Health & Safety Policy

We will take all steps within its powers to meet our responsibilities under The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and all other legal requirements for Health and Safety, and actively seek the full and understanding co-operation of all persons involved in the organisation and its events for their commitment to the same.
 

1.         Our statement of general policy is:

• to provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our work activities

• to consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety

• to provide and maintain safe plant and equipment

• to ensure safe handling and use of substances

• to provide information, instruction and supervision for employees

• to ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks, and to give them adequate training

• to prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health

• to maintain safe and healthy working conditions

• to review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals

2.          Responsibilities

          Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of the Board of Trustees

          Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy may be delegated to other staff as appropriate

          All employees are required to:

• co-operate with supervisors and managers on health and safety matters;

• not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety;

• take reasonable care of their own health and safety;

• report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person (as detailed in this policy statement)

3.         Health & Safety risks arising from our work activities

            Risk assessments will be undertaken by the Directors or delegated other staff as appropriate, in which case

            the findings of the risk assessments will be reported to the Directors.

            Action required to remove/control risks will be approved by the Directors.

            The Directors will be responsible for ensuring the action required is implemented.

            The Directors will check that the implemented actions have removed/reduced the risks.

4.          Consultation with employees

The employee representative is: Alex Bartholomew

5.         Safe equipment

The Directors will be responsible for

• identifying all equipment needing maintenance

• ensuring effective maintenance procedures are drawn up

• ensuring that all identified maintenance is implemented

• check that new equipment meets health and safety standards before it is purchased.

Any problems found with equipment should be reported to the Directors

6.         Safe Handling & Use of Substances

If a relevant situation should arise, the Directors will be responsible for:

• identifying all substances which need a COSHH assessment

• undertaking COSHH assessments

• ensuring that all actions identified in the assessments are implemented

• ensuring that all relevant employees are informed about the COSHH assessments

• checking that new substances can be used safely before they are purchased

7.             Information, instruction & supervision

                The Health and Safety Law poster is displayed in the office, and leaflets are taken to external events when appropriate.

                (see section 8b)

                Supervision of any young workers/trainees will be arranged/undertaken/monitored as appropriate

                The Directors are responsible for ensuring that employees working at locations under the control of other employers,

                are given relevant health and safety information (see section 8b)

8.             Accidents, first aid and work-related ill health

a.             EATMT premises

The first aid box is kept in the office, clearly labelled

            All accidents and cases of work-related ill health are to be recorded in an accident book

            The Directors are responsible for reporting accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the enforcing authority

b.             EATMT events

          EATMT will:

• Endeavour to provide a trained First Aider for all events with more than 20 participants. This may be a volunteer or staff from the venue

• All accidents and incidents are to be recorded in an accident book, which will be kept, for the duration of the event, at the EATMT information desk

• Ensure that the event manager and any other volunteers/staff have access to a telephone and are aware of emergency procedures

• Provide information on Health and Safety procedures within contracts for tutors, workshop leaders and artists

• Carry out risk assessments for any venue used and institute appropriate procedures to remove or reduce to an acceptable level any risks identified

        The event manager will be responsible for

• Locating and checking the premises’ own First Aid Box, fire extinguishers and exits, and reading any information regarding evacuation of the premises

• Communicating this information to volunteers/stewards/workshop leaders as appropriate

• Reporting incidents / problems to EATMT directors

        See also Appendix 1.

9.             Monitoring

        To check our working conditions, and ensure our safe working practices are being followed, we will review this policy regularly.

        The Directors are responsible for

• investigating accidents.

• investigating work-related causes of sickness absences

• acting on investigation findings to prevent a recurrence

10.             Emergency Procedures – fire and evacuation

        Within the office premises, the Directors are responsible for

• ensuring the fire risk assessment is undertaken and implemented.

• checking escape routes on a weekly basis

Appendix 1

For major events such as Traditional Music Day and Melodeons and More, where audiences are in excess of 200 and there is a more complex site structure, we will endeavour to provide in addition to an event manager, a safety officer and/or a volunteer co-ordinator in order to effect the following policy:

Responsibilities of Event Manager

The Event Manager shall:

        1.      liaise with the venue owners and ensure the appropriate checks have been carried out for the venue and are up to date prior to the event

        2.      ensure that the venue owners have checked that any recent external contractors (e.g. building) working on the building have complied with Health and Safety regulations

Responsibilities of Safety Officer

The Safety Officer shall:

        1.      provide guidance and advice on Health and Safety matters

        2.      in conjunction with the Event Manager, promote safety consciousness at all levels

        3.      carry out a pre-event inspection of the site

        4.      carry out audits as directed

        5.      be available during the event to monitor compliance with safety requirements and to be the point of contact for health and safety matters

        6.      investigate and record all accidents/incidents

        7.      in addition to the above the Safety Officer has the authority to require the cessation of unsafe practices where this is considered essential. Where a requirement to stop an unsafe practice is not complied with, the Safety Officer will liaise with the Event Manager to deal with the problem.

These persons have specific responsibilities as listed below and in addition will assist with the implementation and enforcement of the Health and Safety Policy and arrangements, and will liaise with the Safety Officer and Event Manager in dealing with emergencies and major incidents.

Responsibilities of Volunteer Co-ordinator

The Volunteer Co-ordinator shall:

        1.      ensure that all volunteers are aware of the safety procedures for the event

        2.      ensure that an accurate register of volunteers on site is maintained.

        3.      ensure that all accidents/incidents are recorded

        4.   ensure that all managers are aware of the responsibilities for emergency procedures