Hospital Director
The Hospital Director has overall accountability and responsibility for compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other relevant health and safety legislation throughout the Hospital. Although day-to-day responsibility is delegated through directors and line management, the Hospital Director has responsibility for keeping the Hospital Executive informed, and alert to, relevant health and safety management issues.
Directors
Directors have responsibility for defining the responsibilities of their staff in relation to this Health and Safety Policy and ensuring, by appropriate monitoring, that safe systems of work have been specified and are being implemented.
Service Leads and Managers
Service Leads and Managers are constantly required to set an example in safe behaviour and maintain a permanent and continuing interest in the safety of their staff, patients and the general public. In particular they are expected to make every reasonable attempt to:
- acquire such knowledge of Health and Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice as is appropriate to their work, and to acquaint and advise their staff in relation to these;
- ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities in relation to this Health and Safety Policy and the subject-specific health and safety policies which are applicable to their areas and that they carry out these responsibilities;
- ensure health & safety inspections are carried out in all areas of their responsibility on a routine basis and the results recorded;
- ensure that health and safety advice and instructions are implemented and adhered to by their staff;
- monitor the plant, equipment and systems of work under their control and make recommendations, or take action, as appropriate, in order to further the aims of this Policy; and
- ensure all incidents reported to them by their staff are investigated and acted upon to prevent any risk of recurrence.
All Staff
Each member of staff must ensure that they:
- Report all matters which they consider a hazard to health and safety to their line manager.
- Report any incident in accordance with the Open Incident Reporting Policy and seek first aid treatment for injury, if appropriate.
- Assist, where required, in the investigation of accidents or near misses to discover cause and prevent recurrence.
- Use and maintain safety equipment and facilities provided in a proper manner and to report any defects noted.
- Are aware of the correct procedure in the event of fire or other emergency.
- Are fully conversant with the local health and safety rules and procedures and comply with the responsibilities specified.
Role of Specialist Advisors
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to appoint competent persons to assist in meeting statutory health and safety requirements. In order to fulfil this obligation and the requirements of other legislation, the following advisory posts have been established at Benenden Hospital:
- Health & Safety Lead
- Fire Safety Consultant
- Lead Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner
- Occupational Health Advisors
- Radiation and Laser Protection
