Agency safety Induction

By signing into site you are confirming that you are fit and able to work and are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It also confirms that you have received full instruction of your duties for the day. You understand that it is your responsibility to maintain the Health and Safety of yourself and others and will abide by all aspects of the Companies Health & Safety Policy.

Manual Handling Guidance MUST be adhered to - DON'T attempt to lift anything heavy or awkward, use the Loading Shovel and work in pairs. DO NOT walk directly behind or in front of any Plant or Heavy Goods Vehicles whilst they are moving. Keep away from the rear of Heavy Goods Vehicles when they are tipping. The use of Mobile Phones for Calls or Messages is NOT PERMITTED in the Waste Recycling Facility. DO NOT climb onto any of the equipment unless authorised to do so and only then when the Equipment is locked out.

The most significant aspect to consider when manual handling is the prevention of back injury as a result of incorrect lifting techniques. Sprains and strains are a major cause for lost-time accidents in the industry. Back injuries can be very painful and could mean you never work again.

• Never attempt to lift a weight that is beyond your physical ability; ask for help.
• Organize your work to minimise the amount of lifting necessary; use mechanical aids wherever possible.
• Plan what you are about to do in your mind before you start the lift.
• Protect your hands by using gloves at all times.
• When objects have sharp edges, plant and machinery should only be used to move.
• Wear safety boots at all times.
• Poor body mechanics and bad lifting habits usually 'trigger' a back injury, and are more likely to do so if a person's overall physical condition is poor. Remember these techniques which help to evade injury.
• Avoid using fast, jerking motions when lifting.
• Avoid bending and twisting at the same time.
• Avoid handling a load too far away. Keep the load close to your body.
• Lift with the legs and keep the back straight.
• Grip with the palms of the hands, not the fingertips. Do not change your grip whilst carrying the load.
• Lift in simple stages from floor to knee, then from knee to carrying position. Reverse this method when setting the load down.
• Teamwork - If the load is too heavy, two or more persons should carry the load

The major hazards to consider when working in an elevated position are:

• Falling and dropping objects onto people below. When it is necessary to work at height. ensure that any precautions are taken to prevent anyone falling and to prevent anything being dislodged or dropped onto anyone below. Falls are a common cause of both fatal and serious injuries within our industry. Work at heights is safe providing you use a proper means of access and take the necessary precautions to prevent falling.
• Never climb the structure of the plant
• Never use the bucket of a loading shovel or the forks of a forklift truck as a means of access
• Never work at any place unless there is safe footing, or at any place from which you could fail a distance that could cause harm. Always consider the use of handrails and toe boards, fencing and other equivalent protection. Also, ensure you are wearing a safety harness attached to a suitable ancher point. Remember that you must be trained and authorised to wear any harness
• DO NOT attempt any form of work at height in the vicinity of overhead electricity cables without
  the written authorisation of your manager
• DO NOT attempt to operate any form of mobile access platforms unless you are trained and have been authorised by the manager to do so
• DO NOT use a 'bosun's chair' suspended from a crane under any circumstances other than the written authorisation of the manager.
  ASK FOR ADVICE FROM YOUR SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER IF YOU REQUIRE ACCESS TO A POSITION WHERE THERE IS NO SAFE WORKING PLATFORM.

Before work begins on any part of plant or machinery, it must: be ISOLATED AND LOCKED OFF. WITH THE KEY REMOVED. YOU SHOULD:

• ENSURE that all stored energy is safely released before working on equipment (moving parts or equipment is chocked or safely secured)
• ALWAYS use an isolator for protection. Do not rely on stop buttons or trip wire switches which are control circuits (they do not isolate the main power supply). Remember that equipment may start immediately after a local isolator is closed
• NEVER isolate a drive if it is running; use a stop button first
• ALWAYS check that the lock-off is effective by attempting to start all equipment that has been locked off before starting any work on it
• ALWAYS remove the control panel key to lock off where there is any possibility that more than one person may work on the equipment.
• KEEP the key in your possession until you have finished or completed work on the equipment
• ALWAYS isolate every relevant drive with a Stop button and or trip wire.
• REMEMBER that you are responsible for ensuring that the equipment is safe to run if you have the key
• CHECK, before inserting the key, that:
  • Moving parts are free and clear to run
  • Guards have been properly fixed
  • Stop buttons and trip wires are reset
  • All persons are clear of the danger area
• ADVISE the plant operator before a machine is isolated and after the key has been removed
• NEVER give the key to someone else to lock off for you
• CHECK that al employees are back at their workstations and are aware the equipment is due to start

1. Introduction

Bil Dyson Skip Hire & Waste Management Ltd is committed to providing a safe, healthy and productive working environment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors involved in its operation. This policy sets out the company's aims in reducing and managing alcohol and drug problems in the workplace. Alcohol and drug problems are prevalent in society and are associated with a wide variety of costs for both employers and employees. These costs include ill-health sickness absence, reduced work performance and accidents. The consumption of alcohol and drugs has implications for health and safety at work since these substances impair coordination, judgment and decision-making.

