Health and Safety       

........................................................................................................  

RESPONSIBLE POLICIES

1. Health & Safety Policy

a) Introduction (pg 1)

b) Statement of Intent (pg 2)

c) Organisation (pg 3)

d) Arrangements (pg 7)

2. Environmental Policy

a) Introduction (pg 17)

b) Procedures (pg 17)

3. Equal Opportunities Policy

a) Statement of Policy (pg 19)

b) The Policy (pg 20)

c) Types of Discrimination (pg 22)

 

2007 © Robuild.co.uk Ltd  Web: www.robuild.co.uk

Health & Safety Policy

a) Introduction

This health & safety document has been prepared in accordance with the legal duties assigned under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (CDM) and the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA).

Our policy is based on the HS(G) 65 management system and consists of three elements:

● Statement of Intent - what we promise to do

● Organisation - who is responsible for what regarding safety

Gives an overview of our health & safety arrangements in compliance with all relevant legislation.

i) Participants and Contact Numbers

ii) Health & Safety Organisation Chart

iii) Health & Safety Monitoring

 

● Arrangements – how the policy will be implemented

Details specific arrangements for General Building & Maintenance or Specialist Work. The work may develop further if new or unforeseen hazards become apparent during the operational stage of a project.

i) Common Hazards

ii) Special Hazards

iii) Safe Systems of Work

iv) Staff Training

v) Accident Reporting and Investigation

vi) Inspections and Audits

vii) Consultation with Employees

viii) Contractors

 

Responsible Policies (Page 1)

Health & Safety Policy

b) Statement of Intent

The Directors of Robuild.co.uk Ltd (Term Contract) are fully committed to achieving the highest standard of health & safety possible.

We will comply with duties and obligations imposed by the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, and all other acts and regulations affecting the activity of the company. Specifically the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 when they apply to any works we carry out.

Robuild.co.uk Ltd will provide working conditions that are safe and healthy for all employees and, as far as is reasonably practicable, carry out all works in such a manner so that the safety of other persons will not be adversely affected.

Direct monitoring of the policy will be undertaken by the Health & Safety manager. However, it is the direct concern of all employees within the company and senior management for its implementation.

Robuild.co.uk Ltd takes all reasonable measures to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all its employees in fulfillment of its moral, legal and economic responsibilities. We also undertake to provide sufficient funds and resources to enable the policy to be fulfilled.

The Health & Safety Officer liaises with management to ensure that adequate training programmes are available for employees to become familiar with current legislation and procedures. These measures will also ensure the protection of others who may be affected by our work.

Regular consultation meetings will take place between management, employee representatives and the Health & Safety manager to discuss health & safety legislation and procedures. The Health & Safety policy is reviewed on an annual basis.

 

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Health & Safety Policy

c) Organisation

i) Participants and Contact Numbers

Duties and Responsibilities

Failure to comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA 1974) and other health & safety legislation which results in employees and/or any other person being injured, or, being put at risk of injury will render Robuild.co.uk Ltd, the Directors, Managers and Supervisors liable to prosecution.

Specific Roles

The purpose of the following is to ensure that key staff are aware of their duties and responsibilities to the company, to discharge them accordingly so that Term Contract complies with the HASAWA 1974 and any other health & safety legislation.

The Directors are ultimately responsible for the implementation of this health & safety policy. It is their responsibility to ensure that the standards are maintained, continually monitored and improved where necessary.

Directors responsible for the organisation of projects and contact numbers:

Robuild.co.uk Ltd

Office: 020 8444 6313

Fax: 020 8886 7344

 

Quality Manager – I. Rosto

The Quality Manager is responsible for all training to ensure our compliance with the HASAWA 1974 and any other health & safety legislation. He also assesses and monitors the competency of Contractors.

Senior Contract Manager

The Senior Contract Manager is responsible for implementing the standards of this policy and to ensure our compliance with the HASAWA 1974 and other health & safety legislation. He monitors specific areas ensuring that Contract Supervisors comply with their duties and responsibilities.

