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Safe Use of Work Equipment (England) Policy

Policy Statement

This policy is written to enable {{org_field_name}} to comply with all health and safety law requirements in relation to the use of work equipment, which also enables it to provide the safe, person-centred care required under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

{{org_field_name}} has a duty to provide a safe working environment in relation to work equipment safety, and to ensure all employees receive appropriate safety information and training in their work equipment.

1. Arrangements for securing the health and safety of workers
   a. no equipment will be used until it has been inspected fully
   b. no work equipment will be used unless it is inspected regularly, eg on an annual basis or after upgrades
   c. full maintenance and inspection records will be kept for all work equipment
   d. employees are not advised to bring their own tools or equipment to work, unless this practice has been authorised in advance by their supervisors
   e. third-party owned equipment will be maintained by its owner who should produce records of inspection and servicing to be checked before use by staff
   f. elimination of hazards
   i. the organisation will ensure that operations which present a risk to employees in respect to work equipment will be eliminated or reduced to as low a level as reasonably practicable; measures to achieve this include consideration of all activities and equipment used for each work task undertaken
   g. assessment of risk
   i. an assessment of risk in relation to work equipment will be carried out by a competent person.
2. Duties of managers and supervisors
   Managers must take responsibility and ensure that all equipment used by employees at work is suitable for the task to be carried out, safe for use and that each employee has received adequate information, instruction and training. Managers are also responsible for ensuring that:
   a. a general risk assessment has been completed
   b. suitable personal protective clothing is worn at all times when necessary for the safe operation of work equipment
   c. if appropriate, all work equipment is regularly maintained and inspected
   d. staff are appropriately trained in the use of equipment and have sufficient competencies to ensure its safe use
   e. there are suitable arrangements in place for adverse events, incidents, errors and near-miss reporting where these relate to equipment
   f. they consider what will happen in the event of electricity, water or gas supply failure, or of other emergencies that affect equipment.
3. Duties of employees
   Employees must ensure:
   a. they comply with all instructions and training in relation to the execution of their work
   b. they carry out a visual check of equipment prior to use
   c. their own health and safety and that of other employees is not put at risk by their actions
   d. they use equipment provided for any task and for the purpose for which it was intended to be used
   e. they report any problems to their direct supervisor.
4. Information and training
   Adequate information and training will be provided to individuals to ensure they are competent to carry out their work tasks. A responsible person will assess training, including the need for refresher training.
5. Adverse incidents or equipment failure
   In {{org_field_name}}, an adverse incident is defined as an event that may cause, or has the potential to cause, unexpected or unwanted effects involving the safety or wellbeing of a person. It may be the equipment being used improperly, developing a fault or failing completely.
   In the event of an adverse incident:
   a. staff will report the incident to their supervisor and record the details using an incident form
   b. the incident will be fully investigated and any learning points will be noted and used to improve future procurement and practice (eg additional training or equipment modifications)
   c. where required, the equipment will be withdrawn from service
   d. a report will be made to the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) where appropriate and where medical equipment is involved.
   In the event of the failure of equipment:
   a. the equipment will be withdrawn from service immediately and clearly labelled that it is not to be used
   b. the equipment will be inspected by a competent person and either referred for repair or scrapped and replaced
   c. a report will be made to the MHRA wherever medical equipment is involved.
6. Safety warnings
   Managers will monitor safety warnings (Medical Device Alerts) issued by the MHRA about medical equipment and act appropriately if a relevant warning is received relating to equipment in use.

Review and Revision

Regular checks of accident and “near-miss” incidents as well as annual auditing of the organisation’s management systems for inspection, maintenance and use of equipment should be conducted to help to identify whether the procedures for the maintenance and use of such equipment are sufficient.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}

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