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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Working Safely at Height Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all work at height undertaken at or on behalf of {{org_field_name}} is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out, so far as is reasonably practicable, without risk to staff, individuals using the service, visitors, contractors or other persons.

{{org_field_name}} will avoid work at height wherever reasonably practicable. Where work at height cannot be avoided, the organisation will prevent falls by selecting suitable work equipment and collective protective measures. Where the risk of a fall cannot be completely prevented, the organisation will minimise the distance and consequences of a fall through suitable work equipment, safe systems of work and, where appropriate, personal fall-protection equipment.

This policy supports compliance with:

• the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;
• the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999;
• the Work at Height Regulations 2005, as amended;
• the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998;
• the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, where lifting equipment or equipment used to lift persons is involved;
• the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 and the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022;
• the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013;
• the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016;
• the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017, as amended, particularly Regulations 12, 36, 43, 44, 57, 59, 79 and 80; and
• current Welsh Government statutory guidance and Care Inspectorate Wales inspection requirements.

This policy must be implemented in a way that protects the safety, dignity, rights, routines and well-being of individuals using the service.

2. Scope

This policy applies to the service provider, responsible individual, registered manager, employees, agency workers, volunteers, maintenance personnel, contractors and any other person who plans, authorises, supervises or undertakes work at height at premises operated or controlled by {{org_field_name}}.

It applies to work at height undertaken inside or outside the care home, including work in bedrooms, communal areas, kitchens, laundries, plant rooms, gardens, roofs, loft spaces, stairwells and external grounds. It also applies to access to and egress from a place of work at height, except by a permanent staircase in a permanent workplace.

It covers:

• Identification and assessment of work at height tasks.
• Safe use of equipment such as ladders, scaffolding, and elevated platforms.
• Staff training and competency requirements.
• Emergency procedures and risk mitigation strategies.
• Regular safety checks and compliance monitoring.

This policy does not authorise care staff to undertake specialist maintenance, construction, roof work, scaffold work, tree work, rope access, work on fragile surfaces or work requiring a mobile elevating work platform. Such work must be referred to an appropriately competent and insured contractor unless the organisation has specifically appointed suitably trained, competent and authorised employees to perform it.

Individuals using the service must not be asked or permitted to undertake work at height on behalf of the care home. Personal choices by an individual that could expose them to a risk of falling must be addressed through person-centred risk assessment, care planning and proportionate support rather than through this staff work-at-height procedure.

Ordinary use of a permanent staircase is not work at height under the Work at Height Regulations. Slips, trips and falls on level surfaces must be managed under the organisation’s general health and safety and falls-prevention arrangements.

3. Definition of Work at Height

Work at height means work in any place where, if suitable precautions were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. It includes:

• working above ground or floor level;
• working where a person could fall from an edge, through an opening or through a fragile surface;
• using a ladder, stepladder, podium step, scaffold tower, mobile elevating work platform or other access equipment;
• working on roofs, canopies, platforms, loading areas or raised surfaces;
• accessing loft spaces or high-level storage;
• working near stairwells, light wells, inspection pits, excavations or other openings;
• work at or below ground level where a person could fall from an edge; and
• obtaining access to or egress from a place of work at height, other than by a permanent staircase in a permanent workplace.

A task is not excluded merely because the potential fall distance appears small. The relevant consideration is whether a fall could cause personal injury.

Work in a confined space is not automatically work at height. Where a confined-space task also presents a fall risk, both the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 must be considered.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

4.1 Service Provider

The Service Provider has overall responsibility for ensuring that:

• adequate resources, equipment and competent assistance are available;
• premises, facilities and equipment are safe, suitable and properly maintained;
• work-at-height risks to individuals using the service and other persons are identified and reduced so far as is reasonably practicable;
• suitable arrangements are in place for contractor selection and monitoring;
• this policy is implemented and reviewed; and
• significant health and safety findings are incorporated into organisational governance and improvement arrangements.

4.2 Responsible Individual

The Responsible Individual must obtain assurance that:

• the policy is current and implemented effectively;
• the Registered Manager has appropriate systems for risk assessment, equipment inspection, staff competence, incident reporting and corrective action;
• significant incidents, near misses, defects and audit findings are reviewed;
• safety concerns identified during Responsible Individual visits are acted upon; and
• relevant themes and learning are considered within the six-monthly quality-of-care review.

