OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

1. Purpose 

DESS recognizes its moral and legal obligation to provide a safe and healthy work environment for employees, clients, and visitors. This commitment extends to ensuring that the organization’s operations do not place the local community or environment at risk of injury, illness, or property damage. We are firmly committed to a policy enabling all work activities to be carried out safely, and with all possible measures taken to remove or reasonably mitigate risks to the health, safety and welfare of workers, contractors, authorized visitors, and anyone else who may be affected by our operations.

It is our intent to demonstrate an ongoing and determined commitment to improving health and safety at work throughout our organization. We will ensure the health and safety at work of all our people and any other people who may be affected by our work activities. We are committed to ensuring and comply with the pertinent Occupational Safety and Health Act and other relevant laws and regulations.

The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers as well as DESS SOP were referenced in this policy.

1. Application 

This policy applies to all business operations and functions:

• DESS believes that excellence in the management of health and safety is an essential element within its overall business plan – a good health and safety record goes hand in hand with high productivity and quality standards.
• People are the most important asset to DESS, and therefore we are totally committed to ensuring their health, safety, and welfare at all times.
• From an economic point of view, DESS believes that prevention is not only better, but cheaper than cure. There is no necessary conflict between humanitarian and commercial consideration. Profits and safety are not in competition. On the contrary, safety is good business.
• From a legal perspective, DESS is committed to ensuring that it complies with all relevant health and safety legislation. Where it is reasonably practicable to do so, DESS will strive to go beyond the requirements of legislation.
• DESS is committed to ongoing monitoring and review processes, so that continual improvement in the management of health and safety can be achieved.
• DESS is committed to work with the clients who we serve to promote and uphold their Health and Safety Policy and System.

Our general intentions are: –

• That all our people and stakeholders have an awareness and understanding of health and safety hazards and risks that affect our business.
• To provide adequate resources to ensure all our people, the sub-contractors and stakeholders are aware of this policy and committed to its effective implementation.
• To have active open communication and consultation between all our people, the sub-contractors, and stakeholders. Health and safety will be integrated into our communications, where appropriate.
• To define roles and responsibilities for health and safety, within job descriptions or profiles.
• That Senior management will ensure that:
  • health and safety are adequately assessed, controlled, and monitored; and
  • our people are actively involved on matters that affect health and safety.
• To identify our workplace health and safety hazards.
• To inform our people, the sub-contractors, and stakeholders, of these workplace hazards.
• To require our sub-contractors and stakeholders to identify health and safety hazards that may impact on our work activities.
• That all our people and stakeholders have the competence to undertake their work with minimum risks to health and safety.
• That all our people will be adequately instructed and trained on the health and safety issues that affect them, and the safe working practices that should be followed
• That Senior management will demonstrate leadership in health and safety.
  • Senior management will undertake inspection tours to ensure that health and safety deficiencies are identified, assessed, and managed.
  • Systems will be in place and people will be empowered to raise health and safety concerns with management.
• To provide and maintain safe workplace and equipment;
• To ensure safe handling and use of substances;
• To prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health;
• To maintain safe and healthy working conditions; and
• To review and revise this policy at regular intervals.

1. Scope

Note: Unless otherwise stated the term “employee/s” relates to direct and on-hired employees and independent contractors.

This policy is an introduction to the safe work practices you are to follow while at work to protect yourself, others, and the environment. DESS is committed to ensuring that employees are provide a safe and healthy workplace. Safety is everybody’s responsibility and employees are expected to ensure they maintaining the health, safety, and environmental standards at the workplace deployed.

1. Prerequisites

Personnel designated to perform services with DESS, must have undergone certifiable training or have taken part in equivalent training in a branch of the uniformed forces, such as with the Police, Air Force, Navy, Special Forces, regular Army or Private Security industry. Before being deployed, all members must complete the DESS induction evaluation and also produce written proof of prior training and experience.   

DESS will:

• Ensure employees are provided with a work environment that is safe and without risk.
• Implement and maintain safe work procedures.
• Consult with all employees on OHS matters.
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure risks are mitigated at the workplace.
• Constantly monitor and review protective measures and policies.
• Ensure compliance with legislative requirements and current industry standards.
• Provide employees with necessary information, instruction, training, means and supervision.

1. Responsibilities

All DESS managers, employees and independent contractors are responsible for implementing the OHS policy in their area of responsibility and annual performance reviews will be conducted.

