Health & Safety Policy

Our Company is dedicated to protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of all employees. To fulfil this commitment, we implement and maintain systems and procedures that meet, as far as is reasonably practicable, all applicable legal health and safety requirements.

It is the responsibility of each employee to familiarise themselves and comply with the Company’s procedures and systems on health and safety.

While the Company upholds its obligation to provide a safe working environment, each employee has a personal duty to maintain workplace safety. Employees must exercise reasonable care for their own well-being and that of others and must report any circumstances that could present a serious or imminent risk.

Should an employee be unsure about the safety of a task or equipment, they must promptly inform their line manager, a designated safety representative, or the appointed safety officer. Alternatively, concerns can be raised formally through the Company’s grievance process or via the Whistleblowing Policy.

Disciplinary action under the Company’s disciplinary procedure may be taken against any employee who violates health and safety rules and procedures or who fails to perform their duties under health and safety legislation. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, this may constitute gross misconduct and lead to dismissal without notice.

The Company aims to create and sustain a work environment that minimises incidents and occupational health issues by:

1. Keeping the workplace in a safe condition and ensuring suitable welfare provisions are available.
2. Providing safe access and exit routes throughout the premises.
3. Ensuring all equipment and working systems are maintained in a safe condition.
4. Managing the safe use, storage, and transport of materials and substances.
5. Supplying adequate training, instructions, and supervision to safeguard everyone at work.

We are also committed to safeguarding the health and safety of visitors, including contractors, temporary workers, and any members of the public who may be impacted by our operations.

Organisation of Health and Safety

The Company’s Board carries ultimate responsibility for ensuring health and safety policies are upheld. Operational oversight is handled by Mark Macpherson, our appointed Safety Officer, who implements and monitors safety standards and reports directly to the Board. Responsibilities of the Safety Officer include workplace inspections, maintenance of safety records, and conducting incident investigations.

Training

Effective safety training is essential. All staff will receive training that enables them to perform their roles safely, including guidance on using equipment properly. Training records and schedules are available through Mark Macpherson.

Employees at Increased Risk

We understand that certain employees may be at greater risk due to health conditions or other personal circumstances. Employees must inform their line manager if their situation changes — for example, pregnancy, medication, illness, or disability — that might increase their vulnerability.

First Aid and Accident Reporting

First aid kits are positioned throughout the premises. Employees will be shown where these are located and informed of the names of certified first aiders, also listed on the workplace noticeboards.

All workplace injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported to a line manager or the Safety Officer and logged in the accident book. Accurate records help monitor safety practices and identify recurring hazards. The Safety Officer reviews these records and investigates all incidents to help prevent reoccurrence.

Fire Safety

Fire is a significant workplace risk. Employees must work in a manner that reduces fire hazards and report any signs of fire, smoke, or potential fire risks — such as damaged cables — immediately.

Smoke detectors and manually operated fire alarms are located at strategic points throughout the workplace. Only trained personnel should handle fire detection or suppression systems. Fire alarms and firefighting equipment are maintained regularly under the direction of the Safety Officer.

If an alarm sounds or a fire is spotted, employees must trigger the alarm if not already activated and leave the building immediately. Fire extinguishers are located throughout the building but should only be used if it is safe to do so and would pose no threat to their personal safety. If the situation is dangerous or potentially dangerous, the employee should activate the fire alarm and evacuate the building immediately.

Fire doors and exits must always remain unblocked and never wedged open. Employees should familiarise themselves with evacuation routes and assembly points. Routine fire drills will be held to ensure emergency procedures are understood.

Emergency lighting has been installed to guide safe exit during power outages. Lifts must not be used during evacuations.

General Safety Rules

To ensure safety for everyone:

• Follow all Company safety procedures and guidelines.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions or practices.
• Avoid horseplay, practical joking, running in the workplace, or misuse of equipment or any other acts that might jeopardise the health and safety of any other person.
• You should not work if unfit to do so due to illness or fatigue if it poses a safety risk.
• Only operate electrical or mechanical equipment within your role and training.
• All waste must be disposed of carefully to as not to constitute a hazard to other workers.
• Do not attempt tasks that appear unsafe or beyond your training.
• Report all injuries to your line manager or the Safety Officer.
• All materials must be properly and safely used and when not in use properly and safely secured.
• Plan work to avoid strain or injury, especially during manual handling.
• Ensure protective guards and safety devices are properly fitted and in good working order and report immediately any defects to your line manager or Safety Officer.
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear at all times, and PPE to be work as appropriate.
• Keep work areas clean, tidy, and free from obstruction.
• Use stairs safely and never read while walking, close filing cabinet drawers when not in use and keep all floor areas free of obstruction.

Access and Movement

• Keep walkways and corridors free from obstruction.
• Any spillages in a walkway or passageway and becomes wet, should be clearly marked with a warning sign and any liquid spilt should be cleaned up immediately.
• Avoid trailing cables across walkways or passageways.
• Store items safely to avoid sharp or protruding hazards jutting out into the passageway.
• Pedestrian and vehicle routes should be separated where possible and marked accordingly.

Tools and Equipment

• Only trained and authorised staff may use company machinery, tools or equipment.
• Always inspect equipment before use to ensure it is in a good and safe condition; any tools or equipment which are defective must be reported immediately.
• Store tools safely when not in use.
• No tool should be used without the manufacturer’s recommended shields, guards or attachments.
• Personal Protective Equipment must be properly used where appropriate.
• When using machine tools, avoid loose clothing, jewellery or long hair when operating machines for your own and anyone else’s safety.
• Never misuse any tool or equipment or use it for any purpose other than its intended purpose.

Manual Handling

• Use mechanical devices to lift or move objects rather than manual handling wherever reasonably practicable.
• Any load to be lifted or moved must be inspected for sharp edges and wet patches.
• Wear gloves when handling hazardous materials or moving a load which has sharp or splintered edges.
• Ensure the route over which the load is to be lifted should be inspected to ensure it is free from obstruction.
• Do not lift items beyond your capability — seek help if needed to avoid any danger of strain.
• When lifting an object off the ground, employees should assume a squatting position, keeping your back straight. The load should be lifted by straightening your knees, not your back.
• Use a stool or step-ladder for items out of reach. You should never use chairs or any makeshift device for climbing and should never climb up on the shelves
  themselves.