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Health and Safety Policy

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY - STATEMENT OF INTENT

The vision of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (the Trust) is to reinstate the historic Lichfield and Hatherton Canals, to re-create a living waterway for leisure and wildlife which will benefit the local communities.

This Policy applies on all land owned by the Trust and to land leased or licenced to the Trust, on which the Trust is undertaking work in association with canal restoration. Where sites are owned by other bodies, the Trust will comply with any reasonable requirements of the landowner on health and safety matters. It also applies at locations where the Trust is present, for example canal festivals, gatherings and other promotional events.

It is the Trust’s intent to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to protecting and improving the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in our work from restoration and construction site activities where volunteers and contractors are working, to our fundraising activities and meetings. The commitment extends to the members of the general public where \edit.htmlpermissive paths pass through construction works areas, and any others who may be affected by the activities of the Trust.

Overall responsibility for health, safety and wellbeing rests with the Trust's Board of Directors who will ensure that health, safety and wellbeing matters are effectively assigned to, accepted by and fulfilled by all LHCRT members, volunteers and contractors. In addition, individual LHCRT members have responsibility for their own health, safety and wellbeing and should not undertake any activity if they have concerns.To ensure that objectives are met, the Trust will strive to ensure: 

• adequate time and resources are available to ensure appropriate provision is made for health, safety and wellbeing;
• through proactive management and with the cooperation of all LHCRT members and volunteers, all hazards and associated risks will be identified, evaluated, controlled and reviewed to minimise risk so far as is reasonably practicable and safe systems of work are provided including emergency arrangements;
• that all members and volunteers are provided with information, instruction, training and supervision, as necessary, to ensure their health, safety and wellbeing while undertaking their assigned activities;
• provision of information and instruction on the safe handling and use of substances;
• the provision and maintenance of safe plant and equipment;v
• the provision of PPE;
• the working environment, including access and egress, is safe and without risks to health and adequate provision is made for welfare facilities and arrangements;
• monitoring of activities through regular site inspections;
• provision of established and effective procedures for consultation and communication between all LHCRT members and volunteers of the Trust on matters of health, safety and wellbeing;
• compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
• that all near miss, accident and incidents are reported and investigated in line with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.

The Health and Safety Policy and Arrangements will be reviewed as part of change planning, lessons learned, knowledge transfer, post incident and annually.

CAROLE MILLS, CHAIR OF LHCRT, 29 JUNE 2022
Signed on behalf of Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust

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Equal Opportunities Policy

The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Ltd encourages the participation of all sections of the community in its activities without discrimination by race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, class, religion, gender, sexuality, employment status, age or disability, subject only to compliance with legal requirements including Health and Safety and insurance on its construction sites.

The Trust will expect any contractors or consultants working for it to subscribe to similar policies on equal opportunities.

All canal restoration works undertaken by or on behalf of the Trust will so far as is reasonably practicable be designed to maximise access by the disabled, consistent with conservation of heritage features and the safety of users of the waterway.

Equality and Diversity Statement

We are committed to equality and diversity during our work. We will ensure that our volunteers are treated fairly and given equal access to opportunities and resources regardless of their age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation; Subject to each volunteer’s capability and the Trust’s health and safety policy. We value our volunteers’ individual differences and oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

Signed on behalf of Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust  August 2017

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Environment Policy

The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Limited is enrolled as an Environmental Body under the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, No.882012.

The Trust is concerned to ensure that its restoration activities protect and enhance the natural environment and the wildlife habitats along the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals corridors.

The Trust will seek to restore and enhance the waterway ecology that developed in harmony with its operational functions during the 150 years of the canal’s working life, but was extinguished when the canals were abandoned and filled in.

The Trust will seek guidance from Canal and River Trust (in succession to British Waterways) to apply their Environmental Code of Practice to ensure construction and maintenance techniques are consistent with the current best practice.

The Trust will liaise with other appropriate environmental bodies such as the Environment Agency, English Nature, and local Wildlife Trusts and will support County and Local Authority Biodiversity Action Plans and Nature Recovery Plans in re-creating waterway and waterside habitats appropriate to the local terrain.

