Scope and Statement
This policy applies to all Reserves, Sites and Locations where the West Midland Bird Club (WMBC) has Management control, Management agreements, or any other form of Management responsibility. The policy covers all aspects of Health and Safety covering responsibilities of
Trustees, Management and Members/Volunteers.

The WMBC will be guided by the Heath and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and all other associated Regulations. (The WMBC is a non employee Charity, where all officers are members and volunteers).

The Health and Safety of WMBC members and visitors is of utmost importance to the Club.

Responsibilities
The Trustees of WMBC are responsible for the generation and upkeep of this policy. They have overall responsibility for ensuring that Members, Volunteers, Visitors, Guests, Partners and Contractors are kept safe whilst engaging in WMBC activities. They will ensure that robust hazard identification & Risk reduction processes/systems are in place, and that such processes are fully communicated to Reserve Management. Trustees will review all Heath and Safety issues identified and will take appropriate action(s) to eliminate, reduce or mitigate. All serious or significant Health and Safety incidents will be independently investigated by the Trustee nominated person (likely an
Independent Trustee).

 

The Reserve Management will ensure that location Hazards have been identified & documented.  Risk assessments will be conducted on a regular basis, and improvement actions will be documented and managed through the Management committees. All incidents and accidents will be reported to a Reserve nominated person for investigation and action. All incidents will be reported to the Trustees for review. Serious incidents (Serious near miss or injury etc.) require immediate escalation to the Trustee nominated Safety person.

Reserve Management will provide appropriate Training , Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to volunteers engaged in “Work Parties” or similar. Each work activity MUST be risk assessed prior to any work taking place. Only well established and professional contractors will be engaging for Reserve work. Appropriate Insurance, Equipment, PPE and Risk Assessments MUST be in place prior to any work being conducted.

Reserve Management will ensure that all official visitors and guests are made aware of the Reserves Hazards, Risks and Controls. Young people and Children will only ever be allowed on a Reserve where they are Safety briefed and fully escorted.

Members will be required to follow all Health and Safety requirements, act in a Safe and responsible manner, report any Health and Safety concerns to Reserve Management.

Arrangements for Health and Safety
All Reserves and Locations will conduct a regularly reviewed Hazard identification process. This will be in accordance with a recognised Hazard Matrix that considers both the consequences and likelihood of such identified hazards.

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Potential Reserve Hazards may Include the following (not an exhaustive list) -

• Safety - Working at Height, Electrical Works, Machinery or Tools, Confined Spaces, Open/Deep

• Water, etc.

• Physical - Noise, Vibration, Temperature, Radiation, etc.

• Ergonomic - Lifting, Pulling, Heavy Work, etc.

• Organisation - Stress, Bullying, Violence, etc.

• Chemical - Toxic, Flammable, Fumes, Corrosive, etc.

• Biological- Bites, Stings, Blood Borne Pathogens, Animal Waste, etc.

 

Risk Assessments will be conducted following the Hazard identification process. The Risk assessment will include the Hazard identified, the associated Risks, the current controls (if any), the Risk Reductions actions, dates, responsibilities and action closure.

Risk Reduction actions will be in accordance with the Safety Hierarchy of Control:-

• Elimination - remove the Hazard completely, e.g do not use Flammable liquids

• Replacement - use less Hazardous processes - e.g bow saws rather than chain saws

• Engineering Controls - generally physical barriers, e.g, guard rails, gates, walls etc.

• Management Controls (Administration) - typically Training, Instructions, Signage

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - the last form of control, often used in conjunction with other controls, e.g Hard Hats, Gloves, Ear Defenders

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Actions taken should be working from top to bottom and can be layered into multiple actions.