Welcome to Part 2 of the Induction. in This Session We Will Look at Health and Safety And

Welcome to part 2 of the induction. In this session we will look at Health and Safety and some of the main issues in Health and Safety that you will need to be aware of to ensure that you perform your job in a way that is healthy and safe, both for yourself and others. As with all Companies, Beales has produced a Health and Safety Policy statement which can be found on the H&S notice board in your building and on the Resource Centre. Make sure you find out where this is.

It is part of all of our jobs to ensure we take the relevant safety precautions, follow the correct procedures and help to prevent accidents. Accidents and incidences of poor health and safety can happen at any time so ensure you work safely.

If you are issued with any form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) i.e. steel capped boots, it is your responsibility to ensure they are worn at all times.

To support this each location has a Health & Safety Competent Person (HSCP) who will work with us all to ensure the correct standards and procedures are in place. The name of this person should be displayed on the Health and Safety notice board.

Regardless of where we work we will all be involved in some type of manual handling and it is important that we do this correctly to avoid injury to ourselves.

As detailed on the slide, manual handling is any movement that involves moving an item from one place to another. The diagrams below, from Health and Safety Executive (HSE.gov.uk), show the correct method for lifting and carrying.

Where possible, make use of mechanical aids that are provided, for example, trolleys. If you are in any doubt about your ability to lift or carry something ask for help.

If your work involves using a ladder you must do so correctly and complete the relevant training module on the Resource Centre which you can access here - http://bealesintranet.co.uk/training/10-1-ways-of-working/10-1-1-sales- floor-colleague/10-1-1-section8

You may think this is a little strange as you have probably used a ladder many times at home so its use will seems fairly straightforward, however, the incidence of accidents occurring whilst using a ladder can be high. It is, therefore, essential that the following steps are taken in order to avoid unnecessary accidents and injury.

Before you use a ladder:  Wear flat, firm soled shoes, with dry soles and a good grip. Do not have long or dangling shoelaces.  Never work in high heels; slip on shoes, flip flops or bare feet.  Don’t be tempted to use a ladder if you’re not fit enough, suffer from giddiness or are not confident with heights.

Follow the three point of contact rule:  When using a step ladder or ladders ensure you maintain three points of contact at all times, i.e. two hands, one foot on the ladder, or two feet and one hand on the ladder.  Do not carry or lift anything that prevents you from following this rule.  Make sure you remain in a stable and balanced posture at all times, i.e. don’t lean across to try and reach something.  The foot of the ladder should rest on a firm, level, non-slippery surface and also making sure a colleague assists you while you use a ladder.  Report any defects in steps or ladders immediately.

Make sure you are aware of where the fire exits, refuge points, equipment and assembly point(s) are for your store. These should be shown on the Health and Safety notice board.

If you start or find a fire - to contact the fire brigade press the ‘break glass’ panels (that are situated around the store). Or phone the switchboard and ask them to call the fire brigade. This automatically connects to the local fire station.

If a customer/visitor or colleague is not able to leave the building due to a disability, i.e. they cannot walk down stairs, they should be taken to a refuge point. These are safe areas in the building which are normally behind fire doors. If you need to take a person to this area you can either choose to stay with them but tell a colleague you are there or on reaching the fire evacuation point inform the duty manager/fire brigade that there is a person at the refuge point. This will allow the emergency services to access this area first. Fire extinguishers must only be used by colleagues who have been properly trained to use them.

If we need to evacuate the building the fire alarm will sound and it is important to ensure you do the following: • Keep calm • Leave the building immediately using the nearest exit - walk quickly but do not run. Direct customers/visitors to the exits on the way. • Don’t stop to, or go and get, personal belongings • Don’t use the lift • Go straight to the fire assembly point and let your manager know you are present and stay there until you are told that it is safe to return. • Customers/visitors should also be asked to leave the building by the nearest exit.

