Health and Safety Policy

The Company is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its employees, and it will,

so far as is reasonably practicable, establish procedures and systems necessary to implement this

commitment and to comply with its statutory obligations on health and safety. It is the responsibility

of each employee to familiarise themselves and comply with the Company’s procedures and systems

on health and safety.

While the Company will take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of its employees,

health and safety at work is also the responsibility of the employees themselves. It is the duty of

each employee to take reasonable care of their own and other people’s health, safety and welfare

and to report any situation which may pose a serious or imminent threat to the well being of

themselves or of any other person. If an employee is unsure how to perform a certain task or feels it

would be dangerous to perform a specific job or use specific equipment, then it is the employee’s

duty to report this as soon as possible to their line manager, their health and safety representative

or the safety officer. Alternatively, an employee may, if they prefer, invoke the Company’s formal

grievance procedure or they may make a complaint under the Company’s whistleblowing policy.

Disciplinary action under the Company’s disciplinary procedure may be taken against any employee

who violates health and safety rules and procedures or who fails to perform their duties under

health and safety legislation. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, it may amount to

potential gross misconduct rendering the employee liable to summary dismissal.

The Company will provide and maintain a healthy and safe working environment with the objective

of minimising the number of instances of occupational accidents and illnesses.

The Company will pay particular attention to:

1. Maintaining the workplace in a safe condition and providing adequate facilities and

arrangements for welfare at work.

2. Providing a safe means of access to and egress from the workplace.

3. The provision and maintenance of equipment and systems of work that are safe.

4. Arrangements for ensuring safety to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and

transport of articles and substances.

5. The provision of such information, instructions, training and supervision as is necessary to

ensure the health and safety at work of its employees and other persons.

The Company also recognises its duty to protect the health and safety of all visitors to the Company,

including contractors and temporary workers, as well as any members of the public who might be

affected by the Company’s work operations.

Organisation

The CEO has overall responsibility for health and safety in the Company and has responsibility for

overseeing, implementing and monitoring health and safety procedures in the Company and for

reporting back to the governors (if applicable) on health and safety matters. The safety officer also

conducts regular inspections of the workplace, maintains safety records and investigates and reports

on accidents at work.

Training

Safety training is an integral part of an effective health and safety programme. It is essential that

every employee is trained to perform their job safely. All employees will be trained in safe working

practices and procedures. Training will include instruction on the safe use of any equipment

provided.

Employees at special risk

The Company recognises that some workers may from time to time be at increased risk of injury or

ill-health resulting from work activities. The Company therefore requires that all employees advise

their line manager if they become aware of any change in their personal circumstances which could

result in their being at increased risk. This could include medical conditions, permanent or

temporary disability, taking medication and pregnancy.

First aid and reporting accidents at work

First aid boxes are located at strategic points around the workplace. All employees will be shown the

location of the nearest first aid box and will be given the names of the designated first aid personnel.

This information is also displayed on works notice boards.

All injuries, however small, sustained by a person at work must be reported to their line manager or

the safety officer and recorded in the accident book. Accident records are crucial to the effective

monitoring of health and safety procedures and must therefore be accurate and comprehensive. The

safety officer will inspect the accident book on a regular basis and all accidents will be investigated

and a report prepared, with any necessary action being taken to prevent a recurrence of the

problem.

Fire

Fire is a significant risk within the workplace. All employees have a duty to conduct their operations

in such a way as to minimise the risk of fire and they are under a duty to report immediately any fire,

smoke or potential fire hazards, such as faulty electric cable or loose connections. Employees should

never attempt to repair or interfere with electrical equipment or wiring themselves. The safety

officer is responsible for the maintenance and testing of fire alarms and fire fighting, prevention and

detection equipment.

Smoke detectors and manually operated fire alarms are located at strategic points throughout the

workplace. If a smoke detector sounds or fire is discovered, it is the responsibility of any employee

present to activate the alarm and evacuate the building. Fire extinguishers are also located at

strategic points throughout the workplace. Employees are expected to tackle a fire themselves only

if it would pose no threat to their personal safety to do so. If the situation is dangerous or potentially

dangerous, the employee should activate the fire alarm and evacuate the building immediately.