He has responsibility for ensuring all Portable Electrical Equipment and Work Equipment is checked and, as part of the Health & Safety Unit, prepares risk assessments, reviews fire/emergency procedures and issues PPE.

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Health & Safety Policy

c) Organisation

i) Participants and Contact Numbers (continued)

Health & Safety Officer – Graham Smith

The Health & Safety Officer is responsible for the reviewing and monitoring of the company’s Health & Safety Policy. He is responsible for the co-ordination of the policy across the company sites. He also assists company managers in the monitoring of suppliers and contractors with regards to health & safety matters.

As part of the Health & Safety Unit he also prepares risk assessments as necessary plus workstation assessments, COSHH assessments and reviews fire/emergency procedures.

Contract Supervisors –

The Contract Supervisors are responsible for their site or local health & safety management and for implementing our health & safety policy within the areas for which they have responsibility.

The Contract Supervisors are to report all accidents and matters regarding health & safety to their managers at the earliest opportunity. They are to be pro-active in reducing hazards that may cause harm or injury. .

Financial Controller

The Financial Controller has the responsibility of ensuring that there is sufficient funding available for the continual training of all employees including health & safety.

Employees

The HASAWA 1974 places responsibilities on all employees.

Regulation 7 states that all employees are to take reasonable care for the health & safety at work of themselves and others who might be affected by their acts or omissions, and are to co-operate with their employers in all matters of health & safety.

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Health & Safety Policy

c) Organisation

ii) Health & Safety Monitoring

Organisation of Monitoring

The in-house Health & Safety Unit, comprising of the Health & Safety Officer and the Senior Contract Manager, monitors the health & safety performance of Term Contract. The responsibility of the Health & Safety Unit is to monitor performance via the following:

● Management Meetings

● Screening of Accident/Incident Reports

● Reviewing Inspection Reports and Safety Audits

● Conducting safety training courses for staff

Project Monitoring

Projects will be monitored using the following methods:

● Regular inspections by the Health & Safety Unit to ensure all procedures and practices are being followed.

● The review of all risk assessments at regular intervals to ensure they keep pace with any changes.

● All Accident/Incident Reports will be reported in line with our stated policy.

● The Health & Safety Unit will meet frequently to discuss health & safety issues.

● Liaison meetings with clients/suppliers will be carried out at suitable intervals.

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

i) Common Hazards

Fire & Emergency Arrangements

Employees will receive adequate training, instruction, information and supervision as to what general and specific precautions are required and what action to take in cases of emergency. All equipment will be maintained and serviced on a regular basis in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

An appointed Contract Supervisor will be responsible for fire arrangements on site, and the Health & Safety Officer will be responsible the co-ordination and monitoring of fire arrangements at the company office. All relevant authorities will be notified of any work presenting a particular risk and where applicable their advice will be sought prior to commencement of work.

First Aid

A person responsible for First Aid on site will be appointed where appropriate. Such persons will be adequately trained. Details of First Aid arrangements will be displayed where appropriate. First Aid Boxes and First Aid Manuals are available at the head office and on every vehicle. The First Aid Boxes are inspected by the First Aid Officer.

Welfare Facilities

Each site will be assessed for welfare facilities. Adequate welfare facilities will always be supplied. Facilities will be site based wherever possible.

Use of Plant (Mobile Mechanical Equipment)

All plant is stored securely when not in use and visually checked before use. Plant is operated only by trained and competent personnel. Plant will be serviced in accordance with a service programme.

Portable Electrical Equipment & Work Equipment

Portable Electrical Equipment is equipment that has a cable and plug and that can be moved from one place to another. To reduce the risks identified in the use of electrical appliances employees are to use, wherever possible, cordless electrical hand tools.

