Think Tank Academy Ltd recognises that the effective management of health, safety & well-being is an important part of operating a successful business.  The Company is committed to ensuring that its activities do not adversely affect the health & safety of its employees, associates, apprentices, learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes, employers, partners, subcontractors, clients or visitors.

 

At Think Tank Academy we comply with all relevant UK law and, as far as is reasonably practicable, we will:

 

1          Follow recognised codes of practice and funding body requirements, and develop our own standards for performance

 

2          Eliminate hazards and reduce risks in the workplace

 

3          Control the impact of the work environment and work activities on our employees, associates, apprentices and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes

 

4          Protect the health and safety of our apprentices, learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes, partners, sub-contractors, clients, visitors and other third parties

 

5          Provide appropriate information, instruction, and training to enable employees, associates, apprentices, learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes and others to work safely

 

6          Encourage positive contribution and participation by all employees and associates to develop a positive safety culture

 

7          Define clear responsibilities for employees at all levels to ensure that everyone can contribute effectively

 

8          Actively monitor our health & safety performance and seek to make continuous improvement in our standards

 

9          Regularly review our strategy to maintain continuous improvement

 

10        Provide adequate resources to ensure that this Policy can be fully implemented

 

It is only through the commitment and teamwork of all those who work for Think Tank Academy that the health and safety of everyone can be assured on an on-going basis.  All employees are expected to assist the Company and its managers to meet its health & safety commitments and to contribute to the effective implementation of this Policy.

 

This policy will be reviewed at least on an annual basis and in line with legislative, business, vocational or geographic requirements and changes.

 

 

 

 

 

Gillian Ashcroft

Owner

FOREWORD BY GILLIAN ASHCROFT

“Managing health & safety effectively is important for Think Tank Academy Ltd for several reasons:

 

• We owe it to our employees, associates, apprentices, and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes (and others who may be affected by what we do) to provide, as far as we are able, a workplace that is safe and which presents minimal risks to health or well-being.

 

• It makes good business sense. When health & safety matters are properly controlled the workplace is more efficient and our business will run more smoothly.

 

• There are many Laws in the UK/Europe that require us to manage health & safety effectively.

 

• The funding bodies with which we work require us to operate to high standards.

 

We ensure that high standards of health & safety management contribute to a successful business, but we must continue to work hard at maintaining and improving those standards.  The management team will continue to drive improvement, but for us to be successful, everyone within the Company must contribute. 

 

This Policy document outlines the Company’s commitment to improving health & safety standards and the responsibilities and obligations that each person in the Company has and it is important that employees at all levels are aware of our objectives and their own responsibilities for helping to achieve them.

 

The Policy is implemented through our management standards, through employee safe working practices and through the general rules contained within the Think Tank Academy Safety Management System. 

 

In order that we continue to provide a safe and healthy working environment and control the hazards and risks from our activities it is vital that everyone contributes by ensuring that the management standards are fully implemented, and that health & safety rules and procedures are always followed by everyone.

 

Any manager, specialist, employee, or associate found to be persistently, or wilfully disregarding company health & safety rules will be subject to disciplinary action.”

 

Remember: health & safety is everyone’s business, and everyone has a duty to contribute to ensuring the safety of themselves and others working with and around them.

Gillian Ashcroft

Owner

RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HEALTH, SAFETY & WELL-BEING

The Directors

The directors are responsible and accountable for all standards of health and safety within Think Tank Academy.  The directors will:

 

• Ensure compliance with the requirements of TTA’s health and safety management system, policy, procedure, and standards.
• Monitor the Company’s health & safety performance
• Ensure the provision of adequate resource to enable compliance and health & safety objectives to be achieved
• Demonstrate visible commitment to this Policy on health & safety and set a good example to others within the Company.

 

The Executive Board and Senior Management Team

The members of the Board and SMT will be responsible and accountable for ensuring that standards of health & safety are maintained and improved across the business.  The SMT team will:

 

• Ensure compliance with the requirements of TTA’s health and safety management system, policy, procedure, and standards
• Ensure that the senior management team/heads of department are fully aware of their responsibilities for compliance with health, safety and welfare across the business
• Demonstrate visible commitment to this Policy on health & safety and set a good example to others within the Company

 

Appointed Health & Safety Person

The Appointed Health & Safety Person is responsible and accountable for ensuring that standards of health & safety are maintained and improved across the business and with all partners working with TTA, on a day-to-day basis.

