Open Duke of Edinburgh Centres In West Sussex Health, Safety & Wellbeing Policy

1. Aim

The aim of this policy is to enable the Open DofE Centres In West Sussex (ODEC) to: -

• Protect and enhance the health, safety and wellbeing of its volunteers and others affected by the ODEC’s services and activities;

• Comply with the statutory obligations required by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and its subordinate legislation, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and any other relevant Acts and Statutory Instruments. 

2. Objectives

To achieve its aims, the Open DofE Centres In West Sussex (ODEC) will: -

• Provide and maintain safe and healthy workplaces for volunteers and visitors to its locations;

• Ensure this policy is reviewed every 2 years and that all volunteer helpers have access to and are aware of this policy;

• Provide and maintain safe equipment for use by DofE groups of young people;

• Ensure safe use, handling, storage and transport of volunteers and young people participating in DofE activities;

• Provide information, instruction, training and supervision in health and safety to volunteer helpers to enable them to avoid harm and contribute to their own health & safety at work;

• Provide and maintain where appropriate, personal protective equipment and ensure that volunteers are informed/aware of their obligations in respect of its use;

• Undertake risk assessments of DofE activities and implement appropriate risk control measures;

• Inform volunteers of the risks associated with their workplaces and activities and the measures necessary to minimise the risk of harm;

• Ensure emergency provision, as necessary, to ensure the health & safety of all volunteers and, where necessary, others using ODEC facilities;

• Provide procedures for the reporting, recording and, where necessary, investigation of harmful or potentially harmful events and instances of ill-health relating to ODEC activities;

• Advise volunteers of their health & safety obligations and their need to co-operate with ODEC to enable it to discharge its responsibilities; 

• Ensure the proper control of young people who access ODEC activities and facilities to ensure they are not put at risk by ODEC activities

• Ensure that a programme is in place to monitor and measure the achievements of this Policy.

• Provide an annual report on the ODEC’s health & Safety performance and ensure the annual review contains appropriate proposals to improve the management of health & safety

• Ensure all volunteers complete the annual mandatory refresher training and new volunteers complete induction training;• Meet the workplace health and wellbeing needs of volunteers and commit to making it everyone’s responsibility.

3. Scope

This policy covers the ODEC’s requirements to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and its subordinate legislation, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and any other relevant Acts and Statutory Instruments. This policy applies to all of the ODEC Trustees, leaders, centre managers, volunteers and young people. 

4. Policy Statement of Intent

This Policy explains the strong commitment of Open DofE Centres In West Sussex (ODEC) to ensure the positive management of HSW and fire safety risks that may be faced by our volunteers and young people and all others who are affected by what we do. The Policy is a requirement of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and explains how roles, responsibilities and accountabilities are delegated throughout the organisation.

The ODEC Trustees, believe health & safety must be considered when we are planning and delivering our services to young people. Health & safety has a vital role to play in the overall success of ODEC and we must encourage and support a positive attitude towards our health & safety.

Whilst the final responsibility for implementing this policy rests with the Trustees, every volunteer must take an active role in implementing this Policy effectively and to act with reasonable care for their own health & safety and that of others, who may be affected by what they do or fail to do.

Signed: Cathy Childs

Chair of Open DofE Centres In West Sussex

Date: 27 August 2021