Policy Statement

Workwear Supermarket is committed to providing suitable health and safety training, information, instruction and supervision to ensure employees can carry out their duties safely and competently.

This policy supports our responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and other relevant UK health and safety legislation. It applies to all employees, workers, contractors and any person carrying out work on behalf of Workwear Supermarket.

Purpose of Safety Training

Safety training helps protect employees, customers, contractors, visitors and the wider business by reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, ill health and unsafe working practices.

Workwear Supermarket provides safety training and guidance to help ensure that:

• Employees understand the hazards and risks associated with their role.
• Employees know how to follow safe working procedures.
• Workplace equipment, systems and processes are used correctly.
• Manual handling tasks are carried out safely.
• Accidents, incidents, hazards and near misses are reported promptly.
• Fire, emergency and evacuation procedures are understood.
• Employees know when to ask for support, instruction or supervision.

Training Requirements

Safety training requirements will be based on the employee’s role, responsibilities, workplace risks, equipment used and the nature of the tasks being carried out.

Induction Training

All new employees should receive suitable induction training to introduce them to Workwear Supermarket’s workplace standards, health and safety expectations and emergency arrangements.

Induction training may include:

• Workplace health and safety responsibilities.
• Fire safety, alarms, exits and evacuation procedures.
• Accident, incident, hazard and near miss reporting.
• First aid arrangements and emergency contacts.
• Manual handling awareness.
• Workplace housekeeping and safe access routes.
• Use of equipment and systems relevant to the role.
• Data protection, customer information handling and workplace conduct.

Warehouse Safety Training

Employees working in warehouse, goods-in, stock handling, picking, packing or dispatch areas may receive training or instruction relevant to their duties.

• Safe manual handling and lifting techniques.
• Safe stacking, storage and movement of stock.
• Keeping aisles, walkways and fire exits clear.
• Goods-in checks and safe handling of deliveries.
• Safe picking, packing and dispatch procedures.
• Use of packing tools, trolleys or other equipment where applicable.
• Reporting damaged stock, unsafe storage or defective equipment.

Office Safety Training

Employees working in office, administration, customer service, purchasing or digital roles may receive safety information and guidance relevant to office-based work.

• Display screen equipment awareness where applicable.
• Safe workstation setup and posture guidance.
• Electrical safety awareness for office equipment.
• Fire safety and evacuation procedures.
• Housekeeping, trip hazard prevention and clean desk practices.
• Secure handling of customer and business information.

Equipment and Task-Specific Training

Employees must not use equipment, machinery, tools or workplace systems unless they have received suitable instruction, supervision or training and are competent to do so.

Task-specific training may be required for:

• Warehouse equipment and stock movement aids.
• Packing equipment, cutting tools or labelling systems.
• Print, embroidery or customisation equipment where applicable.
• Cleaning products or workplace consumables.
• Manual handling tasks involving heavy, awkward or bulky items.
• Any task assessed as higher risk by management.

Fire Safety and Emergency Training

Employees will be provided with information on emergency arrangements so they understand what to do in the event of fire, serious incident or workplace emergency.

• Location of fire exits and evacuation routes.
• Assembly point arrangements.
• How to raise the alarm.
• Basic fire prevention responsibilities.
• Keeping exits, walkways and access routes clear.
• Reporting fire hazards or unsafe conditions.

Manual Handling Training

Manual handling is a common workplace risk within warehouse and stock handling activities. Employees may receive manual handling guidance to help reduce the risk of injury.

Training or instruction may cover:

• Assessing the load before lifting.
• Using safe lifting posture and technique.
• Avoiding twisting, overreaching or carrying loads that obstruct vision.
• Asking for help with heavy, awkward or bulky items.
• Using suitable equipment where available.
• Reporting pain, discomfort, injuries or unsafe handling tasks.

Accident and Incident Reporting Training

Employees must understand how to report accidents, incidents, hazards, defects and near misses promptly. Reporting helps Workwear Supermarket investigate issues and prevent recurrence.

• Employees should report accidents and injuries to management immediately.
• Near misses and hazards should be reported even if no injury occurred.
• Defective equipment should be taken out of use where necessary and reported.
• Employees may be asked to assist with investigations or provide information.
• Corrective actions may be introduced following reported incidents.

Refresher Training

Refresher training may be provided periodically to maintain awareness and competence. It may also be provided when:

• An employee changes role or takes on new duties.
• New equipment, systems or procedures are introduced.
• There has been an accident, incident, near miss or identified unsafe practice.
• Risk assessments or legislation change.
• Management identifies a need to reinforce safe working practices.

Training Records

Workwear Supermarket may maintain records of health and safety training, instruction and briefings provided to employees.

Training records may include:

• Employee name and role.
• Type of training completed.
• Date training was delivered.
• Name of trainer, supervisor or manager.
• Any expiry, review or refresher date where applicable.
• Confirmation that the employee understood the training where required.

Employee Responsibilities

Employees are responsible for participating in training and applying safe working practices.

• Attend required training, briefings or instruction sessions.
• Follow the safe working procedures they have been trained on.
• Ask for clarification if they are unsure how to complete a task safely.
• Report any training needs, hazards, defects or unsafe practices.
• Use equipment only where trained, authorised or supervised.
• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others.

Management Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors are responsible for supporting safety training and workplace competence.

• Identify training needs based on job roles, tasks and workplace risks.
• Ensure new starters receive suitable induction information.
• Provide instruction and supervision where required.
• Monitor whether employees are following safe working practices.
• Arrange refresher training or additional guidance where needed.
• Maintain training records where applicable.
• Review training needs following accidents, incidents or operational changes.

Contractors, Temporary Staff and Visitors

Contractors, temporary staff and visitors may be provided with relevant safety information before or during their time on Workwear Supermarket premises.

• Contractors must follow site safety rules and any instructions provided.
• Temporary staff should receive suitable information for the tasks they are carrying out.
• Visitors should follow reasonable safety instructions while on site.
• Anyone on site must report hazards, accidents or unsafe conditions promptly.

Monitoring and Review

Workwear Supermarket will review safety training arrangements to ensure they remain suitable for the business, workplace risks and legal requirements.

Training arrangements may be reviewed following:

• Changes to legislation or health and safety guidance.
• Accidents, incidents or near misses.
• Introduction of new equipment, systems or processes.
• Changes to job roles or workplace activities.
• Feedback from employees or managers.

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, business operations, workplace risks or training requirements occur.