Health & Safety

Health and Safety Policy Statement

This Health and Safety Policy Statement recognises CG Electrical Equipment Testing obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act1974. CG Electrical Equipment Testing fully accepts their obligations and responsibilities, which will be achieved by:

· Meeting its responsibilities as an employer to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to health.
· Providing and maintaining safe working environments that are without risks to health, safety and welfare. Limiting adverse effects on and adjacent to the area in which those activities are carried out.
· Ensuring all employees play an active part in the health and safety of CG Electrical Equipment Testing by consulting with them and providing them with adequate information, instruction, training and supervision for them to understand their role within CG Electrical Equipment Testing.
· Setting standards that comply with the relevant statutory requirements relating to health, safety and welfare with regard to the effect on employees, contractors, visitors and the public.
· Safeguard employees and others from foreseeable hazards connected with work activities, processes and working systems.
· Ensuring that hazardous areas are kept secure from the public, employees or contractors not required to enter them.
· Ensuring that when new substances, plant, machinery, equipment, processes or premises are introduced, adequate guidance, instruction, training and supervision are provided for safe methods of work to be developed.
· Ensuring that all plant and equipment is maintained in a safe condition and is subject to routine and statutory inspections and examinations.
· Ensuring that contractors undertaking work for CG Electrical Equipment Testing are informed of the relevant standards required and are monitored to ensure compliance without detracting from the contractors legal responsibilities to comply with statutory requirements.
· Provide adequate resources to comply with statutory requirements with regards to the health, safety and welfare of all those affected by its activities.

Employees are required to cooperate with CG Electrical Equipment Testing not only to ensure their personal safety, but also to ensure they are not prosecuted for breach of legislation or have disciplinary action taken against them by CG Electrical Equipment Testing for breach of Company rules.
CG Electrical Equipment Testing will communicate the Health and Safety Policy to all employees, and it will be freely available to customers, shareholders and the general public.
This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as required to conform to current legislation. This Policy, supported by Instructions, Procedures and Organisational Arrangements, is to be applied to all activities carried out by CG Electrical Equipment Testing.
The Business Owner is personally responsible for the health and safety performance of CG Electrical Equipment Testing and signs this policy statement in acknowledgement of this.

Business Owner: Date:
Chris Harding 4th March 2025


Organisation for Health & Safety
General Organisation

Arrangements for health, safety and welfare will be organised by CG Electrical Equipment Testing.
The Business Owner has overall responsibility for health and safety.
The Business Owner who are responsible for monitoring CG Electrical Equipment Testing’s Health and Safety Policy and for dealing with related health, safety, and welfare issues. constructive suggestions to improve health, safety, and welfare throughout CG Electrical Equipment Testing are welcomed from any employee and should be forwarded to their supervisor.

General Responsibilities
The owner and management are responsible for the implementation of CG Electrical Equipment Testing Health and Safety policy and determining CG Electrical Equipment Testing policies on health, safety, and welfare matters, including revision of this Policy.

All employees are expected to set a personal example and take reasonable care for the health, safety, and welfare of themselves and of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees who are responsible for supervision are expected to promote and encourage health and safety awareness in employees under their control. These supervisors, supported by The Business Owner and will monitor compliance with the requirements and provide advice on health, safety, and welfare matters.

All employees should be made aware of and have up to date knowledge of the legislation, best practice, and equipment relevant to their work activities.

Responsibility for Health and Safety
Business Owner
Main Duties and Responsibilities.

· To formulate CG Electrical Equipment Testing Health and Safety policy and organise all revisions to it and ensure that the contents of the policy are circulated as appropriate to all employees.
· To arrange for sufficient funds and resources to meet the requirements of the policy.
· To ensure that all levels of staff receive appropriate and adequate training, and each employee has the opportunity to contribute to discussions on health and safety
· To ensure all employees discharge their duties and responsibilities satisfactorily and to take the necessary action if any employee fails in his or her duty.
· To encourage all employees to work in a safe manner at all times and to set a good personal example.
· To provide and ensure preventative maintenance of plant, equipment and places of work that are safe when in use.
· To arrange for procedures to be implemented for the carrying out of risk assessments and the formulations of safe working procedures; recording of these assessments and procedures and ensure that employees are made aware of them.
· To ensure the provision in tenders, and other preparatory procedures, for adequate safe working methods.
· To ensure that procedures are implemented that assures employees exposure to harmful substances is reduced or eliminated in line with the Control of

Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002
· To provide all specialist health and safety advice on all aspects of CG Electrical Equipment Testing activities.
· To provide regular visits to all notified sites and premises belonging to, or worked on, by CG Electrical Equipment Testing.
· To formally advise CG Electrical Equipment Testing of all new legislation and any changes to current legislation and offer advice and assistance on the implementation of the same.
· To liaise with the enforcing authority, client, and client’s representative on matters of health and safety.
· To recommend and monitor safety training requirements and to arrange, upon request, such training.
· The identification of hazards and risks during site visits. Advise and assist in the preparation of risk assessments and the development of preventative and protective measures to combat the risks.
· Prepare reports of CG Electrical Equipment Testing health and safety performance and make available such reports for management review.
· Suspend work operations of CG Electrical Equipment Testing and/or that of contractors and subcontractors, where there is imminent risk of injury to personnel; or risk of damage to property, which has the potential to cause harm or incur an economic loss to CG Electrical Equipment Testing or insurers.

Employees
Main Duties and Responsibilities.

· Develop a personal concern for the health, safety and welfare of themselves and others and to co-operate with other persons in the provisions of safe working conditions and the observance of safe working procedures, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, other applicable legislation and this policy.
· To avoid possible damage, use only electrical equipment after being instructed in their proper use by another competent employee. Ensure all electrical appliances are switched off and plugs removed when not required, left unattended and on leaving the offices.
· Seek assistance when lifting heavy or awkward sized items, or when items are beyond your own personal ability. Ensure that you are aware of the correct methods of lifting.
· Report all accidents involving injury to persons or damage to property and other dangerous occurrences and "near misses", to the office supervisor as soon as possible after the occurrence.
· If you are a workstation user, use it as instructed to ensure you are not put at risk of injury or ill health.

Arrangements for Health and Safety

General Safety Arrangements

CG Electrical Equipment Testing is involved in several activities, a number of which are on a day-to-day basis.

A comprehensive list of common and special hazards involved with all aspects of work is included in this arrangements section.

· It is essential that a high level of housekeeping be maintained on all sites and at all premises. There is a duty on everybody to ensure that all areas are kept tidy, unneeded equipment locked up or returned to the stores, waste removed, etc. Connected with this is the requirement to maintain safe access to, and egress from, the site or premises. There must be adequate safe walkways, and these must not be obstructed with materials, rubbish, etc. Any emergency exits must be clearly marked and kept free from obstruction.
· Employees must not operate any plant, machinery or equipment unless he or she has either been fully trained on the working of the machine etc. or deemed to be competent by experience, which can be demonstrated; is fully conversant with all safety requirements and has reached the required statutory age.
· CG Electrical Equipment Testing, in conjunction other training providers, will ensure that all employees are fully trained as required and are made aware of all the requirements with regard to health and safety matters.

Risk Assessments

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations requires all employers to assess the risks to workers and any others who may be affected by their undertaking.

The risk assessment would normally involve identifying the hazards present in any operations and evaluating the extent of the risks involved with existing controls, precautions etc. being taken into account.
Risk assessments have been or will be carried out for all company general activities.
Specific risk assessments for hazardous operations are drawn up as appropriate, before the operation begins. All persons affected, or likely to be affected, by the risks detailed in the assessment, are to be made aware of its requirements together with any necessary control measures.
It is a condition of employment that control measures will be adhered to, including the wearing of all identified PPE.
Any contravention of these instructions will result in disciplinary procedures being instigated.

Contractor and subcontractor activities of a hazardous nature will require the risk assessments, COSHH assessments and safety method statements to be in the receipt of CG Electrical Equipment Testing before the work commences. Failure to produce assessments etc. will be raised prior to any start of work and adequately dealt with to ensure all necessary information is provided.

Safety Method Statements

The natural progression from risk assessments for high-risk activities is for safety method statements to be developed. These method statements are to be developed by the contracts manager/site manager, where the work activity is being undertaken by CG Electrical Equipment Testing and by the appropriate contractor where they are undertaking the work activity.

