Health and safety

• All managers trained to IOSH Managing / Working Safely
• All employees / operatives to be trained to IOSH Working Safely
• We remain the only affordable housing provider to achieve BS9997, British Standards in Fire risk management systems
• 100% of homes with a fire risk assessment
• We have sustained 100% gas compliance since February 2017
• We were the first Housing Association ever to achieve Primary Authority Partnership with the West Midlands Fire Service

Orbit, its Board and Executive Team recognise their duty under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and wellbeing of all employees, customers, service users and others who could be affected by the operations of the organisation.

Orbit will provide sufficient funds and resources in order to develop and maintain policies, procedures and risk assessments, to facilitate safe and healthy workplaces where a positive health and safety culture supports the assessment, elimination, mitigation or management of risks to prevent injury or loss.

Health and safety is an integral part of good management, and the safety of our workforce and customers is fundamental to all that we do. All personnel are committed to the implementation of this Policy, and every colleague shares the responsibility for its delivery and success.

Orbit recognises the important role that is played by all colleagues and will actively seek their co-operation through consultation and communication and through the delivery of sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure a suitable level of health and safety competency exists across the organisation.

We will monitor health and safety culture and performance across Orbit, and report using a central dashboard to provide assurance on key health and safety risks. The aim will be to achieve progressive improvement in the management of health and safety across all our sites and areas of activity.

Orbit’s main objectives in managing Health and safety are:

• Prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health by managing the health and safety risks in the workplace.
• Provide clear instructions and information, supervision and adequate training, to ensure employees are competent to do their work.
• Engage and consult with employees on day-to-day health and safety conditions.
• Implement emergency procedures – evacuation in case of fire or other significant incident.
• Maintain safe and healthy working conditions, provide and maintain plant, equipment and machinery, and ensure safe storage/use of substances.

The Health & Safety Governance Structure has been formulated to demonstrate the following good practice principles set out in the IOD/HSE "Leading Health and Safety at Work" document:

• Strong and active leadership from the top
• Effective 'downward' communication systems and management structures
• Visible and active commitment from the Board
• The integration of good Health and Safety management with business decisions
• Worker involvement – engaging the workforce in the promotion and achievement of safe and healthy conditions
• Effective 'upward' communication
• Providing high quality training
• Assessment and review – identifying and managing Health and safety risks
• Seeking (and following) the guidance of competent advisers
• Monitoring, reporting and reviewing performance