• Health and safety for employers in the voluntary sector
• How to write a health and safety policy
• The law
• Risk assessment
• Consulting the workforce
• Stress
• RSI
• Violence
• Lone working
• Other issues
• Working in partnership with UNISON
• Getting help

UNISON's health & safety zone

Checklist

This checklist is intended to see whether you are doing the minimum required to comply with health and safety law. It is not intended to be comprehensive but is a good starting point for many organisations. However remember, compliance is not enough. You should aim to go above simply complying with the law and try to be a good employer, with health and safety built into the culture of the organisation.

Although the list looks long many of the points are just common sense and even most of the more complicated ones can be done with proper training. However do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Remember electrical and gas safety testing must be carried out by a qualified person. Your local fire service will also be happy to help with any fire safety issues.

• Have you got an up to date safety policy?
• Have staff been notified of the policy?
• Do you display the statutory Health and Safety notice in your premises?
• How do you consult with staff on health and safety matters?
• Do all staff get health and safety training at induction.
• Are staff given training on specific risks they might face such as manual handling and violence?
• Have you done risk assessments on every aspect of your operations?
• Are they up to date?
• Have you acted on the results of the risk assessments
• Have risk assessments included manual handing, chemical and stress risks?
• Do you have safety data sheets for all potentially dangerous materials you use - including cleaning fluids?
• Are all chemicals clearly marked?
• Have all VDU users had an ergonomic assessment?
• Have all VDU users been offered free eye tests?
• Is all electrical equipment tested regularly?
• Are gas appliances checked regularly?
• Do you have first aiders?
• Do you have sufficient first aid boxes?
• Have you done an audit for asbestos?
• Are all work surfaces, walls and floors kept tidy and clean?
• Are floors and stairs free from obstruction and non-slip?
• Is the temperature comfortable all year?
• Is there sufficient space for staff?
• Are there sufficient toilets, washing facilities and other facilities?
• Is there sufficient ventilation.
• Do you have a smoking policy that protects workers from passive smoking?
• Are there clear and sufficient fire signs and instructions?
• Do you have regular fire drills?
• Are fire alarms and smoke detectors checked regularly?
• Are all reportable accidents and occurrences recorded and reported?
• Do you have an accident book?
• Have you got employers Liability Insurance?
• Have you got a member of your management committee who has been designated as a champion of health & safety?
• Have all managers and management committee members received health and safety training?

These are only some of the issues you need to address. In addition you will have to make other arrangements if you have outside workers, machinery, lots of loading, driving, or any potentially dangerous activities.