01Statement of intent
Legacy Software Limited is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, contractors, visitors and anyone else affected by our work. We will meet our duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the regulations made under it, and we aim to do better than the legal minimum wherever we reasonably can.
We will:
- assess the risks of our work and take sensible, proportionate steps to control them;
- provide safe places to work, safe equipment and the information, instruction and training people need;
- consult our people on health and safety, and act on what they tell us;
- look after mental as well as physical health; and
- review this policy every year, and after any significant incident or change.
02Our work and its risks
We develop software and provide consultancy, installation and support services. Most of our work is done at a computer, in an office or at home, with some travel to customers’ offices and data centres. Our main risks are therefore those of display screen work, home and lone working, travel, and working on other organisations’ premises, together with ordinary office risks such as fire and electrical safety.
03Responsibilities
The directors have overall responsibility for health and safety and for making sure this policy is put into practice, with the time and resources it needs.
Everyone who works for us must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others, follow this policy and any safe working instructions, use equipment properly, and report hazards, accidents and near misses straight away.
04Display screen equipment
Everyone who uses a computer for a significant part of their day has a display screen equipment (DSE) assessment of their workstation, at the office and at home. We provide suitable equipment, such as screens, keyboards, mice and chairs, where the assessment shows a need. We encourage regular breaks and changes of activity, and we pay for eye tests for regular screen users, and for basic glasses where they are needed for screen work.
05Home and lone working
People who work from home complete a home-working assessment covering their workstation, lighting, electrical safety and wellbeing. We keep in regular contact with people who work alone, and anyone who works alone or out of hours at a customer’s site makes sure a colleague knows where they are and when they expect to finish.
06Customer sites and travel
When we work on a customer’s premises, including data centres and computer rooms, we follow the host’s safety rules, site inductions and emergency procedures, and we expect our host to tell us about any hazards. We plan travel to avoid excessive driving and long days. Anyone who drives for work must hold a valid licence, use a roadworthy and insured vehicle, and never use a handheld phone while driving.
07Fire, first aid and emergencies
Our workplaces have suitable fire precautions, fire risk assessments and clear emergency arrangements. A first-aid kit and information on first aid are available at every workplace we control. Portable electrical equipment we supply is kept in safe condition and checked regularly.
08Wellbeing
Workload, deadlines and long hours can affect health. We plan work realistically, encourage people to take their full holiday and to switch off out of hours, and we want anyone who is struggling to talk to a director in confidence. We will make reasonable adjustments for anyone who needs them.
09Accidents and incidents
All accidents, injuries, near misses and work-related ill health must be reported to a director as soon as possible and are recorded in our accident book. We investigate them to prevent them happening again, and we report incidents to the Health and Safety Executive where the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) require it.
10Contractors and visitors
Contractors who work for us are expected to work safely and follow this policy. Visitors to our premises are told about emergency arrangements and any hazards they need to know about.
11Questions and concerns
Anyone with a health and safety question or concern should raise it with a director, or by email to support@legacysoftware.co.uk. Nobody will be disadvantaged for raising a safety concern.
Approved by the directors of Legacy Software Limited. This policy is reviewed every year, and sooner if the law or our business changes.