Health and Safety Policy

Millom Town Council Health and Safety Policy

Reviewed: January 2026

Revision Date: January 2028

Introduction

Millom Town Council recognises its legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and volunteers, including councillors.

The council also seeks to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that members of the public using council-owned public areas do so safely.

Responsibilities

The council accepts responsibility as an employer to provide safe and healthy working conditions, including:

• Providing equipment and systems of work designed and maintained to operate safely
• Supplying sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision to avoid hazards
• Promoting safety awareness among employees, volunteers and the public
• Providing a safe environment for visitors and members of the public
• Ensuring the use of Personal Protective Equipment where required
• Requiring contractors to submit method statements and comply with safety requirements
• Carrying out and recording risk assessments where necessary
• Conducting annual electrical portable appliance testing on council equipment

The Clerk to the Town Council holds day-to-day responsibility for ensuring the policy is reviewed, maintained and followed.

Health and safety will be kept under regular review. Employees and volunteers also have a duty of care for their own safety and that of others affected by council activities and must cooperate with the council to meet safety responsibilities.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Volunteers should:

• Seek and follow health and safety advice from the Clerk
• Use equipment and protective gear correctly and safely
• Report defects in equipment, structures or plant immediately
• Report incidents or near misses promptly and cooperate with investigations
• Record accidents in the Accident Book held by the Clerk

A copy of this policy will be issued to all employees and volunteers.

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as required.

Signed: Chair

Date: 28 January 2026