1.0 Vision, Roles and Responsibilities

The responsibility for the implementation of this policy and provision has been delegated by the Managing Director to the Head of Property Management for CERT Property who in turn has appointed the Asset Managers of each of our sites as the day-to-day individual responsible for Health and Safety compliance for and on behalf of the landlords of our sites.

This statement is issued in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Other regulations also exist to cover work activities that carry specific risks, for example lifting and carrying, computer work and electricity. The key pieces of legislation are listed below:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

• The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 2013

• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

• The Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

• The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 2002

• The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations amended 2002

• The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 2006

• The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (amended) 2002

• The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

CERT Property Ltd will comply with all legal requirements as a minimum and will strive towards continual improvement.

CERT Property Ltd is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy working environment for the health, safety and welfare of staff, visitors, occupiers and other persons using the buildings, grounds, equipment and any other facilities provided by or associated with our sites..

CERT Property Ltd will strive to reduce the possible risk of accidents and injury to all users. In supporting this, the arrangements outlined in this document and other safety precautions put in place by the management and governing body cannot prevent accidents but will instil the adoption of safe methods of work and good practice.

The Managing Director, Head of Property Management and managers at all levels and designated health and safety staff will take all reasonable steps to identify and reduce hazards to a minimum. To assist in this, all staff, occupiers and visitors must be aware of their own and others’ personal safety in all of the sites managed or owned by CERT Property.

2.0 General Guidelines

It is the duty and policy of the Managing Director and Head of Property Management so far as reasonable and practicable to:

• Make themselves familiar with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and  any other health and safety legislation and codes of practice which are relevant to our sites, in  particular the Management of Health and Safety at work regulations 1999.

• Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment throughout our sites.

• Establish and maintain safe working procedures among staff, occupiers and visitors

• Ensure that arrangements are in place regarding the safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances.

• Ensure that there are effective and enforceable arrangements for the provision of health and safety throughout our sites.

• Ensure that any outside agency working on maintenance or adaptation of the building or grounds within CERT Property Ltd site provides a detailed health and safety plan relating to the protocols outlined within this policy and where appropriate discharge their responsibilities with regards the Construction Design and Management regulations (CDM) 2007.

• Ensure that all staff and students receive information, instruction and supervision to enable them to recognize and avoid hazards minimizing potential personal risk and that of others.

• Make sure that any health and safety training requirements are met.

• Ensure that all staff and students have a safe place to work including means of safe entry and exit.

• Ensure all necessary safety and protective equipment and clothing together with appropriate instruction and guidance is available to all appropriate personnel.

• Ensure effective procedures are in place in case of fire and for evacuating the premises.

• Ensure accident and emergency procedures are in place.

• Practice safe emergency evacuation procedures are carried out at least once per term, the results recorded and any remedial action to improve procedures are quickly and efficiently carried out.

• Ensure that an effective health and safety monitoring structure is in place and to periodically assess the effectiveness of these arrangements and to ensure that any necessary changes are  implemented.

• Ensure that any health and safety working conditions take account of the appropriate statutory requirements and local authority guidelines codes of practice and guidance (statutory and advisory).  

• Ensure that there is an effective accident reporting procedure in place, and that staff and other  users are aware that this reporting facility is in place and how to access it.

• Ensure that regular health and safety inspections are undertaken and done on a regular basis and  that any recommendations made are acted upon as soon as is practicable.

• Ensure that any identified item of equipment, fittings and furniture which has been identified as  being unsafe is safely removed and repaired or replaced.

• The Managing Director through the Head of Property Management will ensure all staff, including temporary staff,  and helpers receive comprehensive information on this policy and all other relevant health and  safety matters including any instruction and training required to ensure that they are able to carry  out their duties in a safe manner without putting themselves or others at risk. 

• Report to the appropriate authority/department any defect in the state of repair of the buildings or  their surroundings which is identified as being unsafe or likely to cause harm and make any interim  repairs or arrangements to limit the risk of harm.

• Collate accident and incident information, and when necessary, carry out accident and incident  investigations.

• Monitor first aid and welfare provision.

While the Managing Director has full responsibility for the day to day health and safety conditions for all staff, occupiers and visitors and anyone else using the premises or grounds managed by CERT Property, the operational management, leadership and monitoring of this will be undertaken by the Head of Property Management.

