Kirex Ltd

Health & safety policy

1. Statement of General Principles
This statement applies to the Health and Safety Policies of Kirex ltd Builders and to any person whom Kirex ltd owes a duty of care.
Kirex ltd recognises and fully accepts its Statutory and moral responsibilities to provide the highest standard of Health and Safety protection for its staff and for other people in or about the premises or sites for which it has responsibility.
Kirex ltd is dedicated to ensuring
The health, Safety and Welfare of all staff and others who work under our control.

• The safety of the general public who use or have access to premises or sites under our control.
• That the way in which we develop our business contributes to the well being of the community at large.

In order to meet these aims we shall:

• Keep up to date with best practise in relation to Health and Safety and comply with all relevant legislation and authoritative guidance.
• To ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, those who undertake work on our behalf apply the highest standards of Health and Safety for their employees and the community in general.
• Systematically identify hazards and adequately assess and control risk to which employees and others may be exposed.
• Develop and maintain a positive Health and Safety strategy through communication and consultation with employees.
• Provide and maintain safe plant and equipment.
• Ensure safe handling and use of substances.
• Provide information, instruction, supervision and training as part of ensuring competence and developing employees as a key resource.
• Prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health.
• Maintain safe and healthy working conditions.
• Innovation Interiors will review the policy and its implementation annually, taking action if necessary to ensure its effectiveness.

2. Organisation
All employees, Sub-Contractors and Temporary/Agency Staff working for or on behalf of Kirex ltd will be provided with a copy of this Policy Statement and reminded that adherence to this policy is a condition of employment.
Specific responsibilities of all employees as above are:

• Complying with safe working methods, instructions and training given.
• Reporting hazards found in premises or sites under Kirex ltd control.
• Reporting any accidents or other potentially serious incidents in which they are involved or that they become aware of.
• Complying with the guidelines on the proper use of equipment and personal protective equipment.
• Complying with local Health and Safety procedures while on premises or sites under the control of someone else.
• Remaining alert to health, safety and security risks while at work and acting accordingly.
• Drawing the attention to the need for additional Health and Safety procedures, or for the improvement of existing ones.
• Not interfering with or misusing any article provided in the interest of Health and Safety.

3. The Arrangements
Health and Safety risks arising from workplace activities
1.Risk Assessments:
Kirex ltd will undertake risk assessments. The findings of the risk assessments will be reported to person responsible for health and safety, who will then approve any necessary action required to remove or control those risks.
Our procedure for carrying out risk assessments is as follows:
1) Identify Hazards
2) Identify who might be harmed or affected by each risk
3) Identify the procedures and precautionary measures already in place to reduce the risk
4) Identify further action that could or should be implemented
5) Give a deadline on when this action should be implemented by
6) Specify when the action was completed or implemented.
All of the above information must be recorded clearly on our standard Risk Assessment forms and a file copy kept in the Health & Safety file for general attention.
Pre-tender risk assessments will be drawn up as required or requested by the client, however generally risk assessments will be drawn up upon confirmation of Contracted Works.
It is necessary for Risk Assessments at the Main Office to be done once a year, in order that the high standard of safety is maintained and improved where possible.
This is necessary to maintain compliance with up to date Health and Safety Laws and Regulations and to include new products or devices that improve our safety.
2. Hazards associated with work activities:

• Machinery and Work Equipment:

1) Mechanical Hazards; e.g. Electric tools and equipment

• As shown in „safe plant and equipment‟, all mechanical hazards are regularly checked and maintained to prevent incidents or accidents occurring due to faults in the equipment.
• Safety guards provided must be used at all times.
• All members working with or around mechanical hazards are instructed on how to use them safely.

2) Electric Shock: from tools and equipment or from electrical work being undertaken

• As above all tools and equipment are tested for their electrical safety.
• Qualified trades people undertake all electrical works and rewires carried out on site.
• At the end of each working day wires need to be tagged with electrical tape, to display what they are and where live wires are.

3) Vehicles/Transport

• All vehicles are regularly serviced and have the required MOT tests.
• It is necessary for all people travelling in Kirex ltd vehicles to wear seatbelts at all times in order to comply with the law and maintain safe travelling.

