POLICY STATEMENT
It is Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society’s policy, so far as is reasonably practicable:
- To provide and maintain premises, tools and equipment that are safe and without risks to health;
- To make arrangements for ensuring safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use of tools, lifting, handling, storage and transport of equipment;
- To provide such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the health and safety of members and visitors;
- To provide such personal protective equipment as is necessary for the health and safety of members and visitors;
- To monitor the effectiveness of health and safety provisions within the Society;
- To keep the Health and Safety Policy under regular review and to publish any amendments;
- To ensure that all major projects shall be subject to a Risk Assessment and an approved method of work is established before work takes place.
Responsibility
The Committee is responsible for all Health and Safety matters. The Observatory Director shall report to the Committee on matters of health and safety and maintain records of Health & Safety audits, Risk Assessments and any incidents of injury, ill health or 'near misses'.
It is equally a duty for everyone engaged in Society activities to exercise responsibility and care in the prevention of injury and ill health to themselves and to others who may be affected by their acts and omissions.
No person shall intentionally interfere with, or misuse anything provided by the Society in the interests of health, safety or welfare.
Members of the Society must:
- Report any incident of accident or injury immediately to any member of the Committee;
- Report any concerns relating to the safety of equipment or premises to any member of the Committee;
- Not attempt to service or repair tools or equipment, unless they are competent to do so and have Committee approval;
- Not permit access to premises or use of equipment by the public if they have any doubts regarding its safety;
- Seek advice if they have any doubts as to how to operate tools or equipment safely;
- Record the incident or concern in the appropriate Accident Report Book or Observatory Log Book.
The Committee must:
- Not permit access to grounds or premises, or the use of tools or equipment by members, or by the public, if they have any doubts regarding its safety;
- Publish guidelines, rules and advice relating to the safe use of tools, equipment and premises and draw member's attention to such guidelines, rules and advice;
- Conduct a Health and Safety audit and Risk Assessment of all activities, the observatory and grounds at least once per year.