Metropolis Maintenance

Our organisation will take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of injury or ill health resulting from the use of hazardous substances.  As part of this process we will assess who might be harmed and the potential health effects from the use of hazardous substances in our work processes with the aim of reducing the risks at source. 

Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the use of hazardous substances, or substitute it with a safer alternative,  our organisation is committed to providing control measures that may include the provision of engineering  controls.  As a last resort we will provide suitable personal protective equipment, training, information and health  surveillance.

This policy sets out what measures we will take to ensure that the use of hazardous substances in our work processes does not pose a significant risk to our employees or anyone else who might be affected by our activities.  The person who will have overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy is Maria Papoutsou Managing Director.

Hazardous Substances Risk Assessment

Maria Papoutsou been nominated as the person who will oversee the carrying out of Hazardous Substances risk assessments in our workplace.  This person has undergone training in Hazardous Substances risk assessment techniques.  Where necessary she will appoint additional competent persons to assist in carrying out of our Hazardous Substances risk assessments.

If during your work you are exposed to hazardous substances we are committed to consulting you during the Hazardous Substances risk assessment process in order to gain your views.  We believe your involvement in the process of assessing risks is vital to managing risks and your cooperation is very important.  Hazardous Substances risk assessments will be reviewed on a regular basis. 

Reviews will occur if there is a change in the processes we carry out, advances in technology, or, some aspect makes our Hazardous Substances risk assessment invalid.  We will retain good and accurate records of all our Hazardous Substances risk assessments.

Implementing Improvements

Maria Papoutsou has been nominated as the person who has overall responsibility for dealing with problems arising from working with hazardous substances.   We recognise that the process of undertaking Hazardous Substances risk assessments may require us to implement reasonable improvements.  We are committed to doing this.  You play an important role in helping to identify problems and are responsible for raising any concerns.  If you do this we will:

• Take all necessary steps to investigate the matter
• Implement any reasonable and practical improvements that might be required
• Keep employees informed of the improvements.

The first aim of our Hazardous Substances risk assessments will be to avoid or reduce potential risks from use of hazardous substances with measures that may include:

• Planning or organising processes to eliminate the use of hazardous substances, or, by substituting it with a less harmful alternative
• Planning or organising work or processes to avoid exposure to hazardous substances by hardware enclosures 
• Control of exposure by the use of engineering means, such as local exhaust ventilation
• Provision of adequate protective equipment (such as respirators, gloves, etc)

As a general principle, we accept that the use of personal protective equipment should be a last resort in managing work with hazardous substances and are committed to seeking the type of protection measures outlined above in order to reduce exposure at source.

Provision of Personal Protection

Where exposure to hazardous substances cannot be reduced below safe exposure limits, then you will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment. The work areas where these substances are handled will be clearly marked, as required, with mandatory safety signs.  Our organisation will provide suitable personal protective equipment to anyone who is required to enter these areas. Maria Papoutsou has been nominated as the person who is responsible for the provision of personal protective equipment and maintaining suitable records of its issue and maintenance.

Information and Training

If you are required to work with hazardous substances at work you will be provided with information and training so that you can carry out this work safely.  Maria Papoutsou been nominated as the person who will oversee the delivery of training in our workplace. This person has undergone training in providing health and safety training.  Where necessary she/he will appoint additional competent persons to assist in carrying out training. This training will include:

• The nature of the hazards (i.e. situations that might cause injury or damage health) and associated risks (i.e. factors that increase the probability of something going wrong) in connection with the use of hazardous substances
• An understanding of how to assess risks and decide the best way to carry out tasks involving hazardous substances in a safe manner
• An understanding of any systems of work or control measures that we have implemented to ensure your health and safety
• An understanding of the requirement to report any problems relating to hazardous substances to a responsible person so that corrective measures can be taken. 
• The importance of consulting Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to check you know what you are handling and the appropriate safety precautions

Health Surveillance

Maria Papoutsou has been nominated as the person who has overall responsibility for monitoring health problems that might be associated with exposure to hazardous substances.  The Control of Substances Hazardous To Health Regulations 2002 require health surveillance to be provided for employees working with certain hazardous substances (for example waste fumes).  Our organisation is committed to providing ongoing health monitoring for all employees who are likely to be regularly exposed to specific hazardous substances.  The purpose of health monitoring is to provide an early warning of possible ill health and to ensure that our risk controls are working effectively.

Maintenance of equipment

Maria Papoutsou has been nominated as the person who will be responsible for ensuring that any equipment we have provided to control the risks from hazardous substances is maintained in an effective condition.  This includes any local exhaust ventilation systems, air monitoring equipment and personal protective equipment. 

First Aid and Emergency Arrangements

As part of our risk assessment process we will ensure that we have in place appropriate first aid and emergency arrangements for all hazardous substances we handle in our organisation.  You will be informed of these arrangements are part of your training and where appropriate how to implement them.