4) Hand Tools

• It is necessary to maintain high standards of hand tools, especially cutting objects as blunt knifes and tools can cause slippage and in turn cause cuts.
• All other hand tools are regularly checked and discarded if they cannot be repaired or maintained.

5) Slips, trips and falls on a level

• In order to prevent these it is necessary that all work areas are clean and tidy, where not possible to be totally clear there must be a clearly defined walkway area for people travelling in between work areas.
• When working with the removal and replacement of floors, the area must be clearly signed and where possible only the people working on the actual floor should be present in that area. If not possible clear walkways should be established with the appropriate signage.
• Any spillages or leaks should be cleaned up immediately by the person responsible or, if a leak, by the appropriate person working in that area. A sign should be erected displaying the fact that the floor is wet to prevent accidents occurring.

6) Working at Height (Regulations 2005)

• A place is „at height‟ if a person could be injured falling from it, even if it is at or below ground level. „Work‟ includes moving around at a place of work (except staircases in a permanent workplace), but not travel to or from a place of work.
• RESPONSIBILITIES:

a) All work at height should be properly planned and organised;
b) All work at height takes account of weather conditions that could endanger health and safety;
c) Those involved in work at height are trained and competent;
d) The place where work is done is safe;
e) Equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected;
f) The risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and
g) The risks from falling objects are properly controlled.

• PLANNING:

- Where possible no work should be carried out at height if it is safe and reasonably practicable to do it other than at height;
- All work must be properly planned by Planning Supervisor, appropriately supervised either by the Site Manager or Planning Supervisor where applicable, and that the work is carried out in as safe a way as is reasonably practicable;
- Emergency and rescue plans must be established before commencement of the contract and explained to all contractors on site, this will be carried out by Planning Supervisor;
- All of the above must be carried out in addition to and compliance with the risk assessments carried out prior to contract works beginning.

• WEATHER:

- All work at height MUST be postponed while weather conditions endanger health or safety.

• STAFF TRAINING:

- It is necessary to ensure that everyone involved in the work is competent or, if being trained, is being supervised by a competent person. This includes involvement in organisation, planning, supervision, and the supply and maintenance of equipment. The Site Manager and Planning Supervisor must ensure that the above is completed and documented and kept on the health and safety file for at least 5 years.
- Where other precautions do not entirely eliminate the risk of a fall occurring, it is necessary for Site Manager to train those who will be working at height how to avoid falling, and how to minimise injury to them should they fall.

• THE SITE WHERE WORK AT HEIGHT IS DONE:

- It must be planned that at the site, where the work is done at height, it is safe and has features to prevent a fall, unless it is not reasonably practicable for the worker to carry out the work safely (taking into account the demands of the task, equipment
and working environment).Detailed safety requirements are detailed below.

• EQUIPMENT, TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, AND SAFETY FEATURES:

- It is necessary to use the correct and most appropriate safety equipment in order to prevent a fall; this should be detailed by the planning supervisor as appropriate.
- When selecting equipment for work at height the following must be followed:
a) Use the most suitable equipment;
b) Give collective protection measures (e.g. guard rails) priority over personal protective measures (e.g. safety harnesses);
c) Take account of:
- The working conditions; and
- Risks to the safety of all those at the place where the work equipment is to be used.
- All equipment, temporary structures and safety features must comply with the detailed requirements (see appendix 5).

• INSPECTIONS:

It must be ensured that:
- Each individual place at which work is to be done at height is checked on every occasion before that place is used, by Site Manager/Planning Supervisor. This involves checking the surface and every parapet, permanent rail etc.
- Any type of item listed in appendix 5 is inspected:
a) after it is assembled or installed (or both, if required), if its safety depends on how it is assembled or installed;
b) as often as is necessary to ensure safety, and in particular to make sure that any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time.
- Before any equipment is used which has come from another business it is accompanied by an indication (clear to everyone involved) that the last inspection required by The Work at Height Regulations 2005 has been carried out.
- Any platform used for (or for access to) construction work and from which a person could fall more than 2m is inspected in place before use (and not more than seven days before use). Where it is a mobile platform, inspection at the site is sufficient without re-inspection every time it is moved.
a) The person who inspects the platform must prepare a report before going off duty (see details listed in appendix 5).
b) They give the report, or a copy, within 24 hours of completing the inspection to the person for whom the inspection was done, namely Site Manager or Planning Supervisor.
c) These reports must be kept at the site until the work is completed and then at the Main office for another three months.
7) Falling Objects/Materials
- Where it is necessary to prevent injury, Kirex ltd will do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anything falling.
- If it is not reasonably practicable, it must be ensured that no one is injured by anything falling, e.g. by the installation of netting/covering open public walkways, this should be assessed in the pre-tender risk assessment.
- It must be ensured that nothing is:
a) Thrown or tipped from height if it is likely to injure anyone;
b) Stored in a way that its movement is likely to injure anyone.
- If the workplace contains an area in which there is a risk of someone being struck by a falling object or person, the area must be clearly indicated and signed to ensure that (so far as is reasonably practicable) unauthorised people are unable to reach it.
8) Space and confined work area

