Health & Safety
Our policy is to comply with the requirements of the Health and Welfare at Work Regulations (2006) and all other relevant or subordinate legislation, and:
- 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 that 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
The allocation of duties for safety matters and the detailed arrangements for the implementation of the policy are set out in the Health and Safety Manual and Management System documents.
The policy and associated documentation is kept under constant review and we are committed to continually improving the Health and Safety System in operation at GEOSystems
General Objective
The Directors of GEOSystems take very seriously their obligations and responsibilities under the Health and Safety legislation. The objective is to provide you with a safe working environment and safe system of work.
Review of Practices
We regularly review working practices including the general working environment to ensure that best practices are adhered to or adopted and that safety hazards are identified and accidents so far as is reasonably practicable are avoided.
Training
Health and Safety guidance and induction training is given to all new employees upon joining and regular updating briefing sessions provided for existing employees.
Employee Responsibilities
You are obliged to take reasonable care for your own safety and for others who may be affected by your own omissions and to co-operate fully with us in the arrangements made to Health and Safety matters.
For example employees must:
- Adhere to the prescribed safe system of working
- Report all accidents and near misses irrespective of triviality
- Report any faults or defects in equipment immediately
- Report any safety concerns to the Safety Officer or your own line management immediately.
Repairs to and Maintenance of Equipment Only those who are qualified to do so and are employed for that purpose may carry out repairs or maintenance to equipment.
Safety Officers
A manager has been appointed with overall responsibility for Health and Safety. Safety Officers have been appointed for all SOS offices. The senior employee on site is the nominated safety officer for staff deployed on field activities. Safety officers will investigate all accidents or near misses and ensure that necessary preventative measures are introduced.
Fire Safety and Evacuation
You should be familiar with the evacuation procedures which are displayed about the buildings in which you are working. Should you discover a fire you should immediately sound the alarm, notify the fire brigade, and inform the senior staff member present.
First Aid
You will be informed of the names of appointed and trained First Aiders (which are also displayed around buildings). If anyone becomes ill at work and requires medical attention arrangements will be made to call a doctor or the emergency services, or to take the employee to the Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital.
Hazards and Safety Risks
You have responsibility to report any potential Health and Safety hazards including infectious or other diseases or injuries associated with the workplace.
Examples include:
- Fire Risks; accumulation of waste, obstructing fire exits and corridors.
- Electrical problems; worn cables, faulty connections, multiple connectors.
- Defective equipment
- Defective flooring, uneven or slippery surfaces.
- Unsuitable loading or stacking
- Broken glass
- Carelessness by an employee or other person on the premises.
Hazards have been identified and risk assessments have been prepared for:
- General office safety (including Fire and working conditions)
- Display Screen Equipment (which involves personal assessments)
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
- Field Activities
- Working on Active Airfields
Improvements
You are encouraged to suggest improvements to the Health and Safety policy and any aspect of the documented procedures and risk assessments. Suggestions should be made to the Safety Officer or through your line management.
Discipline
Any breach or non-observance of the Health and Safety policy contributes a disciplinary offence and may lead to dismissal.
General Aims
So far as is reasonably practical we aim to provide a safe working environment; safe equipment and systems; safe methods of working; and to provide employees with information, instruction and training to achieve these aims.
