Health and Safety Policy and Procedure

General Statement of Health and Safety Policy

Consoul Ltd is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of its employees, contractors, clients, and visitors as far as is reasonably practicable. Consoul Ltd recognizes its legal and moral responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to provide and maintain safe working environments, safe equipment, and safe systems of work across all office activities and training delivery venues.

It is the policy of Consoul Ltd to:

• Provide and maintain safe and healthy environments, taking full account of statutory requirements.
• Provide necessary instruction, training, and supervision to enable work and training to be conducted safely.
• Ensure safe access, egress, and welfare facilities across all training and office sites.
• Identify and manage risks to protect employees, clients, external venue visitors, and vulnerable groups (including young people and individuals with disabilities).

Scope

This policy applies to:

• Conrad Mepham-Stone (Lead Trainer/Director) and any associate trainers, assessors, or contractors acting on behalf of Consoul Ltd.
• All clients, learners, and visitors attending training courses, workshops, or meetings hosted by Consoul Ltd.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Director & Lead Trainer (Conrad Mepham-Stone):
  • Holds ultimate operational and legal responsibility for Health and Safety management across Consoul Ltd.
  • Ensures suitable risk assessments are conducted and recorded for office premises, training venues, and specific delivery activities.
  • Maintains adequate statutory insurance coverage and allocated resources for safety compliance.
  • Oversees accident reporting (RIDDOR), first aid arrangements, electrical safety, and emergency procedures.
• Employees, Contractors, and Associate Trainers:
  • Must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
  • Co-operate with Consoul Ltd on all health and safety requirements and follow established safety rules.
  • Immediately report all accidents, dangerous occurrences, near misses, or hazardous conditions to Conrad Mepham-Stone.
  • Refrain from misusing or interfering with anything provided in the interests of health, safety, or welfare.

Key Health and Safety Arrangements

Risk Assessment

• Conrad Mepham-Stone conducts and reviews risk assessments for all general business operations, venue hires, working environments, and specific training activities.
• Specific risk assessments are conducted for lone working, pregnant individuals, display screen equipment (DSE) users, and young or vulnerable learners.

Accident Reporting & RIDDOR

• All accidents, injuries, and near-misses must be recorded in the Consoul Ltd Accident Book immediately.
• Where an incident meets the threshold of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)—such as specified major injuries, over-7-day incapacitation, or dangerous occurrences—Conrad Mepham- Stone will notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) within statutory timeframes.

Training Venues and Facilities

• Consoul Ltd selects external training locations carefully to ensure they meet required health, safety, accessibility, and welfare standards.
• Pre-course visual checks are conducted at external venues to ensure clear fire exits, adequate lighting, suitable ventilation, maintained temperatures (minimum 16°C), drinking water, and clean welfare facilities.

Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures

• Conrad Mepham-Stone ensures awareness of fire emergency procedures, alarm systems, and primary/secondary escape routes at the primary registered office and all hired venue facilities.
• Emergency exits and escape routes must remain unobstructed at all times.

Electrical Safety and Equipment

• All portable electrical equipment used for business or training (laptops, projectors, extension leads) is subject to regular visual inspection and periodic Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) by a competent person.
• Faulty equipment must be taken out of service immediately, labeled, and secured until repaired or replaced.

Lone Working & Driving Safety

• Where Conrad Mepham-Stone or associate trainers work alone or travel for business purposes, mobile communication protocols and emergency check-in systems are utilized.
• Anyone driving on company business must hold a valid driver's license, maintain roadworthy vehicles, adhere to road traffic laws (including hands-free mobile restrictions), and hold appropriate business insurance.

First Aid & Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

• First aid kits are maintained in the primary office and taken to training locations.
• Workstations are assessed for DSE compliance to promote ergonomic posture and reduce eye or musculoskeletal strain.

Monitoring and Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed annually by Conrad Mepham-Stone or sooner if significant organizational, venue, or legislative changes occur.