PART 1 – STATEMENT OF INTENT
SHOWOFF DANCE has a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all employees, including volunteer workers
(hereinafter referred to as “employees”), while working in or out of classes (including performances, displays, and events),
and to safeguard all customers while in attendance.
Through management at all levels, Showoff Dance will provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe working environment
with minimal risk to employees, students, visitors, and members of the public. We fulfil these responsibilities by working in
accordance with relevant health and safety legislation, Approved Codes of Practice, and good working practices.
This will be achieved by:
- Providing safe working procedures, good working conditions, and a healthy working environment.
- Ensuring employees understand potential hazards and how to avoid associated risks.
- Providing training and instruction so employees can work safely and efficiently.
- Promoting individual attention and effort at all levels to prevent accidents.
- While overall responsibility rests with Showoff Dance, all employees have a duty to meet their legal obligations.
- Employee responsibilities are set out within this policy.
- We undertake statutory risk assessments and communicate significant findings to those at risk. These findings are reflected in this policy.
Signature:
Liam Abram-Smith, CEO, Founder, Choreographer and Teacher of Showoff Dance
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SHOWOFF DANCE
Showoff Dance will:
- Maintain overall responsibility for health and safety, ensuring policy, procedures, monitoring, and risk assessments are in place and reviewed.
- Ensure supervision and monitoring arrangements are in place to confirm the adequacy of this policy.
- Ensure adequate resources, reviews, procedures, and records are identified and maintained.
- Ensure all employees and freelance workers are made aware of this policy and their responsibilities.
- Maintain an accident reporting, investigation, and analysis system.
- Disseminate information from the HSE / Local Health Authority and ensure appropriate action is taken.
- Ensure no employee/freelancer operates machinery/plant/equipment without appropriate training.
- Ensure employees, freelancers, students, visitors, contractors, and the public are made aware of relevant risks and required preventive actions.
- Organise an annual safety audit of activities and premises and implement necessary improvements.
- Consider and implement health and safety improvement suggestions where appropriate.
- Ensure access to a competent person under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CEO
The CEO shall:
- Supervise implementation of the Health and Safety Policy and monitor its adequacy.
- Ensure resources, reviews, procedures, and records are identified and maintained.
- Ensure employees and freelance workers are made aware of policy contents and responsibilities.
- Maintain accident reporting, investigation, and analysis systems.
- Disseminate HSE / Local Health Authority information and ensure action is specified and taken.
- Ensure no employee/freelancer operates equipment without adequate training.
- Ensure risk awareness and preventive actions are communicated to all affected parties.
- Organise an annual safety audit and ensure necessary improvements are implemented.
- Consider and implement safety suggestions where appropriate.
- Ensure access to a competent person under the 1999 Regulations.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SECRETARY
The Secretary shall:
- Supervise implementation of the policy and monitor adequacy.
- Ensure resources, reviews, procedures, and records are maintained in areas under their control.
- Make employees and freelance workers aware of policy contents and responsibilities.
- Maintain accident reporting, investigation, and analysis in areas of responsibility.
- Disseminate HSE / Local Health Authority information and ensure necessary action is taken.
- Ensure no worker under their responsibility operates equipment without adequate training.
- Ensure employees, students, visitors, contractors, and the public are informed of relevant risks and preventive actions.
- Participate in and/or chair Health and Safety meetings as appropriate.
- Assist with annual safety audits and implement improvements within their control.
- Consider and implement suggestions where appropriate.
- Ensure access to a competent person under the 1999 Regulations.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PERSONAL ASSISTANT
The Personal Assistant shall:
- Ensure the policy is fully implemented within their area of responsibility.
- Ensure employees and freelance workers under their supervision understand the policy and duties imposed upon them.
- Ensure subordinates receive adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision to work safely.
- Investigate and address health and safety risks arising from work activity or workplace conditions.
- Ensure no subordinate is instructed to carry out tasks or use equipment without adequate training.
- Investigate and address reported defects in equipment, work areas, or activities.
- Monitor workplaces to maintain safe conditions.
- Investigate, report, and document incidents causing injury or property/equipment damage.
- Ensure staff, students, visitors, and contractors are aware of risks and established safety procedures.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYEES (PAID OR VOLUNTEERS)
Health and safety affects all personnel at every level. To achieve and maintain high standards, all employees (including volunteers)
shall, in accordance with Sections 7 and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974:
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and the safety of others affected by their actions or omissions.
- Comply with this policy, procedures, and regulations designed to protect health, safety, and welfare.
- Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with, or misuse, equipment provided for health and safety protection.
- Be aware of emergency procedures, including evacuation and fire precautions.
- Conduct themselves in a way that does not compromise their own safety or that of others.
- Co-operate with managers and supervisors to prevent accidents and health risks.
- Wear personal protective equipment when instructed or when circumstances require.
- Report unsafe or unhealthy conditions immediately to their manager.
Disciplinary note: Failure to comply with this policy, or intentional/reckless misuse of safety equipment, may result in disciplinary action.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR HEALTH & SAFETY – Accident / Injury Reporting
- All accidents and near misses will be recorded using an accident form in the Accident Book (located on the premises being used).
- The Head of HR will analyse reports regularly with the CEO and decide next steps.