4.3 Registered Manager

The Registered Manager is responsible for:

• controlling which work-at-height activities may be undertaken by staff;
• ensuring suitable and sufficient risk assessments and safe systems of work are in place;
• appointing competent persons to plan, supervise or undertake work;
• ensuring suitable equipment is selected, recorded, inspected, maintained and securely stored;
• preventing unauthorised use of ladders and other access equipment;
• ensuring residents, visitors and staff are protected from the work activity;
• ensuring contractors are competent and appropriately monitored;
• ensuring incidents and near misses are investigated and reported; and
• stopping work where conditions or precautions are unsafe.

4.4 Employees, Agency Workers and Volunteers

Persons undertaking authorised work at height must:

• follow the risk assessment, manufacturer’s instructions and safe system of work;
• use only equipment they are authorised and competent to use;
• complete required pre-use checks;
• report defects, hazards, changes in conditions, incidents and near misses immediately;
• stop work if it cannot be completed safely;
• avoid improvising with chairs, tables, beds, boxes, furniture or other unsuitable objects; and
• co-operate with supervision, training and monitoring arrangements.

4.5 Contractors

Contractors remain responsible for the safety of their work and employees. {{org_field_name}} will nevertheless take reasonable steps to confirm contractor competence, exchange relevant risk information, coordinate the work and protect individuals using the service, staff and visitors.

5. Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification

5.1 Assessment and Planning

All work at height must be properly planned before it begins. Planning must be proportionate to the complexity and level of risk but must be sufficient to identify the safest practicable method of completing the task.

A suitable and sufficient risk assessment must consider:

• whether the task can be avoided or completed from ground level;
• the nature, duration and frequency of the task;
• the height and possible distance and consequences of a fall;
• access to and egress from the work position;
• the condition, strength and stability of the surface;
• fragile surfaces, openings, edges, stairwells and voids;
• falling objects and the need for exclusion zones;
• the equipment required and its suitability;
• the number, competence and fitness of persons undertaking the work;
• residents, particularly individuals with cognitive impairment, visual impairment, reduced mobility or behaviours that may bring them into the work area;
• visitors, staff and contractors who may be affected;
• the need to isolate rooms, corridors or external areas;
• lighting, weather, temperature, wind and surface conditions;
• manual-handling risks associated with carrying tools or materials;
• electrical hazards, including overhead services;
• emergency arrangements and rescue;
• whether lone working is permitted;
• manufacturer’s instructions; and
• any change in circumstances while the work is underway.

Dynamic assessment at the point of work does not replace a formal risk assessment where one is required. Work must stop where conditions differ materially from those assessed.

5.2 Hierarchy of Control

The following hierarchy must be applied in order:

1. Avoid work at height wherever reasonably practicable, for example by using extendable cleaning tools, lowering equipment for maintenance, relocating stored items or arranging maintenance from ground level.
2. Prevent falls by using an existing safe place of work, such as a permanent platform with suitable guardrails and safe access.
3. Prevent falls using suitable collective work equipment, such as properly installed guardrails, scaffolding, tower scaffolds or mobile elevating work platforms.
4. Prevent falls using personal work equipment, such as a correctly designed work-restraint system, where collective protection is not reasonably practicable.
5. Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall using collective protection, such as safety nets or soft-landing systems selected and installed by competent persons.
6. Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall using personal fall-arrest equipment, only where more protective measures are not reasonably practicable and where a suitable rescue plan is in place.

Preference must always be given to collective protection that protects everyone over personal protection that depends upon the individual user.

Ladders and stepladders may only be selected where the risk assessment shows that more suitable work equipment is not justified because the task is low risk and of short duration, or because existing features of the site cannot be altered.

5.3 Protecting Individuals Using the Service

Work at height must be organised to minimise disruption and avoid exposing individuals to risk. Before work begins:

• the work area must be separated from individuals, visitors and unauthorised staff;
• suitable barriers and warning signs must be provided where necessary;
• individuals must be supported to use an alternative safe route;
• tools and materials must not be left unattended;
• equipment must not obstruct fire routes, call points, medicine trolleys, mobility aids or access to essential care equipment;
• the needs of individuals who may not recognise barriers or warnings must be considered;
• rooms must not be entered for maintenance without respecting privacy, dignity and consent arrangements; and
• the area must be checked and returned to a safe, clean condition before being reopened.

6. Equipment and Safe Use

6.1 Ladders and Stepladders

Ladders and stepladders must only be used for low-risk, short-duration work where the risk assessment demonstrates that more suitable equipment is not reasonably justified.