• If working in a confined work area it is essential that the area is ordered and kept clean and efficient. All tools, when not in use, should be placed in their relevant toolbox or kept on the trades‟ person themselves to avoid accidents.

9) Fragile Surfaces

• No one working under the control of Kirex ltd should go onto or near a fragile surface unless that is the only practicable way for the worker to carry out the work safely, having regard to the demands of the task, equipment, or working environment.
• If anyone does work on or near a fragile surface, the following must be in place:

- Ensure (so far as it is reasonably practicable o do so) that suitable platforms, coverings, guard rails, and the like are provided (and used) to minimise the distance and effect of a fall.

• If anyone working under the control of Kirex ltd may go onto a fragile surface, they must be made aware of the danger, preferably by prominent warning notices fixed at the approaches to the danger zone.

3. On site Welfare facilities:
The site manager will designate a specific, safe, cordoned off area solely for the purposes of all employees and sub-contractors working on that site. This area is for eating, resting and relaxing only and appropriate signage must be clearly displayed, including „No Smoking‟ signs where applicable. If smoking is allowed in the „employees‟ area; a sand-filled bin will be provided for safe extinguishments. Under the Smoke free Law, which came into effect on 1st July 2007, there shall be no
smoking in any „enclosed‟ or „substantially enclosed‟ public place or workplace. This applies to all of our office and storage premises. Adequate signage will be displayed at all times to remind any visitors or trades person of the No Smoking Policy. Where working on private properties smoking in prohibited by our company policies in any area inside the said dwelling. An area will be specified, prior to the commencement of work, for those who smoke and will be constantly monitored. Any failure to adhere to these rules will be followed up with a first verbal warning and a report written to explain and be held on file with a copy being given to the offender. Further negligence of the above rule will result in a written warning (see Appendix 2), and any further negligence after that will result in the contractor being removed from site and from the approved suppliers list (see Appendices 3 & 4).
Where not already provided for, sanitary facilities; Toilets and washing area, will be provided on site and appropriately signed. All facilities will be cleaned, maintained and emptied, as necessary and where practicable, at the end of every working day.
4. Consultation with Employees
All Employees are presented with an Induction Pack containing Health and Safety information along with copies of all the company policies (see „Information, Instruction & Supervision).
5. Safe Plant and Equipment
Kirex ltd will be responsible for ensuring that all office and computer equipment is safe and maintained to a high standard for identifying all tools and site equipment needing maintenance for ensuring effective maintenance procedures are drawn up and that all identified maintenance is implemented.
Any problems found with tools and site equipment should be reported to Kirex ltd. Kirex ltd will check that new plant and equipment meets health and safety standards before it is purchased.
Under no circumstances must an unqualified member of staff attempt any electrical repair or maintenance.
6. Safe Handling and use of Substances
Office: Photocopy Toner, tippex, cleaning substances (e.g. bleach).
Kirex ltd is responsible for ensuring that the above-mentioned substances are kept in the correct place in the office cupboard, away from direct sunlight, with securely fastened lids.
Material Stores: Paints, solvents, thinners, glues, sprays and other toxic substances.
Kirex ltd will be responsible for ensuring that all materials used other than office materials are identified and assessed under COSHH and for ensuring that all actions identified in the assessments are implemented and that all relevant employees are informed about the COSHH assessments.
7. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007
Under The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 Kirex ltd is required by law to follow parts 2 & 4 at all times. Please note that we have not had to work under Part 3 – Additional duties due to the size and nature of our contracts, being mainly domestic and employing less than 500 contractors, sub-contractors and/or staff.
Please see below for details of our adherence to the above CDM 2007 Regulations.

