Health and Safety Policy
Detailed information on Health and Safety matters is contained in the FSA Health and Safety Manual which is available for reference from the Health & Safety Officer.
Policy statement:
The Chairman, Chief Executive and Managing Directors wish to pursue a policy to promote Health & Safety at work and seek the co-operation of all employees for that purpose. We will provide working conditions which comply with the relevant statutory requirements and officially approved codes of practice that are designed to ensure good standards of Health & Safety.
In so far as is it reasonably practicable we will ensure that:
- the working environment is safe and without risk to your health and that adequate provision is made with regard to the facilities and arrangements for your welfare at work;
- we provide adequate resources to ensure that proper provision can be made for Health & Safety;
- risk assessments of equipment, premises, procedures and processes are carried out and periodically reviewed;
- we provide and maintain systems of work that are safe and without risk to health;
- arrangements for use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances for use at work are safe and without risks to health;
- we provide you with such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to secure your Health & Safety at work and the safety of others who may be affected by your actions;
- the provision and maintenance of all plant, machinery and equipment is safe and without risk to health
- the place of work is safe and that there is safe access to and exit from the workplace;
- monitoring activities are undertaken to maintain agreed standards.
Management & supervisory responsibilities
Line management are responsible for implementing and maintaining this policy throughout the organisation, and will ensure that Health & Safety considerations are given priority in planning and day to day supervision of work.
Employee responsibilities
You have a duty, whilst at work, to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other people who may be affected by your acts or omissions and to co-operate with the FSA in fulfilling its statutory duties. You must not interfere with, or misuse, anything provided in the interest of Health & Safety.
Amendments to the policy
The Health & Safety Policy will be reviewed at least once a year and will be amended and updated as necessary. You will be notified in writing of such changes.
Accidents at work – accident reporting
All accidents, injuries, and cases of ill–health caused by, or affecting, your work must be reported without delay. If you are injured, no matter how slight your injury may appear, you must always report it to your line manager and ensure that you are seen by a first–aider and that the details of your accident or injury are entered in the Accident Book. The Accident Book is held in the Medical Suite and details of the accident/injury will be entered by a first-aider.
All dangerous occurrences and 'near miss' incidents should also be reported in the same way.
You must not work if you have taken medication or any other substance which could adversely affect your ability to operate plant or equipment or in any other way inhibit your ability to work safely.
If you see a situation in which a potential accident could occur or where an injury could be sustained by anyone in the building you should report it immediately to the Premises Helpdesk.
You must report any damage to FSA or contractors’ property.
You must read and comply with all notices, instructions, hazard & warning signs provided from time to time for your information.
First aid provision
A number of employees are qualified to give first aid and they retain first aid boxes at their work stations. A list of first-aiders, together with their locations, is available on the notice boards at break points and on the Intranet.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)
We have a policy statement on chronic infectious illness which reflects the FSA’s policy of providing a safe & healthy workplace for all employees. Further information on the policy and the Regulations on RIDDOR are available from the Health & Safety Officer.
Emergency procedures
Fire - General
As far as is reasonably practicable we will take steps to minimise the risk of fire. Selected employees will be appointed as Fire Marshals. They will be given training in basic fire prevention measures, use of fire equipment, and evacuation procedures.
Fire drills will be held periodically.
You are required to observe the following:
Corridors, stairways, steps, and other escape routes must be kept free from obstructions (such as rubbish bags, deliveries, wrappings, equipment etc) which block the escape and/or obscure alarm equipment, extinguishers or signs indicating fire exits.
Fire doors must never be propped open (with extinguishers or wedges of any kind). Access doors linked to the Fire alarm system will fail to secure (open) in the event of a fire alarm actuation.
Any faults with lighting or other equipment should be reported to the Services Helpdesk on 020 7066 9696. Any concerns you may have about fire hazards should also be addressed to the Services Helpdesk, so that appropriate measures can be taken to eliminate the problem.
In the event of fire
Generally, in the event of fire, you should:
Raise the alarm;
Follow the specific building instructions in respect of evacuation and listen to instructions from your Fire Marshal.
Attempts to extinguish the fire should only be made if it is safe to do so;
Assemble at the designated fire assembly point;
Do not run, use lifts or stop to collect personal belongings.
Do not re-enter the building until instructed that it is safe to do so.
Bomb alerts
It is not possible to be prescriptive about what to do in the event of a bomb warning but the following general rules should be observed:
Do exactly what you are told by the emergency services, either directly or via the Services management or employees.
Do whatever is necessary and sensible to reduce the risk of injury, i.e. if there is a known bomb threat and you have not been told to evacuate the building, retire to the safest area within your building. This will normally be a building core area, away from the risk of broken/flying glass.
If you are in the building out of normal working hours and an incident takes place, either directly affecting the building or in the close vicinity, the most senior person present must take responsibility for notifying the FSA management of the situation via the Security Desk.
If you are in the vicinity of an incident away from the office and your whereabouts or safety may be uncertain, please telephone your line management.
The safety of staff and visitors is always paramount. Never jeopardise personal safety in the interest of safeguarding property or information.
If the building is seriously damaged as a result of a major incident which occurs outside normal office hours or at a time when you are not present in the building, you should not return to the building until you have received instructions from the FSA.
If a major incident such as a terrorist incident has affected the building, you should contact the Freephone Incident Information Line on 0500 078780. It will give you an update on the incident and provide advice on any action you may need to take. This number can be accessed at any time and you will not be charged for the call.
Manual handling
When handling loads manually, you must use the methods which are indicated by the FSA to reduce the risk of injury. All staff involved in manual handling will receive appropriate training.
Working Time (Amendment) Regulations 2001
The Regulations relate to limits on working hours and entitlements to rests. We want to ensure that we comply with them and will;
- monitor working hours and keep records of these;
- provide free health assessments for night workers and keep records of these.
We may require you to keep a record of your working time and rests to assist the monitoring process. Please see Hours of Work for further information.
Secondees, visitors and contractors
We have a responsibility under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) to ensure that people who are not employees of the FSA are not exposed to risks to their health & safety while working for the FSA or visiting our premises.