Health and Safety Policy
Revised January 2021
Part One: Statement of Intent
Soundart Radio exists to improve lives, by providing space for people to have a voice, take part, be creative and participate in democracy. A studio is welcoming and empowering when it is safe for all kinds of people. Day to day care of our space must include considering the needs of all who access it. By maintaining high standards, and protecting volunteers, guests and workers from harm, we increase participation from as wide a range of people as possible. We need to look at all aspects of our work, and recognise where health and safety intersects with equal opportunities, safeguarding, and other policy areas.
Some things to consider:
• What are the hazards, and how do they affect different types of people? • What benefits do different risks bring, particularly in terms of creative freedom? How do we best balance risk and benefit?
• What are reasonable expectations of volunteers when considering how we maintain and share our spaces?
• How do we create safe spaces when we work outside of the studio? • Which spaces are accessible to all, and which are more private? • How do we balance the needs of different types of users?
• How do we keep ourselves safe, whilst showing care for one another? • What risks affect our users outside of the studio space? For example, when travelling to our activities; how broadcasting to the general public affects other areas of their lives.
Such questions may have no one, fixed answer, but be more dynamic as spaces, members and activities change over time.
Ultimately, health and safety is about fundamental values: the sanctity of our minds and bodies; kindness and respect for one another; care for the spaces and resources we use; equality and consideration. From such a foundation springs creative freedom, culture and fun.
Health and Safety Policy
Revised January 2021
Part Two: Responsibilities
To some extent, health and safety is the responsibility of all our members and guests. Further responsibilities lie with paid staff members, and ultimately responsibility is with the board of directors.
Volunteers:
• Ensure spaces are kept clean and uncluttered
• Welcome their guests, make sure they are comfortable
• Not come in if they have symptoms of any infectious disease • Report any breakages or electrical faults
Staff members:
• Maintain furnishings and electrical equipment
• Regularly check all equipment, and replace or repair any breakages • Carry out risk assessments for all additional activities (eg a workshop or event)
• Keep policies up to date
• Hold a current, relevant first aid qualification
• Communicate health and safety priorities to volunteers
• Keep the space safe, comfortable, welcoming and clean
• Respond to local and national guidance, for example during infection outbreaks
Directors:
• Check that all policies are up to date, compliant with government guidance, approved at board meetings and publicly available
• Support staff and volunteers to carry out their duties
• Oversee complaints and conflicts that arise
Everyone:
• Take care of their own health and safety, and show support for others
Health and Safety Policy
Revised January 2021
Part three: arrangements for health and safety
Risk Assessment:
• Specific risk assessments are carried out by the studio manager, or another lead worker, for each activity that is additional to the day to day running of the studio and broadcasts.
• Risk assessments take into account the different types of hazards, who is affected by them, what can be done to mitigate them and how high the risk is. • If the risk assessment highlights significant problems, then activities should be redesigned to be safer
• Paper copies of risk assessments should be on hand throughout activities. • Such forward planning does not replace thinking on the spot, and adjusting activities accordingly
Training:
• All users of the studio are initially invited to a studio induction, where the station’s ethos and practices are discussed, and equipment is demonstrated. • Paid workers are DBS checked, and are asked to complete safeguarding training. Most also undertake First Aid training.
• Workers and contractors should be suitably qualified and experienced for the task they undertake
Consultation:
• Volunteers and guests should feel comfortable to raise any concerns with staff and directors at any time
• A suggestion box in the studio enables anonymous comments and complaints
• Severe problems, or ones that are hard to resolve, should always be brought to board meetings and included in minuted discussions
Evacuation:
As a tenant of the Dartington Hall Trust, Soundart Radio adopts their evacuation procedure in the case of fire etc, which are displayed on the studio notice board.
