Health and safety policy statement

East Side Youth Centre (ESYC) recognises its requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees, and so far as is reasonably practicable, that it does not expose people who are not employees to risks to their health and safety. The organisation further recognises that there is a common law duty of care on all.

ESYC attaches great importance to the health, safety and welfare of our staff and volunteers and all who use facilities provided by us and who are involved in activities organised by us. To this end we aim to ensure that all activities carried out or undertaken by our staff and volunteers are managed in a manner to avoid, reduce or control foreseeable risks to the health and safety of any person who may be affected by those activities as far as reasonably practicable whilst providing an environment that is supportive of our activities.

We will adopt and implement policy and procedures that are compatible with and acknowledge the duties imposed by the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and other Regulations that apply to our activities.

We will achieve this by:

• Ensuring that anyone who may be affected by our activities is not exposed to undue health and safety risks.

• Carrying out suitable assessments of the health and safety risks to which staff, volunteers and those participating in our activities may be exposed and minimise those risks as far as is reasonably practicable.

• Establishing clear organisational and procedural arrangements to effectively carry out our duties.

• Providing a safe working environment for staff and volunteers including a fire risk assessment.

• Providing equipment that is maintained in a safe condition at all times.

• Establishing emergency procedures for actions to be taken in the event of fire, incidents, accidents, dangerous occurrences and illness and ensure that fire drills and tests of fire points/detectors/emergency lighting are undertaken regularly.

• Ensuring the safe storage, handling and labelling of any hazardous materials.

• Providing relevant information, advice, training, instruction and supervision.

• Consulting with staff and volunteers on health and safety matters.

• Implementing appropriate procedures for the effective monitoring and review of this policy, our organisational arrangements and our health and safety procedures.

• Encouraging a positive attitude to health and safety and ensuring that all staff, by example, promote safe practice.