"eyes and ears along the coast"

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

 

It is the policy of Coastwatch Scotland Irvine (hereafter CWS) that the activities of CWS shall be carried out in such a manner as to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its volunteers, visitors and all those with whom they work and thus meet its legal and moral duties

 

CWS works in close co-operation with other bodies concerned with the maritime environment. To this end, CWS will strive to ensure that the health and safety policies and practices of one body do not conflict with those of another as they affect its operations.

 

This policy is the framework by which CWS provides and maintains safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all its volunteers and provides such information, training and supervision as they need for the purpose.

 

Responsibilities for the health and safety of others who may be affected by approved CWS activities are accepted. A prime element of this policy is the progressive identification and removal or control of health and safety hazards which exist or which may arise in the future.

 

As an essential part of making this policy work, the enthusiastic co-operation of all volunteers is sought in recognising and honouring their responsibility and legal duty to themselves, each other and anyone affected by their work and activities.

 

CWS has the overall responsibility for setting and implementing this policy and for monitoring and reviewing standards.

 

 

RISK ASSESSMENT

 

A risk assessment is simply the process of thinking about possible hazards, and what CWS will do to avoid them. CWS undertakes to go through the process of minimising specific risks associated with the areas within CWS area of responsibility, all participants, equipment and the specific activities involved. CWS volunteers will receive instruction and an Induction pack to ensure they are made familiar with all the tasks CWS undertake and the Training Requirements that Volunteers require, to be considered competent in carrying out any duties.

 

New volunteers will receive training so they can carry out these tasks competently. Once performing these tasks proficiently they can move towards Watchkeeper status where another set of roles and duties could be considered with appropriate training. The objective is to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions and environment for all CWS volunteers and all other people who are directly affected by CWS activities, such as members of the public at CWS events.

 

Overall and final responsibility for Health and Safety at all events and activities organised by CWS lies with the management committee. This responsibility will be delegated to a named CWS volunteer for each event or activity and that volunteer will be responsible for ensuring that this policy is upheld.

 

A Risk Assessment will be carried out before every one off event. This will include assessing risks as they relates to all aspects of the event including: equipment; venue; volunteers; attendees, etc. Appropriate precautions will be taken to minimise hazards at all events and activities.

 

This policy and the way it operates will be reviewed annually and be updated as necessary to reflect the development of CWS. This policy will be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure its continuing validity