Health and Safety Policy

Overview

Michelle Howard Consulting Ltd, as a company fully accepts the obligations placed upon it by the various Acts of Parliament covering health and safety and the Director will ensure that the following policy is implemented and will report on any breaches.

This policy has been prepared in line with Health & Safety at Work legislation. The purpose of the policy is to establish general standards for health and safety at work and to ensure that all staff are responsible for their achievement.

Michelle Howard Consulting Ltd believes that consideration of the health, safety and welfare of staff is an integral part of the management process. The provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act; associated Codes of Practice and other relevant Directives will be adopted as required standards within the Company.

In applying this policy, Michelle Howard Consulting Ltd will establish a structure of communication and accountability which will clarify responsibilities and roles to enable effective health and safety management. This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis and will be accessed via the company website.

Obligations

The Director has overall responsibility for the implementation of this Health and Safety policy and for ensuring that the policy is communicated appropriately and that its effectiveness is monitored. The policy will be reviewed annually and where appropriate sufficient funding will be allocated for health and safety e.g. in respect of training. A positive health and safety culture will be established and maintained.

Michelle Howard Consulting Ltd will, so far as is reasonably practicable:

• Establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Keep a first aid box on site.
• Ensure that accidents are reported and a culture of reporting near miss incidents is embedded to enable continuous improvement.
• Ensure that all staff are aware of manual handling where it is required.
• Ensure that staff are competent to undertake the tasks required of them and that they have been provided with the necessary training, equipment or other resources to enable the task to be undertaken safely.
• Ensure the provision of sufficient information, instruction and supervision to enable all employees to avoid hazards and contribute positively to their own health and safety and to ensure that they have access to health and safety training as appropriate or as and when required.

It is not expected that staff will come into contact with any substances that are hazardous to health while at Michelle Howard Consulting Ltd.

The responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (RIDDOR) to the Health and Safety Executive, shall rest with the Director.

ICT equipment will adhere to the British Standard Specifications and comply with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. Staff are advised to have regular sight tests including for the use of Display Screen Equipment.

Employee responsibilities

The Health and Safety at Work Act requires each employee ‘to take reasonable care for the Health and Safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by their acts and omissions’ and co-operate with the Director to enable them to carry out their responsibilities under the Act. Employees have equal responsibility with the Company for Health and Safety at Work.

The refusal of any employee to meet their obligations will be regarded as a matter to be dealt with under a Disciplinary Procedure. In normal circumstances counselling of the employee should be sufficient. With a continuing problem, or where an employee leaves themself or other employees open to risk or injury, it may be necessary to implement the formal stages of the Disciplinary Procedure.

Accidents or other health and safety incidents including any defects with equipment or the workplace generally will be reported to the Director of Michelle Howard Consulting Ltd.

Visitors and contractors

Persons visiting or working with Michelle Howard Consulting Ltd are expected to follow the Companies Health and Safety Policies with regard to the safety of Company employees, their own personal safety (and that of other parties such as the general public if appropriate) and their method of work. This responsibility will be included in contracts or working arrangements.

Communication

A copy of this policy and appendices will be circulated to staff, visitors where appropriate and directors. A copy will be stored on the website.

As a company, Michelle Howard Consulting Ltd is committed to building a long-term, sustainable business with a positive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy. The following are our commitments across all three of the ESG pillars:

Review and Revision

This policy will be reviewed and revised on a regular basis to ensure that it remains relevant and up to date.

Contact

If you have any questions about the companies Health and Safety policy, please contact michelle@michellehoward.co.uk.