Health and Safety Policy

Abel & Fernandes Company Limited fully accepts the obligations placed upon it by the Occupational Health Act, 2003 and subsequent National Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2009 covering health and safety in the workplace. The Company requires its Chief Executive to ensure that the following policy is implemented and to report annually on its effectiveness

This policy has been prepared and published under the requirements of the Occupational Health Act, 2003 and subsequent National Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2009. The purpose of the policy is to establish general standards for health and safety at work and to distribute responsibility for their achievement to all managers, supervisors, and other employees through the normal line management processes

The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for the implementation of the Company’s policy. In particular he is responsible for ensuring that the policy is widely communicated and that its effectiveness is monitored.

These managers are wholly accountable to the Chief Executive for the implementation and monitoring of the policy within the area of their specified responsibility.

The Safety Officer is a nominated manager responsible for co-ordinating effective health and safety policies and controls across the organisation.

• the production and maintenance of the Company’s policy and ensuring that Department Guidelines are consistent with policy;
• its application;
• monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of the policy;
• the provision of general advice about the implication of the law;
• the identification of health and safety training needs. The safety officer also acts on behalf of the Chief Executive, as the Company’s formal link with the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Health Departments and other external agencies;
• the production and maintenance of any health and safety documents or codes of practice as necessary for any relevant area of the Company services where this is required.

Abel & Fernandes Company Limited believes that consideration of the health, safety and welfare of staff is an integral part of the management process. The provision of the Occupational Health Act, associated Codes of Practice and other relevant Directives will be adopted as required standards within the Company. Responsibility for health and safety matters shall be explicitly stated in management job descriptions.

The Company requires managers to approach health and safety in a systematic way, by identifying hazards and problems, planning improvements, taking executive action and monitoring results so that the majority of health and safety needs will be met from locally held budgets as part of day-to-day management, although many health and safety problems can be rectified at little additional cost.

For major additional expenditure, cases of need will be submitted by Directors to the Chief Executive.

If unpredictable health and safety issues arise during the year, the Chief Executive must assess the degree of risk, in deciding the necessary resources and actions to commit to addressing these issues.

It is the policy of Abel & Fernandes Company Limited to require departmental managers to produce appropriate departmental health and safety policies or guidelines. These should embody the minimum standards for health and safety for the department and the work organised within it.

It shall be the responsibility of the manager to bring to the attention of all members of his or her staff, the provisions of the guidelines, and to consult with appropriate Health and Safety Representatives about the updating of these guidelines. Suggested model contents of a guideline are:

• a clear statement of the role of the department;
• regulations governing the work of the department;
• clear reference to safe methods of working, for example nursing procedures, manufacturers’ manuals;
• information about immediate matters of health and safety concern, such as fire drills, fire exits, first aid;
• training standards;
• the role and identity of the Health and Safety Representative;
• names of specialist advisers who can be approached about the work of the department;
• the manager responsible for organisation and control of work;
• accident reporting procedures;
• departmental safety rules;
• fire procedures;
• policies agreed by the Company.

Identification Of Health and Safety Hazards Annual Audit and Regular Risk Assessments. It is the policy of Abel & Fernandes Company Limited to require a thorough examination of health and safety performance against established standards in each department, at least annually. The technique to be adopted for such examinations will be the ‘Safety Audit’. The Audit requires review of:

• standards laid down in the policy;
• departmental guidelines;
• relevant regulations;
• environmental factors;
• staff attitudes;
• staff instructions;
• methods of work;
• contingency plans;
• recording and provision of information about accidents and hazards and the assessment of risk.

The information obtained by the Audit will be used to form the basis of the plan for the department for the following year. 

The responsibility for ensuring that audit activity is carried out as part of this policy rests with the Chief Executive and will be carried out by the Safety Officer. Although the Audit remains a management responsibility, managers are required as part of this policy to seek the involvement of the appropriate Health and Safety Representative in the conduct of the Audit.

It is the management’s responsibility to ensure that any deficiencies highlighted in the Audit are dealt with as speedily as possible.

In addition to carrying out Safety Audits, it is the responsibility of the department manager to have checked, at least quarterly, all portable equipment, including electrical appliances, in their area, and to ensure that all problems are immediately dealt with.

Managers have a continual responsibility for the elimination of hazards in order to maintain a safe working environment and will also be expected to carry out regular risk assessments in line with the Health and Safety Executive Guidelines; that is follow the 5 steps:

• Identify the hazards
• Decide who might be harmed and how
• Evaluate the Risks and decide on precautions
• Record the findings and implement the precautions
• Review the assessment and update when necessary

Abel & Fernandes Company Limited will support Safety Representatives in carrying out their role and give all reasonable assistance. Safety Representatives will be encouraged to discuss specific health and safety issues with the relevant Head of Department. They may also formally report hazardous or unsafe circumstances to the Head of Department and will be formally notified of the remedial action taken or be given a reason why the action cannot be taken.

