Health and Safety

Health and Safety Policy Statement 

Panic Buttons are accessible in each clinical room and on each System 1 Log in, the practice will respond to any of the panic button methods though it is preferred for the System 1 method as this alerts ALL staff to the location of the incident which saves time over the other methods.

 Staff Training

 Health and safety training is an integral part of the Practice’s operations. It is essential that every employee is trained to perform their job comprehensively and safely. Each employee is trained in safe working practices and procedures relevant to their role. Training includes full instruction on the safe use of any necessary equipment provided.

At-risk Employees

The Practice recognises that certain employees may, from time-to-time, be at increased risk of injury or ill-health resulting from work activities.

To ensure the risk to these groups is minimised as much as possible, the Practice requires that employees advise their line manager if they become aware of any change in their personal circumstances which could result in their being at increased risk.

Examples of such changes could be certain medical conditions, permanent or temporary disability, taking medication or becoming pregnant. If any employee is in doubt whether a change arising in their personal circumstances could increase their exposure to risk, they should consult with their line manager as soon as they become aware of the change.

First Aid and Reporting Accidents at Work

 First aid equipment/materials are available in the treatment rooms, In addition a workplace First Aid Box is available behind the main reception desk on the Wall. All employees will be shown the location of the nearest first aid box to their regular work station and will be given the names of designated first aid personnel. This information is also displayed on notice boards and on the Practice intranet.

The Designated First Aid worker – The On-Call GP

Any injury sustained by a person at work, however small, must immediately be reported to their line manager or a nominated safety representative and recorded in the accident book. The accident book is located in reception behind the Reception Managers Desk.

Accident records are crucial to the effective monitoring of health and safety procedures and must therefore be accurate and comprehensive. The safety officer will inspect the accident book on a regular basis and all accidents will be investigated and a report prepared, with any necessary action being taken to prevent a repetition of the accident.

Local Hospital: Pilgrim Hospital: Sibsey Rd, Boston PE21 9QS Tel: 01205 364801

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Accidents at Work 

The practice is responsible for ensuring that RIDDOR related accidents are reported and will only report accidents if they happen “out of or in connection with work”. 

Therefore, the work activity must contribute to the accident. An accident is “work-related” if any of the following played a significant role:

•  The way the work was carried out

• Any machinery, plant, substances or equipment used for the work

• The condition of the site or premises where the accident happened

 The regulations detail a comprehensive list of reportable incidents.  Most notable are:

• Fatalities – These must be reported by the quickest method possible, usually by telephone, as soon as possible

• Specified injuries – As defined above

• Injuries that causes the employee to be incapacitated for more than seven days (not counting the day on which the accident happened). Incapacitation means that the employee is absent or is unable to do work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal work

•  Injuries to non-employees which result in them being taken directly to hospital for treatment

• Occupational diseases

• Carcinogens, mutagens and biological agents

•  Dangerous occurrences

Fire Safety

The Practice takes the subject of fire safety extremely seriously, and has a comprehensive fire safety policy from which to manage this aspect of health and safety. The policy details those who have responsibility for fire safety, and also includes the arrangements for conducting regular risk assessments. (See separate policy for more information).

 Lisa Baldwin - Fire Warden

Elaine Lamyman – Fire Warden

Amanda Welbourn – Fire Warden

Sharon Twigg - Fire Warden

Charlotte Owen - Fire Warden

Local Fire Service Location:  Fire Station, Robin Hood's Walk, Boston PE21 9ES Tel: 01205 363231

Further Information is available on the Fire Safety Page: 

 General Safety Rules

• • All employees, temporary workers and contractors should be aware of, and adhere to the Practice’s rules and procedures on health and safety;

  • Any identified unsafe working practices or conditions must be immediately reported to the safety officer, a health and safety representative or to a manager. Activities which could potentially jeopardise the health and safety of any person are forbidden;

  • Any person who cannot perform their duties due to ill-health or fatigue will not be allowed to work if this might jeopardise the health and safety of any person;

  • Employees must not adjust, move or otherwise tamper with any electrical equipment or machinery in a manner not within the scope of their job duties;

  • All waste materials must be disposed-of carefully in the receptacles provided and in such a way that they do not constitute a hazard to other workers (see separate Clinical Waste Policy for comprehensive information);

  • No employee should undertake a job which appears to be unsafe. They must report their findings and reasons to a manager as soon as possible;

  • No employee should undertake a job until they have received adequate safety instructions and they are authorised to carry out the task;

  • All injuries must be reported to the employee’s line manager or to the safety officer;

  • All materials must be properly and safely used and when not in use, properly and safely secured;

  • Good safety practices for specific tasks should be well-planned and instructions documented to avoid injuries in the handling of heavy materials and while using equipment;

  • Employees should take care to ensure that all protective guards and other safety devices are properly fitted and in good working order and must immediately report any defects to their line manager or to the safety officer;

  • Suitable clothing and footwear must be worn at all times. Personal Protective Equipment must be worn, where appropriate;

  • Work stations and work areas must be kept clean, tidy and with all spillages cleaned up immediately;

  • Employees should: 

  • use handrails when ascending or descending stairs;

  • never read while walking;

  • close filing cabinet drawers when not in use;

  • keep all floor areas free from obstructions.

