Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles, responsibilities, and standards that support a safe, healthy, and well-managed working environment. It applies to all employees, contractors, visitors, and any other person affected by our activities. The aim is to prevent injuries, reduce risks, and promote wellbeing through clear procedures, responsible behaviour, and continuous improvement.

We believe that an effective health and safety policy is more than a document; it is a practical commitment to identifying hazards, controlling risks, and maintaining safe conditions. Every person has a role to play in supporting safe work practices, reporting concerns early, and following established rules. By working together, we can create a workplace where safety is part of everyday decision-making.

Our approach is based on the principle that hazards should be eliminated where possible and, where not possible, controlled through suitable measures. This includes assessing tasks before they begin, ensuring equipment is suitable and maintained, and providing staff with the information needed to work safely. We also recognise that health and safety management must address both physical safety and occupational wellbeing, including fatigue, stress, and other factors that affect performance.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Management holds overall responsibility for implementing this health and safety policy, allocating resources, and reviewing performance regularly. Leaders must set a positive example, ensure safe systems of work are in place, and respond promptly to identified issues. Safety objectives should be realistic, measurable, and aligned with everyday operations so that responsibilities are clear at every level.

Employees are expected to take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of others. This includes using equipment correctly, following instructions, wearing required protective items, and reporting hazards, incidents, or near misses without delay. A strong safety culture depends on openness, respect, and a willingness to act before harm occurs.

Contractors and third parties must also comply with this policy and any site-specific procedures that apply to their work. Before any task begins, risks should be reviewed and controlled, particularly where activities involve machinery, manual handling, electrical sources, working at height, or hazardous substances. Supervision should be proportionate to the level of risk, and any deviation from normal practice should be assessed in advance.

Risk Management and Safe Systems

Risk assessment is central to our health and safety policy. We will identify foreseeable hazards, evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm, and implement suitable controls to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Where necessary, we will revise work methods, improve layouts, introduce barriers or alarms, and provide additional training or supervision.

Safe systems of work should be documented when tasks carry significant risk. These systems may include clear steps for preparation, execution, monitoring, and completion of work, as well as emergency arrangements. Equipment should be inspected and maintained in accordance with manufacturer guidance and internal schedules, while unsafe items must be removed from use until repaired or replaced.

Training and communication are essential to making the health and safety policy effective. Workers should receive information relevant to their role and practical instruction where needed. Refresher learning, toolbox talks, and short safety briefings help reinforce expectations and ensure that lessons from incidents are shared. Safety messages should be clear, concise, and consistent across the organisation.

Health, Welfare, and Incident Response

We are committed to protecting physical health as well as wellbeing. This includes supporting ergonomic work practices, encouraging regular breaks where appropriate, managing exposure to noise, dust, heat, or other harmful conditions, and promoting an environment that respects mental health. A healthy workplace is one where people can raise concerns and seek support without hesitation.

Any incident, accident, or near miss must be reported, recorded, and investigated in a timely manner. The purpose of investigation is not to assign blame, but to understand causes and prevent recurrence. Corrective actions may include changes to procedures, additional training, maintenance improvements, or revised supervision. Findings should be communicated where relevant so that learning is shared.

Emergency preparedness is also a key part of the health and safety management approach. Appropriate arrangements should be in place for fire, medical emergencies, evacuation, and other foreseeable events. Staff must know how to raise an alarm, how to exit safely, and what to do if an incident occurs. Regular checks and drills help ensure these arrangements remain effective.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

We will monitor the performance of this health and safety policy through inspections, audits, incident reviews, and routine checks. Monitoring should focus not only on whether procedures exist, but on whether they are being followed and whether they continue to control risk effectively. Where weaknesses are found, action will be taken promptly and tracked to completion.

Review is necessary whenever there are significant changes to activities, equipment, staffing, or work conditions. The policy should also be examined after serious incidents or where repeated problems suggest that current controls are not sufficient. This health and safety policy is intended to be living guidance, updated as our operations and risks evolve.

Everyone is encouraged to contribute to continuous improvement by sharing observations, raising concerns, and supporting practical solutions. A strong safety culture grows when people feel responsible for one another and when safe behaviour is recognised as a normal expectation. With clear standards, steady leadership, and active participation, we can maintain a workplace that is safe, healthy, and resilient.