Revised December 2022

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Education Policy

The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust will contribute to developing and sustaining an understanding of the inland waterways system of this country and especially of the key issues associated with the restoration of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals amongst people of all ages in the wider community encompassed by the project.

The Trust will foster links with all interested groups but particularly with local colleges and schools. Using the restoration project as a vehicle for learning, it will develop within the community an understanding of the key educational issues associated with the restoration of canals, namely:

• Historical Aspects The contribution the canal system has made to the nation's industrial, social and ecological heritage.
• Conservation The contribution that restoration makes to the conservation of the built heritage and enhancement of the natural environment.
• Regeneration The social and economic benefits that accrue from restoration.
• Sustainability The development and maintenance of canals in a manner which enables the fulfilment of their environmental, economic and social potential.

Revised: 2017

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SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Date of policy: 08/12/2019
Revised: -
Revision no: 0
Board approval: 14/01/2020

Introduction

Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust is committed to creating a safe environment in which anyone can feel comfortable and secure whilst engaged in any of the Trust’s activities.

Children, young persons, people with disabilities and vulnerable adults are encouraged to take an interest in canal restoration and the other work of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (“the Trust”) through education and community programmes, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Introduction Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust is committed to creating a safe environment in which anyone can feel comfortable and secure whilst engaged in any of the Trust’s activities. Children, young persons, people with disabilities and vulnerable adults are encouraged to take an interest in canal restoration and the other work of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (“the Trust”) through education and community programmes, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

• The law defines a child as anyone not yet reached minimum school leaving age. ie16.

• A young person is anyone under 18.

• A vulnerable adult is one who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of disability, age or illness or may be unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.

Safeguarding – definition and guidance

Safeguarding describes the process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care that enables children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully.

This policy states how Trust volunteers should behave and what to do if they have concerns or if a young person or vulnerable adult confides in them about something that concerns them. This may be about their work with the Trust or about home, school or other activity away from the activities of the Trust.

The Trust aims to promote good practice providing appropriate safety and protection to children and vulnerable adults while engaged in activities. It aims to allow Trust members and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child and vulnerable issues by providing practical guidance in this Policy, its risk assessments and through training.

LHCRT will endeavour to ensure safeguarding by:

• Sharing information to all volunteers about safeguarding, on protection and good practice guidelines
• Ensuring LHCRT’s volunteers who work directly with children or vulnerable adults have read and understood our policies, guidelines and procedures when working with young people and have signed up to our Youth Volunteer Code of Conduct.
• Ensuring all events and activities run by LHCRT are well planned to minimise the risk to young people to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone involved.
• Ensuring that Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (formerly CRB checks) are carried out, where volunteers work directly with children or vulnerable adults who are not in the care of others eg parents, teachers, support workers.
• Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Officer responsible for the protection of young people throughout LHCRT.
• Monitoring and reviewing this policy on an annual basis by LHCRT’s trustees.

Planning and Risk Assessment

We offer the following volunteering opportunities for unaccompanied children, subject to receipt of parental consent:

• For under 16s: green and grounds team on Saturdays.
• For 16-18s: workparty on days to be agreed.

Activities will be carefully planned to ensure that maximum possible protection is provided. Health and Safety requirements will be assessed, taking into account:

• The suitability of the task to be undertaken
• Legislation that applied to any activity or use of machinery or plant which may limit activities on the ground of age or ability
• Safety information provided to leaders and participants
• Appropriate induction and training of everyone on site
• First aid facilities
• Rest areas, toilets and facilities for drinks
• Appropriate available Personal Protective Equipment
• Communications and emergency procedures
• Fire precautions
• The provision of appropriate training

The Trust is responsible for ensuring that young people working with them are not exposed to risk due to lack of experience or maturity. A Risk Assessment for working with young persons and vulnerable adults has been undertaken for on-site canal restoration work.

