Health & Safety Policy

Workwear Supermarket’s commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy and legally compliant working environment for employees, customers, contractors and visitors.

General Policy Statement

This is the Health and Safety Policy Statement of Workwear Supermarket. We are committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of our employees, customers, contractors, visitors and anyone else who may be affected by our work activities.

Workwear Supermarket recognises its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and all other relevant health and safety legislation. We aim to provide a safe and healthy working environment and to continually improve our health and safety performance.

Health and safety is a shared responsibility across the business. Everyone has a role to play in keeping our workplace safe, organised and free from avoidable risk.

Our Health & Safety Commitments

Workwear Supermarket will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that:

Health and safety risks arising from our work activities are adequately controlled.
Employees are consulted on matters affecting their health and safety.
Safe plant, equipment and systems of work are provided and maintained.
Articles, stock, substances and materials are handled, stored and transported safely.
Adequate information, instruction, training and supervision is provided.
Employees are competent to carry out their tasks safely.
Accidents, incidents and cases of work-related ill health are prevented wherever possible.
Workplaces under our control are maintained in a safe condition with safe access and egress.
A safe and healthy working environment is provided, including suitable welfare arrangements.
Legal obligations are met in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation.
Health and safety performance is regularly reviewed and improved where necessary.
This policy and supporting arrangements are reviewed regularly and revised where required.

Risk Assessment & Hazard Management

Workwear Supermarket will identify workplace hazards and assess risks associated with our activities, premises, equipment and working practices.

Suitable control measures will be implemented to reduce risks to an acceptable level, including:

Reviewing work activities and identifying potential hazards.
Assessing risks to employees, contractors, visitors and customers.
Implementing safe systems of work.
Reviewing risk assessments when operations, equipment or working practices change.
Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses to identify corrective actions.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.

Employees are expected to:

Follow company health and safety procedures and instructions.
Use equipment, tools and machinery correctly and safely.
Wear or use any required personal protective equipment where instructed.
Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents, incidents and near misses promptly.
Keep work areas clean, tidy and free from unnecessary obstruction.
Co-operate with management on all health and safety matters.
Not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety or welfare.

Training, Information & Competence

Workwear Supermarket will provide appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to help employees carry out their duties safely.

This may include:

Health and safety induction for new employees.
Manual handling awareness where relevant.
Fire safety and emergency procedure information.
Safe use of equipment and workplace systems.
Training or refresher guidance where roles, risks or procedures change.

Employees must only carry out tasks they are competent and authorised to perform.

Workplace Safety Arrangements

We are committed to maintaining safe premises, safe working conditions and suitable welfare arrangements.

Safe Access & Egress Walkways, exits and work areas should be kept clear and accessible.

Housekeeping Stock, packaging and materials should be stored neatly to reduce slips, trips and falls.

Fire Safety Fire exits, alarm points and emergency routes must remain clear and available.

Welfare Suitable welfare facilities will be provided and maintained for employees.

Safe Handling, Storage & Transport

Articles, stock, substances and equipment used within Workwear Supermarket must be handled, stored and transported in a safe manner and without risk to health.

Stock should be stored securely and safely to prevent falling items or obstruction.
Heavy or awkward items should be moved using safe manual handling techniques.
Cleaning products and consumables should be stored and used in accordance with instructions.
Packaging waste should be managed to prevent trip hazards and unnecessary clutter.
Deliveries and dispatch activities should be carried out safely and with suitable planning.

Plant, Equipment & Maintenance

Workwear Supermarket will ensure that equipment and systems used in the workplace are suitable for their intended purpose and maintained in a safe condition.

Equipment must be used only for its intended purpose.
Defective equipment must be reported and taken out of use where necessary.
Maintenance, inspection and checks will be carried out where required.
Employees must not attempt repairs unless authorised and competent to do so.

Accident, Incident & Near Miss Reporting

Accidents, incidents, hazards and near misses must be reported promptly so that appropriate action can be taken to prevent recurrence.

Where required, incidents will be investigated and corrective actions will be implemented. Workwear Supermarket will also comply with any statutory reporting duties where applicable.

Prompt reporting helps prevent future accidents and protects everyone in the workplace.

Consultation & Communication

Workwear Supermarket will consult employees on matters affecting their health and safety. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns, suggest improvements and report unsafe practices.

Health and safety information will be communicated through appropriate channels such as briefings, training, notices, procedures and direct management communication.

Monitoring, Review & Continuous Improvement

Health and safety performance will be monitored and reviewed to ensure that arrangements remain suitable and effective.

Health and safety performance will be reviewed regularly.
Objectives may be set annually to support improvement.
This policy will be reviewed periodically and revised where necessary.
Reviews may also take place following significant incidents, operational changes or updates to legislation.

Management Responsibility

Ultimate responsibility for health and safety rests with the Managing Director. Management is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place to protect employees and others who may be affected by Workwear Supermarket’s activities.

Employees are expected to support the implementation of this policy by working safely, following procedures and reporting concerns.

Policy Approval

Approved By: J. Ross

Position: Managing Director

Effective Date: 26 April 2025

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where significant changes to legislation, operations or workplace risks occur.