 

In particular, the Appointed Person will:

 

• Work closely with the senior management team/heads of department to ensure they drive and oversee that all staff within their areas of responsibility, take responsibility for health, safety, and well-being and that it is embedded within their delivery, teaching and training practices with learners, employers, and colleagues
• Ensure that this Policy is brought to the attention of all employees and associates within their area of control
• Ensure that the Policy and associated management standards are implemented effectively
• Ensure that risks are assessed and that appropriate risk reduction measures are developed for all work tasks and activities
• Ensure that partners and sub-contractors are audited and assessed and that appropriate risk reduction measures are in place as appropriate for staff, apprentices, and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes

 

Senior Management Team/Heads of Department/Managers and Specialists

All members of the senior management team/heads of department and specialists will be responsible and accountable for ensuring that standards of health, safety and well-being are maintained and improved within their own area of control.

 

Senior managers/leaders, managers and specialists must:

 

• Ensure that this Policy is brought to the attention of all employees and associates within their area of control
• Ensure that the Policy and associated management standards are implemented effectively
• Ensure that risks are assessed and that appropriate risk reduction measures are developed for all work tasks and activities
• Ensure that employees, associates, apprentices, and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes are provided with:

 

• Safe equipment to use
• A safe and healthy workplace and working environment
• Appropriate safe working methods and procedures
• Appropriate supervision, instruction, training, and development to enable them to fulfil their health & safety responsibilities and to work safely
• Access to the health & safety policy, documentation, and the safety management system either in paper form or by intranet access
• Appropriate protective clothing and equipment

 

• Monitor the performance of their own staff to ensure Policy requirements and Company standards are being met
• Ensure that all accidents, incidents, and cases of work-related ill health are advised to the Human Resources Manager and the Appointed Person to ensure that a full investigation can be carried out and that corrective actions and implemented efficiently to prevent reoccurrence
• Ensure that all reported hazards are recorded and clearly documented, and that effective action is taken to address health & safety risks identified by employees, apprentices, or learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes
• Set a good example and promote responsible attitudes among employees, apprentices, and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes

 

IQAs, Learning & Development Coaches and Tutors

IQAs, L&D coaches and tutors are responsible and accountable for the effective implementation of this policy and associated arrangements and procedures within their own areas of control.  They must:

• Ensure adequate supervision is available for all apprenticeship and learner activities
• Ensure that apprentices and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes are made aware of relevant Think Tank Academy health & safety rules and procedures
• Ensure that apprentices and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes have an adequate supply of protective equipment
• Ensure that apprentices and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes always comply with relevant health & safety rules and safe working practices
• Ensure that apprentices and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes are provided with copies of the Learner Handbook and other information they need to work safely
• Ensure that that appropriate risk assessments are carried out for all apprenticeship and learner placements and activities
• Ensure that all accidents, incidents, and cases of work-related ill health are advised to their immediate manager, human resources and to the Appointed Person for Health & Safety so that a full investigation can be carried out and that corrective actions are implemented efficiently to prevent reoccurrence
• Ensure that all reported hazards are recorded and dealt with effectively
• Set a good example and promote responsible attitudes among apprentices and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes
• Inform their own manager of any problems and difficulties that they are unable to resolve successfully.

 

All Employees, Associates Apprentices and Learners on other Think Tank Academy Programmes

All employees, associates, apprentices and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes are responsible and accountable for looking after their own safety and the safety of those around them.  They must:

 

• Comply with the Health & Safety Policy and all appropriate legislation
• Always follow health and safety rules
• Follow any training or instructions they have been given
• Use correctly, any protective equipment or clothing provided
• Keep their own work areas clean and tidy
• Cooperate with managers, specialists, officers, team leaders, learning & development coaches and tutors on matters of health & safety
• Act in a safe and responsible manner always
• Report all accidents, incidents, cases of suspected work-related ill health and any concerns you may have about someone to your manager or to your tutor as quickly as possible
• Not do anything that may put themselves or anyone else in any danger

 

First Aiders

First Aiders will be provided with appropriate training and facilities to allow them to carry out their function effectively.  They will be granted time off with pay to receive such training.  Accordingly, they must:

 

• Provide first aid for any employees, associates, apprentices, or learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes suffering an accident or injury at work
• Advise the management team about any necessary improvements to first aid provision on site
• Complete associated paperwork – such as the Accident, Incident and Ill Health Reporting and Investigation Form, in a timely manner and ensure these are passed to the Appointed Person for Health & Safety, the Human Resources Manager or Quality Assurance Manager, as soon as possible
• Ensure the first aid box in their area of responsibility is regularly checked, maintained, and stocked