• All at DESS must gather information to determine:

• The safety at each workplace;
• The tasks to be undertaken by the employee at the client’s workplace;
• The qualifications and experience required by the employee to perform the work adequately and safety at the client’s workplace

• Evaluate, monitor, and review the client’s OHS systems and workplace to ensure the client is providing and maintaining a work environment that is safe and without risk to health;
• Determine adequacy of risk control measures and if required negotiate change.
• Consult with employees in the development, promotion and implementation of health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ensuring that on-hired employees receive orientation training in DESS Health, Safety and Environmental policies and procedures and, in the safe performance of their assigned tasks by the client.
• The provision of resources and facilities, to meet the health and safety commitment.
• To continually improve our performance through effective safety and health management.

EMPLOYEE SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY

Health and safety responsibilities while at work are:

• To co-operate with your employer, making sure you get proper training and you understand and follow the company’s health and safety policies.
• If you drive or operate machinery, you have a responsibility to tell your employer if you take medication that makes you drowsy – if you have, they should temporarily move you to another job if they have one for you to do.
• To work with care and consideration for your health and safety and the health and safety of others.
• To follow all safe working practices and procedures as stated in the DESS Safety, Health and Environmental policies and procedures, as well as the policies and procedures adopted by the client.
• To report to the DESS on site Management, the client management or to your Health & Safety Representative any workplace hazards, incidents or injuries that could happen or that has happened to you.
• To wear and/or use protective equipment issued to you and to maintain it in good order.
• The consumption of alcohol or the use of illegal drugs whilst working is a dangerous practice and is not permitted.
• To comply with any direction given by management with regards to health, safety, and environmental issues.
• Not misuse or interfere with anything that may cause health and safety incidents.
• To take reasonable care not to put other people – fellow employees and members of the public – at risk by what you do or don’t do in the course of your work.

Employees are to:

• Report all identified hazards, near misses and injuries to DESS’ Health & Safety Representative or to the appropriate client’s representative when at a client’s site;
• Participate in skills development and training to actively improve competencies;
• Follow all health and safety policies and procedures;
• Follow safe work procedures as set down by DESS or the client.
• Comply with safe work practices, with the intent of avoiding injury to themselves and others and damage to workplace and equipment
• Take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and others

Consultation

• DESS is committed to consultation and co- operation between management, employees and the client.
• The organization will consult with employees in any workplace change that may affect the health and safety.
• On the risks and dangers arising from their work, measures to reduce or get rid of these risks and what employees should do if they are exposed to a risk.
• The planning and organization of health and safety training.
• The health and safety consequences of introducing new technology.

1. Procedure

Accident and Injury Reporting

The following must be considered an injury or illness to meet the general recording criteria, and therefore to be recordable, if it results in any of the following: death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness. You must also consider a case to meet the general recording criteria if it involves a significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician, even if it does not result in death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.

A work-related injury or illness must be recorded if it results in one or more of the following:

• Death.
• Days away from work
• Restricted work or transfer to another job.
• Medical treatment beyond first aid.
• Loss of consciousness.
• A significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional.

All illnesses or injuries must be recorded in the Risk Register.

Days are counted as follows:

• Begin counting days away on the day after the injury occurred or the illness began.
• The days away must be recorded whether the injured or ill employee follows the physician or licensed health care professional’s recommendation or not.

Weekends, holidays, or other days the employees do not usually work would not be counted. Count the number of calendar days the employee was unable to work as a result of the injury or illness, regardless of whether or not the employee was scheduled to work on those day(s). Weekend days, holidays, vacation days or other days off are included in the total number of days recorded if the employee would not have been able to work on those days because of a work-related injury or illness.

All accidents and incidents are to be investigated by both the client and DESS management. The aim is to find the reasons for the accident so that it does not happen again. You must co-operate with this investigation.

Hazard Reporting

One of the “root causes” of workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents is the failure to identify or recognize hazards that are present, or that could have been anticipated. A critical element of any effective safety and health program is a proactive, ongoing process to identify and assess such hazards.

To identify and assess hazards, employers and workers:

• Collect and review information about the hazards present or likely to be present in the workplace in the Risk Register.
• Conduct initial and periodic workplace inspections of the workplace to identify new or recurring hazards.
• Investigate injuries, illnesses, incidents, and close calls/near misses to determine the underlying hazards, their causes, and safety and health program shortcomings.
• Group similar incidents and identify trends in injuries, illnesses, and hazards reported.
• Consider hazards associated with emergency or non-routine situations.
• Determine the severity and likelihood of incidents that could result for each hazard identified and use this information to prioritize corrective actions.

Convalescence 

If someone suffers an injury at work which will stop the person from working and the person wishes to submit a claim for compensation, the person must forward the appropriate request form to the supervisor/OHS Representative along with any authorized medical certificates and medical accounts. The Health & Safety Representative will forward the claim to the HR Manager.

