Health and Safety in Charity Shop Environment Claire Guise Health and Safety Manager Marie Curie
Marie Curie Portfolio (UK Wide ) • Approximately 180 Charity Shops (leased) (paid shop management complimented by volunteers) • 8 Lock Ups (bulk storage/most unmanned) (leased) • 9 Palliative Care Hospices (owned) • Approximately 80 Offices (leased and hosted)
Health and Safety Manager • Role created in January 2010 (within Estates Team) • National role for all functions • Strategic Role ∙ Policy development ∙ Advice and support ∙ High level training course delivery • Operational Role ∙ Fire risk assessment ∙ Legionella risk assessment ∙ Access audit ∙ Health and safety inspection ∙ Asbestos management plans
Long journey…steep learning curve!
Objectives • Briefly cover key health and safety issues in charity retail • Provide “food for thought” • Illustrate some example systems and procedures using Marie Curie as a case study
People Issues
Clear Roles and Responsibilities • Marie Curie • Director of Retail (ultimately accountable) • Regional Managers (strategically responsible) • Area Managers (accountable for their region, audit responsibilities) • Shop Managers (operational responsibilities) • Retail Operations Team (support for health and safety compliance and safety initiatives)
Volunteers • Treated the same as employees for health and safety purposes • Same expectations as employees to comply with health and safety systems and procedures • Have clear roles and responsibilities and expectations of both employees and volunteers
Staff and Volunteer Training • Risk Assessment • Volunteer Management • Fire • Manual Handling • Working at Height • Lone Working • Chemicals and Substances • Practical training in use of equipment
Vulnerable People • Examples include: • Learning difficulties • Physical disabilities • New and expectant mothers • Young people • Control measures include: • Individual risk assessments • Personal plans • “Reasonable Adjustments”
Members of the public Bring their own unique challenges…. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA
Contractors • “Anyone who provides a service or activity who is self employed or employed by a different organisation who provides a service” • Marie Curie has a national contractor for planned and reactive maintenance • Health and safety assurance checks including insurance, risk assessments, method statements, competency and training • Provide information on hazards and risks to them and advise them of any rules whilst in the shop • Show them asbestos register and get them to sign to say that they have seen it • Monitor them during activities / feedback any concerns
Property Issues
Property Issues • Suitable premises? • Space, design and layout? • Number of floors? • Welfare facilities – kitchen, rest area and toilet(s) • Neighbours (above, below and next door)
Fire Risk Assessment • Needs to be carried out by a competent person • Consideration of fire triangle • Consideration of shop operations • Control measures required to reduce the risk • Fire risk assessment review carried out by Area Manager
Fire – Physical Controls • Decided on through risk assessment and appropriate guidance and standards • Detection and warning system • Emergency lighting • Signage • Fire fighting equipment • Fire exits • Fire doors
Fire Doors Must NOT have anything hanging on them Must not be wedged open This damages the fire doors and stops them closing properly
Fire Doors • Dorgards now replacing door wedges in our shops where fire doors are fitted
Fire – Operational Controls • Fire evacuation procedures • Fire triangle management – fuel – heat – oxygen • Inspection, maintenance and testing regimes required (local and national/by contractors)
Equality and Access • Access audit • “Reasonable Adjustments” • Disabled toilet? • Wheelchair access front door? • Step or ramp at front door? • Provision of portable ramp? • Edges of steps and ramps highlighted? • Manifestations on low level glazing and glass doors
Asbestos • Asbestos survey • What • Where • Condition • Action(s) required? • Provide information to contractors on location of asbestos (and employees and volunteers (where appropriate to their role)) MUST limit/restrict unauthorised works by employees and volunteers which may disturb the fabric of the building
Legionella • Risk assessment carried out by a competent person • Water source? • Tank or mains fed • Map water routes and outlets • Monthly temperature checking Are all shops simple mains fed water systems and therefore no risk? Are all toilets and sinks being used regularly?
Marie Curie Tanks!
Little Used Outlets! Toilet Sink
Electrical Safety • Mains wiring testing • Portable appliance testing (PAT) • Cable management • Significant reduction in extension lead use • Ban on personal/donated electrical item use • User checks • Fault reporting • RCD’s in use with steamers at Marie Curie
Security • Security of staff, stock and cash • Build in security measures such as: • Panic alarm • Safe • Shutters • Enforced / security accessed doors • Valuables cabinet / personal lockers • Design out blind spots in the sales area
Signage Example Category Meaning Shape/Colours Usage To show the way to medical assistance SAFE Safe Square or oblong. White symbol or symbol and text on a To show the way to an area of safety emergency escape Conditions/Procedure green background. To indicate that a course of action is safe route or first aid to take To convey actions that must be carried Circular. Mandatory YOU MUST out White symbol or symbol and text on a blue background. To indicate the location of fire equipment FIRE Square or oblong. White symbol or symbol and text on a Fire Equipment Fire Fighting red background. Triangular. BE CAREFUL To warn you of the potential dangers Warning Black symbol or symbol and text on a yellow background Warning faced in and around the workplace surrounded by a black triangular band. DO NOT Circular with cross band. Black symbol on a white To convey prohibited actions Prohibition Danger, alarm background, inside a red circle with a red cross bar.
Operational Issues
Stock, Stock and More Stock 5S Introduction
Health and Safety Noticeboard • Health and Safety Policy Statement • Employers Liability Insurance • Fire Evacuation Plan • First Aid and Emergency Information • HSE Health and Safety Law Poster • Incident Reporting Procedures
First Aid • First aid supplies • Checked and restocked regularly • No unauthorised items (medications) • First aider(s) (decided through generic risk assessment) • Formal first aid training (decided through generic risk assessment)
Donated Goods • Check to trading standards requirements • CE marking e.g. toys • Condition of donations • Cleanliness of donations • Contamination – biological substances / sharps!!!
Sorting • Sorting table / surface • Safe system of work • Provide appropriate gloves • Training “to expect the unexpected”
Sorting Safe System
Steaming • Training in hazards and risks • Descaling required in some geographical regions – additional controls and training required • Scald risk
Steaming Safe System
Steamer Procedures • Train workers by experienced employees and volunteers • Follow manufacturers Instructions • Service steamer at manufacturer's recommended intervals • Locate and use steamer in a safe location • Keep others clear of area • Cable management • Ensure adequate ventilation and lighting
Tagging Gun • Sharp point • Cap / cork • Sharps bin required for any accidental sharps injuries and contaminated needles
Chemicals and Substances • Limit range of substances • If possible agree list of products and brands (and stick to it) • Obtain material safety data sheet • Carry out CoSHH assessment for hazardous substances Training to include NOT keeping donated chemicals and substances and not bringing them in from home to save the charity money or because they like their ones better!
Manual Handling • Minimise where possible • Handling aids – trucks, trollies • Provide training • Check condition of equipment
Working at Height • Store at low levels to avoid working at height (where possible) • Provide suitable equipment – step ladders and kick stools • Sensible footwear • Check condition of equipment regularly
Risk Assessment • A careful examination of what in your work could lead to harm to determine if you have done enough or need to do more • Document significant findings if 5 or more employees • Suitable and sufficient • Controls – so far is reasonably practicable (balance cost/time/effort versus risk)
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