TMS Health & Safety Policy

The Directors of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd are committed to progressive improvement in health, safety and welfare standards and will conduct its undertakings accordingly.

It is the policy of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd:

(a) To pursue high standards of health, safety and welfare as an integral part of the efficient management of the business and to ensure that decisions and other priorities take proper account of health and safety requirements;

(b) To safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all its operatives while at work, and to provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, working environments which are safe and without risk to health;

(c) To conduct its undertakings in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that people not in its employment, but who may be affected, are not exposed to risks to their health and safety;

The Directors of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd have overall responsibility for this policy, which will be revised when appropriate.

The Directors of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd will be responsible for monitoring the performance of their Company on health and safety issues and making recommendations for improvements.

Safety procedures for all sub-contractors when carrying out work for TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd:
(With exemption certificates or using sc60 scheme)

All sub-contractors must follow the correct safety procedures.
Each have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of any other who may be affected by their acts or omissions; also to comply with the health and safety policy of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd and to co-operate with others to enable all to carry out their duties safely.

Individuals must adhere to all legislation covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Factories Act 1961; including the legislation covering the prohibition of children (under 16 years old) working in industrial activities, or their being brought on to site.

As a sub-contractor you must be competent to carry out the service you provide, to use the materials, tools, operate machinery and plant required safely, all to the suppliers, manufactures instructions and health and safety requirement’s, in a manner not to prejudice the health and safety of yourself or others.

Whilst on site you must abide by all the health, safety and welfare instructions and regulations provided by the main contractor.

You should be aware of notices displayed within the workplace, offering information and advice.

You should observe all warning notices and instructions received relative to site and personal behaviour.

Risk assessments and method statements must be strictly adhered to at all times.

Reporting accidents
All accidents must be immediately reported to the site management and recorded in the site Accident Book and to a Director of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd as soon as practicable for recording.

Safe environment
To maintain a safe environment you must ensure that no waste materials or timber with protruding nails is left lying around but remove it to a safe place for disposal in either a dedicated area or skip.

· Protect stairs and landings with suitable handrails etc.

- Floors and gangways should be kept clean, dry and not slippery.

· Materials being used by you must be stacked or positioned in a correct manner and always left secure. Stack, Store and handle materials safely.

Welfare
Shared welfare arrangements have been agreed with the main contractor and these should be made use of. Always wash hands thoroughly before meals.

Fitness for work
If you have an illness or are receiving medication that prevents or inhibits your ability to perform the job satisfactorily then you must inform a Director of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd immediately.

Medication and alcohol
Medication albeit on prescription or otherwise which may affect work, for example drowsiness, must be notified. The intake of alcohol is strictly prohibited. Even slight intoxication can lead to loss of concentration and can result in serious injury either to yourself, or more importantly others, through the improper use of machinery or vehicles. The same applies to all definitions of drugs.

Special hazards
Chemicals can have serious long-term affects on health; therefore whenever chemicals are used (example solvents paints preservatives etc.,) ensure that the manufacturers health and safety instructions and the main contractor’s C.O.S.H.H. assessments and recommendations are adhered to. If required wear the correct protective clothing as advised and always wash hands thoroughly after.

If any chemical spills occur ensure that they are correctly cleaned up, as danger through the vapour during evaporation will be present in some cases.

Respirators must be worn in any areas containing a dusty atmosphere; these must comply with H.S.E. approved standards. You may not feel at risk but the dust from hard wood is known to have caused nasal cancer, so be warned.

If concerned about any hazard contact a Director of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd

Materials containing asbestos must not be handled or the dust inhaled and the existence of said substance must immediately be reported to a Director of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd as it is the company policy not to undertake work involving asbestos materials of any sort.

Any health and safety instructions about materials to be used must be adhered to. If in doubt contact a Director of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd

Machinery
Check that all machinery has the required safety guards, if not do not use it. All hand powered tools, lighting and leads etc., must be in good working order and maintained to meet current safety standards.

Never operate any machinery, for example, dumpers, forklifts, cranes, cartridge tools, disc cutters, grinding machines etc., unless you are authorised to do so and are a trained person with a valid Certificate of Competence.

· Only a power supply not exceeding 110 volts is permitted.

· Checklist to follow for manual handling of machinery or materials: -

· Avoid hazardous manual handling operations where reasonably practicable. Consider whether the load must be moved at all. And if it must, whether it can be moved mechanically, for example, by forklift truck.

Correct lifting techniques
(Only attempt to lift items within your personal safe working limit.)

(1) Do not lift in jerky movements, twisting the body may cause injury.
(2) Always lift in stages, floor to knee, then from knee to carrying
position. Reverse this when setting the load down.
(3) Hold heavy weights close to the body taking the strain on the legs
and keeping the back straight.
(4) Grip loads with palms, not fingertips and do not change grip whilst
carrying.
(5) Always ensure that you have a clear view and that the route to be
taken is clear of obstructions or any gaps or voids though the floor.

Repetitive incorrect lifting can damage limbs or the back. Don’t strain, take a short break from continuous activity.


Protective equipment
Safety helmets and safety footwear to comply with current regulations must be worn at all times.

Depending on the nature of the work eye protectors, ear defenders, gloves or any other stated protective equipment/clothing must be used. All sub-contractors will be responsible for supplying personal protective equipment for themselves and their employees.

Ladders and scaffolding
Any overhead cables in or near the working area must be made safe by the relevant authority before ascending ladders or scaffolding.

Check ladders regularly for defects.
When in use always ensure that the ladder is firmly secured and that the ladder extends to at least one metre above the landing place or the highest rung in use, unless there is a suitable handhold to provide equivalent support.

Ladders and steps should be free from obstruction at the base area.

Ladders should be pitched out from the building or scaffold etc. to an angle as near to 4 to 1 as possible and pitched plumb in the other plane, either with a levelling device or prepared base.

Only one person allowed on a ladder at a time. Ladders must not be used to transport heavy plant or materials.

The main use of ladders is for access only but some light work may be carried out for short duration’s.

Do not under any circumstances alter or adapt scaffolding. You could be leading someone else into danger who does not know that alterations have been made.

If any alterations are needed in order to carry out a particular job the site Manager must be contacted. No person other than a competent scaffolder is permitted to erect, alter, dismantle or otherwise interfere with any scaffold.

Working at height
Should you at any time be instructed to work on scaffolding or a structure you consider not to be safe you must refuse to do so and inform a Director of TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd immediately.

Before working at height you must assess the risks
(1) To yourself
(2) To others

Should any exist the site management must be informed and action taken before commencement of works.

Damage to services
The position of concealed services (gas and electricity etc.,) must be established prior to commencement of work, should a service be damaged site management must be informed immediately.

Misconduct
Misconduct such as non compliance with this safety policy, drugs or alcohol abuse, unauthorised driving of vehicles, unauthorised operation of plant or machinery, smoking in non smoking areas, unauthorised removal of materials from site, non compliance with instructions regarding health and safety from site Management, Safety Officer, Factory Inspector etc., verbal abuse to site Management, Safety Officer, Factory Inspector etc., Could effect your suitability to carry out work for this company in the future.

Induction
Before any person may enter site or start any work for TEIGNMOUTH MARITIME SERVICES Ltd they must confirm in writing to have received and read a copy of this document.