Sword Contracts Limited recognises our responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act and recognises our duty of care and undertake to maintain safe systems of work and operates a Worksafe Policy (or Refusal to Work Policy) for all of our staff.
Risk Assessments are carried out in line with the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations and the Company’s Health & Safety Policy. Control measures are put in place including Method Statements, COSHH information and Toolbox Talks to reduce risks as far as reasonably practical.
Sufficient training and mentoring is provided to ensure the competence of all staff and we do not expect any employee to undertake any duties unless they are competent, have been briefed on any relevant information specific to the task and have suitable protective equipment (PPE).
We require all employees to work safely at all times and to ensure that others around them work safely. This includes complying with site rules, all site specific procedures and instructions, wearing correct the correct and appropriate PPE and the use of the correct tools and equipment. Where the use or operation of a machine, method of working of other influencing factor(s) that constitute a danger to staff or another person exists the employee may refuse to operate the machine.
Every member of the SCL has the absolute right to decline to carry out work if they feel it is not safe to do so. The employee may refuse to carry out a method of working when it puts the life, health or safety of himself/herself or another person in danger. Any situation arising which leads to an individual refusing to work for health and safety reasons must be reported to management as soon as possible, and no work should be recommenced until the issue(s) causing concern have been addressed.
SCL additionally provides full confidential reporting arrangements via dedicated Health & Safety Managers. Contact numbers for confidential reporting are provided on site, and are issued as part of the briefing process. Managers and staff are also encouraged to report any unsafe acts or conditions, which they have witnessed.