• Safe places of work

There shall so far as is reasonably practicable:
- Be suitable and sufficient safe access to and exit(s) from every place of work and all other places provided for the use of any person whilst working under Kirex ltd.
- Be an area that is made and kept safe for any person at work on an Kirex ltd site, there shall be no risks to any person‟s health or well-being.
- Be suitable and sufficient steps taken to ensure that no person uses entrances or exits, or gains access to any place, which does not comply with the two points above. Appropriate signage will be placed on any areas which do not comply, giving specific instructions not to enter these aforementioned unsafe areas.
- Be safe working areas, have sufficient working space and be arranged so that it is suitable for any person working there or likely to work there, also ensuring there is room to use any necessary machinery safely.

• Good order and site security

- Every part of Kirex ltd construction sites will, as is reasonably practicable, be kept in a good order and a reasonable state of cleanliness.
- All construction sites shall either; have its perimeter identified by suitable signs so that is readily identifiable or be fenced off, where it is reasonably practicable to do so, or both. No timber or any other material with projecting nails or similar sharp objects shall be used in any work or be allowed to remain in any place if the said nails or sharp objects may be a source of danger to any person.

• Stability of structures

- Kirex ltd will ensure that practicable steps are taken to prevent danger to any person, to ensure that any new or existing structure, or any part of such structure which may become unstable, will not collapse. This applies to areas that may become temporarily unstable due to carrying out heavy construction works. No part of a structure shall be loaded so that it becomes unsafe to any person.

• Demolition or dismantling

- Kirex ltd does not undertake demolition works, however we will ensure that any contractor working on our behalf has provided sufficient Health and Safety planning and complies with all the relevant legislation.
- All arrangements for carrying out such demolition will be recorded in writing and kept on file prior to commencement of works.

• Explosives

- Kirex ltd keeps use of hazardous substances, especially explosives, to a minimum, and rarely uses explosive products. These products will be safely stored, transported and used safely and securely.
- An explosive charge shall be used only if suitable and sufficient steps have been taken to ensure that no person is exposed to risk of injury from the explosion or from projected or flying material caused thereby.

• Excavations

- All steps shall be taken where practicable, to prevent danger to any person, including the provision of supports or battering; in order to ensure that (1) any excavation or part of an excavation does not collapse, (2) no material from a side or roof, or adjacent to, any excavation is dislodged or falls, and (3) no person is buried or trapped in an excavation by material which is dislodged or falls.
- All areas excavated, or to be excavated, will be examined prior to commencement of works in order to assess the best way of preventing any person, work equipment, or any accumulation of material form falling into an excavation. The excavation will be monitored daily to prevent overloading of the area by work equipment or material.
- Each area will be inspected prior to commencement and failure to comply with the above necessary points will result in works being suspended until matters have been satisfactorily remedied.

• Reports of inspections

- The person who carries out the site inspection shall, prior to the end of the shift within which the inspection is completed; inform Kirex ltd of any matters about which they are not satisfied and prepare a report which shall include the particulars which do not satisfy regulations.
- The person preparing the report shall do so within 24 hours of the inspection and provide a copy to Kirex ltd.
- The findings of such reports shall be rectified in accordance with legislation and works shall recommence when all problems have been remedied.

• Energy distribution installations

- To prevent danger where necessary energy distribution installations shall be suitably located, checked and clearly indicated.
- Where there is a risk from electric power cables; (1) they shall be directed away from the area of risk, (2) the power shall be isolated and, where necessary, earthed, or (3) if it is not reasonably practicable to comply with (1) or (2) suitable notices must be provided as well as (i) barriers suitable for excluding work equipment which is not needed, (ii) where vehicles need to pass beneath the cables, suspended protections, or (iii) in either case, measures providing an equivalent level of safety shall be provided or ( in case of measures) taken.
- No construction work which invisible to create a risk to health or safety from an underground service, or from damage to or disturbance or it, shall be
carried out unless suitable and sufficient steps (including any steps required by this legislation) have been taken to prevent such risks, so far as is reasonably practicable.

