1.1     The Practice has responsibilities as an employer under Section 2 of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.  These duties are to:

• Provide and maintain plans and systems of work that are safe and without risk to health.
• Make arrangements to ensure that substances and articles can be used, handled, stored and transported safely.
• Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees.
•  Ensure safe means of access and egress.
• Provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment with the provision of adequate welfare facilities.

1.2     Under Section 3 and Section 5 of the Act, the Practice has a duty to protect people who are not ex-employees from being exposed to the risk from its activities (e.g. patients, members of the public) and under Section 4 it has a duty to other users of its premises (e.g. PCT staff, other organisation representatives).

1.3     The Management of Health & Safety At Work Regulations 1999 extend the provision of the Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 and the Practice will undertake specific actions in accordance with its Regulations.  Of keen port it is the requirement to make and record a ‘suitable and sufficient’ assessment of significant Health & Safety risks to employees and others affected by the Practice’s work activities (e.g. patients, visitors, contractors and the public).  In practice, this will involve numerous assessments being undertaken to reflect the diverse nature of the PCT operation.  The purpose of risk assessment is to determine the level of risk and identify appropriate risk control measures to remove the risks, or reduce them to acceptable levels.

1.4     The Practice will ensure the appropriate arrangements are in place at all levels of the organisation for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventative and protective measures put in place following risk assessment.

1.5     In addition to the Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health & Safety At Work Regulations 1999, the Practice will take steps to ensure compliance will all other Health & Safety Legislation applicable to its activities.

As detailed on the Practice Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 notice displayed in  the Admin area, the designated Practice people are listed at the beginning of this page.  These nominated Officers for health and safety will:-

• Ensure that specific health, safety, security, fire and other emergency arrangement procedures are documented for all sites/premises within their area of responsibility (in the case of shared sites, co-operation and co-ordination will be required to ensure full coverage of the sites and avoid duplication of effort or belief that the other user is dealing with that issue and vice versa).
• To complete risk assessments for all sites/premises within their area of responsibility and where risk assessments are identified the need for resources to reduce risk, decide whether direct resources to the risk, refer the issue to all the Partners or to accept the risk.  Advice is available from the Risk Manager at the PCT.
•  To undertake health and safety inspections at premises and take action as necessary.
•  Inspections must be done at least on an annual basis.
•  To provide relevant and comprehensive information to staff and facilitate effective two way communication of health and safety issues.
•  To make arrangements for the communication, co-operation and co-ordination of health and safety arrangements with others in shared premises.

4.1     All staff have a duty under Section 7 of the Health & Safety At Work Act 1974:

• Not to endanger themselves or others by their “acts or emissions” (i.e. what they do or do not do) and to co-operate with their employer/site owner as necessary to comply with current legislation.

4.2     In addition under Section 8 they must not interfere with or misuse equipment provided in the interest of health and safety (e.g. fire extinguishers, personal protective equipment).

4.3     Specifically, all employees must:-

• Abide by the Practice health and safety requirements and statutory Health & Safety At Work obligations.
• Comply with all instructions given to them to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
•  Bring to the attention of their Line Manager (and Assistant Practice Manager/Practice Manager if different to Line Manager) any defective equipment or potential health or safety hazard or any practice likely to cause an accident or incident.
•  Document all incidents (including near misses) using the PCT’s Incidents Reporting System.
•  Observe all procedures laid down concerning process, materials or substances.
•  Keep work equipment in good condition, and report defective to their Supervisor or Manager.
•  Avoid improvisation which might create a risk to safety.
•  Dress sensibly and safely for their particular working environment, using safety equipment and personal protective equipment.
•  Attend as requested, any statutory and mandatory health and safety training, with failure to do so without reasonable cause may ultimately result in disciplinary action.
•  Observe the fire protection and evacuation procedures and be familiar with the position of the site fire equipment and fire exits.