HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

The Statutory Framework

In the UK, health and safety legislation has a long history, but modern health and
safety law was established in 1974 with the Health and Safety at Work Act
(HSWA 1974). The Act created the administrative and enforcement mechanisms
which, broadly, remain in force today.

More recent UK legislation has been influenced by European Directives such as

the Working Time Regulations 1998 and Health and Safety (Display Screen
Equipment) 1992. European legislation is concerned with risk assessment and
emphasises the need for information, consultation and worker involvement.

Two major bodies are concerned with health and safety:

 Health and Safety Commission (HSC) - overviews legislation and policy

development; and
 Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - day-to-day management and
enforcement.

Policy Statement

The policy of NSF (Scotland) is to achieve and maintain the highest standard of
safety and health at work for its staff and NSF (Scotland) accepts the need to
eliminate accidents, dangerous occurrences and hazards, so far as is reasonably
practicable, particularly by the following methods:

a) making the working environment as safe as possible - by safeguarding

equipment, employing competent people, maintaining good housekeeping and
safe methods of work;

b) combating such hazards as cannot be completely eliminated by operating

appropriate accident/incident procedures and by providing adequate First Aid
facilities;

c) ensuring that there is adequate safety training and that managers exercise
their special responsibilities for safe working;

d) requiring the active involvement of all workers to promote health and safety at
work;
e) considering actual and potential risks to staff and service users; and

f) taking steps to monitor health and safety issues in all NSF (Scotland) projects.

Responsibility

Management responsibility for implementing Health and Safety Policy rests with
the Chairman of the Board, who delegates authority for executing these matters
to the Chief Executive and through him/her to Project Managers.

Individual projects have responsibility for forming Health and Safety Policy, as
per HSE guidelines (see Appendix D1.3). Appropriate training will be provided
by NSF (Scotland).

Staff are responsible for working in accordance with the Health and Safety Policy
set out for their project/area of work and for communicating issues which may be
of relevance in policy development and risk assessment. NSF (Scotland)
recognises the rights of workers to be fully consulted and informed on Health and
Safety matters.

Policy Development

The following issues should be covered in project Health & Safety Policy:

Overall responsibility for health and safety

a) named individual;
b) deputies;
c) responsibility for particular issues;
d) system for staff consultation;
e) local health and safety inspector; and
f) responsibility for training

Service provision

a) procedures for appropriate/safe conduct (refer to Section B2, Professional

Conduct);
b) procedures for safety of workers (Section D3);
c) back-up systems/emergency procedures; and
d) guidelines on appropriate staffing levels and staff/service user ratios within
projects.
Accidents/First Aid

a) accident reporting procedures *;

b) first Aid procedure; and
c) emergency telephone numbers (exact dialling sequence) and addresses

*Accidents and “near miss occurrences” must be recorded in the site Accident
Book and reported to the Line Manager who must complete a report and submit
this to National Office within seven days of the occurrence.

Fire Safety
a) development of fire procedures (raising alarm/evacuation);
b) provision and regular inspection of fire extinguishers, emergency lighting;
c) fire alarm checks;
d) organisation of regular fire drills;
e) training regarding use of extinguishers, tackling fires, evacuation, assembly
points;
f) appointment of Fire Officer; and
g) maintenance of fire list.

Welfare and Housekeeping

a) smoking policy;
b) ventilation;
c) lighting - levels and safety;
d) washroom facilities;
e) facilities for rest and eating meals;
f) rules for cleanliness/storage/waste disposal; and
g) rules on access, clear exits.

Food and Vending

a) hygiene policy;
b) safe use of equipment;
c) staff training for food handling
d) regulations for food storage and vending;
e) maintenance of equipment; and
f) policy on food and drink consumption.

General Hazards
a) display of warning notices and signs;
b) display of equipment manufacturer guidelines; and
c) rules for office tidiness - electrical leads, location of heaters.

Equipment
a) rules for checking and maintenance;
b) guards and safety devices required;
c) procedures for certifying safety of equipment; and
d) guidelines on safe use of new technology.

Documentation
a) fire certificate;
b) employer’s liability insurance certificate;
c) risk assessment records;
d) permits to work; and
e) records of health and safety training.

Due to the nature of NSF (Scotland)’s work, projects should pay particular
attention to development of Health and Safety Policy in relation to “people”
issues and should consider the following:

a) access to premises - who can come in, where and how;

b) exits - where and how easy;
c) staffing levels - likelihood of worker being alone in an office open to the public;
and
d) alarms - where are they and who can respond.

Workers should receive training to assist them in identifying “people risk”

situations:

a) crisis situations, stress, trauma;

b) violent behaviour due to illness;
c) loss of control as a result of alcohol or drug use.

and to develop measures to deal with these situations.

Health and Safety Risk Assessment

NSF (Scotland) will undertake to assess annually the risks to workers, users and
any other individuals affected by their operation and to record (as per Risk
Assessment Form, Appendix D1.5) the significant findings of that assessment.

Risk assessment has five key stages:

a) looking for hazards; asking workers, reviewing accident reports;

b) deciding who might be harmed and how;
c) evaluate risks and decide whether existing precautions are adequate;
d) record findings;
e) review and revise assessment when necessary.
Review and revision should take place at regular intervals, depending on the
nature of the risks and the degree of change likely in the work activity.

6 Newington Business Centre, Dalkeith Road Mews, Edinburgh EH16 5GA

Tel 0131 662 4359 info@nsfscot.org.uk www.nsfscot.org.uk
Patrons The Right Revd. Richard Holloway, Baroness Linklater of Butterstone Chief Executive: Mary Weir

National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland) No 88179 A company limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Bell & Scott LLP, Edinburgh EH2 3LD.
Sco Charity No 13649