The safety method statement will form part of the overall safe system of work, which can be defined as a formal procedure which allows a specific task to be carried out safely, after a systematic examination of the task has identified and eliminated all the associated hazards, or at least minimised the risk to an acceptable level. There is a need for everyone concerned with the process to consider the following elements of the system of work:

· Task Assessment
· Hazard Identification
· Safe Methods of Work Defined
· System Implementation
· System Monitoring and Review

Each element will further sub-divide and expand, e.g. what? Who? Where? How?

To ensure that where appropriate the work has been considered in detail, properly planned and properly thought out, ASK
Who does this?
What do they do?
What hazards exist for them and others?
Is the risk significant?
What precautions will be taken?
Are there checks needed for precautions?
Who provides these?
Is training required?

Accident & Incident Reporting

All accidents resulting in physical injury, however minor, will be recorded in the Accident Book BI510 or CG Electrical Equipment Testing’s accident report form.

Where a medical certificate or other written diagnosis has been received from a doctor in respect of an employee being absent from work and the diagnosed disease is one listed under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR ), then the disease is reportable and the appropriate F2508A will be completed and sent to the Health and Safety Executive via the HSE RIDDOR website (www.hse.gov.uk/riddor ).

If the accident causes DEATH or SPECIFIED INJURY (the latter as defined by RIDDOR) the following procedures will be followed:

· The site manager/supervisor will telephone the contracts manager giving all relevant details available at the time the call is made.
· The contracts manager will contact by telephone, the local office of the Health and Safety Executive and the Business Owner and report the incident.
· In the case of death, amputation or serious fractures, the site manager/supervisor will ensure that nothing is touched at the scene of the accident before the full investigation is undertaken. With other accidents causing injury, authority will be obtained from the contracts manager before continuing to work at the site of the accident.
· CG Electrical Equipment Testing will forward the appropriate form F2508 for accidents to the Health and Safety Executive for any accident causing death, specified injury.

If any employee is absent from work for more than seven days following an accident at work, (not counting the day of the accident, but including Saturday and Sunday), the site manager/supervisor will inform the contracts manager so that appropriate report forms (F2508) can be completed and sent to the enforcing authority.

CG Electrical Equipment Testing may ask a suitable company to help with the investigation into any accident, dangerous occurrence or "near miss" and to provide a report explaining, if possible, precisely how the accident occurred and what precautions should be taken to prevent a recurrence.

Any dangerous occurrences, as defined in RIDDOR, will be relayed to the contracts manager who will ensure the appropriate F2508 is forwarded to the Health and Safety Executive.

Accident Reporting Procedure - Members of the Public

If an injury occurs to a member of the public on company sites, or workplaces under the control of CG Electrical Equipment Testing, which results in their removal from the workplace or site for hospital treatment, then this is notifiable to the local enforcing authority immediately and a form F2508 (revised) will be sent within 15 days.

The site manager/supervisor will ensure the details of the incident are reported to the contract’s manager so that the proper notification can be sent to the enforcing authority.

Emergency Procedures

· Written emergency procedures for reasonably foreseeable incidents will be prepared at all workplaces. Client’s procedures will be followed at all times.
· All employees will be informed, instructed and, where necessary, trained in the emergency procedures. These procedures will be practiced regularly, and records will be maintained.
· Appointed persons will be identified to take control in the event of an emergency incident.

Working at Height

CG Electrical Equipment Testing accepts that whenever possible, work at height WILL be avoided. To this end they will request that all items requiring PAT testing are placed at ground level by Clients.

Electrical Safety

CG Electrical Equipment Testing recognises its duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act and the Electricity at Work Regulations to maintain systems, plant and equipment which are safe to use when used correctly. Many factors can influence and affect electrical installations and equipment. Therefore, it is vital to ensure they are adequately maintained by inspection and testing as necessary.

All electrical work will be carried out in accordance with The Electricity at Work Regulations.

Asbestos

The Control of Asbestos Regulations applies to any work in which asbestos is encountered, whether intentionally or not.