• Traffic Routes

- Every site shall be organised in such a way that pedestrians and vehicles can move safely and without risks to health. Traffic routes shall be suitable for the persons or vehicles using them, sufficient in number, in suitable positions and of sufficient size.
- A traffic route shall only satisfy the above two points if suitable and sufficient steps are taken to ensure that; (1) pedestrians or vehicles may use it without causing danger to the health and safety of persons near it, (2) any door or gate for pedestrians which leads onto a traffic route is sufficiently separated from that traffic route to enable pedestrians to see any approaching vehicle or plant from a place of safety, (3) there is sufficient separation between vehicles and pedestrians, (4) any loading bay has one exit point for the exclusive use of pedestrians and (5) every traffic route shall be indicated by suitable signs where necessary, regularly checked and properly maintained.
- No vehicle shall be driven on a traffic route unless, so far as is reasonably practicable, that traffic route is free from obstruction and permits sufficient clearance.

• Vehicles

- Suitable and sufficient steps will be taken to prevent or control the unintended movement of any vehicle.
- All vehicles shall be driven, operated or towed in such a manner as is safe in the circumstances; and will be loaded in a safe manner so as not to hinder the above.
- Suitable measures will be taken to ensure that no vehicle is driven, loaded or unloaded in an area that is unsafe or insufficient to meet with these regulations. All named drivers will be authorised to drive the fleet vehicles and it is strictly forbidden for anyone who does not have permission to drive an Kirex ltd vehicle.

• Prevention from risk of fire/Emergency procedures and Emergency routes and exits

- SEE; 3. The Arrangements sections 12, 13 & 14
8. Information, Instruction and Supervision
The Health and Safety Law poster and a copy of the Health and Safety Statement are displayed at:
Kirex ltd
23 livingstone place
London
E14 3DY
All employees are provided with a full Induction Manual, including the following, with regards to Health and Safety Regulations:
a) Consultation: Health & Safety at Work-Information to Employee
b) Fire Safety Induction Sheet-Instruction, Training and Employee questionnaire
c) Information on Risks to Health & Safety Consultation Sheet
d) Company Health & Safety Policy

• Joint Consultation with employees:

Yearly Health and Safety meetings will be held, to coincide with the Companies Financial year-end, 30th June. To be attended by:
1. Kirex ltd Directors, Employee Health and Safety Representative.
2. Any other employee, contractor or sub-contractor who wishes to be at the meeting.
Employees are advised to talk to Kirex ltd Director if they have any queries or questions regarding any of Kirex ltd Policies or if they have any complaints or issues they would like to bring up.
It is also made very clear to all employees during their induction, that they too have specific responsibilities:
1. Reporting any hazards found, whether on site or at Kirex ltd main office and storage area.
2. Reporting their health and safety concerns.
3. Reporting of any accidents or incidents.
4. Complying with Health and Safety standards and procedures established in this policy and by companies we may work for.
5. Drawing attention to the need for specific health and safety arrangements or procedures, or for the improvement of existing ones.
All employee Health and Safety information is kept at the above address in Kirex ltd main office. Records will be maintained of all Health and Safety Training, which will include the names of those trained, the course content, the instructor and training dates. All such details will also be held on the individual‟s personal file.
9. Job Training, Induction, Advise and Consultancy
The procedure for approving Contractors and Sub-Contractors is as follows:
1. Advertisement is posted for job vacancy and local contractors approached to invite them to tender.
2. All replies are sent a copy of Kirex ltd Contractor Assessment Form to fill in and complete by a specified deadline.
3. Once the deadline has closed all received Assessment forms are verified, to ensure the information provided is correct. If there are any queries or points requiring clarification, these will also be carried out.
4. Upon completion of the above, a shortlist will be drawn up and Kirex ltd will carry out telephone or face-to-face interviews with the applicant.
5. A suitable contractor will be selected and any others that were considered to be approved will also be placed on file for future reference and use.
Upon entry onto Kirex ltd Approved Contractors List, companies/individuals will remain on that list for a period of 12 months. If a situation arises before the time frame has elapsed that brings cause for concern, or the approved contractor breaks any terms and conditions of their contract, then the position of that contractor will be re-evaluated. Depending on the outcome of that re-evaluation, the contractor will either be removed from the approved list, be bound to make certain changes in order to continue on the list or will be removed permanently form the list.
10. Monitoring of Contractors:
All Contractors will be assessed for Health and Safety competence upon approval as above; thereafter they will be re-assessed every 12 months.
Once a contractor is approved to work for Kirex ltd a contract will be drawn up for each job they work on, this contract should include:

• The legal responsibilities of the contractor and the conditions of the contract;
• That the contractors must have valid public, product or professional liability insurance appropriate to the level required by the contract;
• That the contractor must ensure that all requirements prescribed in this document are imposed on all sub-contractors who carry out work for Kirex ltd.

