Health and Safety General Policy

3 counties accounts training service (3cats) is committed to ensuring the health safety and welfare of personnel, contractors, learners and visitors, so far as is reasonably practicable and that statutory duties are met at all times.

3CATS will promote a positive safety culture to include safe working practices and a safe working environment with adequate facilities and welfare arrangements.

Persons working for 3cats and learners will be given adequate information, instruction and training to enable the safe and efficient performance of work activities.

Adequate facilities and arrangements will be maintained to assess, manage and minimise risk through planning, organising, monitoring and reviewing of performance.

Every individual has a legal obligation to take reasonable care of his or her own Health and Safety and for the safety of others who may be affected by their Acts or Omissions. It shall also be the duty of every person working for (3cats) and learners to co-operate with management to ensure the success of the policy which requires the commitment from all involved.

The Policy will be communicated to persons working for 3cats and learners and others as required and will be reviewed on a regular basis and revised in the light of Legislative or Organisational changes 

Signed:   KHarper (director)                                    Date:    06/01/2026

Review Date:    06/01/2027

Health and Safety Organisation

Organisation and Responsibilities

1. Executive

The Managing Director will:

·        Publish a written Safety Policy, ensuring its effectiveness through regular reviews of arrangements and performance. 

·        Ensure that all managers and members of supervision understand and accept their responsibilities in the implementation of the Health and Safety Policy.

·        Appraise the Board of Health and Safety matters to ensure that sufficient resources are available to control and minimise risk.  

·        Ensure that requirements within UK and European legislation are complied with.

2. The Safety Officer- is the expert source of advice regarding Health & Safety matters

Specifically, they will:

·        Advise and inform Managers and Employees on Health and Safety issues, changes in Legislation, Standards, and Company Policy.

·        Assist Managers during accident investigations.

·        Maintain- Safety Records; Accidents / Incidents reports; Accident Statistics;

·        Carry out and provide assistance in the process of Risk Assessment to control and minimise risk in all relevant areas including, General Risk Assessment, Coshh, Manual Handling, Work Equipment, PPE, DSE and Fire.

·        Liaise with appropriate external bodies including HSE, Fire & Local Authorities.

3. Departmental Manager

Department Managers have the responsibility to provide leadership and to promote positive and responsible attitudes towards Health and Safety.

    Each manager will:

·        Ensure that each new employee is given induction training, including the precautions and procedures appropriate to their specific jobs.  All new members of staff will be shown the location of Safety Equipment including first aid boxes, fire exits and firefighting equipment.

·        Ensure that all staff are made aware of Emergency Procedures in particular means of escape and Evacuation Procedures, taking into account the procedures operated at (any visiting) Host Sites.

·        Ensure that all subordinates are aware of the health and safety policy (a copy is on the company notice boards) and understand their responsibilities within the policy.

·        Ensure that all safety rules are observed and that protective equipment is available, issued and worn as appropriate.

·        Ensure that any temporary employee, before they commence work, shall be supplied with comprehensible information about any special occupational qualifications or skills required in order that work can be carried out safely

·        Investigate promptly all accidents and near misses to persons or property to discover the causes and take action to minimise possible recurrence, liaising with the Safety Officer.

·        Ensure good effective housekeeping standards are applied.

·        Ensure that equipment is correctly maintained and that all defects in the workplace are promptly rectified or reported.

·        Carry out/assist with Risk Assessments, Safety Inspections and Audits

·         Liaise with Safety Officer in order to ensure compliance to changes in Legislation, Standards and Company Policy.

4. Employees

Specifically, Employees will:

·        Make themselves familiar with and conform to, 3CATS Health and Safety Policy.

·        Observe all Safety Rules, Safe Systems of Work and relevant Codes of Practice.

·        Wear suitable personal protective equipment as provided and use appropriate safety devices where applicable.

·        Be aware of the current procedures for fire evacuation, medical, accident and any other emergency procedure.

·        Report to their Manager any incident or injury to themselves, whilst at work, as soon as possible, and obtain appropriate treatment from an authorised first Aider. Similarly report any observed accident, near miss, damage to property or equipment, irrespective of personal injury.

·        Do nothing liable to cause injury to themselves or others.

·        Do not intentionally misuse or abuse anything provided in the interest of Health & Safety.

·        Co-operate with Managers in order to ensure the success of the policy and promote positive and progressive systems and attitudes for Health and Safety at work.

·        Ensure that the highest standards of Housekeeping are maintained.

Arrangements

1. General Risk Assessment

·        Trained assessors will carry out suitable and sufficient assessment of risk. The risk is evaluated and minimised though the implementation of appropriate control measures.

·        Results of assessments are recorded and communicated to employees and other interested parties.      

·        A review of Risk Assessments will be carried out where changes in circumstances or legislation occur. Particular assessments will also be reviewed as a corrective action following any Incident, Accident or Near Miss.

 2. Manual Handling

·         All Manual Handling operations, as identified through general risk assessment, task analysis or any other formal method will be assessed by the assessment team using the task format.

·        Where a full assessment is required the results are recorded in further detail.

·        The results are communicated to relevant personnel. Assessments are reviewed should changes in equipment or personnel take place.

 3. Display Screen Equipment

·         Trained assessors will assess display Screen Equipment, the workstation, the user and the environment. 

4. Induction, H. & S. Training

·         A comprehensive Induction training programme provides new starters with a gradual introduction to 3CATS and its Health and Safety arrangements

·        External Health & Safety training opportunities are offered to staff and employees.

·        Technical competence is provided through internal & external training methods.

·        First Aid Training and First Aid Refresher training is carried out by external trainers.

·        Individual training needs are based on the annual personal appraisal system from which training programmes are initiated and as changes in legislation demand.

·        All records of training for individual employees are retained by the Administration Office.

·        The Health and Safety Manager is the trained person on site to provide guidance and assistance as required. 

     5. Inspections / Audits

·        The workplace and systems are monitored though various inspections and audits.

6. Maintenance of Equipment / Statutory Inspections

·         All equipment is maintained to ensure safe operational capability, in accordance with relevant statutory requirements, industry standards and manufacturers recommendations.

·         Statutory Inspection procedures including any reported defects and remedial work are carried out within the prescribed frequency and time restraints and records maintained in the appropriate registers.

 7. Fire Precautions

·        Fire Safety Precautions ensure employee safety along with maximum damage limitation to buildings plant and equipment. To minimise the risk and effects from an outbreak of fire the premises have been assessed and control measures implemented.

·        Smoking is prohibited on site, other than the designated area.

·        Fire equipment/appliances are inspected and maintained at prescribed intervals by approved

8. Emergency Procedures

·         Emergency Procedures exist whereby in the event of a fire the Fire Brigade are notified immediately and the workforce evacuated to the designated Assembly Area.

·        Evacuation procedures are practised at least annually.

 9. First Aid

·        Trained/qualified first aiders as defined under the Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations administer First Aid

10. Electricity

·         All reasonable steps are taken to ensure the Health & Safety of all personnel on site who use, operate or maintain electrical equipment.

·        Only experienced competent personnel, trained in accordance with the I.E.E. Regulations 16th Edition, The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and European Standards, are permitted to access electrical cabinets and/or carry out electrical installations, repairs and maintenance.

·        All installation work will comply with the I.E.E Regulations 16th Edition and European Standards.

·        All statutory documentation and records will be maintained.

·        An ongoing programme of Portable Appliance Testing operates within the definition of Regulation 4 (System) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.