It will be necessary to obtain written confirmation from clients that no asbestos contamination exists in the ground to be built on; in any building or plant to be refurbished; or any plant or building to be demolished, which may be disturbed or released by normal operations and which may release asbestos fibres in excess of permitted action levels.

Clients and Principal Designers will be questioned on the existence of current, up to date, surveys, assessments and registers indicating the presence, or not, of asbestos, unless these details are clearly identified under the contract specification.

All known and suspected sources will be clearly identified and dealt with in the Construction Phase Plan. When asbestos is present, or suspected CG Electrical Equipment Testing will gather all relevant details with relation to the work, including surveys etc. and will ensure, where appropriate that any asbestos insulation or board removal work (not cement based products) is only carried out by a competent contractor, licensed by HSE in accordance with the regulations.

Asbestos has been used in the past in the construction industry, much of which is still in place. The most common uses, and where employees are most likely to encounter asbestos, include:

· Sprayed asbestos and asbestos loose packing as firebreaks and in ceiling voids.
· Moulded or pre-formed sprayed coatings and lagging generally used for thermal insulation of pipes, boilers etc.
· Sprayed asbestos mixed with hydrated asbestos cement, generally used as fire protection in ducts, firebreaks, panels, partitions, soffit boards, ceiling panels and around structural steel work.
· Insulation boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, partitioning and ducts.
· Some ceiling tiles.
· Millboard, paper and paper products for insulation of electrical equipment, asbestos paper used for fireproof facing of wood fibreboard.
· Asbestos cement products compressed into flat or corrugated sheets. Corrugated sheets mainly used as roofing and wall cladding.
· Other asbestos cement products include gutters, rainwater pipes and water tanks.
· Various textured coatings, including in some artex.

If asbestos has been identified and you are likely to come into contact with it, you will seek advice from the site manager before proceeding with any work. If you uncover hidden material or dust you suspect may contain asbestos, you will stop work immediately and follow the emergency flow chart below (at bottom of page).


Manual Handling

Wherever possible, manual handling will be avoided by use of mechanical aids, or different work methods.

Risk Assessment

A manual-handling risk assessment will be required for all manual-handling operations where there is a foreseeable risk of injury. The site manager will carry out an assessment of any risk. Where the task involves handling material over 20 Kgs, the assessment will identify the control measures needed, which will usually involve two-man lifting and placing. Where possible the client and designer should try to avoid material of 20 Kgs and above.

Employees involved in the manual handling operation will be informed of the risk and of the control measures required to be taken by them.

For work activities where weights may be variable, such as the unloading of vehicles, employees will be advised on how to assess the manual handling risks involved and the control measures to be adopted. The site manager/supervisor are responsible for ensuring that employees have sufficient understanding of the risks of injury when handling loads of variable weight, or unpredictable loads.

The following list of weights gives the suggested action required to enable manual handling operations to be carried out safely.


LOAD ACTION

<20kg (56lbs) Within the capability of persons with no known medical condition
20-34kg (56-75lbs) Training required in order to assess any lifting problems.
May require 2 person lifting
34-50kg (75-112lbs) Training required on specific techniques - including shape and design criteria. May require 2 people lifting
50-90kg (112-200lbs) Mechanical lifting desirable
>90kg (200lbs) Mechanical handling usually required

When carrying out manual handling assessments, the criteria shown below will be considered;


THE TASKS THE LOADS

Do they involve: Are they:

· Holding loads away from the trunk? Heavy?
· Twisting? Bulky/unwieldy?
· Stooping? Difficult to grasp?
· Large vertical movements? Intrinsically harmful?
(Sharp/hot/cold)
· Strenuous pushing or pulling?
· Long distances?
· Unpredictable movement of loads?
· Repetitive handling?
· Insufficient rest or recovery?
· A work rate imposed by an activity?

THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT INDIVIDUAL CAPABILITY AND OTHER FACTORS
Are there:

· Constraints on posture? Unusual capability
· Poor floors/ground conditions
· Variations in levels? Any health conditions,
back problems, etc
· Hot/cold/humid conditions?
· Strong air movements?
· Poor visibility conditions?

