Health and Safety Policy

Our Commitment to Safety

At Hepha Group, we believe that everyone deserves to go home safely at the end of each day. This isn't just a policy document – we promise to protect our team, our clients, and anyone who interacts with our projects. As a construction contractor, we recognize the inherent risks in our industry and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety.

General Policy Statement

At Hepha Group, we understand that a strong safety culture starts with clear leadership and accountability. Our directors, Lukas Vaitiekunas and Tautvydas Kanapeckas take personal responsibility for ensuring the highest health and safety standards across all our operations. We believe every accident is preventable and are committed to providing the resources, training, and support needed to maintain a safe working environment.

This is the statement of general policy and arrangements for Hepha Group.

The overall and final responsibility for health and safety lies with Lukas Vaitiekunas and Tautvydas Kanapeckas (Company Directors).

Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice is delegated to: Lukas Vaitiekunas and Tautvydas Kanapeckas (Company Directors).

Our Safety Commitments and Actions

Accident Prevention and Risk Management

The cornerstone of our safety program is proactive risk management. We believe that every accident is preventable through proper planning, assessment, and control measures. Our approach combines systematic risk assessment with practical, on-site safety management. We regularly review and update our procedures to reflect best practices and lessons learned from our experiences in the construction industry.

Responsibility: Both Company Directors

Conduct thorough risk assessments for all projects before work begins
Implement necessary control masures based on risk assessments
Regular site inspections and safety audits
Maintain a proactive approach to identifying and eliminating hazards
Review and update safety procedures regularly
Ensure Method Statements are prepared for all high-risk activities
Implement a permit-to-work system for high-risk operations
Regular review and updating of Construction Phase Plans
Maintain up-to-date safety documentation for all project

Training and Competency

We recognize that a skilled and knowledgeable workforce is essential for maintaining safety standards. Our comprehensive training program ensures that every team member has the necessary skills and understanding to work safely. We invest significantly in professional development, believing that continuous learning is key to maintaining the highest safety standards in the construction industry.

Responsibility: Both Company Directors

Provide comprehensive induction training for all new team members
Ensure all workers have relevant CSCS cards and qualifications
Deliver regular toolbox talks on specific safety topics
Keep training records up to date
Support continuous professional development in safety practices
Provide specific training for:
- Working at height
- Manual handling
- Power tool operation
- Scaffold inspection
- First aid
- Fire safety
- COSHH awareness
Annual review of training needs for all personnel
Maintain a training matrix for all employees

Communication and Consultation

Open and honest communication is vital for maintaining safety standards. We foster an environment where everyone feels empowered to speak up about safety concerns and suggest improvements. Our directors maintain regular presence on sites and actively engage with workers to ensure safety remains our top priority.

Responsibility: Both Company Directors

Hold regular safety meetings with all team members
Maintain an open-door policy for safety concerns
Display safety information prominently on site
Encourage reporting of near-misses and potential hazards
Celebrate good safety practices and innovations
Regular safety newsletters and updates
Worker consultation on:
- New safety measures
- PPE selection
- Risk assessment findings
- Safety equipment choices
Maintain effective communication with clients and contractors

Emergency Procedures

Being prepared for emergencies is crucial in the construction industry. While we focus primarily on prevention, we understand the importance of being ready for any situation that may arise. Our emergency procedures are comprehensive, regularly tested, and designed to ensure swift and effective response to any incident. We work closely with emergency services and ensure all our team members are fully trained in emergency protocols.

Responsibility: Both Company Directors

Develop and maintain site-specific emergency plans
Conduct regular fire drills and emergency response training
Ensure clear evacuation routes are marked and maintained
Keep emergency contact information up to date
Regular testing of emergency equipment and procedures
Specific procedures for:
- Fire emergencies
- Medical emergencies
- Structural collapse
- Utility strikes
- Environmental incidents
- Severe weather conditions
Regular liaison with emergency services
Maintain emergency equipment registers

Working Conditions and Equipment

The quality and maintenance of our working environment and equipment are fundamental to safe operations. We take pride in maintaining our tools, machinery, and workspaces to the highest standards. Regular inspections, proper storage, and immediate attention to repairs ensure that our equipment remains safe and reliable. We believe that good housekeeping and well-maintained equipment are indicators of a strong safety culture.

Responsibility: Both Company Directors

Maintain all tools and equipment to manufacturer standards
Regular PAT testing of electrical equipment
Ensure appropriate PPE is available and properly maintained
Keep work areas clean, tidy, and well-organized
Proper storage and handling of materials and substances
Specific focus on:
- Scaffold safety and inspection
- Plant and machinery maintenance
- Vehicle and mobile plant safety
- Dust and noise control
- Vibration monitoring
- Welfare facilities
- Site security
Regular equipment inspection schedules
Maintenance of equipment logs

Accident Reporting and Investigation

Learning from incidents is essential for preventing future accidents. Our approach to accident reporting and investigation is thorough and systematic, focusing not just on immediate causes but also on identifying root causes and systemic issues. We view every incident, no matter how minor, as an opportunity to improve our safety systems and prevent future occurrences.

Responsibility: Both Company Directors

Maintain accident book and investigation procedures
Report incidents under RIDDOR when required
Investigate all accidents and near-misses thoroughly
Implement lessons learned from investigations
Regular review of accident trends and patterns
Specific procedures for:
- Fatal accidents
- Major injuries
- Dangerous occurrences
- Environmental incidents
- Property damage
Monthly safety performance reviews
Annual safety statistics analysis

Specific Site Safety Measures

Each construction site presents unique challenges and risks that require specific safety measures. We develop comprehensive site-specific safety plans that address the particular hazards and circumstances of each project. Our approach considers not only the safety of our workers but also the protection of the public and the environment. We believe that thorough planning and implementation of site-specific measures are crucial for maintaining safe working conditions.

Responsibility: Both Company Directors

Implementation of site security measures
Traffic management plans
Protection of public
Environmental protection measures
Waste management procedures
Control of subcontractors
Site-specific risk assessments
Safe systems of work
Working at height procedures
Excavation safety measures
Confined space procedures

Health and Wellbeing

The construction industry can be physically and mentally demanding, and we recognize that health goes beyond just physical safety. Our approach to health and well-being is holistic, considering both the physical and mental aspects of our workers' health. We believe that a healthy workforce is a safe workforce, and we are committed to supporting our team members' overall well-being through various initiatives and support systems.

Responsibility: Both Company Directors

Health surveillance where required
Occupational health support
Mental health awareness
Stress management
Substance abuse policy
Regular health checks
Provision of adequate welfare facilities
Support for work-life balance
Promotion of healthy lifestyle choices

Essential Information

🏥 First Aid Provisions

- First aid boxes are located in: Company vehicles and site offices
- Accident book is kept: Main office and each site office
- Qualified first aiders: To be updated as training is completed

📋 Documentation

- Health and Safety Law poster is displayed: All site offices and main office
- Insurance certificates are displayed: Main office and available digitally
- Risk assessments are kept: Digital copies in the the main office and relevant site offices

🔍 Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed every 6 months or sooner if work activities change significantly. The next review is due on 01/12/2024].

Declaration

We, the undersigned, commit to implementing and maintaining this health and safety policy:

Lukas Vaitiekunas
Director

Tautvydas Kanapeckas
Director