Health & Safety Policy

Purpose

Happy Hatching Mind recognises its responsibility to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of clients, visitors and the practitioner while services are being provided.

The practice is committed to maintaining a working environment that is reasonably safe, suitable for the services provided and responsive to identified risks.

Responsibility

Overall responsibility for health and safety within the Happy Hatching Mind practice premises rests with the practitioner.

As a lone practitioner, I am responsible for the day-to-day implementation of health and safety arrangements, including identifying hazards, responding to risks and taking reasonable steps to maintain and improve the safety of the premises and services provided.

Clients are also expected to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others while attending the premises.

Premises and Environmental Checks

Regular visual checks of the premises will be undertaken to identify obvious hazards or changes that may affect health and safety.

These checks may include consideration of:

• Access to and movement around the premises

• Stairs, stair lift and other access arrangements

• Lighting and ventilation

• Heating and general environmental conditions

• Furniture and equipment

• Electrical equipment and visible electrical hazards

• Fire exits and access to evacuation routes

• Trip, slip and fall hazards

• Cleanliness and general condition of the premises

• Any hazards arising from the activities being undertaken

Where a significant hazard or risk is identified, reasonable action will be taken to remove, reduce or manage the risk.

Where appropriate, significant risks and actions taken will be recorded.

Accessibility

The physical accessibility of the premises is considered as part of health and safety arrangements.

The practice office is situated on the first floor and access requires use of the stairs or stair lift. Information about accessibility is provided to clients before appointments are arranged so that alternative arrangements can be considered where appropriate.

Emergency and Evacuation Arrangements

In the event of an emergency requiring evacuation of the premises, the primary evacuation route is:

Down the staircase and out through the front door.

Clients will be asked to leave the premises promptly and follow instructions given by the practitioner or emergency services.

The practitioner will consider the needs of individual clients when making emergency arrangements, including any known mobility or accessibility requirements.

Emergency services will be contacted where necessary.

Fire Safety

Reasonable steps will be taken to maintain clear access to the designated evacuation route and to ensure that obvious fire hazards are identified and addressed.

Fire safety arrangements will be reviewed periodically and in response to any significant changes to the premises or the way services are provided.

First Aid and Emergencies

Appropriate arrangements will be maintained for responding to illness, injury or other emergencies occurring during a session.

Where a client becomes unwell or requires urgent assistance, appropriate action will be taken according to the circumstances. This may include contacting emergency services, seeking appropriate medical assistance or contacting an emergency contact where appropriate and authorised.

Lone Working

As a lone practitioner, consideration will be given to risks associated with working alone, including providing services to clients in person and undertaking activities outside the practice premises.

Appropriate precautions will be taken where reasonably necessary, particularly when undertaking therapeutic walking, working outside normal hours or where circumstances indicate an increased level of risk.

Risk Management

Health and safety risks will be considered on an ongoing basis rather than only at a fixed annual review.

Risk assessments and checks will be proportionate to the nature of the practice and the risks identified.

Where a risk is identified, consideration will be given to:

• Removing the hazard where reasonably possible

• Reducing the likelihood or severity of harm

• Introducing appropriate control measures

• Providing relevant information or instructions

• Recording significant risks and actions where appropriate

• Reviewing arrangements following an incident, near miss or significant change

Incidents and Accidents

Any significant accident, incident or near miss occurring in connection with Happy Hatching Mind services will be considered and, where appropriate, recorded.

Where an incident identifies a previously unrecognised risk, the relevant health and safety arrangements will be reviewed and amended as necessary.

Professional and Legal Responsibilities

Health and safety arrangements will be maintained with regard to relevant legislation, guidance, insurance requirements and professional responsibilities applicable to the practice.

The practitioner will remain responsible for ensuring that health and safety arrangements are appropriate to the nature and scale of the services provided.

Review

This statement will be reviewed regularly and following any significant change to the premises, services provided, identified risks, legislation or relevant professional guidance.