Highland Chamber Orchestra

HCO Health and Safety Policy

Highland Chamber Orchestra Health and Safety Policy

Highland Chamber Orchestra (HCO) is a voluntary organisation which exists to provide opportunities for people to develop their artistic potential and to display their talents to as wide an audience as possible – including taking music into the smaller rural venues in the Scottish Highlands.

Highland Chamber Orchestra (HCO) is a registered charity (SC030515) and currently has no full-time employees. As such, it has no legal duty to comply with the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. However, it recognises that it is good practice to ensure, as far as is reasonably practical, that all performers, auxiliary helpers and members of the public are not subjected to unsafe environments or equipment provided by HCO for use by others.

Statement of Purpose: Insofar as it is reasonably practical to do so the objectives of the Health & Safety Policy are; 1 To provide a healthy and safe environment with premises, equipment and procedures from which hazards to the health & safety of all players, members, auxiliary helpers and the general public are eliminated or if not, controlled; 2 To ensure that all players, members and auxiliary helpers have a proper concern for their own health and safety and that of others and to engender a respect for the organisation’s property and a concern to protect it from loss or damage; 3 To aim to prevent the recurrence of accidents and other dangerous incidents by investigation of the cause and, where appropriate, carrying out remedial action.

Risk Assessment: All new performance and rehearsal venues will subject to a Risk Assessment being carried out by an authorised person prior to the venue being used. A Risk Assessment Record will be completed and kept on file and may be viewed by any player, member or auxiliary helper on demand. (Appendix 1)

Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of all players, members and auxiliary helpers to have an awareness of healthy and safe working practices. It is the responsibility of the Committee that the Health and Safety policy is adhered to and to ensure that unsafe practices and actions are prevented as far as is practical.

General Safety: Accidents can happen anywhere and many that do happen are due to lack of awareness. The following contains examples of particular hazards and the steps that can be taken to minimise these risks.

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Rehearsal and performance areas These areas should be kept clear of obstructions such as instrument cases, bags and music stands not actually required for use.

Items should not be left lying around passageways.

Objects should not be placed on or against radiators/heaters or air vents.

Sharp objects, blades or broken glass should be wrapped carefully in newspaper before being placed in waste bins.

Electricity No electrical equipment should be used unless it carries a certificate confirming a competent engineer has tested it.

Appliances which have frayed or damaged cables should not be used.

All faulty equipment or lighting should be reported to a member of the Committee who will draw it to the attention of the venue operator.

Fire Safety Emergency evacuation procedures will be made clear to all personnel in each venue at the start of each rehearsal. The same advice will be announced at the start of each concert to the audience.

First Aid Whenever possible trained first aiders will be present at all rehearsals and performances. They will be clearly identified at the start of each rehearsal. The first aiders will give such assistance as is within their capabilities and will also take the decision to call for further medical help if required.

Manual Handling Manual handling of heavy or bulky items should only be attempted if there are sufficient numbers of people available to lift/move the item safely. The route over which the item is to be lifted should be checked to ensure that it is free of obstructions or spillage, which could cause tripping or slipping. The item should be checked for sharp edges, slivers and wet or greasy patches. Gloves should be worn if any of the conditions are present.

[Wherever possible if staging is to be used it should be put in place by the venue operator prior to the orchestra setting up. If this is not done the venue operator should be contacted in the first instance before HCO players and helpers attempt to do this.]

Reviews:

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This policy is a living document that will influence the conduct of the HCO. The policy will be reviewed annually to keep abreast of changing legislation and understanding of good practice.

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