2. Policy Aims and Objectives

Aim

To clearly state the company's position on alcohol and drugs within the workplace.

Objectives

1. To ensure the company complies with appropriate legislation
2. To minimise the risks associated with alcohol and drugs in the workplace
3. To have clear rules regarding alcohol and drugs in the workplace
4. To encourage the early identification of employees who may be experiencing alcohol or drug problems

3. Definitions

Alcohol problem - An alcohol problem is defined as any drinking, either intermittent or continual which interferes with a person's health and/or social functioning and/or work capability or conduct.

Drugs - Any drug, whether illegal, prescribed or over the counter or solvents such as glue, butane, etc. In the case of prescribed and over the counter drugs, their possession and use by the employee is acknowledged as legitimate.

Drug problem - The use of illegal drugs, the deliberate use of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs (when not for a medical condition) and the use of solvents, either intermittent or continual which interferes with a person's health and/or social functioning and/or work capability or conduct.

4. Legal 

4.1 The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and others who may be affected by their activities, as far as is reasonably practicable.

4.2 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers to carry out a risk assessment to identify hazards in the workplace and put measures in place to minimise these risks.

4.3 The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) is the main legislation covering drugs and categorises them as classes A, B and C. These drugs are called controlled substances and class A drugs are considered to be the most harmful under this act. It is illegal for anyone, whether at work or not to produce, supply or be in possession of illegal drugs. Employees may be liable if they knowingly allow dispensing, manufacturing, possession, use or selling on their premises.

5. Policy Rules

5.1 The company requires all employees to report for duty free from the effects of alcohol and drugs. It is not acceptable to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at work or consume alcohol or drugs during hours of work - this includes paid and unpaid breaks.

5.2 Employees found in possession of illegal drugs or using illegal drugs whilst at work will be reported to the police and dismissed.

6. Implementation of the Policy

6.1 Identification of a problem
Alcohol and drug problems may become apparent through several means, for example the following (particularly in combination) may result in a problem being suspected: Persistent short-term absence/Unauthorised absence/Poor timekeeping/Reduced work performance/Poor working relationships/Deterioration in appearance.

However, it must be remembered that these factors can have a number of other causes. Employees experiencing alcohol or drug problems may first become apparent to their colleagues. If a member of staff suspects an alcohol or drug problem in a colleague, they should either:

Encourage the person to seek help from support agencies or report the matter to a manager (particularly if the person is involved in a safety critical job).

Very serious incidents such as violence at work while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or dealing illegal drugs at work will be deemed serious misconduct justifying dismissal.

7. Monitoring and Review

7.1 This policy will take effect from 1* April 2017.

7.2 The Directors are responsible for monitoring how this policy works in practice.

7.3 If employees have concerns about this policy, they can be raised with the Directors

7.4 This policy wil be reviewed in 12 months.

Weil's disease is also known as Leptospirosis. The disease enters the body through breaks in the skin, and through the lining of the mouth and nose. It is caused by contact with water contaminated by the urine of rats and other small mammals such as mice and voles. It begins as a mild illness that can be easily cured if treated early enough. If left untreated, it becomes more serious and can be fatal. The problem is that the initial symptoms are very similar to flu symptoms so it is possible that you could ignore them, or be treated for the wrong illness. People who may come into contact with contaminated water are at risk of contracting Leptospirosis. Those who regularly work in near water are particularly at risk, such as those engaged in: 

• Work on sewers and other drainage systems
• Work on canals and similar conservation projects, or
• Work in tunneling.
• Work in waste recycling.
• Do not encourage the presence of vermin. Carefully dispose of waste food especially on sites that are wet or adjacent to rivers and lakes, etc.
• Do not handle the carcasses of dead rats or other small mammals.
• If you are at risk, cover all cuts and abrasions with a waterproof dressing and wear appropriate protective clothing.
• Always practice good hygiene by washing hands on a regular basis. This may also be extended to work clothes. ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES
• If you frequently work near water, carry a card or tag saying that you may be at risk of catching the disease.
• Be aware that you can catch the disease if you get water in your mouth and nose after falling in.
• See your doctor immediately if you think you are infected. If you have flu-like symptoms after falling into water that may be contaminated, then contact your doctor.