Health and Safety Policy

1. Policy Statement
Paving Fields is committed to ensuring the highest standards of health, safety, and welfare for all employees, subcontractors, and the public while carrying out groundwork and highway maintenance activities. We recognize our responsibility to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries, and ill-health by maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and systems of work.

2. Responsibilities
- Managing Director: Has ultimate responsibility for health and safety within the company, ensuring that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy effectively.
- Supervisors and Site Managers: Must ensure that all safety procedures are followed on-site, conduct regular site inspections, and report any hazards or incidents.
- Employees and Subcontractors: Must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions, and comply with all company policies, procedures, and training provided.

3. Risk Assessment and Management
- Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with highway maintenance activities.
- Implement appropriate control measures to eliminate or reduce risks to an acceptable level.
- Review and update risk assessments periodically or whenever there are significant changes in work practices or conditions.

4. Safe Systems of Work
- Develop and maintain safe systems of work for all activities, including excavation, trenching, heavy lifting, and use of machinery.
- Ensure all employees are trained in these safe systems and understand their roles and responsibilities.

5. Training and Competence
- Provide comprehensive training to all employees and subcontractors on health and safety practices, including working on highways, manual handling, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency procedures.
- Maintain records of all training provided and ensure refresher training is conducted as necessary.

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Provide appropriate PPE to all employees and subcontractors, including high-visibility clothing, hard hats, safety boots, gloves, and eye protection.
- Ensure PPE is worn at all times on-site and that it is maintained in good condition.

7. Emergency Procedures
- Follow the council-supplied emergency procedures for all sites, including procedures for fire, accidents, and incidents involving hazardous materials.
- Ensure that all employees and subcontractors are familiar with these emergency procedures.

8. Incident Reporting and Investigation
- Report all accidents, incidents, and near misses immediately to the council-supplied Health and Safety Officer.
- Cooperate with investigations to determine the root cause and assist in implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

9. Monitoring and Review
- Conduct regular site inspections and audits to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
- Review and update this policy annually or whenever there are significant changes in legislation, work practices, or company structure.

10. Public Safety
- Ensure that all work sites are adequately secured to prevent unauthorized access.
- Erect appropriate signage and barriers to warn the public of potential hazards.
- Minimize disruption to traffic and pedestrian flow by following approved traffic management plans.

11. Continuous Improvement
Paving Fields is committed to continuously improving its health and safety performance by setting clear objectives, monitoring performance, and engaging with employees and other stakeholders to identify areas for improvement.

Signed:
Ellis Genge  
Managing Director, Paving Fields  
Date: 12/09/2024