Health, Safety, and Welfare Policy

The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 imposes statutory duties on Odyssians as it would do on employers and on volunteers as if they were employees. The Policy of Odyssians, so far is reasonably practicable, is to ensure that responsibilities for safety and health are properly assigned, accepted and fulfilled at all levels. All practical steps will be taken to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all volunteers, participants and others who may be affected by operations under our control.

1.      It is the intention of Odyssians as a Registered Charity and Odyssians Trustees, to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, associated regulations, codes of practice and guidance, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that:

·             volunteers are provided with such information, instruction & training to ensure competency or are supervised as necessary to secure their health and safety.

·             risk assessments are carried out, recorded and reviewed / revised as necessary in accordance with the legal requirement.

·             the volunteering environment of all volunteers is safe and without risks to health, and that adequate provisions are made with regard to the facilities and arrangements for their welfare whilst volunteering.

·             the equipment provided, the systems of work and care plans are safe and without risks to health.

·             the plant, machinery and equipment provided is maintained to ensure it is safe, not only to volunteers but to any person who may be affected with regard to any premises or operations under our control.

·             arrangements for use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances for use at work are safe and without risks to health.

·             adequate information is available with respect to articles and substances used at work detailing the conditions and precautions necessary to ensure that when properly used they will be safe and without risk to health.

·             the Health and Safety Policy is reviewed bi-annually and updated as and when necessary. Communication of any such changes will be made to all volunteers.

It is the policy of Odyssians to assess, reduce, minimise and otherwise control the risk to the health, safety and welfare of volunteers, participants, visitors and contractors.

2.      It shall be the duty of all volunteers whilst undertaking Odyssians-related volunteering activities or taking part in Odyssians events and camps:

·              to take reasonable care for themselves and others that may be affected by their acts/omissions, e.g., wear gloves or protective aprons, not obstruct a fire exit.

·              to co-operate with the Odyssians Trustees and Management Committee or others to enable them to carry out their duty and/or statutory requirements e.g., report hazards or defects in control, attend training.

·              no person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety, and welfare.

·              all volunteers must follow health and safety instructions by using equipment, substances, transport etc., in accordance with the instructions, information and training that they have received.

·              all volunteers must inform the Odyssians Trustees or the camp leader of any dangers or shortcomings in the health and safety arrangements, even if there is no risk of imminent danger.

3.                Odyssians overriding health and safety objectives:

·             to avoid unnecessary injury, illness, loss of well-being or worsening in condition as a result of volunteering activities.

·             to reduce incidents and accident rates year on year.

·             to create a positive safety culture within Odyssians.

·             to give health, safety, and welfare clear management commitment in all activities and when awarding contracts.

·             to only use competent contractors with regard to their health, safety, and welfare management systems. The degree of competence required will depend on the work to be undertaken.

·             to co-operate with our camp providers (Woodlarks Campsite Trust), the Care Quality Commission or Local Authority as appropriate.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, please use our Contact Us form.

[This privacy notice was last reviewed and updated January 2016]