About

This is the Statement of General Policy and Arrangements for: St. Columb Major Town Council.

Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of: St. Columb Major Town Council.

Day-to day responsibility for putting this Policy into practice is designated to: Jeremy Stuart (Town Clerk).

Day-to-day responsibility for following this Policy: All staff, contractors and visitors.

Statement of General Policy

1. To prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health and provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our organisations’ activities.

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • Risk assessments for all significant risks on council controlled sites are completed, documented and any additional control measures are implemented.
  • Risk assessments will be reviewed annually or sooner if work processes or conditions change.
  • Contractors will vetted and inducted into our risk assessments and safe working practices.
  • They will be suitably monitored whilst working for the organisation.
  • Visitors will be given appropriate safety information and all staff will consider visitors and other vulnerable groups whilst working on site and during Council organised events.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided to all staff when required.
  • Suitable safety signage will be erected.

2. To provide suitable instruction, information and training to staff to ensure that they are competent to do their work safely.

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • All staff will receive suitable induction training.
  • Appropriate training will be given for manual handling, working at height, and other specific work tasks.
  • Operators manuals will be provided for all equipment.
  • Any formal training will be provided (along with refresher training).
  • Senior, experienced staff will monitor less experienced staff until proficient.
  • Suitable records will be kept.

3. To consult with employees on day-to-day safety matters and provide advice and supervision on occupational health.

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • Staff are regularly consulted on health and safety matters and are able to raise any issues directly with management.
  • Measures are in place to manage the main health risks (back injury, HAVS, etc).

4. To implement emergency procedures – fire or other significant incident.

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • Fire risk assessments will be completed and kept up to date.
  • Escape routes are obvious from all buildings and will be kept clear at all times.
  • Emergency plans will be routinely practiced and updated as necessary.
  • Senior members of staff will take charge of any incident and ensure appropriate emergency services are contacted.
  • Fire safety equipment is supplied and maintained by contractor regularly.

5. To providing and maintaining safe machinery and equipment and implementing safe systems of work.

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • All work equipment and machinery will be purchased from a reputable dealer and be suitable for the work task.
  • Operators manuals will be kept with machinery to ensure appropriate daily maintenance by staff.
  • All work equipment and machinery will be regularly serviced (as per the manufacturers’ recommendations by approved engineers).
  • Repairs will be carried out by competent staff using genuine spares.
  • Staff will inspect all machinery and equipment before use and report any defects.
  • An inspection record will be kept.
  • Machinery/equipment will be taken out of service until appropriate repairs have been completed.

6. To ensure the safe use, handling, storage and transport of articles and hazardous substances.

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • COSHH assessments will be undertaken.
  • Safety data sheets will be made readily available to staff.
  • Suitable storage for hazardous substances will be provided and regularly inspected.
  • Suitable PPE will be provided for all hazardous substances.

7. Accident reporting.

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • All accidents and incidents will be recorded in the Accident Book.
  • The organisation will comply with RIDDOR and report all accidents where legally required.
  • All accidents/incidents will be thoroughly investigated, RAs and SWPs amended and staff inducted.

8. Asbestos

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • All premises controlled by the organisation will be inspected for ACMs and a suitable record kept and updated as necessary.
  • The Asbestos register will be maintained and information passed on to third parties (such as contractors), on all of the organisations’ sites.
  • No work operations will be undertaken in areas where an asbestos risk has been identified.

9. To provide and maintain a safe working environment and welfare facilities.

Responsibility: Jeremy Stuart

Arrangements:

  • All public and staff only welfare facilities on the organisations’ sites will be of a suitable standard, regularly cleaned, restocked with consumables and inspected.
  • Records will be kept.
  • Suitable toilets, washing facilities and drinking water are provided for staff.
  • Appropriate signage will be provided including a contact number to inform the Council of any problems.

10. To provide suitable First-Aid arrangements.

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • A responsible person will oversee all aspects of the First Aid provision.
  • First aid cover will be provided by trained staff (FAW, EFAW or para-medics).
  • Suitable first aid kits are provided and replenished regularly.
  • First aid kits are in all vehicles.
  • All events organised by the Council will have a First Aid needs assessment and suitable provisions will be in place.

11. Personal protective equipment (PPE).

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • Suitable PPE will be provided for all work tasks.
  • It will be purchased from a reputable source, be CE or UKCA marked and replaced when necessary.
  • All PPE will be suitably stored.
  • All staff will have suitable training in the appropriate use of PPE.

12. Monitoring, Audit and Review.

Responsibility: Town Clerk

Arrangements:

  • This policy will be reviewed and revised as required at regular intervals.

Adopted by Full Council, 12th May 2026:

To be reviewed by Full Council, May 2027