Health and Safety Policy (Version 1)
1. Policy Statement
The aim of this policy is to comply with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and other relevant statutory provisions; and to act as a pivotal document in implementing safe management of The Fourth Trimester Postpartum CIC (The Fourth) services.
The Fourth believes that the health and safety of families at our groups is of paramount importance. We want our groups to be a setting that is a safe and healthy place for babies, children, parents, leaders and volunteers.
2. Key Principles
It is the intention of The Fourth to provide, so far as reasonably practicable:
A safe and healthy place for groups to run with safe access and egress (exit)
Ensure the environment and volunteers prohibit access to equipment and hazardous substances.
Easy access to The Fourth’s health and safety policy
Regular reviews to ensure that the above responsibilities are fulfilled
A health & safety policy that treats leaders, volunteers, attendees and their children/ babies; with equal consideration.
A policy which applies in all settings where The Fourth activities take place
In order to operate in a safe environment for all, certain measures must be taken.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is an Act of Parliament that as of 2011 defines the fundamental structure and authority for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of health, safety and welfare within the United Kingdom. The Act established a system of public supervision ultimately backed by criminal sanctions extending to unlimited fines and imprisonment for up to two years.
Other relevant legislation
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1995
Health and Safety First Aid Regulations, 1981
Working Time Regulations
The Food Safety Act 1990
3. Scope
The scope of this policy applies to the premises The Fourth operates from and all persons on the premises. All volunteers, premises owners/ managers have individual responsibilities to take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and for that of others who might be affected by their acts or omissions. They must cooperate with those persons who are responsible for overall health and safety within the premises.
4. Responsibilities
It is the aim of The Fourth to prevent accidents and cases of ill health for all, as far as is reasonably practicable.
Group leaders will:
Ensure the environment is safe and without risks to health
Undertake relevant risk assessments and carry out actions required to remove/ control/ reduce risks.
Check that the implemented actions have removed/reduced the risks and report the findings to relevant volunteers.
Review assessments annually or when the group activity changes.
Group leaders along with the partners/premises manager need to take appropriate actions, as far as reasonably practicable; to ensure that the above objectives are achieved.
Ensure machinery, equipment, substances are not accessible to young children at the group
Give volunteers the information, and instruction necessary for their health and safety, and that of attendees and children/ babies at the group (this policy and the risk assessment will be available at group).
Make arrangements for implementing the health and safety measures identified by the risk assessment
Record the significant findings of the risk assessment and the arrangements for health and safety measures
Be aware of first aid facilities on site
Bring any health and safety concerns about things like ventilation, temperature, lighting and sanitary/ rest facilities to the attention of the premises leaders/manager.
Avoid hazardous manual handling operations and, where they cannot be avoided, reduce the risk of injury
Report certain injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to the appropriate health and safety enforcing authority.
Assist with the evacuation of volunteers, attendees and their children/babies during an emergency, or arrange for help in the event of an accident.
Ensure any group attendees who requires additional support for a complex infant feeding difficulty will be signposted to the relevant health professional.
Ensure that they do not attend group if they are in ill health (fever/ contagious).
Volunteers and peer supporters are expected to observe the following duties:
To take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by what they do or do not do
To cooperate with The Fourth and the premises the group runs from on health and safety
To report at the earliest opportunity injuries, accidents or dangerous occurrences, including those involving the public and participants in activities organised by The Fourth.
Assist with the evacuation of attendees and their children during an emergency or arrange for help in the event of an accident.
Ensure any group attendees who requires additional support for a complex infant feeding difficulty will be signposted to the relevant health professional.
Ensure that they do not attend group if they are in ill health (fever/ contagious)
Attendees at our groups should take reasonable care of themselves and any accompanying dependents (particularly young children). They are also responsible for not attending group if they or their children are unwell (fever/ contagious). They must also ensure that they seek medical advice from a health professional for complex infant feeding difficulties outside the remit of a peer supporter. The Fourth Leaders and Volunteers take responsibility for the attendees and their children in the respect of assisting with their evacuation from the building during an emergency or arrange help in the event of an accident.
Any serious breaches of health and safety could lead to dismissal. All leaders and volunteers are required to be aware of and comply with this policy. Different health & safety issues can compete e.g. door stoppers preventing the door from closing and trapping fingers, but then the door cannot be closed fully to stop toddlers escaping from the room/ heading to the kitchen area. When this occurs, a commonsense approach should be taken. If you have any problems of a health and safety nature you should bring them to the attention of The Fourth Team Leaders and the premises manager.
5. Health and Safety Rules
All must exercise ordinary care to avoid accidents at group and comply with the following general rules and with any further rules which The Fourth may publish from time to time.
Accident recording - any injury suffered by a volunteer or visitor, must be reported to the premises so they can record in their accident book.
Fire Procedures - all volunteers must familiarise themselves with fire escape routes and procedures and follow the directions of the premises in relation to fire. In the event of a fire, persons discovering a fire should sound the nearest alarm. All volunteers are to evacuate all people from the building by the nearest exit immediately after the fire is discovered. All persons must evacuate the building and, where possible without personal risk, leave all doors and windows closed. All should remain in the designated assembly point (as advised within the premises guidance). If any fire occurs, however minor, the Fire Brigade must be called immediately by dialling 999 and asking for the ‘Fire Brigade’. When the Fire Brigade arrives advise whether all persons are accounted for and location of the fire.
Equipment and Appliances - no equipment or appliance may be used other than as provided by or specifically authorised by the premises.
Safety Clearways − corridors, walkways and doorways must be kept free of obstructions (buggies). Any issues with lighting should be reported to the premises.
Maintenance - defective equipment, furniture and structures must be reported without delay to the premises.
Hygiene and Waste Disposal - general waste and recycling should be disposed of in the premises bins. Nappies must not be left in a group and must be disposed of at home.
Thepremises being used have sole responsibility for the food and drinks that they are providing under the Food Safety Act 1990.
The use of drugs (except under medical supervision) and smoking on the premises are prohibited at all times. The use of intoxicants is prohibited during volunteering hours and no volunteer may undertake their duties if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Bomb Warnings - if you receive a warning try to find out from the caller: the location of the bomb and likely time of detonation, whether the police and fire brigade have been notified, try to record exactly what is said. Notify the Police immediately on 999. DO NOT SOUND THE FIRE ALARM but evacuate the building taking into consideration any information from the bomb warning. Assemble at the same place as the fire assembly unless bomb warning implies otherwise.
6. First Aid and Accident Reporting
The Fourth Team Leaders are due to access first aid training. Presently if an accident or emergency were to occur those based at venues may be able to access a staff with first aid training, if on site. Otherwise, relevant services should be contacted where appropriate (111 or GP for non-emergency/ minor injuries, 999 for an ambulance or attendance at A&E for serious situations). This situation needs reporting to The Fourth and site managers as soon as practicable for recording.
7. Learning and Improving
We are committed to improving our knowledge and understanding of how best to maintain a safe and healthy place for babies, children, parents, leaders and volunteers.
We will have continued open and honest discussions with our volunteers and the settings we run from about the importance of controlling health and safety risks arising from group activities.
8. Policy Review
The Fourth will monitor this policy to ensure it meets statutory and legal requirements. This policy will be reviewed every three years or sooner if required.
DOCUMENT HISTORY
Version Number One – March 2025 written by Grace Williams
Please note that the only valid version of the policy is the most up to date and recent one. Whilst this document may be printed, the electronic version saved on The Fourth’s Google Drive is the controlled copy. Any printed copies of this document are not controlled. As a controlled document, this document should not be saved or accessed anywhere other than the The Fourth's Google Drive.