Policies and procedures

This Health & Safety Policy was adopted by Rippingale Parish Council at its Meeting on 20 September 2012. It was last reviewed & updated on 14th March 2023.

General Statement

1. Rippingale Parish Council recognises and accepts its responsibilities as an employer for providing a safe and healthy working environment for all its employees, contractors, volunteers and others who may be affected by the activities of the Council.
2. The Council also recognises that, as a public body, its responsibilities extend to the health and safety of members of the public who attend meetings or make use of its services such as play areas for leisure purposes.
3. The Council will meet its responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, and will provide, as far as is reasonably practicable, the resources necessary to fulfil this commitment.
4. The Council will seek as and when appropriate, expert technical advice on Health and Safety to assist the Clerk in fulfilling the Council’s responsibilities for ensuring safe working conditions.

Aims

5. The policy’s aim is to provide as far as is reasonably practicable:
   1. a safe place of work and a safe working environment.
   2. safe facilities for the use of the residents of Rippingale and the wider public.
   3. arrangements for considering, reporting and reviewing matters of Health & Safety at work, including regular risk assessments of working activities.
   4. systems of work that are safe and with minimal risks to health.
   5. specialist technical advice and assistance on matters of Health & Safety when necessary.
   6. sufficient information, instruction and training for employees, contractors and volunteers to carry out their work safely.
   7. care and attention to the health, safety and welfare of employees, councillors, contractors, volunteers and members of the public who may be affected by the council’s activities.

Responsibilities

6. As the Employer, Rippingale Parish Council:
   1. has overall responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of its employees
   2. will carry out a Risk Assessment of all its activities and review this annually. 
   3. will set up and monitor policies and procedures to reduce any risks that are identified.
   4. will ensure safe equipment and supplies are provided to employees, contractors and volunteers.
7. As the Health & Safety Officer, the Clerk will:
   1. have day-to-day responsibility for implementation of the Health & Safety Policy.
   2. keep informed of relevant health and safety legislation.
   3. advise the Council on the resources and arrangements necessary to fulfil the Council’s responsibilities under the Health & Safety Policy.
   4. make effective arrangements to implement the Health & Safety Policy.
   5. ensure actions that have been approved by the Council to remove or mitigate against risk are carried out.
   6. ensure that matters of Health and Safety are regularly discussed at Council Meetings.
   7. ensure that regular risk assessments of working practices and facilities are carried out, with subsequent consideration and review. Risk assessments to be retained on file.
   8. make effective arrangements to ensure those contractors or volunteers working for the Council comply with all reasonable health and safety requirements. Contractors will be required to supply safe methods of working statements, hold adequate Public Liability insurance and provide evidence of adequate training and safe working practices relevant to any work undertaken for or on behalf of the Council.
   9. ensure that any contractors who carry out work on behalf of the Council have appropriate and.
   10. ensure that work activities by the Council do not unreasonably jeopardise the health and safety of members of the public.
   11. maintain a central record of notified accidents.
   12. when an accident or hazardous incident occurs, take immediate action to prevent a recurrence or further accident and to complete the necessary accident reporting procedure.
   13. act as the contact and liaison point.

Employees, Councillors, Contractors & Volunteers

8. All Council employees, councillors, contractors and volunteers will:
   1. Cooperate fully with the aims and requirements of the Council’s and Health & Safety Policy and their own health and safety arrangements and safe working procedures relevant to the work being undertaken.
   2. Comply with Codes of Practice or the relevant work instructions for health and safety.
   3. take reasonable care in carrying out their activities to minimise the risk to their own health, safety and welfare and that of others who may be affected by their actions. This includes observing the legal recommendations for safe handling and the use of computer equipment and a Display Screen Assessment.
   4. Use appropriate protective clothing where required and ensure that first aid materials are available where necessary.
   5. Not intentionally interfere with or remove safety guards, safety devices or other equipment provided for health and safety.
   6. Not misuse any plant, equipment, tools or materials.
   7. Report any accidents or hazardous incidents to the Clerk.
   8. co-operate with management and colleagues in the carrying out of their duties to establish safe systems of work
   9. Report any hazards, dangerous practices, accidents or incidents of which they become aware to the Clerk as soon as practicable.

Arrangements

9. The Council will issue detailed guidance and instruction and give training and supervision as necessary. It will assess the risks arising from its activities and take appropriate action.
10. Detailed policies, procedures, systems and practices in respect to health and safety will be drawn up as necessary for specific aspects of the Council’s activities to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation and guidelines.
11. The Council will ensure that its facilities and amenities are properly managed and maintained.
12. Lincolnshire County Council is responsible for ensuring the safety of the public roads and pavements. The Council will ensure that any hazards brought to its attention are reported.
13. The Clerk is expected to predominantly work from home and will ensure that he/she works in a safe working environment and in line with the Employee Handbook.
14. From time to time, the Council and/or Clerk will carry out checks to ensure that employees, contractors and volunteers are working safely. Workplaces and equipment will also be subject to regular checks in respect of health and safety.
15. Hazards and defects should be reported to the Clerk immediately. If reports are made verbally in the first instance, they should be followed up by a written report confirming the nature of the problem, its severity and any recommendation for action.
16. The Council will engage the services of specialists as necessary to advise or carry out tasks which it is unable to do itself.
17. The Council will make such reasonable resources available as are required to ensure health and safety at work.
17. Good communication is vital to the success of health and safety arrangements and will be inherent in the activities of the Council and its employees.

The pdf versions of all Council policy and precedure documents can be found here.