It is Company policy to take all reasonable steps to help with employee recovery if the injury was suffered at work. The primary focus of recovery is to enable you to return to a normal life as soon as possible after the injury. It is mandatory for employees to co-operate in a rehabilitation program when this is part of the recovery process.

Emergency Procedures

Emergency plans are always in place to ensure that potential life-threatening events are handled with maximum efficiency in order to protect people’s lives. It is important that you are aware of your responsibilities in the event of an emergency.

The client should discuss their emergency procedures with employees and involve them in emergency evacuation drills when they are scheduled. Some general guidelines are:

KEEP CALM, THINK CLEARLY AND ACT QUICKLY

• Protection of life is the first consideration in an emergency.
• Property protection is secondary.
• Learn the emergency telephone number if the client has one.
• Find out where you have to go in an evacuation of the premises.
• Find out who your Fire Warden is.
• Find out who you have to notify if an emergency occurs.
• It is important to have ready access to important personal information about your employees. This includes their home telephone numbers, the names and telephone numbers of their next of kin, and medical information.
• If you are trained in the use of firefighting equipment, make sure you know it’s location.

General OHS training for employees addresses the following:

• Individual roles and responsibilities
• Threats, hazards, and protective actions
• Notification, warning, and communications procedures
• Means for locating employee’s emergency contact person when required
• Emergency response procedures
• Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures
• Location and use of common emergency equipment and First-aid procedures
• To hold practice drills as often as necessary to keep employees prepared. Include all resources such as fire and emergency medical personnel.
• After each drill, conduct a debriefing with all management and employees to evaluate the effectiveness of the drill. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your plan and work to improve it.
• All new employees must be trained in what is required in case of an emergency.

Workplace Amenities

Amenities are facilities essential for the welfare or personal hygiene needs of employees. They prevent the spread of germs and disease, prevent ill health, protect workers from exposure to contamination and meet the basic human needs of employees. Workplace amenities include toilets, shelter sheds, seating, dining rooms, change rooms, drinking water, personal storage and washing facilities.

In many cases the client will provide adequate facilities, some companies will require from the contractor to provide accommodation and ablution facilities. These facilities must be kept clean, secure and maintained in a good working order. If there are concerns regarding the facilities at the workplace, report it to your Supervisor/Health & Safety Representative.

First Aid

The following list is the minimally acceptable number and type of first-aid supplies for first-aid kits required at the workplace. The contents of the first-aid kit listed should be adequate for small work sites, consisting of approximately two to three employees. When larger operations or multiple operations are being conducted at the same location, additional first-aid kits should be provided at the work site or additional quantities of supplies should be included in the first-aid kits as per DESS SOP’s

• • Gauze pads (at least 4 x 4 inches).
  • Two large gauze pads (at least 8 x 10 inches).
  • Box adhesive bandages (Band-Aids).
  • One package gauze roller bandage at least 2 inches wide.
  • Two triangular bandages.
  • Wound cleaning material such as sealed moistened towelettes.
  • Scissors.
  • At least one blanket.
  • Tweezers.
  • Adhesive tape.
  • Latex gloves.
  • Resuscitation equipment such as resuscitation bag, airway, management equipment and
  • CPR mask.
  • Two elastic wraps.
  • Splint.
  • Directions for requesting emergency assistance.

Qualified first aid people are available at most workplaces. In the event of an accident, make sure that the First Aider is notified as quickly as possible. It is important that you learn who your First Aiders are and where they can be contacted.

Report all injuries to your First Aider immediately – DO NOT treat yourself. This is important to ensure that necessary treatment can be administered prior to you leaving the site.

Do not interfere with first aid boxes or supplies. However, get to know where the nearest first aid box is located for use in an emergency.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE must be worn, to ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in the workplace, the cooperative efforts of both employers and employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. Some jobs have a certain element of risk associated with them (e.g., working in areas of excessive noise or in areas where flying objects may occur).

Where this is the case, personal protective equipment will be provided by the client or if required by DESS. Wearing PPE reduces the risk of injury. It is the worker’s responsibility to wear the equipment when and where required. Employees will be trained in the use of the personal protective equipment (PPE) provided and PPE SOP’s and signage will mandate where it must be worn. Observe and follow the rules in the use of the PPE. In general, the clients are responsible for:

• • Performing a “hazard assessment” of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards.
  • Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees.
  • Training employees in the use and care of the PPE.
  • Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE.
  • Periodically reviewing, updating, and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program.

