Culpeper Community Garden

Growing Together Community Garden Health and Safety Policy

• General Statement It is the responsibility and policy of Growing Together Community Garden to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions for all employees and project volunteers in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent legislation. We also acknowledge that we have some responsibility for the health and safety of other people, including members and the general public, who use the Garden. Anyone employed by the garden has a responsibility to cooperate with their employer to ensure a healthy and safe workplace and to take reasonable care of themselves and others.

• Responsibilities The Management Committee bears ultimate legal responsibility for health, safety and welfare. They will review the policy and its implementation annually. Any concerns should be reported to one of the persons who have responsibility for the day-to-day implementation of the policy, hereafter referred to as ‘the responsible persons’. The following two memebers of the management committee are the nomintaed persons: Joan Rhodes and Doug Bennett.

• Equal Opportunities considerations Employers should ensure that Health and Safety arrangements are fully effective in relation to the diversity of staff, members, volunteers and users. This includes ensuring that implicitly sexist or racist attitudes do not undermine safety practice and taking full account of special needs, particularly in relation to mobility, sight and hearing impairment.

• Accidents All accidents, however minor, or any occurrence which nearly causes an accident, must be reported to the responsible person named above, who will record the accident in the accident book which will be kept in the garden shed. The entry will include date and time of the accident or occurrence, the full name and occupation of the affected person, nature of any injury, where it happened and the circumstances. • First Aid The First Aid Box is located in the shed. The appointed first aider is Joan Rhodes, who is also responsible for ensuring the Box is adequately stocked.

• Chemicals and electrical equipment These are barely used, but it is essential that they are used and stored with care. Instruction and care labels should never be defaced or removed and chemicals should never be mixed. Electrical equipment must not be tampered with under any circumstances (this can invalidate warrantees and insurances). Any incidents will be recorded in the accident book. Medical advice will be sought immediately if chemicals are inhaled, swallowed, or spilt on skin or in the eyes.

• Staffing/Violence The Garden is open to the general public. If a situation is looking potentially violent, staff, volunteers or members should not attempt to deal with it on their own. They should try to remain calm and speak in a calm, non-threatening manner and attract assistance or, as appropriate, withdraw and/or call the police. The responsible person will be notified of any assault and a record kept.

• Use of alcohol and drugs Use of alcohol is not permitted under any circumstances during staff or volunteer working hours. Use of illegal drugs is not allowed under any circumstances. Any worker or volunteer who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances without permission will be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

• Garden Volunteers, Members and the General Public The Garden is open to the general public during daylight hours but is only staffed occassionally.

GTCG Management Committee agreed an earlier version of this policy on 12th July 2012. The committee agreed this updated version on 27th March 2013

Signed on behalf of the Committee