Managing Contractors on Site:
Contractors will be monitored by the Site Manager on a weekly basis completing a weekly site check sheet.
All contractors will be given a timesheet which must be completed daily and signed on and off by the Site Manager (see appendix 1). Before contractors leave the site, they must inform the Site Manager, who will then inspect the work area to make sure it has been left safe and clean.
Whilst a contractor is on site the Site Manager should check the contractor at least once during the day, or the time they are on site if shorter than one day, to ensure that they are carrying out the works safely. Records of these checks must be made and kept for 5 years.
If the contractor is found not to be carrying out work safely, these issues must be recorded and the contractor‟s manager/supervisor informed and asked to rectify these failings. If the unsafe working practises are serious, i.e. likely to cause serious injury or death to staff, members of the public or the contractor themselves, then the work must be stopped and the Site Manager/Planning Supervisor informed immediately.
If unsafe practises are not rectified, or if further unsafe practises are identified, a formal letter will be sent to the contractor by the Main Office, explaining the issues and requiring them to respond explaining how they will rectify the situation, (see appendix 2).
If further unsafe practises are found, then a second letter will be sent to the contractor, warning them that if further unsafe practises are identified the contract will be terminated and they will be removed from the approved list of contractors, (see appendix 3).
Removal from site or the approved list of contractors can only be carried out by the Kirex ltd Directors, or the Planning Supervisor if CDM Regulations apply, (see appendix 4).
This monitoring procedure will be annually reviewed and/or if legislation requirements change or new or amended model risk assessments are produced.
11. Training and Induction:
Kirex ltd will provide induction training for all employees as appropriate.
12. Accident Procedure, First Aid and Work-related Ill Health

• First Aid General:

The guidance given in this section can only be the simplest instruction in First Aid. If you have not learned First Aid measures, or have not been trained in First Aid, you must familiarise yourself with the name and location of your nearest qualified First Aider. This information will be held in the Health and Safety file for the relevant job/site.

• Principles of First Aid:

First Aid is the skilled provision of treatment for a casualty or any person taken ill, using the facilities and the material available at the time, to save life and to prevent any deterioration in the condition of that person while awaiting the arrival if qualified medical assistance (usually an ambulance).
First Aid boxes and equipment are provided at all sites on which Kirex ltd is working including at the Main Office, address as above.

• First Aid Immediate Action:

If an accident occurs, firstly check your own safety, you are of no use if you become a second casualty. Use protective clothing and equipment where necessary. Casualties should be seated or reclined when treated as appropriate. Keep calm, assess the situation and reassure the casualty. Talking calmly to the casualty establishes consciousness and may provide useful information about the accident and assist in eliminating continuing danger. If immediate danger threatens, remove the casualty carefully to a safe place without endangering yourself. If the person‟s clothing is on fire, roll the casualty on the ground in a coat or fire blanket, etc. Get help at once if the injuries appear serious by summoning a qualified first aider. Delegate a person nearby to call an ambulance, if one is required, by dialling 999 on any telephone, remembering that if in the office you must dial 9 to get an outside line.

• First Aid First Priorities

1. If the casualty is not breathing start mouth-to mouth at once.
2. If bleeding is severe, apply firm direct pressure on the wound to stop bleeding, using hands, pads, dressings, etc. Maintain pressure until professional help is available. If the bleeding is from a limb, elevate it 10-12 inches to reduce the blood flow. DO NOT use a tourniquet.
3. If trauma or fluid loss has occurred, keep the casualty quiet reassured and comfortable. Keep the casualty warm by a light covering but do not overheat. DO NOT give he casualty anything to eat or drink as this may cause complications if medical attention is required.
4. If the casualty has had an electrical shock:

• Do not touch the casualty until the current is switched off, if it cannot be switched off, stand on some dry insulating material and use a wooden or plastic (non-conductive) implement to free the casualty from the electrical source.
• If breathing has stopped, start mouth-to-mouth respiration and continue until the casualty starts to breathe or until medical help arrives.