Fire Wardens/Marshalls – selected colleagues act as fire wardens/marshals and it is their responsibility to “clear” the floor, including, where applicable, fitting rooms, toilets, offices, etc. to ensure all customers/visitors and colleagues have left the building. Find out who the fire warden is in the area where you work, this should be displayed on the Health and Safety notice board. You should only use a fire blanket if you have been trained and are confident to do so

Fire blankets should only be used once. If you work in an area which has a fire blanket ask your manager how you use it.

Reduce the risk of potential fires by ensuring you: • Don’t put anything onto radiators, heaters or other sources of heat • Don’t overload electrical sockets • Don’t cover air vents on electrical equipment • Practise good housekeeping and don’t let rubbish build up • Follow the no smoking rules and ensure any cigarette ends are disposed of correctly • Ensure gangways and doorways are kept clear • Follow correct procedure for deep fat fryers and other equipment (see further information on the Resource Centre) If a customer/visitor or colleague has an accident and needs first aid attention we have trained first aiders who should be called. A list of trained first aiders is kept on the health and safety noticeboard.

It is vital that all accidents are recorded as we may need to notify the relevant authority. The logging of all accidents allows us to respond to any insurance claims. We also monitor accident statistics to see if training is needed or other actions should take place; therefore, all accidents should be logged in the accident book. Make sure you are aware of where this is located.

Concession colleagues should be entered in their accident book or if this is not available then they should be entered in the store’s accident book.

If you see anything around the building that could cause an injury remove it straight away, for example, boxes left in gangways. If you cannot do anything about it you should report it to your Manager/HSCP, even if there has been a “near miss” which hasn’t caused injury - quick positive action can help avoid an accident taking place and allows the company to put any controls or precautions in place.

We all have a responsibility for health and safety where we work.

One of the main causes of accidents are trips, slips and falls so if you see any spillages cordon off the area and ensure it is cleaned up straight away. If you wish for your pregnancy to remain confidential, Line Managers will respect this confidentiality but you have a responsibility to inform us if you become pregnant and we in turn have a duty of care to you and you unborn child. In order to achieve this we will need to carry out a risk assessment and in some instances make adjustments to how you work.

For details of the Company’s policies on maternity, paternity and adoption leave please see the relevant section on the Resource Centre We have a responsibility for each other to ensure that all chemicals, substances, etc. are kept in a safe manner according to the Control Of Substances Hazardous To Health (COSHH) guidelines that are set out by the Health and Safety Executive.

For example: Cleaning products, table cleaner, dishwasher chemicals, paint, polish, silver cleaner, etc. must be stored in a secure place, in their original bottle/can. The bottle/can must be kept clearly labelled.

If you use any cleaning material you should check the label and follow the guidelines for use, for example, wear rubber gloves if advised to do so. If you are involved in using chemicals you should be supplied with a COSHH data sheet which will detail how you should handle and use it. It is, therefore, vital that you do not buy products locally and only use products from our nominated suppliers otherwise a data sheet will not be available to refer to.

All hazardous substances will have symbols marked on them – it is important that you understand what each one means. Some of these are shown below.

You should attend a ‘fire walk’ of the store on your first day. It is also essential that you are aware of the fire exits, procedures, fire assembly point and any refuge points in the building and the procedures to follow if you need to take a colleague or customer/visitor to this point. IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD A FIRE WALK SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER IMMEDIATELY. During the ‘fire walk’ you should have been shown Health & Safety Notice Board, and the location of the following documents  Fire risk assessment and other risk assessments which may have been carried out recently  Emergency plan  Insurance Liability notice  List of Fire Wardens/First Aiders

If you are still unsure of any of these check with your manager.

Under Health and Safety legislation we are all have a responsibility for Health and Safety in the way we act and carry out our roles.

If you will be driving on company business as part of your job i.e. driving to a learning and development course, you will need to complete the relevant risk assessment with their line manager. This is to ensure you are covered by the right insurance etc. Details can be found on the Resource Centre.

If you are still unsure of any of these issues, or have any further questions or concerns please speak to your manager. Further details on Health and Safety can also be found on the Resource Centre