Change history
Version number | Date of release | Policy owner | Authorised by |
5.0 | 06 January 2022 | Kieran Connolly, Chief Resources Officer | Board of Trustees |
Policy statement
Central YMCA (‘the Charity’) recognises and accepts that it is responsible for the health, safety and welfare of its employees when at work, and of all non-employees who have access to the services of the Charity. Our separate Health, Safety and Welfare Policy Statement will be signed by the Chief Executive and displayed at all of the Charity’s premises.
Scope
This Health, Safety and Welfare Policy is a commitment to promote and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment, and systems of work for all our staff, volunteers, learners, members, contractors, and any members of the public visiting our premises.
Whilst we will do all that is within our powers to ensure the health and safety of our staff and external stakeholders, it is recognised that health and safety at work is the responsibility of each and every individual associated with the Charity. The policy will therefore only be successful if hazards and incidents are reported promptly, and employees feel confident that all possible remedial measures will be taken to prevent a reoccurrence of any problem.
Employees are obliged to take reasonable care of themselves and others, to co-operate with management and to promote the health, safety, and welfare of all our stakeholders. This involves co-operation between employees at all levels and within the shared workplace.
This Policy is made up of two parts, comprising our organisational responsibilities and headline health and safety arrangements. It is supported by supplementary procedures, additional health and safety information and health and safety arrangements specific to our varied operations.
Success in fulfilling these responsibilities will be measured through regular auditing, reporting to the Board, regular management meetings and through the performance development review process.
For additional health and safety advice we have employed external consultants who have provided independent health and safety support. We also ensure that key managers are kept up-to-date through identified training and health and safety updates.
Related Legislation
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Employment Rights Act 1996
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
- Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009
Related Policies, Procedures, and Templates
- Health, Safety and Welfare Policy Statement (Signed by the Chief Executive and displayed at each premises we operate)
- Health and Safety Procedures (by site)
- First Aid Policy
- Risk Management Policy
- Operations’ Health and Safety Induction Procedures
- Health and Safety Procedures, Guidance Information and General Arrangements
- Location Health and Safety Files
- Health, Safety and Emergency Procedures for New Starters
- Health and Safety E-Learning Training Package
- Various specific Health and Safety compliance and procedures documents
- Apprenticeship Agreement and Commitment Statement
- YMCAfit course risk assessments, informed consent and doctor’s consent forms
Responsibilities
Board of Trustees
The Board is responsible for:
- Overseeing the Charity’s overarching approach to health and safety and ensuring the adequacy of the Charity’s policy
- Reviewing the health and safety annual action plan and monitoring its implementation
- Ensuring health and safety risks are discussed at regular Board meetings and other Committee meetings, where relevant.
Chief Executive
Has overall responsibility to the Board in ensuring that the health and safety standards, policies and procedures laid down are clear, maintained and implemented and in line with statutory requirements.
Facilities and Health and Safety Manager
Has responsibility for reviewing and updating the Health, Safety and Welfare Policy and for ensuring that health and safety audits and safe systems of work are implemented across operations. The Facilities and Health and Safety Manager will chair the organisation’s Health and Safety Group and advise the Executive Team, Operation Heads, Line Managers and Safety Representatives on any relevant health and safety issues.
Heads of Operations
Are responsible to the Chief Executive and Executive Team for the detailed implementation of the Health, Safety and Welfare Policy and health and safety arrangements within their areas of responsibility. In addition, they have specific responsibilities to ensure that all equipment supplied is safe to operate and suitable for its purpose.
Heads of Departments and Line Managers
Have a responsibility to their immediate superiors for all matters relating to the health and safety of employees for whom they have immediate control. They are also responsible for reporting accidents within the operations, safety training and covering health and safety at induction.
Health and Safety Representatives
Each operation has a designated Health and Safety representative responsible for the day-to-day monitoring of health and safety within their operational areas. This includes updating risk assessments, distributing policy details and ensuring all users of the relevant operation are familiar with the emergency arrangements for each site.
All Employees and Volunteers
Have a responsibility to:
- Co-operate with Line Managers to achieve a safe workplace.
- Co-operate on health and safety matters, taking reasonable care of their own health and safety.
- Report all appropriate health and safety concerns and incidents to their Line Manager and health and safety representatives.
- Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard health and safety.
- Complete all relevant health and safety training provided by the Charity.
Policy Review
Review of impact against the aims of policy:
This policy has been drafted for approval by Kieran Connolly, the Chief Resources Officer, and has been approved by the Board of Trustees. All related procedures have been implemented to match the contents of this policy.
The policy has been communicated successfully to employees and the policy has been made available on the Charity’s intranet.
Do there appear to be any patterns of equality related issues: No
If yes, please provide an Equalities Impact Assessment (if relevant): N/A
Reviewed by: Board of Trustees
Date: 06 January 2022
This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Policy Owner and signed off by the Board of Trustees if any changes are made.
Next review date: January 2023
Confirmation of policy approval:
Andrew Beal, Chair of the Board of Trustees