The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 requires all employers "to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable", the health, safety and welfare of all its employees.
All employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety as well as that of other persons who may be affected by their activities. They should also co-operate with the employer to enable them to comply with legal requirements.
The Permanent Secretary is responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace and working environment for all staff, and must take all practicable steps to meet that responsibility.
Corporate Human Resources (CHR) is responsible through the Health & Safety (H&S) Officer, for producing and maintaining the DFID H&S Policy Statement which reflects commitment to:
It is the responsibility of Office Services & Security Department (OSSD) and Heads of Overseas Offices to ensure these policies are implemented.
1. All Staff must read and familiarise themselves with DFID's comprehensive H&S Policy document and Heads of Department and Overseas Offices must ensure that compliance tasks are carried out in accordance with the Policy before signing off their Directors Assurance Statements for audit purposes.
2. Health & Safety Teams in the UK and H&S Risk Assessors in overseas offices are responsible for hazard identification and risk assessment. Appropriate steps must be taken to remove and reduce risks to prevent accidents and ill health. All assessments must be:
3. Safety representatives - First-Aiders and Fire Wardens must be appointed to assist in the event of accidents or emergency situations
4. Managers and Supervisors - must familiarise themselves with the DFID H&S Policy and ensure persons under their charge comply with safety at all times. All Managers who are responsible for staff must complete "Cardinus Safety for Line Managers" interactive e-learning training.
5. Individual members of staff must:
6. HWW Teams in HRD, Heads of Overseas offices and Overseas Risk Assessors must ensure the following Risk Assessments are undertaken and logged within DFID'S Health & Safety Management System, SHE Enterprise:
7. Information, Instruction and Training: All staff, whether temporary or permanent, must participate in relevant training courses. "Cardinus" our interactive e-learning training modules cover. Workstation/Display Screen Equipment (All staff should be assessed on joining DFID and thereafter as part of HWW rolling programme unless a specific request is made) and Safety for Line Managers training. [Every two years].
All staff must receive their Day One General H&S induction giving responsibilities and emergency procedures on first joining the department as part of the UK and overseas offices induction processes.
The following staff must receive more detailed training from qualified trainers, to better understand the legislation:
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