Operatives perform visual checks before using equipment and regular inspection is made by the Contract Supervisor. Equipment is used only by trained and competent operatives and maintained by the Senior Contract Manager. All hired equipment is subject to the same level of safety monitoring.

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

i) Common Hazards (continued)

Working in Public Areas

Every reasonable duty of care will be taken to ensure the public is protected from the work in progress. This will be carried out by the use of warning signs cordoning off the work area and by ensuring plant and materials are not left unattended.

Confined Spaces

Where possible we avoid entering confined spaces. We operate a permit to work system and train operatives on the hazards and emergency procedures for confined space. We check the atmosphere, residue, temperature and size of confined spaces.

Slip and Trips

Each project is assessed for slip and trip hazards and Contract Supervisors are responsible for keeping sites tidy to reduce accidents. Appropriate lighting is installed and the effects of bad weather assessed. All staff are issued with safety footwear.

Asbestos

On all projects the client will be asked if the building or structure contains asbestos. If it does, we will ask for it to be removed by a specialist company. Our employees are instructed on the dangers of asbestos and where it is likely to be found, and to leave it to be removed by specialists if necessary.

Hazardous Substances

We have prepared COSHH Assessments for Coated Macadams & Asphalts, Cement and Cement Waterproofer, Concrete and Concrete Waterproofer, Sewage, Leptospirosis, Acrylic Paints, Water-based Paints and Solvent/Oil-based Paints; and add to this list as needed. We have also carried out assessments for Asbestos and Lead. The assessments are reviewed regularly and attached to Method Statements for operatives to read.

Noise

We have prepared Noise Assessments for Wacker Plates, Mixers, Breakers, Excavators, Abrasive Wheels and Generators; we add to this list as needed. The assessments are reviewed regularly and attached to Method Statements.

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

i) Common Hazards (continued)

Manual Handling

Operatives are instructed to avoid manual handling where possible – mechanical handling is preferred. However, all Operatives and Supervisors have been trained in manual handling techniques.

Vehicles

Our vehicles are properly maintained and managed by the Senior Contract Manager. All drivers hold a valid UK Driving Licence and Term Contract holds a Vehicle Operators Licence for vehicles with a gross plated weight over 3.5 tonnes.

We have supervisors and operatives who have received training under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and all employees are instructed on potential hazards and the need to keep vehicles and pedestrians separated.

Falls from Height

Operatives receive instruction on the dangers of working at height. Scaffolds and scaffold towers are erected by competent sub-contractors and edge protection, guardrails and toe boards are fitted on platforms as necessary. Training is given on the dangers of fragile and sloping roofs. Assessments are made of the weather conditions and if necessary work is postponed. Ladders are regularly inspected and marked as being approved. They are used for access and light work of short duration, only if there’s no alternative.

Display Screen Equipment

All workstations are assessed for comfort, space and lighting by the Health & Safety Officer. Users are trained in the safe use of display screen equipment and the need for frequent breaks. Users are entitled to free eye tests and can request them from the Managing Director.

ii) Special Hazards

Excavations

Particular hazards associated with excavations, such as the collapse of shoring, have been identified and are included in a method statement. We also operate a permit to work system to ensure the working environment is safe before work commences.

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

iii) Safe Systems of Work

Term Contract has developed and continues to review safe systems of work. Our risk assessments consider all people who may be affected by our work and non-normal activities are covered by Remedial Action Plans.

Risk Assessment Procedure

Risk assessment is carried out and recorded by the Health & Safety Unit to ensure that work being done does not impose an unacceptable risk. The five key steps in Risk Assessment are:

1 Look for and identify the hazard(s)

2 Decide who might be harmed and in what circumstances

3 Evaluate the risks and decide whether existing precautions are adequate

4 Record the significant findings

5 Review the assessment if there is significant change or evidence that the original assessment was inadequate

 

After an evaluation of the risk has been made, the principles of prevention, control and protection are applied. The hierarchy of control is as follows:

1 Eliminate the hazard

2 Reduce the hazard

3 Isolate the hazard from people

4 Control the exposure/contact with the hazard

5 Personal protective equipment (PPE)

6 Discipline – ensuring staff adhere to safe practises and rules

 

The Regulations make the following definitions:

A ‘Hazard’ is defined as something with the potential to cause harm. This

includes injury and ill health, lost working time and damage to plant, goods,

property or the environment.

