Health & Safety Policy
Building It Better NI is committed to providing practical training in a safe, well-managed and supportive environment, with appropriate controls for tools, equipment, materials and workshop activities.
Our Commitment
Building It Better NI is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our staff, tutors, participants, contractors and other people who may be affected by our activities.
We aim to provide practical training environments that are safe, properly organised and suitable for the activities being undertaken.
Health and safety is treated as an integral part of course planning and delivery rather than as a separate activity.
Scope
This policy applies to Building It Better NI courses, workshops, commissioned programmes and other activities delivered by or on behalf of Building It Better NI.
It applies to our staff, tutors, contractors, participants and, where relevant, visitors to training locations.
Risk Assessment
Appropriate risks associated with our activities will be considered before and during delivery.
Risk assessment may consider matters including:
- the activity being undertaken;
- tools, machinery and equipment;
- materials and substances being used;
- the suitability of the venue or workspace;
- access and movement around the working area;
- participants who may require additional support;
- manual handling;
- electrical safety;
- fire and emergency arrangements; and
- any other reasonably foreseeable hazards.
Where a significant risk is identified, appropriate control measures will be put in place before the activity continues.
Tools and Equipment
Building It Better NI courses involve the use of a range of practical tools and equipment.
Tutors will provide appropriate instruction and demonstration before participants are expected to use equipment independently.
Equipment should only be used for its intended purpose and in accordance with the instructions provided by the tutor.
Equipment that appears damaged, defective or unsafe should not be used and should be removed from service until it can be appropriately checked, repaired or replaced.
Participant Responsibilities
Participants are expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people attending the course.
Participants must:
- follow reasonable safety instructions;
- use tools and equipment only in the manner demonstrated or instructed;
- tell the tutor if they are unsure how to carry out an activity safely;
- report damaged equipment, hazards, accidents or near misses;
- avoid behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk; and
- use any required protective equipment appropriately.
Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment
Participants will be advised of any clothing or personal protective equipment requirements relevant to their course.
For practical workshop activities, participants may be asked to wear suitable closed footwear, secure long hair and avoid loose clothing or jewellery where these could present a risk.
Where specific protective equipment is required for an activity, participants will be instructed in its correct use.
Tutor Responsibilities
Tutors are responsible for helping to maintain a safe training environment and for providing appropriate supervision during practical activities.
Tutors should:
- provide clear safety instructions before practical activities;
- demonstrate the appropriate use of tools and equipment;
- monitor participants while practical activities are taking place;
- intervene where an activity is being carried out unsafely;
- report significant hazards, accidents and equipment defects; and
- stop an activity where it is not safe to continue.
Training Venues
Where Building It Better NI delivers training at a venue operated by another organisation, we will take reasonable steps to satisfy ourselves that the space is suitable for the planned activity.
Venue-specific arrangements, including emergency exits, fire procedures and welfare facilities, will be taken into account where appropriate.
Where commissioned training is delivered for another organisation, relevant venue rules and agreed safety arrangements will also be followed.
Accidents, Injuries and Near Misses
Any accident, injury or significant near miss occurring during a Building It Better NI activity should be reported to the tutor as soon as possible.
Appropriate first aid or emergency assistance will be sought where required.
Significant incidents will be recorded and reviewed so that any necessary corrective action can be considered.
Where an incident is legally reportable to an enforcing authority, Building It Better NI will take appropriate steps to meet its reporting obligations.
First Aid
Appropriate first-aid arrangements will be considered according to the nature of the activity, venue and foreseeable risks.
Participants should tell the tutor immediately if they are injured or become unwell during a course.
Emergency medical assistance will be requested where necessary.
Fire and Emergency Arrangements
Tutors and participants should familiarise themselves with relevant emergency arrangements at the training venue.
Access to emergency exits should be kept clear and participants must follow instructions given in the event of an evacuation or other emergency.
Practical activities will be stopped immediately where an emergency requires the training area to be evacuated.
Electrical Safety
Electrical tools and equipment used during our courses should be suitable for the activity and maintained in a safe condition.
Participants must not work on live electrical systems unless an activity has been specifically designed, assessed and controlled for that purpose by an appropriately competent person.
Our practical electrical courses are intended to develop understanding and confidence and do not remove the need to use a suitably qualified professional where electrical work requires one.
Manual Handling
Where practical activities involve lifting or moving tools, equipment or materials, participants should follow any instructions provided and avoid attempting loads they cannot handle safely.
Assistance should be requested where appropriate.
Alcohol, Drugs and Unsafe Behaviour
A participant must not take part in practical activities if their ability to work safely is significantly impaired by alcohol, drugs or any other substance.
Building It Better NI reserves the right to stop a person taking part in an activity where their behaviour presents an unacceptable risk to themselves or others.
Additional Needs and Reasonable Adjustments
Participants are encouraged to contact Building It Better NI before attending if they have an accessibility requirement, health-related consideration or other need that may affect safe participation in a practical activity.
We will consider reasonable and practical adjustments wherever possible while ensuring that essential safety requirements are maintained.
Consultation and Continuous Improvement
Tutors, staff and participants are encouraged to raise health and safety concerns and identify opportunities to improve our training environment.
Significant incidents, changes to activities and relevant feedback may be used to review and improve our safety arrangements.
Review of This Policy
This policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes are made to our activities, equipment, venues or relevant health and safety requirements.