 

Fire Wardens

Fire Wardens must be provided with appropriate training and facilities to allow them to carry out their function effectively.  They will be granted time off with pay to receive such training.  Accordingly, they must:

 

• Carry out regular checks of their area to ensure that fire safety is not compromised – check that fire exits are not blocked, broken or wedged doors, missing equipment.
• Ensure that apprentices, learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes, staff and associates in their area are aware of the fire and evacuation procedures, in particular the means of raising the alarm, and the assembly point and carry out inductions for new people in the area
• Checking the adequacy of means of evacuation if a disabled person is in their area
• Checking that fire safety equipment in their area has been tested as required and is present and not obscured or otherwise compromised
• Advise your immediate manager in the first instance of any problems or defects in the fire safety precautions or procedures in their area of responsibility
• Ensure problems or defects in the fire safety precautions or procedures are documented in the appropriate health and safety paperwork.

 

ORGANISATION OF HEALTH & SAFETY

 

To encourage employee participation and to monitor the effectiveness of procedures, senior managers/leaders, heads of department, managers, specialists, and staff within Think Tank Academy will have specific responsibilities for aspects of health & safety management in addition to their line management responsibilities.

 

Relevant training and instruction will be provided to the members of these groups to ensure they are able to operate effectively.

 

Health & Safety Review Group

The Health & Safety Review Group will comprise senior managers/leaders, managers/specialists/staff from each delivery area, function or department within the Company and will be chaired by the Appointed Health & Safety Person (or deputy).  The purpose of meetings is to:

 

• Review and provide feedback and comments on the update or development of company policy, procedures, and plans
• Identify and develop appropriate company standards to ensure compliance with legislation and policy requirements
• Monitor performance in relation to compliance with legislation and policy requirements through the review of:

 

• Independent audits
• Internal audits and inspections
• Accident and ill health statistics
• Other appropriate indicators
• Inform staff of any changes in legislation

 

The Health, Safety & Well-being meetings are held on a regular basis throughout the year, they are minute, and copies of the meeting minutes are displayed on the Company SharePoint system.  Health and safety issues and updates are reported into the Board, executive and management team meetings.

 

The Appointed Person may seek advice and guidance externally, from the HSE and other health & safety specialist organisations to keep up to date with legislative requirements and share this information with the health & safety review group members, executive, managers, and specialists as appropriate.

 

Employee Consultation & Team Meetings

Employees, associates, and managers will meet regularly to discuss matters of health, safety, and well-being. Health & safety will be an agenda item at all regular Team Meetings.  Employees and associates will be encouraged to participate in such team meetings and discussions and to contribute actively to the effective management of health & safety.

 

Team meetings will be used to:

 

• Provide and examine information relating to health & safety matters at both local and company level
• Provide and examine information relating to performance at both local and company level
• Discuss and resolve local safety related problems
• Maintain a regular line of communication on health & safety issues
• Monitor the effectiveness of the Think Tank Academy safety management system at local level

 

Appointed Person for Health & Safety

 

The Appointed Person will:

 

• Provide appropriate advice and guidance on:

 

• Legal requirements and compliance
• Relevant standards and good practice
• Assessment and control of risks
• Recording information in appropriate formats

 

• Provide guidance and support to the Health & Safety Review Group.

 

• Work closely with the Board, SMT and human resources to monitor and report on the overall effectiveness of the safety management system

 

• Chair the Health & Safety Review Group meetings

 

• Ensure the health & safety management system is kept up to date and reviewed on a regular basis and in line with changes in legislation, business, vocational or geographic requirements and changes

 

• Ensure that appropriate documentation and records are maintained

 

• Liaise with enforcing authorities and other appropriate bodies on matters relating to health & safety

 

• Ensure representation at regional and national health & safety forums as appropriate

 

 

 

DECLARATION

 

I confirm that I have read the Think Tank Academy Company Health, Safety and Well-being Policy, and that I will make myself familiar with the Health & Safety Management Standards and all relative health and safety documentation and systems.

 

As per the policy statement, all employees and associates are expected to assist the Company and its managers and specialists to meet its health & safety commitments and to contribute to the effective implementation of this Policy. 

 

By signing this declaration, I confirm that I will play my part in ensuring the health, safety and welfare of myself, my colleagues, apprentices and learners on other Think Tank Academy programmes, and each person I encounter. 

 

 

 

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Name:

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