‘Risk’ is the likelihood that the harm from a particular hazard is realised.

Risk is expressed as: Hazard Severity x Likelihood of Occurrence

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

iii) Safe Systems of Work (continued)

Ranking Risk

In order to ensure that the greatest risks are addressed first it is necessary to be able to rank those risks. By assigning a value to each task's likelihood and hazard and multiplying those together, a risk value for that task is established.

Likelihood - Probable Frequency (taking into account existing precautions)

Improbable occurrence   Low Possible occurrence     Low Occasional occurrence   Medium Frequent occurrence  Medium Regular occurrence   High Continual occurrence   High

 

Hazard – Severity

Trivial injury(ies)     Low Minor injury(ies)   Low Major injury to one person  Medium Major injuries to several people     High Death of one person    High Multiple deaths    High

 

The expression of the risk is then the sum of multiplying likelihood by severity as in the example below.

Risk Rating = 4                 Severity of outcome                 Slight  Serious     Major       Likelihood of event     Low     1   2   3   Medium  2   4 ������    6   High    3   6   9

 

Risk Assessments take into account all the people affected by the hazard, including contractors, visitors and the public. They also identify others who may be especially at risk (e.g. Young Persons under the age of 18 years).

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

iii) Safe Systems of Work (continued)

Risk, Noise & COSHH Assessments

Assessments have been completed for the following items, examples are in the Notes section.

1 Building Maintenance - Electricity (RA001)

2 Use of Equipment - General (RA002)

3 Manual Handling - General (RA003)

4 Lighting - General (RA004)

5 Fire - General (RA005)

6 Hazardous Substances - Coated Macadams and Asphalt (COSHH001)

7 Noise - Wacker Plates (NOISE001)

8 Working at Height - Ladders (RA006)

9 Groundwork - Excavation (RA007)

10 Use of Equipment - Onsite Welding (RA008)

11 Hazardous Substances - Cement (COSHH002)

12 Hazardous Substances - Cement Based Waterproofer (COSHH003)

13 Noise - Mixers (NOISE002)

14 Noise - Breakers (NOISE003)

15 Groundwork - Confined Spaces (RA009)

16 Building Maintenance - Demolition (RA010)

17 Hazardous Substances - Concrete Products (COSHH004)

18 Noise - Excavators with Breakers (NOISE004)

19 Hazardous Substances - Asbestos (RA011)

20 Use of Equipment - Vibrating Tools and Equipment (RA012)

21 Building Maintenance - Voids and Unoccupied Premises (RA013)

22 Noise - Abrasive Wheels (NOISE005)

23 Noise - Generators (NOISE006)

24 Working at Height - Roofs (RA014)

25 Hazardous Substances - Lead (RA015)

26 Hazardous Substances - Concrete/Mortar Waterproof Additive (COSHH005)

27 Hazardous Substances - Sewage (COSHH006)

28 Hazardous Substances - Leptospirosis (COSHH007)

29 Hazardous Substances - Acrylic Based Paints (COSHH008)

30 Hazardous Substances - Water Based Paints & Varnishes (COSHH009)

31 Hazardous Substances - Solvent/Oil Based Paints/Varnishes (COSHH010)

32 Working at Height - Scaffolding (RA016)

33 Use of Equipment - Abrasive Wheels (RA017)

34 Groundwork - Reinstatement and Tarmac/Paving (RA018)

35 Noise - Grinding Tools (NOISE007)

36 Noise - Drills (NOISE008)

37 Use of Equipment - Portable Electrical Equipment (RA019)

38 Use of Equipment - Display Screen Equipment (RA020)

39 First Aid - General (RA021)

40 Groundwork – Thermoplastic Road Markings (RA022)

41 Building Maintenance – Occupied Premises (RA023)

 

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

iii) Safe Systems of Work (continued)

Safety Method Statements

As a result of findings from Risk/COSHH Assessments we have produced the following Safety Method Statements. Examples are in the Notes section.

