Crowland Parish Council)

Date:     17.04.25         Review Date: April 2026

1.Responsibilities;

The responsibility for the health and safety rests with everyone, from the Chairman of the Parish Council; the Vice Chairman; the Chairperson of each subcommittee; individual Parish Councillors; each individual member of staff, contractors and visitors. This section sets out the responsibilities under this policy. Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is the Parish Council.

1.1 To ensure health and safety standards are maintained / improved, the following people, in addition to the Chairperson of each subcommittee, are responsible for ensuring that all activities policy, standards and safe working procedures; and in compliance with statutory provisions:

Name:                                                             Responsibility:

Parish Clerks.                                                 Parish Rooms.

Parish Clerks.                                                 Administration.

Parish Operatives.                                          Maintenance / Machine Operation.

Parish Operatives.                                          Implement Shed / Compound Area.

Parish Clerks.                                                 Contractors, Visitors to Sites.

Chairman / Caretakers.                                    Parish Council Properties. Parish Chairman /Vice Chairman.                                                       General Maintenance to Parish.

1.2 Employees have legal duties under the health and safety at work etc. Act 1974. In Particular, they must:

• Co-operate with management on health and safety matters;
• Take reasonable care for their health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work;
• Co-operate, so far as is necessary, to enable any duty or requirement imposed on the Council by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to be performed or complied with;
• Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions;

Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to both disciplinary actions being taken by the Council and prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

2. Health & Safety risks arising from our work activities.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the council has a Duty to assess risks to the health and safety of anyone who may be affected by their work activities. It is the Councils policy to ensure that no-one is put at risk from any activities under its control.

2.1 Risk assessments will be undertaken by the parish council (H & S committee) in consultation with Clarian Training (Whittlesey, Peterborough), and council members of staff.

2.2 The findings of risk assessments will be reported to all relevant members of staff,

2.3 Action required removing / control risks will be approved by the Council.

2.4 Members of staff, Chairman of the Council and Chairperson of each subcommittee will be responsible for ensuring the action required is implemented.

2.5 The Chairman in consultation with the Health and Safety Committee will check that the implemented actions have removed the hazards or reduced the risks to an acceptable level.

2.6 Assessments will be reviewed annually or when work activity changes, whichever is soonest.

3. Consultation with employees.

Under the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996/Safety Representatives and safety Committees Regulations 1997 the Council has a duty to consult employee’s either directly or through elected representatives on matters relating to health and safety.

3.1 Employee / Health & safety Representative(s) are:-

Name                                                                  Location.

All Paid Employees.                                             Crowland Parish Council.

…………………...                                                 ………….

…………………...                                                 ………….

…………………...                                                 ………….

3.2 Consultation with employees is provided by the Chairman; Chairpersons of each subcommittee and members of the Health and Safety Committee. This is achieved by holding regular Health & Safety committee meetings with all staff.

4. Safe Plant and Equipment.

Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, the Council has a duty to ensure that all plant and equipment that requires maintenance (including statutory testing) is identified and that the maintenance work is undertaken.

4.1 Senior General Worker will be responsible for identifying and reporting all equipment / plant needing maintenance.

4.2 Members of the Health and Safety Committee will be responsible for ensuring effective maintenance procedures are drawn up.

4.3 Members of the Health and Safety Committee will be responsible for ensuring that all identified maintenance is implemented and recorded.

4.4 Any problems found with plant / equipment should be reported to the Health and Safety Committee and included in the minutes.

4.5 All portable Electrical appliances to be routinely tested (12 monthly where required) and all failed equipment to be withdrawn immediately from use, and is to be disposed of safely.

5. Safe Handling and use of substances;

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2004, the Council has a duty to assess the risks from all hazardous substances that are used (e.g. chemicals, solvents, paints, oil, etc.)

5.1 The Health and Safety Committee will be responsible for identifying all substances that need a COSHH assessment.

5.2 Members of the Health and Safety Committee, in consultation with Clarian Training (Whittlesey, Peterborough), will be responsible for the undertaking COSHH assessments.

5.3 Members of the Health and Safety Committee are responsible for the ensuring that all actions identified in the assessments are implemented.

5.4 The Health and Safety Committee will be responsible for ensuring that all relevant employees are informed about the COSHH assessments.

5.5 The Health and Safety Committee will check that new substances can be used safely before they are purchased.

5.6 Assessments will be reviewed annually or when the work activity changes, whichever is soonest.

6. Information, instruction and supervision.

The Health and Safety (Information for Employees) Regulations 1989 require the Council to display a poster telling employees what they need to know about health and safety.

6.1 The Health and Safety Law poster is to be displayed at each site.

6.2 Health and Safety advice is available from Clarian H&S, Services Limited.

6.3 Supervision of trainees will be arranged / undertaken / monitored by members of the Health and Safety Committee.

6.4 The Chairman of the Parish Council and the Chairperson of each subcommittee are responsible for ensuring that the employees working at locations under the control of the other employers are given relevant Health and Safety information.

7.Competency for tasks and training.

The law requires an employer to provide appropriate information, instruction and training regarding Health and Safety at work. This is to enable employees to work safely for the benefit of themselves and others.

7.1 Induction training will be provided for all employees.

7.2 Job specific training will be provided.

7.3 The following tasks must only be carried out by specifically authorised employees, who will have successfully completed a special training course. This is because the tasks are either potentially hazardous or legislation demands authorised persons only (this list is not exhaustive):-

• Mower / Tractor / Machinery operation.
• Pesticide applications.

All other employees are strictly forbidden from carrying out the above tasks unless supervised by suitably qualified person(s).