In general, employees should:

• • Properly wear PPE,
  • Attend training sessions on PPE,
  • Care for, clean and maintain PPE, and
  • Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.

The following PPE must be worn in the areas where the Hazard Assessment indicate it as a necessity:

• • Hearing protection
  • Head protection
  • Eye and face protection
  • Foot and leg protection
  • Hand and arm protection
  • Other Specific Protection

The Hazard assessment will indicate what type of PPE is required in various areas. Other types of protective equipment may be required, depending on the work you are doing. These may include body armor, ballistic helmets, etc. You will be advised of any other protective equipment required and whether specific training is required in the use of this equipment.

For added protection avoid wearing, loose clothing, neck ties, bulky rings, and dangling jewelry when working with or near moving machinery. Long hair should be tied back or enclosed in a hair net.

Safe Work Practices

DESS is committed to establish Safe Work Practices/Safe Job Procedures addressing significant hazards or for dealing with circumstances that may present other significant risks/liabilities for the company. These practices and Job Procedures are done in close cooperation with the client. They reflect DESS’ approach to controlling hazards. Some regulations require employers to have written procedures/instructions for specific activities/conditions. The number of practices/procedures and the degree of detail will depend on the range of work activities DESS and the client company perform. It is important that management and supervision are involved in the development of safe work practices and that they provide adequate training for workers likely to follow these practices.

Licensing & Registrations

There are certain activities, equipment or substances in the workplace that can pose a risk to employees or the public. Employees and employers engaged in this work, or who use particular equipment or materials, are required to hold a license issued by the Country where the Services/work are performed on behalf of the client company. Having a license demonstrates a capacity to work safely.

A license is required if you will be performing high risk work.  If you already hold a certificate of competency or ‘ticket’ you will need to transfer to the new license for high-risk work. The host country normally requires a detailed description of the services that will be performed and what will be required to perform the services/work. Licenses will under normal circumstances be issued for a period of one year.

Work Permits

There are various areas of work that require work permits, i.e.,

• Hot Work Permit
• Electrical work.
• Confined spaces Many workplaces contain areas that are considered “confined spaces” because while they are not necessarily designed for people, they are large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs. A confined space also has limited or restricted means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy. Confined spaces include, but are not limited to, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, ductwork, pipelines, etc.
• There are some tasks that when undertaken in certain environments can be very hazardous. As the legislation requires the employer to provide and maintain a system of work, the client should have in place a work permit system for any task that requires hot work or confined space entry.
• A work permit indicates that a competent and experienced person has identified the hazards, assessed the task, inspected the work area and implemented adequate controls to eliminate and/or minimize potential risks to health and safety. The permit also needs to be authorized by a management representative prior to any work commencing. Once the work is completed, sign off is required by the person who has performed the task and the management representative.
• A permit, signed by the entry supervisor, must be posted at all entrances, or otherwise made available to entrants before they enter a permit space. The permit must verify that pre-entry preparations outlined in the standard have been completed. The duration of entry permits must not exceed the time required to complete an assignment. Entry permits must include:

• Name of permit space to be entered, authorized entrant(s), eligible attendants and individuals authorized to be entry supervisors
• Test results
• Tester’s initials or signature
• Name and signature of supervisor who authorizes entry
• Purpose of entry and known space hazards
• Measures to be taken to isolate permit spaces and to eliminate or control space hazards
• Name and telephone numbers of rescue and emergency services and means to be used to contact them
• Date and authorized duration of entry
• Acceptable entry conditions
• Communication procedures and equipment to maintain contact during entry
• Additional permits, such as for hot work, that have been issued authorizing work in the permit space
• Special equipment and procedures, including personal protective equipment and alarm systems and
• Any other information needed to ensure employee safety.

Safety Requirements for Work at Height or at an Existing Place of Work

Many clients require from DESS to perform watch tower duties. To be able to get to the observation points in the watch towers DESS employees are required to climb ladders to get to the observation points and to descend to the ground floor by means of a ladder. It is vitally important to inspect the ladders and to ensure that they are safe to use.