5. Mouth-to-mouth Respiration:

• Lay the casualty flat if possible.
• Ensure no obstructions are in the mouth, e.g. remove denture etc.
• Ease constrictions at the neck, chest and waist.
• Place a rolled jacket or pad under the shoulders to arch the neck.
• Pinch the casualty‟s nostrils and draw the chin forward to open the mouth.
• Take a moderately deep breath and breathe steadily into the casualty‟s mouth (chest will rise).
• Lift your own head and allow the casualty to exhale (chest will deflate).
• Repeat this cycle at a rate of 6 to 8 per minute.
• Continue until the casualty resumes breathing unaided or until qualified medical; services take over, however long this takes.
• If breathing resumes, place the casualty in the Open Airway (Recovery) Position and treat as an unconscious casualty.

6. Burns and scalds, however large or small and from whatever cause (including chemicals) should be cooled by flushing with copious amounts of cold water for at least 10-15 minutes (longer if necessary). The affected area should then be covered with a dry sterile dressing or cling film (as this does not stick to burns and prevents air and airborne contaminants coming into contact with the burn). Never apply any lotions, ointments or anything similar to a scald or burn, COLD WATER ONLY. Don not burst blisters or attempt to remove charred materials from a burn. Always obtain medical attention.
7. Eyes: Foreign bodies (including chemicals) in the eye should be flushed out using clean cool water for at least 10-15 minutes. Sterile eye wash bottles of the sealed cap type may be used if tap water is not immediately available. Casualties with eye injuries should always be sent to the hospital with the eye covered by a pad.

• Personal Accidents and Accident/Incident Reporting:

a) Personal Accidents/Incidents
In cases of personal injuries, such as cuts and burns, the First Aider on site must be informed and the wounds must be properly dressed. ALWAYS complete an incident report form. If corrosive chemicals come into contact with eyes, mouth or skin wash immediately with plenty of water. In cases of serious injuries, the first aider on site will take control of the situation. Casualties should not be moved unless they are at risk from additional hazards. Someone should stay with the casualty until professional help arrives.
b) Accident/Incident Reporting
An accident may be defined as an unplanned event causing injury or damage to personnel, materials, equipment, or property, or having that potential. Accident reporting is required by law because accident-analysis may help to prevent a re-occurrence and because a contemporaneous report may protect an individual‟s interest in the event of sick benefit, industrial injuries, or civil liability claims.
Depending on the level of seriousness of the incident, one of the following reporting procedures must be followed:
c) Major Injury

• If personal injury occurs first-aid assistance should be given whenever possible.
• In the case of serious injury, call an ambulance (Dial 999 on public telephones), and have the injured person removed to hospital.
• Make sure you know the position of the first aid boxes.
• The following procedures will be applied in the event of an accident:

6. The accident must be entered in Kirex ltd Accident Record Book.
7. In the case of major accident or dangerous occurrence, Kirex ltd will forward a report to the relevant Authorities.
d) All other accidents, including minor cuts and abrasions
For example, those which may involve a loss of time from normal duties/activities, near miss not specifically listed as Notifiable Dangerous Occurrences but deserving attention.

• Fill in an Incident Report Form. Process it as recommended above.
• In the event of personal injury fill in the Incident Report Form as above.

