Health and Safety Policy
ritchie*studio have ISO 45001: 2018 accreditation.
ritchie*studio considers health and safety at work to be of fundamental importance. We have always strived to create a humane organisation where the welfare of people is of central concern. This applies to our own employees and to those who visit our premises, but it also affects those with whom we collaborate, those to whom we provide our professional services and the users of the buildings we design. Since the inception of our Health and Safety Policy from 1990 we have had no reportable incidents. We recognise that health includes physical and mental health and social wellbeing. Our workforce’s mental health and wellbeing is key to our success and that providing a positive work environment is fundamental to our mental health and wellbeing.
General Policy
- To issue this Health and Safety Policy and the Health and Safety Manual to all staff and to new staff members and to issue further or revised guidance from time to time on safety matters affecting the Practice. Staff are required to read the most current version of the Health and Safety Policy and Health and Safety Manual thoroughly and sign documentation confirming understanding and agreement to abide by the obligations as stated in the Policy and Safety Manual;
- To consult with staff on matters affecting their health and safety and to provide the opportunity to raise health and safety matters at any time;
- To receive proposals from staff, jointly or individually, for improving the effectiveness of practice procedures and policies relating to health and safety;
- To be committed to eliminate Occupational Health and Safety hazards and reduce Occupational Health and Safety risks;
- To regularly monitor and revise and continually improve the Health and Safety Policy, Health and Safety Manual and Occupational Health and Safety Management System as necessary, particularly in response to any new legislation, guidance, identified risks or improvement opportunities or as the business changes in nature and size.
- To provide a positive working environment alongside and in support of the requirements of the Equality Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Policy in relation to employees and persons visiting ritchie*studio or other premises:
- To provide healthy and safe working conditions for staff and for the safety of clients or other members of the public who may visit the premises;
- To give adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to staff on all aspects of their work to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, their health and safety at work including the safe handling and use of any equipment and hazardous substances;
- To ensure that staff are adequately briefed when visiting 3rd party premises, production facilities and construction sites; have obtained CSCS card prior to site visits or otherwise appropriately briefed and safely escorted. And to report any untoward H&S issues observed during the visit to the appropriate person.
- To provide and maintain, where necessary, protective clothing and equipment in accordance with the regulations;
- To encourage staff to report health and safety hazards to the H&S Manager; without reprisal,
- To record all accidents/injuries and notify any major accidents/injuries or work related diseases to the enforcing authority in accordance with current regulations – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
Policy in relation to professional services:
- To provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from the Practice’s work activities;
- To comply with the requirements of Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 that the design and specification of construction, demolition or installation work and the manner of its execution shall be such that safe working conditions are possible for all during the construction phase or after completion;
- To comply with the duties as designers, and if appointed, Principal Designer under The Building Regulations.
- To obtain from Clients details of existing hazards or safety policies affecting their specific projects;
- To require clients or contractors to discharge in full their duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in relation to staff of the Practice visiting clients’ property or construction sites.
Risk Assessment:
The Practice, in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and using competent persons, will make suitable and sufficient assessment of all relevant risks or hazards affecting:
- The health and safety of its staff whilst they are working for the Practice;
- The health and safety of other persons not in its employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct of its undertaking.
The assessments will be recorded and any required changes will be made and recorded accordingly.