- Where required, the Head of HR will submit notifications via www.riddor.gov.uk within the required timescales.
RIDDOR reportable incidents / injuries include:
- Fatalities of workers and non-workers arising from a workplace accident (including physical violence).
- “Specified” injuries under RIDDOR 2013 (e.g., fractures excluding fingers/thumbs/toes; amputations; serious loss of sight; crush injuries to head/torso; serious burns/scalds affecting >10% body or vital organs; scalping; loss of consciousness; enclosed space incidents causing hypothermia/heat illness, resuscitation, or hospital admission >24 hours).
- Accidents causing incapacity for work for seven or more days (report within 15 days).
- Occupational diseases (full list: hse.gov.uk).
- Dangerous occurrences / specified near-miss events (full list: hse.gov.uk).
Where serious accidents or near-miss events occur, the CEO and Secretary (with assistance from the PA where applicable) will organise an investigation
to determine cause(s) and identify remedial actions to prevent recurrence. A Showoff Dance Incident/Accident Report Form should be used, retained on file,
and actions completed within an agreed timeframe.
- Accidents involving children/young persons must be recorded and parents/guardians informed and provided a copy of the accident form.
- Where safeguarding concerns arise, the first aider should notify the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO). DSO details are available upon request within the Safeguarding Policy & Procedures.
FIRST AID
Showoff Dance will comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. Sufficient personnel are nominated as First Aiders and trained/certificated
through an approved training provider. Certificates are retained within HR. Qualified First Aiders attend refresher training and requalification as required.
Additional employees may attend Emergency First Aid or Paediatric First Aid to support the team and to comply with the Showoff Dance Safeguarding Policy & Procedures.
Notices are displayed around premises showing first aider details. First aid boxes are located throughout premises and checked monthly, with contents replenished as needed.
Where a staff member or student is taken to hospital, a qualified first aider will accompany them where possible.
Where a child/young student needs to be taken to hospital, they should be accompanied by a parent/guardian; if not immediately possible, a qualified first aider will attend
and the parent/guardian will be notified immediately.
Emergency calls: Where an ambulance is required, the first aider should call 999 where possible (or ask someone nearby).
Calling directly is preferable to avoid delays. If a first aider is not immediately available, anyone may call and follow the call handler’s instructions.
When calling 999, be ready to provide:
- Exact location/address including postcode (or precise location on site).
- The phone number you are calling from.
- Brief explanation of what happened.
- Patient’s age, gender, and any medical history (if known).
- Whether the patient is conscious, breathing, and if there is serious bleeding or chest injury.
- Details of injury and how it happened.
- If the patient is not breathing, follow instructions to commence CPR and continue until instructed to stop.
FIRE
- A Fire Risk Assessment has been completed for the premises and controls are in place to minimise risk to life.
- Employees are instructed on actions in the event of fire or emergency and must be conversant with prevention, detection, and evacuation procedures.
- Where necessary, Fire Officers are nominated and trained. Notices display trained Fire Officer names.
- Regular visitors (including parents/guardians) may request the Fire Evacuation Procedure document.
- Employees must not interfere with fire detection or firefighting equipment and must report defects immediately.
Action on discovering a fire:
- Raise the alarm using the nearest call point and shout “FIRE FIRE FIRE”.
- Evacuate immediately via the safest route to the nearest fire exit. Do not use lifts.
- Assemble with your group and await further instructions.
- Avoid using mobile phones and carrying hot drinks during evacuation.
- Once clear of danger, call the Fire Brigade.
- Responsible staff must check registers/attendance and inform the Lead Fire Officer.
NO ONE SHOULD RE-ENTER THE BUILDING OR LEAVE THE ASSEMBLY POINT
until instructed by the Fire Brigade that it is safe to do so.
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Formal written risk assessments will be undertaken prior to the commencement of any work that may be harmful to health.
Relevant employees receive training in risk assessment techniques organised by the CEO. Completed assessments will be communicated
to anyone affected by the work.
Risk assessments are reviewed at least annually (or sooner if risk severity or procedures change). Changes will be communicated to affected persons.
Assessments will include:
- Nature of the risk (operational, mechanical, biological, chemical, etc.).
- Who is at risk.
- Control measures currently in place.
- Any further necessary control measures.
Department Heads/Managers must complete an annual Risk Assessment Compliance Form confirming assessments are up to date and relevant.
Forms are due by 31 December for CEO review in January. Completed forms must be stored under Risk Assessments.
MEDICAL / INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Employees must disclose medical conditions where it is likely to affect them at work, may be relevant in an accident/incident,
or where medication must be carried (see Drugs & Alcohol Policy). Disclosure should be made to HR and will be treated confidentially,
unless it is necessary to inform a First Aider or other qualified practitioner.
Employees must inform HR if they have contracted or been in contact with an infectious or contagious disease by providing a current Fit Note/certificate.
Where required, the employee may be sent home with pay for a specific time.
Examples of infectious/contagious diseases that must be notified include:
Chickenpox • Cholera • Covid-19 • Food Poisoning • Hepatitis • Impetigo • Jaundice • Malaria • Measles • Ringworm • Scabies • Tuberculosis • Typhoid • Whooping Cough • Influenza H1N1 (swine flu)