3.0 Staff responsibility

All CERT staff will support the Managing Director to responsibly ensure implementation and operation of the CERT’s health and safety policy and in helping other  members of staff, occupiers and visitors to comply with its regulations. As part of their day to day duties they will:

• Assist the Managing Director with the implementation, monitoring and development of the procedures and codes relating to the Health and Safety Policy within sites managed by, or owned by CERT Property.

• Carry out risk assessments on all  activities including equipment  and substances. All general advice on safety matters given by the national bodies such as the DfE and DBIS and other relevant bodies in relation to CERT Property Ltd are implemented, that this will be  translated into written safe methods of working practice and every department is informed.

• Inform staff, occupiers and visitors as to their own personal safety and make sure they are aware of the Health and Safety procedures in place.

• Investigate any specific Health and Safety issue which has been identified in regard to any Site provision and implement any recommended or remedial action reasonably required.

• Perform regular Health and Safety inspections within their area of responsibility as required by the CEO or as necessary by law.

• Ensure that any failure to meet Health and Safety requirements is recorded and that appropriate action will be taken to cease the provision until the issue is resolved according to Health and Safety requirements.

• Ensure appropriate protective clothing and equipment including fire appliances and first aid are provided and readily available in all areas of CERT Property Ltd where required.

• Ensure hazardous, flammable and toxic materials and substances are correctly assessed, used, stored and labeled and clear records are kept of these regarding qualities stored and used.

• Ensure any signage in relation to Health and Safety is clear, up to date and that everyone is able to  understand the label and instructions, irrespective of ability or need.

• Staff will attend regular training to ensure that they are as up to date and informed of existing and  any new requirements in regard to Health and Safety.

All staff are responsible for the Health and Safety arrangements in relation to the site, staff, students and visitors under their supervision. They should make themselves familiar with the requirements of the Health and Safety at work act 1974 and any other safety legislation and codes of practice which are relevant to the work of the department in which they work. They should:

• Exercise effective supervision over all those they are responsible for.  Take any appropriate action to ensure their own safety and that of any other persons that may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

• Ensure any equipment, tools or materials used are appropriately used and that it complies with any  Health and Safety directives required.

• Familiarize themselves with the Site’s Health and Safety policy and any relevant safety regulations.

• Ensure all equipment, tools and materials and or any protective equipment and safety devices are  in good order and used appropriately.

• Report any defects and faults with any tools and materials and or any protective equipment and safety devices to the appropriate Health and Safety person.

• Report accidents irrespective of any injuries to the Head of Property Management or designated Health and Safety person and that the report is logged.

• Attend training and awareness courses in regard to Health and Safety.

• Make sure that if they find themselves in an unfamiliar environment they perform an initial Health  and Safety check and seek further advice to clarify any issues arising.

• Ensure all emergency fire fighting equipment is regularly checked and clearly signed; this will include the fire alarm system and evacuation procedures. Staff Training and Support:

The following opportunities will be made available to staff during induction and on an annual basis. The oversight of staff training and support will be provided by the Asset Manager of the Site.

• Induction briefing for all new members of staff on how CERT Property Ltd operates, its health and safety policy (this document) and how that is practically applied on a day-to-day basis at the Site.

• Annual Health and Safety training for staff.

• The nomination of at least 2 members of staff, in addition to the Asset  Manager, to undertake certified Health and Safety training to ensure a broad base of knowledge across CERT Property Ltd and to share the burden of responsibility. 

4.0 Fire Safety

Please refer to the CERT's Fire Safety Policy

For site specific guidance please refer to the Fire Evacuation Plans for;

Elevator Studios

Hilton House

The Junction

5.0 Reporting Accidents

All accidents to staff, occupiers and visitors occurring at the any of our sites must be reported, in writing, using the accident report book stored in the staff office in the suite. This will be done by the Appointed Person (Asset Manager). Certain accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive under the  Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013  (RIDDOR). The Asset Manager will ensure that the Health and Safety Executive is informed of reportable incidents.

6.0 Bomb Threat

For site specific guidance please refer to the Bomb Threat Procedure for;

Elevator Studios

Hilton House

The Junction

7.0 First Aid

• First-aid arrangements are informed by the Site’s Risk Assessment for general use of the site by staff and learners (apprentices).

• CERT Property Ltd will keep a suitably equipped and ‘in date’ first aid kit on site at all times, located in the reception area.

