Information about Smoke detectors

Thanks to Canterbury Community Trust  for the Grant: We now have an Automatic External Defibrillator on the premises.

Health & Safety Policy and checklists

Seniornet Nelson Inc. is committed to providing and maintaining an environment and system of work that is safe and without undue risk to the health and safety of members and others.

 We shall strive to protect all members and visitors from accidental harm and our property from accidental damage.

To achieve this we shall:

1. Provide a safe work area, safe equipment and proper materials.

2. Establish and insist upon safe methods and safe practices at all times.

3. Comply with legislative requirements.

The responsibility for safety shall be adopted as an integral part of everyday work, therefore it is vital that everyone shares in the commitment to eliminate unsafe acts and conditions by thinking and acting safely at all times.

Seniornet Nelson Inc will appoint a Safety Officer.  In 2013  the Safety Officer is Brian Muddiman.

Duties of the Safety Officer:

• The Safety Officer is required to inspect the premises quarterly and to report the result of the inspection to the committee.
• The Safety Officer is required to ensure that fire safety and first aid equipment is installed and available and that Exit signs are in place.
• The Safety Officer is required to maintain a record of accidents and report to OSH.

This Health and Safety Policy became effective on 1st December 2011 & was updated on 5th March 2013

 SeniorNet  “Customers” (Members, Students, tutors, contractors and visitors)

Given that our members and visitors are mostly in their 60s, 70s or 80s our principal activities involving teaching and learning about modern and often unfamiliar technology can be expected to occasionally cause frustrations or impose pressure on both students and tutors.  We therefore need to be aware of the possibility of having to cope with occasional health emergencies, particularly Stroke, TIA (transient ischaemic attack) , often referred to as "mini stroke" ) and Heart Attack. 
It is recommended that SeniorNet Nelson provides training for tutors/members to recognise the symptoms and handle such emergency promptly.

Safety and the Law

The basic objective of the Health & Safety in Employment Act 1992 and its amendments is to promote excellence in health and safety management while providing a mechanism to prevent harm coming to employees (members) and others (students, visitors, contractors), while they are engaged in any work (including Learning Centre classes and related activity).

1. Under Section 18 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, a duty is placed on the Federation to promote the safety of members and students, visitors and sub-contractors. It is the duty to of SeniorNet Nelson Inc. to ensure that members and students understand the risks associated with their activities and how these may be managed. This duty extends to cover the safety of others (visitors) and anyone else in the vicinity of our learning centres.

2. Just as any organisation can be taken to Court and fined heavily, so can persons with control such as tutors (section 16). The HSE Act 1992 is about joint responsibility in terms of workplace safety and it is about preventing harm coming to tutors, students, contractors or others visiting our workplace. The penalties for failing to abide by the law are extensive, not only for the Federation and Learning Centres, but also for their management committees and tutors. If you are not sure of anything, ask before you act.

3.  Under section 25 of the HSE Act 1992, Learning Centres must record and report workplace accidents that result in serious harm injury as well as all incidents that might have resulted in serious harm injury.

Initial notification can be by telephone immediately after the incident. This is to be followed by written notification within seven (7) days using the prescribed form (see the Accident / Incident Reporting Form.)

This applies to tutors as well so please advise your Safety Officer who will complet the attached form with your help.

Trainer (Tutor) Responsibilities   

1.  Before each class check the premises for hazards prior to students arriving and where appropriate, remove or minimise the cause of any hazard discovered. See the appendix for checklists and reporting hazards.

2.  At the beginning of each course or when you have new students, you must describe the evacuation procedures to them.

3.  Encourage students to report any hazards or accidents to you so that you can act appropriately and promptly.

4. Ensure all accidents or near accidents are recorded and that serious harm accidents or near serious harm accidents are reported to the OSH Service of the Department of Labour by the Society’s  Safety Officer.

Emergency Evacuation

• Make it your business to know where the closest assembly area is

• Be aware of the quickest and safest route to the assembly area

• Communicate this to your students regularly.

If an evacuation is signalled ensure everybody under your care:

• Makes their way to the designated assembly area (help any student who needs it)

• Remains at the assembly area until the ALL CLEAR is signalled

• The Tutor will use the class roll as a means of accounting for all students.

Fire Control

• Know the location of the fire alarms, telephones and the fire extinguishers closest to your work area
• Emergency exits must be kept free and clear of obstructions at all times.
• Equipment must be checked regularly to ensure it is in working order. 
  
  Accidents and Incidents Procedure

When there is an accident that results in a serious harm injury to a person the area in which the accident occurred must be isolated until such time as the OSH Service have been notified. There must be no interference at the accident scene. This duty is set out under section 26 of the HSE Act 1992 and will be applicable in all circumstances except to the extent necessary:

 To save the life of, prevent harm to, or relieve the suffering of any person; or

 To maintain the access of the general public to an essential service or utility; or

    To prevent serious damage to, or serious loss of, property

A written report by the Safety Officer using an Accident / Incident Reporting Form should be forwarded to OSH with another copy going to SeniorNet Nelson's Chairperson.

