Additional reporting / Health and Safety

Our people's safety, health and well-being are of paramount importance to us. This is reflected in the following highlights from our Health and Safety policy.

    Health and Safety policy highlights
  • Accidents: accident records are maintained at all Group offices. Accident investigations, where required due to the nature and seriousness of the accident, are conducted by a suitably competent and qualified manager;
  • Visitors' safety: all visitors must be accompanied in and out of our offices by a member of staff.  All visitors' passes have safety instructions clearly detailed on the reverse;
  • Disabled access: we have provided appropriate access arrangements and facilities for the benefit of disabled persons working at or visiting our offices;
  • Contractors' safety: we assess the suitability of contractors under our Environment, Health and Safety management system, and also require documentation such as method statements and risk assessments, or the local equivalent, from any contractor wishing to work with us;
  • Display screen equipment: we provide free eyesight tests and a basic set of spectacles to any employee using a display screen, as required under UK or relevant local Health and Safety regulation;
  • Safety of water systems: our domestic water systems are tested regularly, as required by regulation. In the absence of adequate regulation elsewhere, we apply the UK standard as a minimum;
  • Manual handling: risk assessments are carried out and appropriate training provided for all staff at risk from handling or carrying heavy loads. Where necessary, appropriate mechanical handling equipment is provided;
  • Electrical safety: at least 20% of all portable electrical appliances are tested on a rotational basis by qualified personnel;
  • Emergency response procedures: all Group locations have emergency response procedures; a summary appears in the Group Staff Handbook;
  • Smoking policy: the Group operates a strict no-smoking policy in all of its offices, other than in specifically designated areas in line with local regulations;
  • Hazardous substances: few hazardous substances are used by the Group, but regular assessments are carried out and appropriate control and storage measures adopted. The Group is a member of the British Safety Council.
    Our achievements this year
    During the year the following actions were undertaken:
  • Creating the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) intranet site;
  • Began the process of establishing an EHS staff committee;
  • Developing and expanding our EHS management system;
  • Centralising governance of some business aspects with Health and Safety implications;
  • Coordinating fire risk assessments, particularly in relation to legislation;
  • Improving Health and Safety signage.

Our performance this year
There was one reportable incident during the year which, because of subsequent complications required hospital treatment. The incident was reported to the appropriate external authority.

    Our plans for next year
  • Further centralise governance of relevant aspects of our business;
  • Update and continue to evolve our EHS intranet site;
  • Expand the remit of the EHS staff committee.