Health and Safety Policy

Make, Do & Trend considers health and safety to be of utmost importance. We comply with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 at all times.

Make, Do & Trend has appropriate insurance cover, including Public and Products Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Each member of staff follows the Health and Safety policy and is responsible for:

·       Maintaining a safe environment

·       Taking reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others attending activities and workshops.

·       Reporting all accidents and incidents which have caused injury or damage or may do so in the future

·       Undertaking relevant health and safety training when required to do so by the manager.

Any member of staff who disregards safety instructions or recognised safe practices will be subject to disciplinary procedures.

Responsibilities of the registered person

The registered person for the setting holds ultimate responsibility and liability for the safe operation at activities and workshops. The registered person will ensure that:

·       They nominate a Health and Safety Officer. The designated health and safety officer is Kirsty Pearce

·       A copy of the current Health and Safety At work poster is displayed when appropriate (poster is available here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/lawposter.htm )

·       All staff receive information on health and safety matters, and receive training where necessary

·       The Health and Safety policy and procedures are reviewed regularly

·       Staff understand and follow health and safety procedures

·       Resources are provided to meet the Make, Do & Trend’s health and safety responsibilities

·       All accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences are properly reported and recorded. This includes informing Ofsted, child protection agencies and the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) where appropriate.

·       All reported accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences are reviewed, so that preventative measures can be taken.

Responsibilities of the manager

Make, Do & Trend’s manager is responsible for ensuring that at each session:

·       Premises are clean, well lit, adequately ventilated and maintained at an appropriate temperature

·       The premises are used by and solely available to Make, Do & Trend during opening hours

·       All the equipment is safely and securely stored

·       Children are only allowed in the kitchen if properly supervised (eg for a cooking activity)

·       A working telephone is available on the premises at all times

·       Chemicals and cleaning materials are stored appropriately, and in accordance with COSHH data sheets.

·       External pathways are cleared in severe weather

·       Daily environment checks are carried out in accordance with our Risk Assessment policy.

Security

Children are not allowed to leave the premises during the session unless prior permission has been given by the parents (for example, to attend other extra-curricular activities).

During sessions all external doors are kept locked, with the exception of fire doors which are alarmed. Staff monitor the entrances and exits to the premises throughout the session.

All visitors to must sign the Visitor Log and give the reason for their visit. Visitors will never be left alone with the children.

Security procedures will be regularly reviewed by the manager, in consultation with staff and parents.

Equipment

All furniture and equipment are kept clean, well maintained and in good repair. We select equipment and resources with care, and we carry out risk assessments before the children are allowed to use them. Broken equipment are disposed of promptly.

We ensure that any flammable equipment is stored safely.

Food and personal hygiene

Staff at Make, Do & Trend maintain high standards of personal hygiene, and take all practicable steps to prevent and control the spread of infection.

·       A generally clean environment is maintained at all times.

·       Toilets are cleaned daily and soap and hand drying facilities are always available.

·       Staff are trained in food hygiene and follow appropriate guidelines.

·       Waste is disposed of safely and all bins are kept covered.

·       Staff ensure that children wash their hands before handling food or drink and after using the toilet.

·       Cuts and abrasions (whether on children or staff) are kept covered..

Staffing levels

Staff ratios and levels of supervision are always appropriate to the number, ages and abilities of the children present, and to the risks associated with the activities being undertaken.

This policy was adopted by: Make, Do & Trend

Date: 01.10.23

To be reviewed: 01.10.24

Signed: K. Pearce