Policy Statement.

Au Milieu will take all reasonable and practical steps to provide and maintain a safe and healthy environment on its premises for all its employees, volunteers, customers and visitors. For staff and trainees who undertake activity away from the office, Au Milieu will implement Health and Safety policy and the relevant procedures and ensure that staff and trainees are aware of their responsibilities.

The Au Milieu statement of general policy is:

• to provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising out of its work activities and in its workplace 
• to consult with employees on matters affecting their health and safety
• to provide and maintain safe equipment
• to provide information, instruction and supervision for employees
• to ensure 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 implement emergency procedures, including evacuation in case of fire or occasioned by any other significant incident
• to maintain safe and healthy working conditions
• to review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals

Signed                                                                                Date

Print name                                                                        Review date.

Responsibilities.

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for all aspects of health and safety at Au Milieu and for ensuring appropriate arrangements are made to comply with all statutory requirements.

The clinical lead is responsible for ensuring that the policy is implemented.

All employees and trainees must:

• be instructed in the safe use of office equipment in their induction programme and as part of Health and Safety training
• co-operate on health and safety matters
• take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work
• familiarise themselves and comply with the Au Milieu’s procedures on health and safety
• work to the highest possible standards of safety with regard to clients 
• report all health and safety concerns to the clinical director as detailed in this policy
• report all accidents or injury that are caused by the working environment are reported to the clinical director.

A breach of the Health and Safety policy or procedures could result in disciplinary action being taken.

Au Milieu undertakes:

• To provide and maintain a working environment for its employees, trainees, clients and visitors that is safe, without risks to health and with adequate facilities.
• That appropriate risk assessments are completed, and any necessary action taken; and to review these risk assessments should conditions change.
• That the activities of the organisation will be insured. Insurance certificates will be displayed in the office.

Reporting.

Any hazards in the office should be reported to the clinical director. Once notified, action should be taken to clear the hazard. All accidents whilst at work must be recorded in the Accident book.

Monitoring health and safety.

Responsibility for carrying out Health and Safety inspections will be delegated to the clinical director who will also do occasional health and safety spot checks.

All accidents will be investigated by the clinical director and the safety systems will be reviewed to try and prevent a recurrence. All accidents should be reported to the Board of Trustees who will ensure that appropriate measures have been taken to minimise the risk of a reoccurrence. 

Accidents, first aid and work-related ill-health.

First aid box is located in ?.  All injuries, however small, sustained by a person at work, a service user, contractor or visitor must be reported to the clinical director or in their absence an appropriate substitute and recorded in the Accident Report Book, located in?. 

Employees at Special Risk.

Au Milieu recognises that some workers may from time to time be at increased risk of injury or ill-health resulting from work activities.  All employees must advise the clinical director if they become aware of any change in their personal circumstances that could result in their being at increased risk.  This could include medical conditions, permanent or temporary disability, taking medication and pregnancy.

As an equal opportunities employer Au Milieu would ensure that they make reasonable adjustments of their employment arrangements or premises in order not to place disabled people at a substantial disadvantage compared with non-disabled people.

Fire.

Au Milieu is a non-smoking environment.

All employees have a duty to conduct their operations in such a way as to minimise the risk of fire and they are under a duty to report immediately any fire, smoke or potential fire hazards, such as faulty electric cable or loose connections. Employees should never attempt to repair or interfere with electrical equipment or wiring themselves. 

A Fire Risk assessment should be carried out and details of how to safely evacuate the premises in the case of fire be clearly displayed. 

Employees are expected to tackle a fire themselves only if it would pose no threat to their personal safety to do so.  If the situation is dangerous or potentially dangerous, the employee should activate the fire alarm and evacuate the building immediately. 

Lone working.

It is recognised that staff and trainees may work alone both at Au Milieu premises and at other venues, including family homes. 

It is acknowledged that guidelines cannot cover eventualities / circumstances which are not possible to anticipate.  However, all staff and volunteers have a duty to ensure that priority is given to their own safety and to that of colleagues, service users, contractors and the public wherever possible. 

Guidelines for personal security and safety are given in the Lone Working Policy.

Mobile phones.

The use of mobile phones, with or without a hands-free adaptor, is prohibited whilst driving on Au Milieu business. A mobile phone should only be used after the vehicle has stopped safely and the engine turned off. The use of a mobile phone whilst driving is not only a legal offence but will also be seen as a disciplinary offence. 

Risk assessments.

It is a requirement of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 that Au Milieu undertakes and records risk assessments. (Risk assessments will be undertaken by Executive Director.) The date of any review is at the discretion of Au Milieu.

Although risk assessments are undertaken prior to the activity being carried out, all staff and volunteers have a responsibility for not undertaking activity if they consider that the risks to themselves or others is significant.