7.4 Employees operating Council owned vehicles must hold the appropriate class of licence and be specifically authorised for a particular vehicle by the Council. Driving licences should be submitted to the Parish Clerk and Assistant Parish Clerk on an annual basis and copies will be retained on file in the office.

7.5 Training records are kept in the Office by Parish Clerk and Assistant Parish Clerk.

7.6 Training will be identified, arranged and monitored by Chairman of the Parish Council and Chairperson of each subcommittee.

If an employee does not understand any matter relevant to the Health and Safety at work, or consider that they have not received adequate information, instruction or training, they must report the matter to the Chairman of the Parish and / or the Chairperson of each subcommittee.

8. Accidents, First aid and Work-related ill health.

The Council will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that all accidents and dangerous occurrences are reported internally and where appropriate, to the enforcing authority. In addition, all accidents and dangerous occurrences will be investigated, and reasonable measures put in place to prevent recurrence.

8.1 All accidents, cases of work-related ill health and dangerous occurrences are to be recorded in the accident book. The book is to be kept in the main office in the Parish Rooms. The Health and Safety Committee is responsible for periodically analysing the accident book for signs of trends.

8.2 Chairman of the Parish Council and the Chairperson of the relevant subcommittee or other designated person are responsible for undertaking investigations following accidents, dangerous occurrences and work-related ill health absence.

8.3 The chairman of the Parish Council and the relevant Chairperson of each subcommittee will be responsible for acting on investigation findings to prevent a recurrence.

8.4 Chairman of the Parish Council or a person designated by the Chairman, is responsible for reporting notifiable accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the enforcing authority, as required by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2012. Being unable to carry out your normal duties for 7 or more days (including weekends)

8.5 First Aid boxes are located at each working site. (Parish Office / Implement Shed)

8.6 The appointed first aid persons are:

Name                                                             Location.

Paul Elford                                                   Implement Shed.

Nicky Slater                                                 Implement Shed

G Hawkes/T Croxford                              Parish Office.

G Hawkes and T Croxford are responsible for ensuring that all first aid boxes are regularly stocked up with approved first aid materials.

8.7 It is the Council’s policy to do everything that is reasonably practicable to reduce the risk of work-related stress. If any member of staff feels that they are suffering from excessive pressure, anxiety or other symptoms of stress, they should speak, in strictest confidence, to the Chairman. Alternatively, help and support is available from:

8.8 The Samaritans 08457 909090 (24 hours a day) Emotional help and support: Advice & Guidance:

Rural Stress Information Network 024 7641 2916 (weekdays 8.30am to 4.30pm)

8.9 Health surveillance will be discussed and if required this will be provided for employees where necessary.

8.10 Health surveillance will be arranged by the Chairman.

8.11 Health surveillance records will be kept by the nominated health care professional doing the surveillance, as these are confidential.

9. Emergency Procedures – Fire and Evacuation.

9.1 The Health and Safety Committee is responsible for ensuring the Fire Risk Assessment is undertaken and implemented.

9.2 Escape routes are checked by a designated person every week.

9.3 Fire extinguishers are maintained and checked by Fenland Fire Appliances LLP on an annual contract.

9.4 The emergency evacuation procedures will be tested every 6 Months

9.5 Fire alarms are to be tested weekly and inspected by Chairman every 6 months.

10. Areas of Risk.

There are several activities undertaken by the Council that present a risk to Health and Safety. The main areas of risk are listed below:

• Contact with electricity or an electrical discharge.
• Contact with machinery or material be machined.
• Exposure or contact with hot/harmful substance.
• Fire and Explosion.
• Lone working outside normal hours.
• Slip, trip or fall on same level.
• Struck by moving, falling or flying object.
• Transport.
• Workshop – General.

To help reduce the risk of injury or exposure, the Parish Council will review all Method Statements and Risk Assessments on a regular basis. This will be achieved via the regular Health & Safety meeting with work force and the Chairperson of each subcommittee.

11. Advice & Consultancy.

The Health and Safety Executive office is located at: The Pearson Building, 55 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 6AU.

Telephone Number: 0115 971 2800 – Fax Number: 0115 971 2802.

The Environment Agency Office is at Kingfisher House, Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough. PE2 5ZR.

Telephone Number: 01733 371811 – Fax Number: 01733 231840.

The Environmental Health office is at South Holland District Council, Spalding. Telephone Number: 01775 761161.

Further advice is available from Clarian Training (Whittlesey, Peterborough). Telephone Number: 01733 204343.

The nearest medical practice is the Abbey Surgery, Thorny Road. Crowland. Telephone Number: 01733 210254.

The nearest hospital is at Peterborough. Telephone Number: 01733 678000.

Fire extinguishing appliances are provided and are maintained by Fenland Fire Appliance, Unit 4, Grassgate Lane, Lynn Rd, Wisbech. PE14 7AN

Telephone Number: 01733678000.

Electrical Emergency Works only are carried out by: ETCS <Sales@e-tcs.co.uk.

Telephone Number: 01733 666657

Parish Office: (9.30am – 12.30pm) 01733 210653

12. Monitoring & Reviewing.

To ensure that the Councils commitment to managing health, safety and welfare in the workplace is actively pursued, management will examine the implementation of this policy by performing regular safety audits and inspections of the premises and operations. In addition, this policy, together with its associated arrangements, will be reviewed annually or when work activity changes, whichever is soonest.

If you are unsure about any issues raised in this policy, please inform management

IMMEDIATELY. Do not take chances.

IF IN DOUBT – ASK!