An appropriate number of adult trust volunteers (and/or teachers/carers) will be present, taking into account the type of activity, the number, gender mix, age range and any special needs of the young people and vulnerable adults attending. Ideally, there will be responsible adults for every group of young people in a ratio of 1:6 or better.

At least two trust volunteers will be available at all times. Trust volunteers should not assume sole responsibility for a young person or a vulnerable adult at any time

Disclosure Procedure

The procedure requires volunteers to report any concerns to their site leader or Trust Director who will put the matter in the hands of the police and, through them, Social Services.

If you suspect harm, or have been told about it, do not act alone or start to investigate or make assumptions.

If a young person wants to talk about something that is concerning them:

• Never guarantee confidentiality - Child Protection has precedence over any other issues
• Offer reassurance without making promises
• Listen to them rather than question him or her directly
• Take what they say seriously and allow them to speak without interruption
• Accept what is said; it is not your role to investigate or question
• Do not overreact
• Alleviate their feelings of guilt and isolation while passing no judgement
• Tell them that you will try to support but that you must pass the information on
• Explain what you have to do and whom you have to tell
• Record the discussion accurately, as soon as possible after the event
• Use their words or explanations; do not translate into your own words in case you misconstrue what they were trying to say

Useful Information if known:

• The young person’s name
• Age and date of birth
• Home Address
• Name/Address, telephone number of parent, person with parental responsibility, carer
• Is the person making the report expressing their own concerns, or passing on those of somebody else? If so, record details
• What has prompted the concerns? Include dates and times of any specific incidents
• Has the child or young person been spoken to? If so, what was said?
• Has anybody been alleged to be the abuser? If so, record details
• Who has this been passed on to, in order that action is taken? e.g. school, designated officer, social services etc
• Has anyone else been consulted? If so, record details.

Take Action:

• Notify your Site Leader and Trust Director immediately. They will contact the police who will call on the local Social Services.
• If your Site Leader or a Trust Director is not available and you consider the young person is in imminent danger, contact the police or the NSPCC yourself.
• The NSPCC operate a 24 hour advice line for anyone concerned about a child - 0808 800 5000

Youth Volunteer Code of Conduct

It is your responsibility to ensure that:

• your behaviour is appropriate at all times;
• you observe the rules established for the safety and security of young people; and
• you understand the position of trust in which you have been placed.
• you have read and understood LHCRT’s Safeguarding Policy

Attitude

• Treat children and young people with respect and dignity
• Always listen to what a child or young person is saying
• Value each and every child and young person without favouritism
• Recognise the unique contribution each individual can make
• Encourage and praise each child or young person

By example

• Provide an example which you would wish others to follow
• Use appropriate language and challenge any inappropriate language used by a young person or an adult working with young people
• Respect a young person’s right to privacy

Conduct

Do:

• Make every meeting or activity with an individual young person as open as possible. ensure you work in an open environment, are in sight or hearing of another adult, and avoid one to one contact with a young person.
• Make sure a suitable number of supervising adults are present at all times.
• Respect a young person’s personal privacy.v
• Value a young person’s contributions, involve them in planning and reviewing activities.
• Allow young people to express any concerns they have
• Take allegations or concerns seriously and refer them to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.

Do not:

• Spend time alone with young persons, away from others
• Take a young person alone on a car journey, however short, or take them home without parental approval. (In the event of an emergency the driver must ensure that the young person sits in the back seat and every effort should be made to have a third person, preferably an adult present.)
• Allow or engage in physical games including horseplay or any suggestive or inappropriate remarks or gestures/touching that could lead to misunderstanding.
• Do things of a personal nature for a young person or vulnerable adult which they can do for themselves.
• Take photos of young people without gaining written or verbal consent from their parent or guardian, and clearly explaining where they will be used.
• Undertake unplanned activities with young people.
• Let allegations, suspicions or concerns about abuse go unreported.
• Use children’s contact details for anything other than the purpose for which they were given.
• Use children’s contact details for anything other than the purpose for which they were given.
• Rely on your good name and reputation or that of LHCRT to protect you.

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