● Excavation

● Occupied premises

● Unoccupied premises

● Demolition

● Working at height

● Confined spaces

● Installation of PVCu Windows

● Brick and Block work

● Erecting Fencing

● Laying Tar Macadam & Paving

● CCTV Surveying and Drain Jetting

● Asbestos

Permits to Work

We operate permit to work systems for Hot Works, Confined Spaces, Electrical, Roof and Excavation work. Examples are in the Notes section.

Compliance with Regulations

Term Contract complies fully with all relevant Acts of Parliament and Regulations. Some of the most relevant and their key elements are listed below:

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

Hazardous substances must not be used until a COSHH Assessment has been completed. Assessments are available for all currently used substances and these are reviewed in light of new information.

The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996

We comply with all items in these regulations including safe place of work, prevention of falls, inspection, excavations, traffic routes, vehicles, emergency routes and exits, emergency and fires procedures, welfare facilities and others as necessary.

The Health & Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996

We consult with employees directly on matters regarding health & safety.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

We comply with all relevant items in these regulations regarding the suitability, maintenance and inspection of work equipment and relevant training for operatives.

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

iii) Safe Systems of Work (continued)

Compliance with Regulations (continued)

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

Operatives are provided with PPE appropriate for the risks involved. It is provided free of charge and assessed, maintained and stored as necessary. Operatives are instructed that misuse of safety equipment is illegal.

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999

We carry out suitable and sufficient assessments of risk for both people in our employment and others who may be affected by our work. Our employees are also made aware of their duties under Regulation 14.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

As part of their NVQ training all operatives are instructed on manual handling operations. Assessments are also conducted by the Health & Safety Unit as necessary to reduce risk of injury.

The Health & Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997

We carry out risk assessments for projects that may include young people (i.e. under the age of 18). We provide information, including details of the risk assessment, to the child’s parents or guardians before employment/work experience begins.

Noise at Work Regulations 1989

Noise Assessments have been carried out for all regularly used equipment and noise protection/reduction methods have been identified.

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (amendment 2000)

Term Contract can act as Principle Contractor or Contractor under the CDM Regulations 1994. We will update, amend or modify the Health & Safety Plan as necessary so the plan may be considered suitable and sufficient at all times.

Such amendments require the approval of the Planning Supervisor prior to commencement of the relevant phase of work. We will also help in the preparation of the Health & Safety File. Further details on CDM are contained in the General Building & Maintenance section of this brochure.

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

iv) Staff Training

All staff receive an induction which outlines our Health & Safety policy, they are also made aware of site safety rules (example in Notes Section) and separate safety rules are available for the office.

Operatives who have completed their probation period take a Construction & Civil Engineering NVQ level 2 qualification. All operatives have passed a health & safety test as part of their CSCS card. Regular toolbox talks and a weekly safety bulletin support the training.

The Quality Manager has responsibility for all training and as members of CITB we have a planned schedule of training. Training records are kept on employees and every year we review them to identify skill gaps as well as any need for re-training.

v) Accident Reporting and Investigation

Staff are encouraged to report all accidents and incidents and they are recorded in an Accident Book. Events which are covered by the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) are notified to the Health & Safety Executive by the Health & Safety Officer. Notification is by telephone and a written report is sent to The Incident Contact Centre within 10 days.

Our Health & Safety Unit investigates accidents and incidents of a serious nature and records their findings in an Accident/Incident Report.

vi) Inspections and Audits

The Health & Safety Unit undertake random inspections at least every 3 months and an audit each year to ensure that safe systems of work remain, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.