Health and Safety training shall be incorporated within annual training programmes, as part of the development of a systematic training plan. Health and Safety training needs will, therefore, be identified and planned for in the same manner as other training needs.

Four areas of need shall be given special priority:

• training for managers, to equip them with an understanding of the manager’s responsibilities under this policy, and the role and purpose of safety representatives;
• training for safety representatives to enable them to discharge their function;
• training for all members of staff to acquaint them with the main provisions of the law and its practical implication, the main features of this policy and key safety rules;
• induction and in-service training for staff at all levels to acquaint them fully with new requirements and hazards.

The Company will operate systems for recording, analysis and presentation of information about accidents, hazard situations and untoward occurrences. Advice on systems will be provided by the Safety Officer, in conjunction, where appropriate with specialist advisory bodies for example local Occupational Health and Safety Agency, and the responsibility for the operation of these systems rests with managers and supervisors at all levels. Information obtained from the analysis of accident statistics must be acted upon and, where necessary, bids for additional expenditure made to the Chief Executive.

It is the policy of the Company to obtain independent Occupational Health and Safety Agency advice when required. Such services can include counselling on health and associated matters, investigation of hazards and accidents, environment studies, health interviews and employment medicals.

It is the policy of the Company to make provision for First Aid and the training of ‘First Aiders’. The Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring the Regulations are implemented and for identifying training needs.

The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring that the staff receive adequate fire training, and that nominated fire officers are designated in all Abel & Fernandes Company Limited premises. The Chief Executive delegates these responsibilities to the Directors.

In addition the Company will nominate a Fire Officer (this may be the Safety Officer or someone external to the Company) who will:

• report and advise on the standard of fire safety in the Company’s premises and the standard of fire training of its staff;
• undertake overall responsibility for fire training;
• assist in the investigation of all fires in the Company’s premises and to submit reports of such incidents.

Procedures for the condemnation and disposal of equipment are determined by the Chief Executive. Managers introducing new equipment should have such equipment checked initially by the Safety Officer.

Those Managers who have responsibility for food acquisition, storage, processing and serving, and staff induction and hygiene training, are responsible for ensuring that these functions are undertaken to the necessary legal standards. Any suspected outbreak of food poisoning or other unexplained and possibly food related incidents must be reported to the Safety Officer.

Managers are responsible for informing staff of safe lifting techniques. The Safety Officer will identify specific training needs and ensure training in lifting and handling is provided to staff who require it.

Abel & Fernandes Company Limited policy is that there will be no smoking in its buildings. The overall aim is to reduce smoking and so save life, reduce risk of fire, prevent unnecessary illness and chronic disability. These rules also extend to e-cigarettes / vaping.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) require the Company to identify those substances which are in use and which are hazardous to health (as legally defined) and to assess the risk of those substances. The Company must also provide and use controls to prevent exposure to substances hazardous to health; maintain controls by monitoring exposure, or by health surveillance of employees; and provide information, instruction and training for employees on all these matters. The Safety Officer is responsible for implementing these Regulations.

The National Occupational Health and Safety Act requires each employee ‘to take reasonable care for the Health and Safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by their acts and omissions’ and co-operate with management to enable management to carry out their responsibilities under the Act. Employees have equal responsibility with the Company for Health and Safety at Work.

The refusal of any employee to meet their obligations will be regarded as a matter to be dealt with under the Disciplinary Procedure. In normal circumstances counselling of the employee should be sufficient. With a continuing problem, or where an employee leaves themself or other employees open to risk or injury, it may be necessary to implement the formal stages of the Disciplinary Procedure.

Persons working in Abel & Fernandes Company Limited premises who are employed by other organisations are expected to follow Company Health and Safety Policies with regard to the safety of Company employees, their own personal safety (and that of other parties such as the general public if appropriate) and their method of work. This responsibility will be included in contracts or working arrangements.

The Company wishes to ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable, the Health, Safety and Welfare of visitors to Company establishments will be of the highest standard.

Any member of staff who notices persons acting in a way which would endanger other staff, should normally inform their Head of Department. If the danger is immediate, common sense must be used to give warning, call for assistance or give aid as necessary. It is equally important not to over-react to a situation.

The Company wishes to ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable, the Health, Safety and Welfare of Contractors working in the Company’s establishments will be of the highest standards. In addition, Contractors and their employees have an obligation so far as is reasonably practicable to ensure all equipment, materials and premises under their control are safe and without risks to health.

Contractors must also observe the Company’s Fire Safety Procedures. These obligations will be drawn to the attention of the Contractors in the contract document issued to them. In addition a Company Manager will be identified in the contract as having authority to stop the work of Contractors who are placing themselves, other staff, or visitors at risk. Any member of staff who judges there is a risk where contractors are working, should inform their Manager immediately.

In tendering, Contractors will be asked to confirm they have a written Health, Safety and Welfare Policy. The Company’s Manager letting the Contract will be responsible for monitoring the Health and Safety performance of the Contractor and the Contractor’s performance will be a factor in deciding whether or not to invite the Contractor to tender again.