Health and Safety Policy

The Withington Child Contact Centre is committed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its volunteers and other persons who may be affected by our activities.  We shall ensure that the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other relevant statutory provisions are carried out so far as reasonably practicable.

1. We will provide
   
   1. Premises which are well maintained and in a safe condition
   2. Environments that are safe and without risk to health
   3. Equipment and systems of work that are safe and without risk to health
   4. Arrangements to identify and assess/minimise risk to volunteers and others who may be affected by our activities
   5. Sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the health and safety of volunteers and others who may be affected by our activities
   6. Adequate facilities and arrangements to enable volunteers to be consulted on any matter relating to their health, safety and welfare whilst at work
2. Ultimate responsibility for health and safety lies with the Withington Methodist Church who will ensure that adequate resources are made available to achieve the aims set out in this policy statement. For further details, please see the Withington Methodist Church's Health and Safety Policy, which can be obtained from the Withington Methodist Church.
   
3. The successful implementation of this policy requires total commitment from all volunteers at the Contact Centre. Each individual has a legal obligation to take reasonable care of his or her own health and safety, and the safety of other people who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions. In particular, they must
   
   1. Comply with any rules or regulations that are in place
   2. Comply with safe systems of work
      
   3. Use equipment in accordance with instructions and training provided, and not intentionally damage or recklessly interfere with anything provided for the health and safety of themselves or others
      
   4. Report any situation that they consider poses a serious or imminent danger
      
   5. Report any situation where they consider the controls in place to fail to reduce risks to an acceptable level
4. This policy is reviewed annually and updated as necessary.  It was last reviewed in January 2013.