Safety Audits

Safety audits are a critical, in-depth examination of our Health & Safety management system. They cover the whole system or particular aspects, such as risk assessment procedures or fire precautions etc.

Safety Inspections Inspections are a less formal method of examining our Health & Safety performance. We normally focus on a particular site, looking for hazards and highlighting any positive or negative aspects using our Safety Inspection sheet.

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Health & Safety Policy

d) Arrangements

vii) Consultation with Employees

Employees are consulted on Health & Safety under The Health & Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 and are informed of any changes to Safe Systems of Work or the hazards of new equipment and substances. Regular meetings take place between the Health & Safety Unit and staff.

viii) Contractors

Checks are made on the competence of all Contractors by the Quality Manager using a Contractors Checklist.

Contractors are required to provide their own safe systems of work if the work is of a specialised nature (such as Asbestos Removal). If the work is of a general nature the Contractor will be advised of the relevant Term Contract safe system of work.

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Environmental Policy

a) Introduction

Term Contract is committed to the operation of best practice in all aspects of its business. This principal was applied at an early stage to Environmental issues.

All staff are fully trained in areas prescribed under Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 which may impact on the environment. This includes:

Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

We ensure staff are fully aware of energy efficiency measures that can be taken on sites, an example may be turning down thermostats by one or two degrees.

b) Procedures

Transport

We regularly examine current transport usage with a view to providing the most fuel-efficient vehicles.

Our staff route their day with the aim of saving fuel by using the shortest possible practical route, taking into account traffic flows and areas of heavy congestion.

Drivers are trained in fuel saving techniques by controlling acceleration and braking together with overall speed control to maximise fuel usage.

Material usage and disposal

We have introduced a ‘Buy Recycles’ policy and ensure that all purchases are examined with a view to identify recycled options.

Waste materials from sites such as metal are disposed in appropriately licensed waste management facilities. We are licensed by the Environment Agency under The Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 for the transport and disposal of waste.

Paper saving/recycling

Separate bins for waste paper are collected for recycling. Documents are printed on both sides wherever practicable. Margins on documents are maximised and spacing reduced. Draft documents are circulated electronically (email) before printing. Correspondence is also by email where possible and stored electronically.

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Environmental Policy

b) Procedures

Energy Saving

Saving energy reduces CO2 emissions which cuts greenhouse gases and in turn reduces global warming. Saving energy also helps us to save money by reducing energy costs. That money can then be reinvested in more energy efficiency programmes.

We have replaced all existing light fittings with energy efficient units. We encourage lights to be switched off when rooms are left empty, and time switches are being introduced where appropriate to control heating, lighting and air conditioning.

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Equal Opportunities Policy

a) Statement of Policy

The Directors of Robuild.co.uk Ltd aim to ensure the company is an equal opportunity employer, and has a policy for this purpose.

This policy covers all aspects of employment, from vacancy advertising, selection recruitment and training to conditions of service and reasons for termination of employment.

To ensure this policy is operating effectively (and for no other purpose) we maintain records of employees' and applicants' racial origins, gender, disability and age. Ongoing monitoring and regular analysis of such records provide the basis for appropriate action to eliminate unlawful direct and indirect discrimination and promote equality of opportunity.

Our long term aim is that the composition of our workforce should reflect the community. Timetabled targets will be set for groups in the community that are identified as being underrepresented in the workforce.

Special steps, as permitted by the relevant Acts of Parliament, may be taken to help disadvantaged/underrepresented groups to compete for jobs on a basis of equality.

Our policy has been devised on the basis of advice from the relevant bodies as well as in consultation with appropriate employee representatives.

Director, is responsible for the effective operation of our Equal Opportunities Policy.

 

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Equal Opportunities Policy

b) The policy

i) Vacancy Advertising

Wherever possible, all vacancies will be advertised simultaneously internally and externally.

