NAPAS Health and Safety Policy

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POLICY STATEMENT under the Heath & Safety at Work Acts.

It is the Policy of the National Association of Professional Ambulance Services (NAPAS) and its registered members, to provide systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable safe, and without risks to the Health of Employees, the Public, or other Persons. By elimination of identified hazards, controlling others, and planning to minimise any other potential risks.

A safe system of work can only be achieved by involvement of the Principles, Directors, Employee's, and all other persons present, who enter upon the premises occupied, or the vehicles belonging to the Company.

As Ambulance Operators, we come into contact with all types of situations, be these in the Hospital, Home or Work place. In the majority of situations employees may be working on other persons premises or in public places, using specialist ambulance equipment. The Tasks involved are many and varied, but at all times, must only be carried out within the capability and formal training received. Should a task be required that is outside of the capability or training required, then assistance should be called upon, of a person who is qualified, by training and / or experience, to carry out the task.

Any potential risk to Health & Safety found, should and must be reported to a senior Principle or Director, so that the situation may be rectified without delay, or so that the potential risk can be re-assessed, controlled, or managed, so that the work can be completed with minimum risk.

HAZARDS

The hazards involved in Ambulance Operations are varied and range from safe use of inflammable and analgesic gases, protection from infection, noise and injury, lifting patients in a safe and proper manner, to minimise injury to the patient, employee and others. Possible rescue and treatment of persons in a potential emergency situation, driving in normal and emergency situations. Many of these hazards may be encountered upon other person's premises, or in Public places.

SAFE METHODS OF WORKING.

Safe methods of working relate in the main to a question of "common sense". However, in certain situations, employees and others may not relate common sense to the situation. Therefore, safe methods in Ambulance and Ambulance Aid working must be defined. However, with the varied tasks being called upon, detail or advice cannot always be given in every case, and it may be that in certain situations, there may not be time to obtain such detailed advice.

"IT IS THE POLICY OF: NAPAS AND ITS REGISTERED MEMBERS"

(1)"That NO task should be carried out by any person, unless the risk can be reasonably assessed by the person. If in doubt, it should not be carried out."

(2)"That all equipment should be regularly serviced and maintained, and only used in a safe condition."

(3) "That employees and others, should only carry out tasks, that they have received the required training for, and wherever possible the experience to safely undertake."

(4)"That No employee of 'NAPAS' or its registered members shall undertake any task upon any other persons premises, unless the employer is satisfied that it is safe to do so with the minimum risk to employee's or others Health & Safety."

IMPLEMENTATION.

It is in the interest of all concerned, employed, engaged, sub-contracted, contracted, and others, to implement 'Safe Working Practice', within the Group.

It is the responsibility of the Proprietor or Designated Director,

To rectify any matter in a competent and proper manner, either immediately or within a reasonable period.

It is the responsibility of all Employee's and others,

To bring to the attention of the Proprietor or Designated Director of the registered member within the Group, any unsafe practice or defect.

To wear safety equipment and clothing as supplied by employers, to protect staff from risk to Health & Safety. These may include visibility clothing, gloves, safety helmets, goggles, infection suits, uniforms etc.

To correctly handle or disposes of any blood, or other body products, so as not to place any other persons Health at risk.

To only carry out a given task, within the capabilities as training received either from the employer or another source.

To report to their employer any accident or illness incurred through his / her employment.

To report to their employer directly, any defect or malfunctioning equipment or vehicle.

To undertake personal hygiene to reduce risks of infection to themselves and others.

To not intentionally exceed Driver Hours Regulations, other than in an emergency, and not to work when suffering tiredness.

To report to NAPAS any continual UN-rectified breach of Health & Safety Policy.

This document may not be reproduced, or copied in part or whole without license, license is only granted to registered members of the National Association of Professional Ambulance Services (NAPAS) in respect of prior approved group activities. Others are licensed to copy this document in whole, provided it will not be used for any commercial purpose, or to be used for any financial gain, and is only used for educational purpose's, in such cases full acknowledgments must be attributed to the author.

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revised 36/4/2020