The Incident and Accident Record books are kept at Kirex ltd Main Office, address as above.
All accident and incident reports will be assessed and managed to control the situation and ensure that all necessary measures are taken so as to prevent a similar situation occurring.
13. Safe Working Practises
Kirex ltd is responsible for regularly monitoring and checking Innovation Interiors safe working practises, investigating accidents and work-related sickness.
SAFE PRACTISE Procedure to follow
Manual Lifting Follow instruction as per induction on safe lifting
Office Chairs Five legged computer chairs only
Office Equipment Any faults in office equipment are to be reported , DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX.
Personal Protective Equipment
Type of Protection To use when:
Steel toe capped boots At all times
Hard Hats At all times
High visibility Vests At all times
Gloves - Latex Painting & Decorating
-Grippers Transferring of materials
-Anti-vibration Using vibrating equipment
-General When other gloves not applicable
-Sanitary/Drainage Drainage and sanitary work
-Non-Conductive Electrical works
Goggles/Eye Protection Using cutting equipment (Manual & Mechanical), drilling, mixers
Ear Defenders Using, or in the vicinity of, any noisy mechanical equipment
Ear Plugs As above
Knee Pads When kneeling to carry out works
Body Armour vests When using chain saws, grinders and other mechanical cutting equipment
Dust Masks As required
Harnesses Working at a height above 6m.
Breathing Apparatus As required
This list is not exhaustive and it is necessary for all people working on site to use their initiative and make sure that they wear the right protective clothing for the job that they are doing.
All of the Protective clothing/work-wear listed above is available on site from the site manager, who is also available for consultation on any queries relating to the health and safety equipment/work-wear that should be used.
14. Emergency Procedures: Fire and Evacuation
Emergency Evacuation Procedure:

• You discover a fire:

1. Help people in immediate danger.
2. Warn others by shouting “Fire, fire, fire”, raise the alarm if not already sounding.
3. Decide if you can put the fire out. If you are not sure do not attempt to.
4. Do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher if you have never been instructed on how to use one.
5. If you can put the fire out then do so, if not proceed to evacuate the building and call the Fire Brigade on 999.

• You hear the alarm ringing; you must prepare to evacuate the building:

6. Switch off all computers, printers and electrical equipment.
7. Close all windows and doors.
8. Gather your personal belongings in preparation to immediately evacuate the building.
9. Organise/help other people in the room.

• Evacuate the building and proceed to the Assembly point:

10. Move at a quick walk, DO NOT run.
11. If you have to move through a closed door that you cannot see through:
1. Feel the door to see if it is hot;
2. Feel the door handle using the back of your hand to see if it is hot;
3. Look for smoke coming under the door;
4. Open the door slowly and look around it to see if there is a fire behind it;
5. If there is no fire on the other side, proceed through and close the door behind you;
12. Move to the Assembly Point as quickly as possible;
13. Report to the Fire Officer that you/your group is there and if you know of anyone trapped in the building;
14. Remain at the Assembly Point until you are informed that you may leave or move either by the Fire Warden or a member of the Emergency Services.

• You notice someone on the verge of panic

15. Give them a task or a responsibility;
16. The person will still require constant monitoring;
17. Do not hit them;
18. Take hold of one of their hands and guide them out of the building to the Assembly Point;
19. If they will not co-operate or start to grab hold of things. Leave them where they are;
20. Evacuate yourself and inform your Fire Warden or a member of the Emergency Services.

• Mobility Impaired People

If you encounter a person with some form of physical disability that restricts their mobility, you may be required to assist them from the building. If you are unable to remove them from the building make sure you proceed to the Assembly Point and notify the Fire Warden or a member of the Emergency Services IMMEDIATELY. Leave the persons mobility aids behind; they can always be claimed on insurance.

• You are trapped in a room

21. Exit through a window if you are on the ground floor;
22. If you are not on the ground floor:
23. Close the door;
24. Go to the window;
25. If there is smoke in the room open the window a little so you can breathe fresh air. If not DO NOT open the window. This can assist in the spread of fire into your area from lower floors;
26. Attract people‟s attention to your plight. Writing on paper and sticking it to the window or calling out the window can achieve this. If you open the window
remember to close it again as this can be an entry point for fire. Do not open the window up fully;
27. If the room is filling with smoke, stay close to the ground. The air is cooler and oxygen is more plentiful in this region;
28. Wait for the Emergency Services to rescue you.

• Do not procrastinate: REMEMBER

29. Fires spread rapidly;
30. Fires produce thick black smoke that is difficult to see through and causes suffocation;
31. The freshest air will always be near the floor;
32. Move quickly, do not run;
33. Be decisive;
34. Think for 10 to 30 seconds;
35. Make a decision and follow that decision.
When the alarm sounds, or a fire is noted, everyone on site must leave the building/yard using the designated fire exits (as indicated on commencement of the job, if on site), whilst following the above procedures. Emergency exits at the Main Office are indicated with signs.