The Gazette 1990

GAZETTE

A PRIL 1990

KERRY TOWN OLD ESTABLISHED LAW PRACTICE FOR SALE PROMINENTLY SITUATED BOX NO. 45

safety measures are incorporated in the normal operations of the Firm in such a way that they become second nature: a. To define the organisation and structure of health and safety within the firm; b. To outline measures to prevent accidents, to ensure the health and safety of employees, visitors, contractors and others on the premises; c. To ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the practice. These objectives will be achieved by an active policy of education/ promotion of industrial health and safety as an integral part of each employee's duties. Implementation of Health & Safety Policy To implement the policy the following measures will be adopted: — a. clearly defined accountability areas, under the control of supervisors, will be assigned throughout the premises; b. an effective system of incident recording (no matter how minor) and corrective action will be operated; c. an effective self inspection (of own accountability areas) checklist system will be operated by supervisors; d. the Firm's safety rules to which everyone must adhere will be developed and reviewed on an ongoing basis; e. an effective safety training programme will be developed; f. a fire safety programme and emergency evacuation panel will be developed. g. The general policy statement will be reviewed from time to time. General Safety is the responsibility of management. Accident prevention and safety are no less than any other managerial function. For the safety policy to be effective everyone must be involved. Each employee (including Solicitors, Clerks, Typists, Security etc) has a duty under the Health & Welfare at Work Act 1989 to exercise personal responsibility or in other words to take reasonable care for his/her own health and safety and for the health and safety of others, a. employees must not knowingly Responsibility for Safety -

endanger themselves or others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work; b. employees must co-operate with management in relation to safety and must comply with the firm's safety rules; c. employees must never interfere with fittings or machinery or other safety devices; d. employees must wear/use protective clothing/equipment when necessary or provided. Particular a. the Senior Partner is ultimately responsible for the execution of the above policy. He will delegate responsibility for each department to the Solicitor in charge who may further delegate responsibility to Supervisors; b. each Solicitor will report to the Senior Partner in relation to safety and health measures; The role of the solicitor in charge is crucial in any safety programme. Implementation of Duties and Responsibilities of Solicitors in Charge: a. to communicate the Firm's safety and health measures to the workforce; b. to meet subordinates and supervisors each month to confirm that routine unsafe practices and conditions have been eliminated. To discuss the more difficult problems and agree solutions; c. to ensure that adequate safety training where necessary is provided by the firm for employees; d. to ensure that new employees are properly briefed in safety and health procedures; e. to carry out occasional hazard spot checks using self inspection checklists. f. to enforce the safety and health rules through routine day to day supervision of personnel and processes to ensure safe practices and procedures; g. the operation of the incident recording and corrective action technique, recording and reacting to all incidents no matter how minor. Safety Committee The Safety & Health Committee will consist of a Senior Partner, Partners and representatives of each Department. Responsibility for Safety -

The Committee may co-opt whichever member of staff is considered necessary to the furthering of a sound safety and health policy. The primary duties of the Safety & Health Committee are to: — a. acquire reference material and be in a position to provide technical advice on difficult safety problems; b. to acquire copies of relevant safety at work statutes so as to be in a position to provide technical advice and safety legislation; c. to monitor the operation of safety and health procedures within the organisation; d. to monitor safety performance within each Department and submit periodical reports to the Senior Partner. General Health & Safety of Personnel The management will maintain a suitable first aid box for use by members of the staff. Management will provide a clean hygienic work environment for staff. Members of staff are to ensure that manage- ment are informed of any situation which could develop into a health or safety hazard. Employees will ensure that they conduct themselves in such a way that they will not create a health or safety hazard which could be a danger to their co-workers. Safe Working Practices Employees must not report for work under the influence of alcohol or other addictive substance. Any member of staff reporting in such a condition will be suspended from duty for their own safety and for the safety of their co-workers. All machines acd lights should be switched off at the close of work each evening. They should also be switched off when any cleaning or maintenance is in progress. •

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