First Aid

In the event of any minor injuries to any person, a first aid kit should be available for use. For more serious injuries, emergency services should be contacted. The closest first aid kit is on the small table next to the Learning Centre entry door.  Minor accidents or injuries should be reported using an Accident Investigation Form.
This form is located in the Health & Safety filing box on the shelf in The Learning Centre.  In addition the Safety Officer must be notified. 

Dialling Emergency Numbers 111 

You must dial 111 for any of the emergency services.

Lift the handset, wait a couple of seconds until you hear dial tone and then dial 111.

Ask for the service you require.
The Hall and Learning Centre is located at Pioneer Park, 16 Hastings Street, Nelson.

Hazard Identification and Control

A hazard can be anything that is an actual or potential source or cause of serious harm.  Hazard Management is the formal process where actual and potential hazards are identified, assessed for their significance and then managed. 

Should you identify a hazard or significant hazard (a hazard that may result in serious harm injuries), then you must contact your Safety Officer. If that person is not available you should then contact a Committee Member.

Hazard Identification, Assessment for Significance and Control

Identify the Hazards, Assess the significance (how serious and how likely), Control the hazard (eliminate, isolate, minimise)

Alcohol and Drugs 

These are strictly forbidden unless authorised by a Registered Medical Practitioner’s prescription.

                                                     
                                                           General Practice Information

 Manual Handling and Lifting

Very often it is not WHAT was handled or lifted so much as the way in which it was handled or lifted that leads to lifting type injuries. Bend your knees when lifting.  Test the weight first - make sure you can lift it.   In all cases keep your back as straight as possible.  If in any doubt, please consider team lifting techniques - get some help.

Environmental Protection

SeniorNet Nelson Inc is committed to the protection of the environment. Don't attempt to do any work under conditions that may result in damage to the environment. Spillage of hydrocarbons, solvents, fuels, chemicals and any other dangerous or volatile goods should be reported immediately. Uncontrolled dumping of rubbish and/or effluent is strictly forbidden. Materials containing contaminants such as PCBs or any other hazardous chemicals are to be disposed of by the correct authorities.

                                                      Hazard Identification Checklist

Action required……………………………………….. ………………….By whom………………………………

Action required……………………………………….. ………………….By whom………………………………

Action required……………………………………….. ………………….By whom………………………………

Action required……………………………………….. ………………….By whom………………………………

Action required……………………………………….. ………………….By whom………………………………

Action required……………………………………….. ………………….By whom………………………………

Signed:  ………………………………. ...................................................Date:………………………….............

1    Particulars of employer, self-employed person or principal: (business name, postal address and telephone number)

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

2    The person reporting is:

o  an employer      o a principal           o a self-employed person

3    Location of place of work:    

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

4    Personal data of injured person:

5    Occupation or job title of injured person:
(employees and self-employed persons only)

6    The injured person is:

o an employee                       o a contractor (self-employed person)

o self                                      o other

7    Period of employment of injured person:
(employees only)

o 1^st week                              o 1^st month            o 1-6 months

o 6 months-1 year                 o 1-5 years            o Over 5 years
o non-employee

8    Treatment of injury:

o None                                                  o First aid only      
o Doctor but no hospitalisation              o Hospitalisation

9    Time and date of accident/ serious harm:

10  Mechanism of accident/ serious harm:

o fall, trip or slip                     o hitting objects with part of the body

o sound or pressure              o being hit by moving objects

o body stressing                    o heat, radiation or energy   

o biological factors o chemicals or other substances

o mental stress
11  Agency of accident/ serious harm:  

o machinery or (mainly) fixed plant

o mobile plant or transport

o powered equipment, tool, or appliance

o non-powered handtool, appliance, or equipment

o chemical or chemical product

o material or substance

o environmental exposure (e.g. dust, gas)

o animal, human or biological agency (other than bacteria or virus)

o bacteria or virus

12 Body part:

o head                   o neck                    o trunk

o upper limb          o lower limb           o multiple locations

o systemic internal organs

13  Nature of injury or disease:          o fatal   

(specify all)

o fracture of spine                 o puncture wound

o other fracture                     o poisoning or toxic effects

o dislocation                           o multiple injuries

o sprain or strain                   o damage to artificial aid

o head injury                          o disease, nervous system

o internal injury of trunk         o disease, musculoskeletal system

o amputation, including eye   o disease, skin

o open wound                       o disease, digestive system

o superficial injury                  o disease, infectious or parasitic

o bruising or crushing            o disease, respiratory system

o foreign body                       o disease, circulatory system

o burns                                  o tumour (malignant or benign)

o nerves or spinal chord        o mental disorder 

14  Where and how did the accident/serious harm happen?
(If not enough room attach separate sheet or sheets.) 

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

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

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

(a)     Has an investigation been carried out?   o yes      o no

      (b)     Was a significant hazard involved?          o yes      o no

Location                                                                                                                                               Date of Assessment