The following requirements apply:

• only industrial or trade-rated equipment suitable for the intended use may be used;
• domestic ladders and stepladders must not be used for work purposes;
• equipment must have a unique identification number and be included in the equipment register;
• a documented pre-use check must be completed by the user at the beginning of the working day and after any event that may have affected safety;
• the ladder or stepladder must be positioned on firm, level, stable and non-slippery ground;
• leaning ladders should normally be positioned at an angle of approximately 75 degrees, using the one-in-four rule;
• leaning ladders must be secured to prevent slipping wherever reasonably practicable;
• where tying or securing is not reasonably practicable, another effective means of preventing movement must be used;
• having another person foot or steady a ladder must be a last-resort control and must not replace proper securing where securing is reasonably practicable;
• stepladders must be fully opened, with locking devices engaged;
• users must maintain three points of contact wherever practicable;
• users must face the ladder when climbing or descending;
• users must not overreach and must keep their belt buckle or waist within the stiles;
• ladders must not be moved while occupied;
• staff must not stand on the top step of a stepladder unless it has been specifically designed with a suitable handhold and working platform;
• staff must not work from the top three rungs of a leaning ladder unless a suitable handhold is available;
• heavy, bulky or awkward items must not be carried while climbing;
• tools should be carried using a suitable tool belt, hoist or other safe method;
• metal ladders must not be used where there is a foreseeable electrical hazard;
• doors must be locked, guarded or otherwise controlled where a ladder is positioned near them, except for fire exits which must not be obstructed;
• ladders must not be placed on boxes, tables, scaffolds or other objects to gain extra height; and
• the work must stop if the user cannot maintain a secure handhold or stable working position.

As a practical guide, where a person is expected to remain in one position on a leaning ladder or stepladder for more than approximately 30 minutes, more suitable work equipment should normally be selected unless the risk assessment provides a clear justification.

6.2 Prohibited Equipment and Practices

Chairs, armchairs, stools not designed as access equipment, tables, beds, wheelchairs, commodes, crates, boxes, shelving and other furniture must never be used as makeshift access equipment.

Staff must not climb onto kitchen worktops, window ledges, radiators, sanitary fittings or care equipment to reach an elevated area.

Damaged equipment, equipment without an identifiable owner or equipment brought from home must not be used.

6.3 Scaffolds, Towers and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms

Scaffolding, mobile access towers and mobile elevating work platforms must only be assembled, altered, dismantled or operated by persons with the knowledge, training and competence required for the specific equipment and task.

Before use, the organisation must ensure that:

• the equipment is suitable for the work and environment;
• the ground and supporting surface are suitable;
• manufacturer’s instructions are available and followed;
• required inspections have been completed and recorded;
• guardrails, toe boards, stabilisers and other protective devices are correctly fitted;
• safe access and egress are provided;
• exclusion arrangements protect individuals and other persons;
• emergency lowering and rescue arrangements are understood; and
• the equipment will not obstruct emergency access or evacuation routes.

Mobile access towers must not be moved while occupied. Persons must not climb the outside of a tower or use boxes, ladders or other equipment on its platform to gain additional height.

Equipment used to lift persons must also be examined and maintained in accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 where those Regulations apply.

6.4 Personal Protective Equipment and Personal Fall Protection

Personal protective equipment must be selected from the findings of the risk assessment. Helmets, protective footwear, eye protection or other PPE must be used where the assessment identifies a need; they are not automatically required for every work-at-height task.

Personal fall-protection equipment, including harnesses, lanyards, work-restraint systems and fall-arrest systems, must only be used where:

• collective protection is not reasonably practicable or does not adequately control the risk;
• the system has been designed and selected by a competent person;
• suitable anchor points have been identified and verified;
• adequate fall clearance has been calculated;
• the user is trained, competent and authorised;
• equipment has been inspected and examined at the required intervals;
• incompatibility between components has been ruled out; and
• a task-specific rescue plan is in place.

Fall-arrest equipment must not be used without arrangements for prompt rescue. Suspension following a fall can create a serious medical risk, and reliance on the emergency services alone is not an adequate rescue plan.

7. Equipment Inspection, Maintenance and Storage

All work-at-height equipment must be:

• suitable for its intended purpose;
• maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and good repair;
• inspected by a competent person at intervals determined by legislation, manufacturer’s instructions and risk assessment;
• inspected after installation or assembly where safety depends on how it has been installed;
• inspected following exceptional circumstances liable to jeopardise safety, including impact, overloading, adverse weather, unauthorised alteration or suspected damage;
• clearly identifiable; and
• stored securely to prevent damage, deterioration and unauthorised use.

