Introduction
The purpose of this Health and Safety document is to help us, On Site Massage Co Ltd (OSMC), to meet our legal, financial and moral duties with respect to the management of health and safety at work.
Benefits of good health and safety management include, but are not limited to
- Safety of non-employees and self-employed practitioner’s (contractors, members of the public, etc)
- Compliance with legal duties
- Avoidance of legal actions (civil and criminal)
- Avoidance of fines and other costs associated with defending a legal action
- Protection of commercial reputation
Our statement of general policy is to
- Prevent risk of harm to self-employed practitioners from working activities
- Prevent risk of harm to and ensure safe treatment of non-employees
- Consult with and provide health and safety information and instruction to self-employed practitioners where required
- Ensure all self-employed practitioners are competent to do their tasks
- Aim to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for self-employed practitioners
- Review and revise this policy at regular intervals
Director’s Responsibilities
Within OSMC, it is the responsibility of the Directors to ensure that:
- Self-employed practitioners are made aware of the contents of this Health & Safety document, including amendments as and when they are made, and that self-employed practitioners have access to a copy of this document.
- The effectiveness of, and the adherence to, the Health & Safety guidelines are monitored regularly.
- The Health and Safety document is reviewed regularly and revised as necessary.
- Suitable and sufficient assessments of the risks arising from the undertakings of the Company are completed and are reviewed regularly and revised as necessary.
- The actions and recommendations arising from the risk assessments are implemented fully and that suitable arrangements are made to monitor this implementation.
- The risk arising from employers’ undertakings are brought to the attention of relevant self-employed practitioners.
- Suitable arrangements are made for communication and consultation with self-employed practitioners on matters relating to Health & Safety.
- Details of all notifiable/reportable accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR) are reported to the relevant Enforcing Authority.
- Details of all accidents, ill health, near misses and self-employed practitioner safety concerns are recorded and are investigate as appropriate.
- The Health & Safety Guidelines are understood and adhered to by all.
Self-employed Practitioners Responsibilities
Self-employed practitioners have a duty to ensure their own health and safety whilst at work and the health and safety of those that might be affected by their acts or omissions.
Within OSMC, it is the responsibility of all self-employed practitioners:
- To take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their acts and omissions.
- Not intentionally, or recklessly, interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare.
- Co-operate with the Company (and its directors and managers) in fulfilling its legal obligations in matters relating to health and safety.
- To set a good personal example in relation to health and safety.
- To follow the OSMC Code of Ethical Conduct
- To act in accordance with any specialist training received (such as First Aid, Fire Safety, etc.)
- To report to management any dangerous work situation and any shortcomings in safety arrangements so that appropriate remedial action can be undertaken.
- Ensure adequate insurance cover (Public liability and Professional Indemnity insurance) is in place and provide OSMC with copies of their relevant certificates of qualification and valid insurance.
Health & Safety Guidelines for Self-employed Practitioners
The importance of adherence to health and safety guidelines in protecting the health, safety and welfare of self-employed practitioners, as well as protecting the health and safety of non-employees is recognised. The following health and safety guidelines are to be considered as documentation of the common sense rules that govern health and safety at work. Self-employed practitioners are reminded of their duties, under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974, to ensure their own health and safety (as well as that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions) and to co-operate with OSMC in matters relating to health and safety.
WORKING AT ON SITE PREMISES
- At all times abide by the Health & Safety rules and regulations at the premises attended.
- Maintain all access and egress routes throughout the work area in good condition and ensure that they are free from obstruction and slipping and tripping hazards at all times.
- Keep work areas clean and tidy.
- Ensure that lighting, ventilation and heating are all satisfactory and report any defects.
- Maintain clear, unobstructed access to all exit routes.
- Ensure there is sufficient and reasonable space to provide the service requested
- Not to smoke within the premises and on site locations both indoors and outdoors.
- Not to burn any naked flames such as candles or incense within the premises and on site locations both indoors and outdoors.
- Ensure that all electrical equipment is in good working order with no loose wires before use.
- Ensure that all other equipment is in good working order and checked thoroughly on a regular basis. Equipment that becomes worn or that presents any kind of risk should be replaced immediately.
- The consumption of alcohol and use of drugs whilst at work is strictly prohibited.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Self-employed practitioners that work with hazardous substances such as essentials oils must
- Only use substances and materials that you have been trained and authorised to use.
- Ensure that all substances and materials are stored in appropriate locations and that labels (and warning signs) on all substances and materials are clear.
- Not store hazardous substances in unlabelled (or mislabelled) containers.
- Clean up or report spillages, but do not expose yourself to harm (known or unknown).
ACCIDENTS AND HEALTH
- Report all injuries, accidents and cases of ill health, including minor injuries, caused by or affecting their work to their supervisor or to a director using the Incident Report Form.
- Report all hazards, dangerous occurrences and ‘near miss’ incidents on site locations both indoors and outdoors.
- Report any medical condition or medication that they are taking which could affect their ability to carry out work safely.
- Must not work if you have taken any substance that could affect your ability to work.
- Co-operate with any incident or accident investigation.
Risk Assessment
OSMC will endeavour to identify potential hazards that may arise at on site locations both indoors and outdoors. OSMC will review and update the health and safety document in accordance to any findings of this risk assessment on a regular basis.
Service specific hazards
OSMC practitioners are made aware of the overall and general risks which may be involved in the services they provide. For a full list of service specific hazards, please contact info@onsitemassageco.com