Fire doors designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke throughout the workplace have been

installed at strategic points. Fire doors are designed to close automatically after opening and must

never be blocked or wedged open. Fire exits are also located at strategic points throughout the

workplace. Fire exit doors and corridors must never be locked, blocked or used as storage space. All

employees must ensure they are familiar with their evacuation route and designated assembly point

in case of fire. Practice fire drills will be conducted on a regular basis to ensure employee familiarity

with emergency evacuation procedures.

Company safety rules

• all employees should be aware of and adhere to the Company’s rules and procedures on

health and safety.

• all employees must immediately report any unsafe working practices or conditions to their line

manager, their health and safety representative or to the safety officer.

• horseplay, practical joking, running in the workplace, misuse of equipment or any other

acts which might jeopardise the health and safety of any other person are forbidden.

• any person whose levels of alertness are reduced due to illness or fatigue will not be allowed to

work if this might jeopardise the health and safety of any person.

• employees must not adjust, move or otherwise tamper with any electrical equipment or

machinery in a manner not within the scope of their job duties.

• all waste materials must be disposed of carefully in the receptacles provided, to avoid

a hazard to other workers.

• no employee should undertake a job which appears to be unsafe.

• no employee should undertake a job until they have received adequate safety instruction and

they are authorised to carry out the task.

• all injuries must be reported to the employee’s line manager or to the safety officer.

• all materials must be properly and safely used and when not in use properly and safely

secured.

• work should be well-planned to avoid injuries in the handling of heavy materials and

while using equipment.

• employees should take care to ensure that all protective guards and other safety devices are

properly fitted and in good working order and must immediately report any defects to their line

manager or to the safety officer.

• suitable clothing and footwear must be worn at all times. Personal protective equipment must be

worn where appropriate.

• work stations and work sites must be kept clean and tidy and any spillage must be cleaned up

immediately.

• employees should use handrails when going up and down stairs, should never read while

walking, must close filing cabinet drawers when not in use and must keep all floor areas free of

obstruction.

Access

• walkways and passageways must be kept clear and free from obstructions at all times

• if a walkway or passageway becomes wet it should be clearly marked with warning signs and any

liquid spilt on the floor should be wiped up immediately

• trailing cables should not be left in any passageway

• where objects are stored in or around a passageway, care must be taken to ensure that no

long or sharp edges jut out into the passageway.

• where a passageway is being used by vehicles or other moving machinery, an alternative route

should be used by pedestrians where possible. If no alternative route is available, the area must

be clearly marked with warning signs.

Tools and equipment

• Company machinery, tools and equipment are only to be used by qualified and authorised

Personnel.

• it is the responsibility of all employees to ensure that any tools or equipment they use are in a

good and safe condition. Any tools or equipment which are defective must be reported to a

line manager or to the safety officer.

• all tools must be properly and safely stored when not in use.

• no tool should be used without the manufacturer’s recommended shields, guards or

attachments

• approved personal protective equipment must be properly used where appropriate

• persons using machine tools must not wear clothing, jewellery or long hair in such a way as

might pose a risk to their own or anyone else’s safety.

• employees are prohibited from using any tool or piece of equipment for any purpose other

than its intended purpose.

Manual handling

• lifting and moving of objects should always be done by mechanical devices rather than

manual handling wherever reasonably practicable. The equipment used should be appropriate

for the task at hand

• the load to be lifted or moved must be inspected for sharp edges and wet patches

• when lifting or moving a load with sharp or splintered edges, gloves must be worn

• the route over which the load is to be lifted should be inspected to ensure it is free of

obstructions

• employees should not attempt to lift or move a load which is too heavy to manage

comfortably. Employees should ask for assistance if there is any danger of strain

• when lifting an object off the ground, employees should assume a squatting position, keeping the

back straight. The load should be lifted by straightening the knees, not the back

• employees should not attempt to obtain items from shelves which are beyond their reach.

A ladder or stepping stool should be used. Employees should not use chairs or any makeshift

device for climbing and should never climb up the shelves themselves.

Jennifer Perry - CEO

July 2024