A work-at-height equipment register must record:

• the unique equipment number;
• make, model and description;
• location;
• date acquired;
• manufacturer’s instructions;
• inspection and examination dates;
• defects and remedial action;
• maintenance and repairs;
• the name and competence of the inspector; and
• the date removed from service or disposed of.

Pre-use checks must be completed by the user. Formal inspections must be undertaken by a competent person at a frequency appropriate to the equipment, use and environment. The organisation must not rely on a universal monthly frequency where a different interval is required by legislation, manufacturer’s instructions or risk assessment.

Equipment found to be damaged, defective or unsafe must:

• be taken out of use immediately;
• be clearly labelled “Do Not Use”;
• be physically quarantined where possible;
• be reported to the Registered Manager or nominated competent person; and
• not be returned to service until repaired and confirmed safe by a competent person, or replaced or destroyed.

Ladders and access equipment must be stored in a secure location inaccessible to individuals using the service and unauthorised staff.

8. Staff Training and Competency

8.1 Information, Instruction and Training

No person may plan, supervise or undertake work at height unless they have the skills, knowledge, training and experience necessary for the task or, where they are being trained, they are supervised by a competent person.

Training must be proportionate to the person’s role and the equipment they are authorised to use. It may include:

• recognising work-at-height hazards;
• applying the hierarchy of controls;
• completing risk assessments;
• selecting suitable access equipment;
• ladder and stepladder pre-use checks;
• safe positioning and use of ladders and stepladders;
• preventing falling objects;
• protecting individuals using the service;
• reporting defects, incidents and near misses;
• emergency and rescue arrangements; and
• equipment-specific practical instruction.

Specialist work involving scaffolds, access towers, mobile elevating work platforms, fragile roofs, personal fall-arrest equipment or rope access must only be undertaken by persons with appropriate task-specific training and demonstrable competence.

Completion of a training course alone does not establish competence. Competence must include the ability to apply knowledge safely in the actual workplace.

8.2 Competence Assessment and Refresher Training

The Registered Manager or nominated competent assessor must verify competence before authorising a member of staff to use work-at-height equipment. Assessment should include practical observation where relevant.

Authorisation and competence records must identify:

• the equipment and activities the person may undertake;
• any limitations on that authorisation;
• the date competence was assessed;
• the name of the assessor; and
• any retraining or reassessment required.

Refresher training and reassessment must be provided when indicated by risk, including:

• following an incident, near miss or unsafe practice;
• where supervision identifies a loss of competence;
• when equipment, duties or working methods change;
• when legislation or authoritative guidance changes;
• after a prolonged period without using the equipment; or
• at intervals specified by the training provider, manufacturer or organisational training-needs analysis.

An automatic annual refresher requirement is not necessary for every low-risk task unless the organisation’s training-needs analysis identifies that frequency. Annual competence review may nevertheless be retained as an organisational assurance measure.

9. Safe Systems of Work

9.1 Authorisation and Permit-to-Work

Routine, low-risk tasks using an approved stepladder may be undertaken under a documented generic risk assessment and safe system of work, provided the task, environment and equipment remain within the limits of that assessment.

A task-specific risk assessment, method statement and written authorisation or permit-to-work must be used for higher-risk or non-routine work, including:

• roof work;
• work on or near fragile surfaces;
• work near unprotected edges or openings;
• use of scaffolding, access towers or mobile elevating work platforms;
• work requiring fall-restraint or fall-arrest equipment;
• work above occupied or public areas;
• external work affected by adverse weather;
• work near electrical hazards;
• work involving falling-object risks; and
• work where emergency rescue may be required.

The permit must identify the work, location, persons authorised, controls, duration, isolation arrangements, emergency arrangements and the person responsible for closing the permit.

9.2 Supervision

The level of supervision must reflect the risk, complexity of the task and competence of those carrying it out. New, inexperienced or recently trained staff must receive direct supervision until competence has been demonstrated.

The supervisor must confirm that:

• the risk assessment and safe system of work remain valid;
• equipment is suitable and has passed required checks;
• the work area is controlled;
• weather and environmental conditions are acceptable;
• individuals using the service are protected; and
• the work stops if conditions become unsafe.

9.3 Environmental Conditions

Outdoor work at height must not proceed where wind, rain, ice, snow, lightning, heat, poor visibility or other conditions make the task unsafe.