• First aid information will be provided during staff and new apprentice induction sessions, including the location of equipment, facilities and first-aid personnel.

• First aid notices will be displayed in the central communal area of the site.

• Occupiers are required to provide their own first aid trained staff and first aid kit within their demise.

8.0 Equipment

• The landlords Portable electrical appliances more than three years old must be tested annually (PAT) by a certified contractor.

• Occupiers are responsible for conducting PAT testing for appliances in their own demise.

• When new equipment is purchased, it is the responsibility of the Asset Manager to ensure that it meets appropriate educational standards and that its installation and use conforms to health and safety requirements.

9.0 Housekeeping

The Asset Manager will monitor the cleaning standards of the cleaners including waste disposal. The standard required is laid down in the cleaning specification. Special consideration will be given to the kitchen and bathroom area.

10.0 Visitors to CERT Property Ltd Sites

• All legitimate visitors will be given a warm welcome to CERT Property Ltd sites by our front of house team and signed in.  Our front of house team will advise the occupier whom the visitor is here to see. Visitors will be collected from reception by the member of staff from the occupier concerned or escorted to the appropriate area of the site.

• Whilst on site, all contractors must wear a Site visitor’s badge, which may be differently coloured to denote their status. Cleaning contractor’s employees must wear an identity badge at all  times.

• If a member of staff meets someone on site who they do not recognise, they should, if they do not feel threatened, enquire if the person needs assistance and direct them off the site, as appropriate.

• If an intruder is uncooperative in leaving the site, or a member of staff feels  threatened, or is threatened with violence or a violent attack takes place, immediate help from the Police should be sought by telephone.

11.0 Security

• The sites we own are manage are wholly occupied by CERT Property as the managing agent and their tenants and/or occupiers.

• Staff  and occupiers  will be issued with key fobs to access the building. The magnetic  locks on all doors, internal and external, will be kept locked at all times with the exception  of events involving visitors when the entrance will be monitored by reception staff. The doors are not to be propped open at any other time.

• The fire exits at all sites can be pushed open from the inside but is secure at all times on the outside. It must not be propped open e.g. for ventilation but may be held open when a member of staff is present e.g. for the delivery of goods.

• Visitors will sign in at reception

• All staff should be aware of every aspect regarding the security of people and property.

12.0 Critical Incidents

• As part of its commitment for the wellbeing of staff, occupiers and visitors, CERT Property Ltd has set out a  procedure which is to be adopted in the event of a critical incident occurring on CERT Property Ltd premises:

• This procedure mirrors the fire and safety evacuation procedure for the Site. The Asset Manager in conjunction with the front of house team should do a complete sweep of CERT Property Ltd premises and ensure that all staff, occupiers and visitors are immediately evacuated from the premises and assemble at the designated Fire evacuation meeting points outside of the building as outlined to all students and staff during their induction to the Site.

• Broadly speaking, Critical Incidents will be dealt with in the same way as a fire incident under the Fire Evacuation Plans for each site (refer to 4.0 - Fire Safety)

13.0 Construction and Maintenance Work

• Where construction or maintenance work is being carried out on site the Asset Manager and front of house team will  ensure with contractors or service providers that appropriate health and safety plans are in place.

• Contractors or Service Providers will be made aware of the Health and Safety Policy in place at CERT Property Ltd and will be required to integrate the requirements of the policy into their safety plans. A pre-start meeting will be held between representatives of CERT Property Ltd and Contractor/Service Provider  before any works commence to confirm specific health, safety and welfare issues applying to the works to be carried out.

• Where works fall within the scope of the Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations  2014, the Asset Manager and/or the Head of Property Management will cooperate fully with the Contractor/Service Provider and their  appointed safety coordinator and will ensure that the Site’s safety manual is made available at  the start of the Project. Tthe Asset Manager and/or the Head of Property Management will also ensure that the Contractor/Service Provider  updates the safety file on completion of the works and conducts an appropriate handover.

14.0 Monitoring and review of this guidance

The Head of Property Management will monitor the implementation of these guidelines and will make a written report to the  Property Management on an annual basis, detailing any changes and summarising requests for information received over the last year.

The Head of Property Management, Asset Managers and Front of House teams will implement all Health and Safety precautions required by law and those advised procedures required by other national and advisory bodies.