Health & Safety

1. About this policy

1.1 This policy sets out Art History Link-Up’s (“AHLU”) arrangements for ensuring that AHLU meets its health and safety obligations to staff and anyone visiting our premises or affected by our work. The Trustees and the CEO have overall responsibility for health and safety and the operation of this policy.

1.2 AHLU aims to provide a safe and healthy working and learning environment for students, staff, Trustees, volunteers and visitors.

1.3 The arrangements outlined in this health and safety policy (the “Policy”) and the various other safety provisions made by the Trustees and the CEO cannot prevent accidents. The CEO and Trustees believe that only the adoption of safe methods of work and good practice by every individual can ensure everyone’s personal health and safety. The CEO and Trustees will take all reasonable steps to identify and reduce hazards to a minimum but all staff, volunteers and students must appreciate that their own safety and that of others also depends on their individual conduct and vigilance while taking part in AHLU-related activities.

2. DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND CEO

2.1 In the discharge of their duty the Trustees, in consultation with the CEO, will:

a) make themselves familiar with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and any other health and safety legislation and codes of practices which are relevant to the work of AHLU, in particular the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No. 2051);

b) ensure that the Policy effectively supports the provision of health and safety;

c) identify and evaluate all risks relating to:

1. Accidents,
2. health, and
3. AHLU-related activities;

d) identify and evaluate risk control measures in order to select the most appropriate means of minimising risk to students, volunteers, staff and others.

2.2 In particular the Trustees and the CEO undertake to provide:

a) a safe place for students, volunteers and staff to work including safe means of entry and exit;

b) safe and healthy working conditions which take account of all appropriate;

• statutory requirements,
• codes of practice whether statutory or advisory, and
• guidance whether statutory or advisory;

c) supervision, training and instruction so that all students, volunteers and staff can perform their activities in a healthy and safe manner. Wherever training is required by statute or considered necessary for the safety of students, staff and others then the Trustees and the CEO will ensure that such training is provided. Students will receive such training as is considered appropriate to the activities which they are carrying out. All training will be regularly updated.

2.3 So far as is reasonably practicable the Trustees will provide adequate resources to implement this Policy, making arrangements for all categories of staff, including temporary and voluntary staff and helpers, to receive comprehensive information on:

• this Policy,
• all other relevant health and safety matters, and
• the instruction and training required so that they may work in a safe manner without placing themselves or others at risk.
• adequate welfare facilities.

3. Duties of all members of staff and volunteers

4.1 All staff and volunteers will make themselves familiar with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and any other health and safety legislation and codes of practice which are relevant. They should:

a) take reasonable care of their own health and safety and any other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work; and

b) as regards any duty or requirements imposed on his or her employer or any other persons by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, cooperate with him or her so far as necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.

4.2 All staff and volunteers are expected to familiarise themselves with the health and safety aspects of their work and to avoid conduct which would put them or anyone else at risk.

4.3 In particular all staff and volunteers will:

a) be familiar with the safety policy and any and all safety regulations as laid down by the CEO and Trustees;

b) ensure health and safety regulations, rules, routines and procedures are being applied effectively by staff, volunteers and students;

c) report any defects in the premises, plant, equipment and facilities which they observe to the host organisation; and

d) take an active interest in promoting health and safety and suggest ways of reducing risks.

4. DUTIES OF ALL MEMBERS OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

4.1 All staff and volunteers will make themselves familiar with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and any other health and safety legislation and codes of practice which are relevant. They should:

a) take reasonable care of their own health and safety and any other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work; and

b) as regards any duty or requirements imposed on his or her employer or any other persons by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, cooperate with him or her so far as necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.4.2 All staff and volunteers are expected to familiarise themselves with the health and safety aspects of their work and to avoid conduct which would put them or anyone else at risk.

4.3 In particular all staff and volunteers will:

a) be familiar with the safety policy and any and all safety regulations as laid down by the Trustees;

b) ensure health and safety regulations, rules, routines and procedures are being applied effectively by staff, volunteers and students;

c) report any defects in the premises, plant, equipment and facilities which they observe

d) take an active interest in promoting health and safety and suggest ways of reducing risks.

5. RISK ASSESSMENT

5.1 Trustees, together with the CEO, will ensure that reviews of risk assessments of all AHLU-related activities are conducted as appropriate, for example on site at schools, museums and galleries, and staff accommodation as relevant. These reviews will identify all defects and deficiencies, together with the necessary remedial action or risk control measures.

6. EMERGENCY PLANS

6.1 Trustees and the CEO understand that AHLU will follow the emergency plan of host organisations to cover all foreseeable major incidents which could put at risk students on AHLU activities. Except in exceptional circumstances, AHLU staff will follow the best practice, advice and direction of the host venue(s).

6.2 These plans will indicate the actions to be taken in the event of a major incident so that everything possible is done to:

a) save life,

b) prevent injury, and

c) minimise loss.

7. FIRST AID/ACCIDENT RECORDING

7.1 The arrangements for first aid provision supplied by host organisations will be adequate to cope with all foreseeable major incidents.

7.2 In the case of courses taking place at museums and galleries, at least one qualified first aider will be available at each site, supplied by host organisations, when students are present.

7.3 At the discretion of the CEO and Trustees, other staff may be given such training in first aid techniques as is required to give them a basic, minimum level of competence.

7.4 Supplies of first aid material will be held at various locations as directed by museum/gallery staff of the venues used by AHLU.

7.5 Adequate and appropriate first aid provision supplied by the host organisation will form part of the arrangements for all museum-based activities.

7.6 A record will be made of each occasion any member of staff, student or other person receives first aid treatment, and the record will include details of the advice given to parents/carers of students as appropriate.

The CEO is responsible for reporting serious accidents to insurers and to the Trustees.

If you have any specific health and safety concerns relating to this Policy, please contact the Chair of the Board (chair@arthistorylinkup.org).

8. STATUS OF THE POLICY

8.1 AHLU may update or amend this Policy at any time. The Trustees will review this Policy annually.