The decision must be based on the equipment manufacturer’s limitations, task risk assessment and actual conditions at the work location. Work must stop where conditions deteriorate.

Indoor work must have adequate lighting, sufficient space and a stable, unobstructed surface. Wet floors, trailing cables, moving equipment, opening doors and the movement of individuals through the area must be controlled.

9.4 Fragile Surfaces and Roof Work

Staff must not access roofs, canopies, skylights or other surfaces that are or may be fragile unless the work has been planned by a competent person and suitable precautions have been provided.

Fragile surfaces must be identified, clearly marked where appropriate, and protected to prevent access. Where work on or near a fragile surface cannot be avoided, suitable platforms, coverings, guardrails, fall-prevention or fall-mitigation measures must be provided.

Routine care-home staff must not undertake roof work unless specifically trained, competent and authorised. Roof work should normally be undertaken by a competent contractor.

9.5 Falling Objects and Danger Areas

Materials and objects must be prevented from falling by suitable storage, securing, toe boards, tool lanyards, covered containers or other appropriate means.

Nothing may be thrown or tipped from height.

Where falling objects remain possible, the area below must be designated as a danger area, physically controlled and clearly indicated. Individuals using the service, visitors and unauthorised staff must be prevented from entering.

Materials must not be stored at height in a way that creates a risk of falling or makes unsafe access foreseeable. Frequently used or heavy items should be stored between approximately knee and shoulder height wherever practicable.

10. Contractor Management

Before appointing a contractor to undertake work at height, {{org_field_name}} must take reasonable steps to assess:

• experience and competence relevant to the task;
• appropriate training or industry accreditation;
• insurance cover;
• risk assessments and method statements;
• inspection and examination records for equipment;
• arrangements for supervision;
• emergency and rescue arrangements;
• accident and enforcement history where proportionate; and
• any subcontracting arrangements.

Before work begins, the Registered Manager or nominated person must:

• provide information about care-home hazards, fire procedures and vulnerable individuals;
• agree access, parking, deliveries and welfare arrangements;
• identify areas requiring isolation;
• agree how individuals, visitors and staff will be protected;
• confirm arrangements for dust, noise, waste and housekeeping;
• confirm arrangements for emergencies and rescue;
• verify that escape routes and emergency-service access will remain available; and
• appoint a person to monitor compliance proportionately.

Contractor documentation does not remove the care home’s responsibility to coordinate activities and protect persons who may be affected.

11. Incident Response and Emergency Procedures

11.1 Emergency and Rescue Planning

Work at height must be planned to include proportionate arrangements for emergencies and rescue.

Where a person could become suspended in a harness, trapped on access equipment or otherwise unable to return safely, a task-specific rescue plan must be prepared before work starts. The plan must identify:

• foreseeable emergency scenarios;
• how the alarm will be raised;
• who will carry out the rescue;
• rescue equipment required;
• how the casualty will be reached and recovered;
• how emergency medical assistance will be obtained;
• how the area will be controlled; and
• whether practice drills are necessary.

Rescue arrangements must not rely solely on the fire and rescue service, ambulance service or another emergency service.

Staff must not attempt an improvised rescue that exposes them to uncontrolled work-at-height risks. The immediate area must be made safe, first aid provided when it is safe to do so, and emergency services contacted as required.

For routine low-risk ladder tasks, emergency planning may consist of ensuring that communication is available, staff know how to summon assistance, the area is accessible, and first-aid arrangements are available.

11.2 Incident and Near-Miss Reporting

All falls from height, dropped-object incidents, equipment failures, unsafe conditions and near misses must be reported immediately to the Registered Manager or person in charge.

Following an incident:

• urgent medical assistance must be obtained where required;
• the area and equipment must be made safe;
• relevant equipment must be quarantined and preserved for investigation;
• the incident must be recorded through the organisation’s incident-reporting system;
• the risk assessment and safe system of work must be reviewed;
• contributing factors and root causes must be investigated;
• corrective actions must be allocated and monitored to completion;
• relevant learning must be shared with staff; and
• the individual, representative or other relevant person must be informed in accordance with duty-of-candour and communication procedures where the incident affected an individual using the service.

11.3 Statutory Reporting

The Registered Manager must ensure that every work-at-height incident is assessed promptly to determine whether it is reportable to the Health and Safety Executive under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.