 Access and Egress

  The Practice will provide safe access and egress to all areas, namely:

• •  Access to, and egress from the Practice building(s);

  • Routes through working areas;

  • Accessibility of storage areas;

  • Access to and egress from an individual’s workplace;

  • Emergency exit routes;

  • Any temporary arrangements for access;

  • Limitation of access to hazardous or high security areas;

  • External pathways and roadways around the workplace;

  • Common parts of the building (e.g. Reception, Stairs, etc).

    • The Practice will also ensure that:

    •  The Practice buildings and grounds shall be organised to ensure pedestrians and vehicles (as appropriate) can circulate in a safe manner;

  • All furniture, equipment and other items do not impede safe access and egress at the workplace and that objects which may restrict safe movement within the workplace are removed immediately;

  • Any access restrictions are adhered to so that suitable and safe arrangements for work in confined places and other areas of high risk are guaranteed;

  • Objects are not stored in walkways or precariously on top of cabinets / shelves;

  • All work equipment - when not in use - must be stored in its designated storage area;

  • Waste items shall not be allowed to accumulate in walkways;

  • Floor surfaces shall be of the type that can be kept sufficiently clean and will be cleaned regularly as appropriate;

  • Practice workplace floors and traffic route surfaces are suitable for their purpose and maintained in a safe condition and suitably indicated where necessary for reasons of health and safety;

  • All access equipment is regularly inspected to ensure that it is maintained in a safe condition;

  • Formalised systems of work are designed and implemented in all areas of significant risk;

  • Employees are encouraged to report any situation where safe access and egress is restricted or obstructed to their line manager or the health and safety officer who will arrange for appropriate action to be taken;

  • The working activities of contractors are monitored so that they do not hinder safe access / egress;

  • So far as reasonably practicable the Practice will take suitable and effective measures to prevent persons falling a distance likely to cause personal injury and to prevent any person being struck by a falling object.

Equipment Safety 

The Practice takes appropriate steps to ensure the safety of all employees working on equipment and the safety of others who may be affected by the use of the equipment. In this regard the Practice will:

• •  Ensure the suitability of work equipment for the task;

  • Ensure that measures are taken to prevent access to, or stop the movement of any dangerous part of equipment before any person enters a danger zone;

  • Ensure the correct guarding of the equipment and all dangerous parts and correct continual use of the guards;

  • Ensure that equipment is safely and securely positioned;

  • Ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, in good repair and inspected and tested where necessary;

  • Ensure that all machinery has suitable controls which are marked and clearly identifiable;

  • Ensure that where appropriate, any work equipment incorporates warnings or warning devices;

  • Ensure that where possible (and appropriate), all equipment is appropriately isolated;

  • Ensure that all persons who use machinery and all persons who supervise or manage the use of machinery are trained and have adequate health and safety information;

    • Where there are residual risks the Practice will provide Personal Protective Equipment;

    • Persons using machinery or equipment must not wear clothing, jewellery or long hair in such a way as might pose a risk to their own or anyone else’s safety.

    • Employees are prohibited from using any piece of equipment for any purpose other than its intended purpose.

 Manual Handling

 The Practice is committed to educating staff on the prevention of long-term musculo-skeletal health problems by promoting an “each-and-every-time” protocol for safe lifting

In-line with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (amended 2002) the Practice adheres to the following:

• • Avoid the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable;

  • Assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that can’t be avoided; and

  • Reduce the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable.

    • In adhering to the above, the Practice follows the protocol below

• • Lifting and moving of objects should always be done by mechanical devices rather than manual handling wherever reasonably practicable. The equipment used should be appropriate for the task at hand;

  • The load to be lifted or moved must be inspected for sharp edges and wet patches;

  • When lifting or moving a load with sharp or splintered edges, gloves must be worn;

  • The route over which the load is to be lifted should be inspected to ensure it is free of obstructions;

  • Employees should not attempt to lift or move a load which is too heavy to manage comfortably. Employees should ask for assistance if there is any danger of strain;

  • When lifting an object off the ground, employees should assume a squatting position, keeping the back straight. The load should be lifted by straightening the knees, not the back;

  • Employees should not attempt to obtain items from shelves which are beyond their reach. A ladder or stepping stool must be used. Employees should not use chairs or any makeshift device for climbing and should never climb up the shelves themselves.

Waste Disposal

The Practice deals with all of its waste in accordance with local and national regulations and has a specific protocol in place for the storage, handling and disposal of clinical waste, which includes details of the nominated contractor, responsible persons at the Practice, and compliance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. (See separate policy for more information).

Employee Responsibilities

All members of staff are reminded of their legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act to take reasonable care to avoid injury to themselves and others and to co-operate fully with management in meeting all statutory health and safety obligations. No member of staff should interfere with or misuse any equipment, appliance or substance, which may result in risk to themselves or others.

 Location of Medical Emergency Cart.........Clinical Vaccine Room (Downstairs) / Theatre Rm / Upstairs HCSW Room

Panic Buttons are accessible in each clinical room and on each System 1 Log in, the practice will respond to any of the panic button methods though it is preferred for the System 1 method as this alerts ALL staff to the location of the incident which saves time over the other methods.