Policy for the use of Plant, Machinery and Equipment 1.0

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

1.1

This policy is designed to provide a set of principles, and a framework for managers and employees, for the protection from hazards associated with the use of plant, machinery and work equipment.

1.2

The overall aim of this policy is to give guidance to managers, employees and contractors who by virtue of their employment use or manage work equipment

2.0

SCOPE OF THE POLICY

2.1

This policy applies to all employees in the Trust, including permanent employees and those on fixed term contracts, who are likely to be exposed to any of the risks associated with the use of plant, machinery and equipment.

3.0

PRINCIPLES OF THE POLICY

3.1

An assessment will be undertaken by managers to identify any hazards to employees who use equipment for the purpose of fulfilling their duties whilst working for the Trust, and effective measures will be implemented to eliminate or reduce the risks to an acceptable level wherever practicable.

3.2

Work equipment will be routinely maintained and, where appropriate, repaired or replaced accordingly.

3.3

Work equipment provided will be constructed or adapted to be suitable for the purpose for which it will be used

3.4

Due consideration will be given with regards to the suitability of plant, machinery or equipment and the health & safety risks faced by personnel using said equipment, when purchasing on behalf of the Trust. Purchases are made via an appropriate central ordering procedure.

3.5

All staff who use equipment for fulfilling their duties whilst at work, or carry out servicing of such equipment, will receive adequate information and instruction to do so and will be trained in the correct usage and/or servicing procedures accordingly.

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4.0

REPRESENTATION

4.1

Should the need arise for representation; employees will be entitled to a trades union representative or a colleague being present.

5.0

RESPONSIBILITY

5.1

The Directors are responsible to the Chief Executive and the Board for ensuring the effective implementation of this policy. Managers are responsible for undertaking the assessment of risks within the areas of their control and for ensuring that each piece of work equipment is fit for purpose for the conditions under which it will be used.

6.0

CONSULTATION

6.1

The Trust will consult with employee/trades union representatives on any control measures to be introduced as a result of the findings of the risk assessment and on any changes to this policy.

This policy will be implemented via the separate detailed procedures and Guidance Note 16 – Vibration Safety Booklet. The procedure and guidance notes should always be used in conjunction with the policy, to provide a consistent approach in the practical implementation of this area of operation. Author of Policy

Date of Review

Approved by EMT

Review Date

Ivan Hilditch

June 2011

EMT

July 2014

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Appendix two

Race and Diversity Impact Assessment The term policy refers to any activity Weaver Vale does – whether that is a policy or procedure we write or review, a service we provide, an OSDP project, or an initiative we run. Department:

Officer responsible for the assessment:

THE TRUST AS A WHOLE

Name of Policy to be assessed:

PLANT, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT POLICY

Date of Assessment:

28.05.11

IVAN HILDITCH

Is this a new or existing policy?

EXISTING

1.

Briefly describe the aims, objectives and purpose of the policy.

TO PROVIDE A POLICY FOR THOSE STAFF WHO USE PLANT, MACHINERY AND/OR EQUIPMENT IN WHATEVER GUISE WHILST UNDERTAKING THEIR DUTIES FOR THE TRUST

2.

Who is intended to benefit from this policy, and in what way?

ALL STAFF WHO UNDERTAKE TASKS USING PLANT, MACHINERY AND/OR EQUIPMENT. THIS POLICY AND ASSOCIATED PROCEDURES WILL ENSURE THEY HAVE A FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH TO WORK AND A KNOWLEDGE OF HOW THEIR SAFETY IS BEING MANAGED

When completing the section below consider whether the services made available through the policy are accessible to everyone with the community. Bear in mind any economic, social, environmental, physical, intellectual, cultural, linguistic, technological or other barriers. Are there concerns that the policy could have a No X 3. differential impact either positive or negative due Yes to their age? What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 4.

Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to disability?

THIS POLICY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AGE. THE APPROPRIATE RISK ASSESSMENTS AND SUITABILITY OF PLANT, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED PRIOR TO PURCHASE OR ASSIGNMENT TO A STAFF MEMBER, CONTROLLING THE RISKS NO MATTER WHAT THE AGE OF THE OPERATIVE.

No X

Yes

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What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 5.

Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative on people with literacy issues?

What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified?

6.

Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to gender?

What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 7.

Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative on racial groups?

What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 8.

Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to their faith or religious belief?

What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified?

THIS POLICY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THOSE STAFF WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. ALL STAFF WILL BE TREATED EQUALLY AND THE POLICY WILL MANAGE THE INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS ACCORDINGLY.

No X

Yes

THIS POLICY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST STAFF WITH LITERACY ISSUES. THE POLICY ITSELF WILL BE COMMUNICATED IN A MANNER APPROPRIATE FOR THOSE STAFF WITH LITERACY ISSUES. SUITABLE TRAINING IN THE USE OF PLANT, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT WILL BE GIVEN PRIOR TO USE IN A MANNER SUITABLE TO THE OPERATIVE’S REQUIREMENTS.

No X

Yes

THIS POLICY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A PERSON’S GENDER

No X

Yes

THIS POLICY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A PERSON’S RACIAL GROUP

No X

Yes

THIS POLICY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A PERSON’S RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

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9.

Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to any other equality issues? (e.g. people with dependents and or/ caring responsibilities or people with a criminal record)

What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 10.

Are there concerns that the policy could have a differential impact either positive or negative due to sexual orientation?

What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this/ Can any positive/negative impact be justified? 11.

Could the differential impact identified in 3-10 amount to there being the potential for adverse impact in this policy?

Can this adverse impact be justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for one group? Or any other reason? Should a full impact assessment to be carried out? Area of Negative Impact

Action

Target Date

No X

Yes

THERE ARE NO OTHER EQUALITY ISSUES THAT THIS POLICY WOULD DISCRIMINATE AGAINST

No X

Yes

THIS POLICY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A PERSON’S SEXUAL ORIENTATION

NO DIFFERENTIAL IMPACTS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY CAN AMOUNT TO ANY ADVERSE IMPACT OF THIS POLICY

NOT APPLICABLE

Yes

No X

Responsible

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Outcomes for Customers

Progress

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