Reportable events may include:

• the death of a worker or non-worker arising from a work-related accident;
• a specified injury to a worker;
• an injury resulting in a worker being away from work or unable to perform normal duties for more than seven consecutive days;
• an injury to a non-worker that arises from a work-related accident and results in the person being taken directly from the scene to hospital for treatment; and
• a dangerous occurrence falling within a relevant statutory category.

The decision, rationale, submission reference and any communication with HSE must be recorded.

Any requirement to notify CIW, a placing authority, commissioner, safeguarding authority, insurer or other body must be considered separately under the organisation’s notification and incident-management procedures.

12. Compliance and Monitoring

12.1 Monitoring and Audit

The Registered Manager must establish a proportionate monitoring programme that includes:

• confirmation that all work-at-height equipment is included in the equipment register;
• review of pre-use and formal inspection records;
• confirmation that defects have been quarantined and resolved;
• review of staff training, competence and authorisation;
• observation of work practices where appropriate;
• review of contractor documentation and performance;
• review of accidents, near misses and dropped-object incidents;
• checks that equipment is stored securely;
• checks that high-level storage does not create foreseeable unsafe access;
• confirmation that actions arising from risk assessments are completed; and
• review of changes to legislation, HSE guidance, Welsh Government guidance and CIW expectations.

A documented local health and safety check should be completed at least monthly. This monthly management check does not replace statutory, manufacturer-specified or risk-based inspections of individual items of equipment.

Significant findings must be reported through the organisation’s governance arrangements and escalated to the Service Provider and Responsible Individual where appropriate.

12.2 Governance and Continuous Improvement

Information from incidents, near misses, audits, equipment defects, staff feedback, contractor monitoring, HSE advice and CIW inspection findings must be analysed for patterns and recurring risks.

The Responsible Individual must receive sufficient information to obtain assurance that:

• premises and equipment remain safe and properly maintained;
• staff are competent for the tasks undertaken;
• identified improvements are acted upon according to risk;
• incidents and near misses lead to learning; and
• policies and procedures remain current and effective.

Relevant findings and trends must be considered within the organisation’s quality-of-care review and service-improvement arrangements.

13. Related Policies and Documents

This policy should be read alongside:

• CHW16 – Health and Safety at Work Policy;
• CHW35 – Risk Assessment and Management Policy;
• CHW37 – Workplace Equipment and Maintenance Policy;
• CHW39 – Emergency Planning and Incident Response Policy;
• CHW41 – Manual Handling and Safe Lifting Techniques Policy;
• Accident, Incident and Near-Miss Reporting Policy;
• RIDDOR Reporting Procedure;
• Contractor Management Policy;
• Personal Protective Equipment Policy;
• Lone Working Policy;
• Fire Safety Policy;
• Falls Prevention and Management Policy;
• Premises and Equipment Policy;
• Training, Supervision and Competency Policy;
• Business Continuity Plan;
• individualised risk assessments and personal plans, where relevant;
• equipment manufacturers’ instructions; and
• the work-at-height equipment register, inspection records and permit-to-work forms.

14. Records

The following records must be maintained where applicable:

• work-at-height risk assessments;
• safe systems of work and method statements;
• permits to work;
• contractor competence and insurance checks;
• equipment register;
• pre-use check records where required;
• formal equipment inspection and examination reports;
• maintenance and repair records;
• defect and quarantine records;
• training, competence and authorisation records;
• emergency and rescue plans;
• accident and near-miss reports;
• investigation reports and corrective-action plans;
• RIDDOR assessments and reports;
• audit and monitoring records; and
• minutes or reports showing governance review.

Records must be legible, accurate, complete, secure, retrievable and retained in accordance with the organisation’s record-retention schedule and applicable legal requirements.

15. Policy Review

This policy will be formally reviewed at least annually and sooner where:

• legislation, statutory guidance or authoritative HSE guidance changes;
• Welsh Government or CIW requirements change;
• the service’s statement of purpose or premises change;
• new work equipment or working methods are introduced;
• an accident, near miss, equipment failure or enforcement matter identifies a weakness;
• audit or inspection findings indicate that the policy is not being followed or is ineffective; or
• the needs of individuals using the service materially change.

The Responsible Individual must have suitable arrangements to obtain assurance that this policy remains up to date and is understood and implemented by relevant staff.

Material changes must be communicated to affected employees, agency staff, volunteers and contractors. Additional instruction, training or competence assessment must be provided where required. Superseded copies must be removed from use while being retained in accordance with document-control arrangements.

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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}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.