Lifting Practice

The following precautions shall be taken when lifting:

· Stand firmly - close to load. Feet about 300mm (12") apart with one foot slightly ahead of the other
· With the back straight - bend the knees.
· Obtain a firm diagonal grip. Keep load close to body.
· Lift up by straightening legs and move off.
· When lowering load keep the back straight and bend the legs.
· Avoid trapping fingers by placing the load askew on suitable packing. Wear gloves whenever possible. These will not prevent you trapping your fingers, but they do reduce the severity of the injury if you do.

Working Alone

CG Electrical Equipment Testing will so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure all operatives and employees who are required to work alone or unsupervised for significant periods of time, are protected from risks to their health and safety. Measures will also be taken to ensure other persons who may be affected by the work are also protected.

An assessment of the risks will be undertaken by the contract’s manager, by virtue of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, to identify the hazards and to determine whether unaccompanied persons can carry out the work safely.

Consideration will be given to:

· The remoteness or isolation of the place of work.
· Means of communication e.g. two-way radio, mobile telephone, regular visits by a competent person, and other means of summoning assistance or raising the alarm.
· Violence or criminal activity by third parties and other interference.
· Foreseeable “worst case” scenario, including the provision for the treatment of injuries e.g. first aid kit and availability of a first aider.
· Employee suitability, including training requirements, experience, medical fitness, etc.
· Suitability and quality of tools, plant and equipment.
· Availability and quality of personal protective equipment required.
· Levels of supervision required before operatives and employees are deemed to be competent to carry out the work and levels of supervision can be relaxed.

Any personnel who may be required to work alone, or unsupervised, will be given the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to enable them to identify the hazards and appreciate the risks involved.

All employees are required to co-operate with these procedures to ensure safe working and will report any concerns to their supervisor immediately.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

CG Electrical Equipment Testing will provide all direct employees with the necessary protective equipment and clothing as required by regulations, and as identified by risk assessments. Subcontract labour are required to provide their own PPE. Employees are reminded of their statutory duty to use the equipment and clothing in the correct manner, and to take care of it, reporting its loss or damage to it immediately. Disciplinary action may be taken against employees who fail to take care of the equipment and clothing or fail to use the equipment/clothing once it is provided.

Head Protection

Safety helmets will be provided to all direct employees and visitors who work on or visit construction sites. These will be worn in accordance with company policy.

Eye Protection

Eye protection will be provided as necessary or when identified by the risk assessment. The type provided will largely depend upon the work activity, but should be worn when using power tools such as grinders, drills and Stihl saws etc. Certain chemicals used on site will require eye protection. They shall be provided in accordance with the COSHH assessments.

Hearing Protection

Hearing protection will be provided to employees who are exposed to levels of noise, which may cause hearing damage, and which cannot be reduced by other means. Special attention will be given to young persons. A detailed risk assessment of noise exposure will be required where noise levels are likely to exceed the lower exposure action value of 80dB (A).

Site manager/supervisor and employees will know when the noise levels are too high, but as a rough guide if you find it necessary to raise your voice to be heard when only 2 metres apart, then the noise level is above 80 dB (A) and protection should be worn. If you must raise your voice to be heard when only one metre apart, then the noise level is above 85 dB (A) and hearing protection shall be provided.

Hand Protection

Gloves to protect the hands from either hazardous substances or during handling operations will be provided when identified during the COSHH or risk assessment. Typical activities where gloves will be worn are during the handling of heavy, sharp or rough objects and the use of chemicals. The type of gloves shall be selected based on the risk assessment results i.e. cut resistant, impervious.

Respiratory Protection

Employees shall consult with the site manager/supervisor, who will advise them on the correct type of respirator to be used for a specific task. However, as a general guide meeting the requirements of EN149 – FFP3 should be suitable for most work activities where protection against construction dusts is required. However, if there is any doubt as to the suitability of the respirator the site manager shall contact Business Owner.

All tight fitting RPE must be fit tested by a competent person to ensure an adequate seal around the mask. The test will be repeated should the shape of the persons face change for any reason (weight loss or gain, dental work etc) or every 2 years to comply with HSE Guidance.

Safety Footwear

Safety footwear, including Wellington boots, will be provided free of charge to employees where it has clearly been identified as required in the risk assessment. Employees are again reminded that they will take care of the equipment provided. Where negligence is found, disciplinary action will be taken.