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Health & Safety Overview
- 1. Introduction
Introduction
+ 2. Risk assessment
+ 3. Site management
+ 4. Dealing with substances hazardous to health
+ 5. Other environmental hazards
+ 6. Volunteer Welfare
+ 7. Transport of volunteers, tools and equipment
+ 8. Tools and equipment handling and use
+ 9. Accidents ­ first aid and reporting procedures
+ 10. Capability and vulnerability of volunteers
+ Appendix 1
+ Appendix 2
+ Appendix 3
+ Appendix 4
  Glossary
Book: Health & Safety Overview Health & Safety Overview
Chapter: 1. Introduction
Section: Introduction
Metadata: Details Buy this book

This safety overview booklet is intended to complement the existing health and safety policies and practices of both volunteer groups and land managers working with volunteers in countryside management. The booklet's basic premises are that there are the same obligations to ensure the health and safety of volunteers as of employees and that this should be reflected in the organisation of sites, equipment and work. Volunteers here mean any participants who are not paid employees, and could include trainees and those on government schemes.

The booklet gives an overview of safety issues which should be considered fully by those organising conservation work. It aims to help focus these considerations and its two main objectives are:

To provide guidelines which enable groups managing practical conservation work ­ rural or urban ­ to set up working situations which fully take into account the health and safety needs of volunteers. The guidelines cover both the underlying principles of health and safety management and practical ways to apply them.

To provide practical guidelines for use in the field by volunteers and their leaders, managers or supervisors.

Volunteers should not be expected to undertake practical work unless the safety of sites and equipment is of the standard specified in these guidelines. Correspondingly, all volunteers should adhere to the guidelines and if any are unwilling to do so they should be asked to stop working or leave the site.

These guidelines will not be successful unless they actively involve all relevant people; they should act as reminders of the responsibility that each individual has for their own safety and for the safety of others. To achieve this, they should be available to all and particular attention should be drawn to them by the person leading or managing the group before work starts.

If groups are intending to work to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) standards, then following the good practice in this booklet will help meet the health and safety quality standards within the COSQUEC NVQs.


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