Safety Statement
Version 1 : October 2012
Next Review due :October 2013
Chairperson – Mary Cashman – 085 1082673.
Aims & Policies: The committee is working to ensure that the town of Mallow is presented in as good a light as possible to visitors, tourists and most importantly the people of Mallow. We aim to keep Mallow tidy by way of regular tidy-ups, litter picks, grass/landscape maintenance, painting etc... The committee strives to improve the environmental aspects of Mallow Town on a continual basis, in order to make it a more pleasant place to live in. All work is planned and organised at committee level and all work is done on a voluntary basis.
Safety: The committee intends that these tasks be carried out without any harm to any of our volunteers on the projects, 3rd parties or the
environment and has set out the following Safety Management System [SMS] to minimise risks and subsequent harm to any of the above.
Our safety officer/advisor is Michael Whelan DIP HS. The SMS involves planning the tasks, doing it and reviewing the results. It is proposed that the outcome of this be communicated to the bi-monthly meeting of the executive committee and the risks/controls are modified as necessary. Accidents and incidents are recorded in the First Aid book which is kept with the first aid kit, these will also be reported to the chairperson and safety officer. Results will then be reviewed at the next committee meeting and appropriate measures will then be taken. The Safety Statement comprises these policy declarations and a risk assessment. The Risk Assessment below is the primary tool of the SMS.
The tasks performed by the volunteers are agreed by the committee and persons are assigned
roles in accordance with their skills/experience. The risks are identified and controls are applied to reduce the risks. Volunteers will be made aware of these risk controls at the start of every project by the relevant project leader. Only competent/trained persons are allowed
to perform assigned tasks. Relevant committee members will supervise each working party.
Safety Management System
The safety officer will deliver this induction process to any new recruits at any time during the season. The Safety Officer identifies any particular health issues for volunteers at this induction session.
A first aid kit is available from any committee member and all injuries are recorded in the accident book provided. Any accident reported is investigated by the safety officer and a report is given to the next scheduled meeting of the committee. This report will include recommendations on further risk reductions and controls.
From time to time a Safety Talk will be given during a project day and ideas captured on better/safer work methods. These ideas are fed back to volunteers at the induction process.
The implementation of this SMS will be discussed as an agenda item at a committee meeting and similarly at the end of next season prior to the review date of October 2013. The planning and reviewing strategy allows for continual improvement of the Safety Management System.
All new existing and new recruits will sign an acknowledgement of the Safety Statement/Safety Management System.