Steps will be taken to ensure that knowledge of vacancies reaches underrepresented groups internally and externally.

Wherever possible, vacancies will be notified to job centres, careers offices, schools, colleges, etc, where there are significant minority groups, as well as to minority press/media and organisations.

 

ii) Selection and Recruitment

Selection criteria (job description and employee specification) will be kept under constant review to ensure they are justifiable on non-discriminatory grounds as being essential for the effective performance of the job.

Wherever possible, more than one person will be involved in the selection interview and recruitment process, and all will have received training in equal opportunities.

Wherever possible, women, minorities and disabled persons will be involved in the short listing and interviewing processes.

Reasons for selection and rejection of applicants for vacancies will be recorded.

iii) Personnel records

In order to ensure the effective operation of the Equal Opportunities Policy (and for no other purpose) a record will be kept of all employees' and job applicants' gender, racial origins and disability.

Where necessary, employees will be able to check/correct their own record of these details. Otherwise, access to this information will be strictly restricted.

Such records will be analysed regularly and appropriate follow-up action taken.

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Equal Opportunities Policy

b) The policy

iv) Positive action - training, promotion and conditions of service

Underrepresented groups will be encouraged to apply for training and employment opportunities with Term Contract. Wherever possible, special training will be provided for such groups to prepare them to compete on genuinely equal terms for jobs and promotion.

However, actual recruitment to all jobs will be strictly on merit. Wherever necessary, use will be made of lawful exemptions to recruit suitably qualified people to cater for the special needs of particular groups.

Wherever possible, efforts will be made to identify and remove unnecessary/unjustifiable barriers and provide appropriate facilities and conditions of service to meet the special needs of disadvantaged and/or underrepresented groups.

v) General

The objectives of our Equal Opportunities Policy are to:

● Ensure Term Contract has access to the widest labour market and secures the best employees for its needs.

● Ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment, and that, wherever possible, they are given the help they need to attain their full potential to the benefit of the company/etc and themselves.

● Achieve an ability-based workforce which is in line with the working population mix in the relevant labour market areas.

The cooperation of all employees is essential for the success of this policy. However, ultimate responsibility for achieving the policy's objectives, and for ensuring compliance with the relevant Acts of Parliament as well as the various Codes of Practice, lies with the management team at Term Contract.

Behaviour or actions against the spirit and/or the letter of the laws on which this policy is based (notably the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, Race Relations Act 1976, Disability Discrimination Act 1995) will be considered serious disciplinary matters, and may in some cases, lead to dismissal.

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Equal Opportunities Policy

c) Types of Discrimination

i) Direct Discrimination

Consists of treating a person (on the grounds of race, sex or disability) less favourably than others. Segregating a person from others on these grounds constitutes less favourable treatment.

ii) Indirect Discrimination

Consists of applying a condition which, although applied equally to all employees, is such that a considerably smaller proportion of a particular group can comply with it; and it cannot be shown to be justifiable on other than discriminatory grounds. Possible examples are:

1 A rule about clothing or uniforms which disproportionately disadvantages a racial group and cannot be justified.

2 An employer who requires higher language standards than are needed for safe and effective performance of the job.

iii) Discrimination by Victimisation

This is unlawful under various Acts of Parliament. For Example, a person is victimised if they are given less favourable treatment because they have alleged that discrimination has occurred.

To ensure our Equal Opportunities Policy is fully effective, Term Contract will:

1 provide training guidance for Supervisory Staff and others to ensure they understand their position in Law and under company policy.

2 not instruct or put pressure on others to discriminate and will ensure that decision makers are instructed not to give into pressure to discriminate. Giving instructions or bringing pressure to discriminate will be treated as a disciplinary offence.

 

Term Contract will not victimise individuals who have made allegations or complaints of discrimination or provided information about such discrimination by either disciplining them or dismissing them.

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