The following describe a guide to the safe use of ladders:

• • Any surface upon which a ladder rests shall be stable, firm, of sufficient strength and of suitable composition safely to support the ladder so that its rungs or steps remain horizontal, and any loading intended to be placed on it.
  • A ladder shall be so positioned as to ensure its stability during use.
  • A suspended ladder shall be attached in a secure manner and so that, with the exception of a flexible ladder, it cannot be displaced, and swinging is prevented.
  • A ladder used for access shall be long enough to protrude sufficiently above the place of landing to which it provides access, unless other measures have been taken to ensure a firm handhold at the landing place.
  • No interlocking or extension ladder shall be used unless its sections are prevented from moving relative to each other while in use.
  • Where a ladder or run of ladders rises a vertical distance of 9 meters or more above its base, there shall, where reasonably practicable, be provided at suitable intervals sufficient safe landing areas or rest platforms.
  • Every ladder shall be placed in such a way that:

• a secure handhold and secure support are always available to the user; and
• the user can maintain a safe handhold when carrying a loading unless, in the case of a step ladder, the maintenance of a handhold is not practicable when a loading is carried, and a risk assessment has demonstrated that the use of a stepladder is justified.

The following rules apply to all ladders:

• Maintain ladders free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards.
• Do not load ladders beyond their maximum intended load nor beyond their manufacturer’s rated capacity.
• Use ladders only for their designed purpose.
• Use ladders only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental movement.
• Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement. Do not use slip resistant feet as a substitute for exercising care when placing, lashing, or holding a ladder upon slippery surfaces.
• Secure ladders placed in areas such as passageways, doorways, or driveways, or where workplace activities or traffic can displace them to prevent accidental movement. Or use a barricade to keep traffic or activity away from the ladder.
• Keep areas clear around the top and bottom of ladders.
• Do not move, shift, or extend ladders while in use.
• Use ladders equipped with nonconductive side rails if the worker or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.
• Face the ladder when moving up or down.
• Use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing.
• Do not carry objects or loads that could cause loss of balance and falling.

IT IS IMPORTANT WHEN DESS CONDUCTS A RISK ASSESSMENT THAT A DETAILED REPORT IS PROVIDED TO THE CLIENT WITH REGARDS TO THE STATUS OF THE LADDERS IN THE WATCH TOWERS.

Vehicle Safety

You are DESS’s most asset! The way that you drive says everything about you and our company. Make a positive statement by following these work-related safe driving practices.

• Stay Safe

• Use a seat belt always – driver and passenger(s).
• Be well-rested before driving. • Avoid taking medications that make you drowsy.
• Set a realistic goal for the number of miles that you can drive safely each day.
• If you are impaired by alcohol or any drug, do not drive.
• Keep to the prescribed speed limit either by local traffic authorities, DESS SOPs and/or tracking monitoring limits

• Stay Focused

• Driving requires your full attention. Avoid distractions, such as adjusting the radio or other controls, eating or drinking, and talking on the phone.
• Continually search the roadway to be alert to situations requiring quick action.
• Stop about every two hours for a break. Get out of the vehicle to stretch, take a walk, and get refreshed.

• Avoid Aggressive Driving

• Keep your cool in traffic!
• Be patient and courteous to other drivers.
• Do not take other drivers’ actions personally.
• Reduce your stress by planning your route ahead of time (bring the maps and directions), allowing plenty of travel time, and avoiding crowded roadways and busy driving times.

• Park your vehicle safely and in a designated parking spot. If you must park the vehicle elsewhere, ensure the vehicle will not present a hazard to other vehicles or to people.
• While walking, be aware of vehicles being driven in the work area. Keep to designated walkways.
• Refueling Petrol Vehicles

• By law you must switch off your engine before and during refueling
• Take care when operating the fuel cap on your petrol vehicle. Static discharge from some type of clothing can ignite petrol vapors from your vehicle tank
• Dropping a mobile phone or switching it on or off can cause sparks, which may ignite petrol vapors
• Using mobile phones while refueling can cause a lapse in concentration.
• By law, you and your passengers are required to extinguish your cigarettes, cigars or pipes prior to entering the service station.

Chemicals

Many chemicals are used in the workplace. These can range from relatively harmless chemicals such as some fertilizers through to highly toxic pesticides and herbicides. OSHA maintains this chemical database as a convenient reference for the occupational safety and health community. It compiles information from several government agencies and organizations

WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER USING ANY CHEMICAL AND BEFORE EATING, DRINKING, OR SMOKING

Electrical Safety

Electrical hazards can cause burns, shocks, and electrocution (death).

• Assume that all overhead wires are energized at deadly voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated.
• Never touch a fallen overhead power line.
• Call the electric utility company to report fallen electrical lines.
• Never operate electrical equipment while you are standing in water.
• Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized.
• Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it.
• If working in damp locations, inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects, and use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
• Always use caution when working near electricity.
• Under no circumstances are you to attempt any electrical repairs.

• Only qualified electricians can work on electrical equipment and installations. If you find an electrical fault, you must report it to the client.
• Only non-conductive fire extinguishers (e.g., dry chemicals, carbon dioxide) should be used around electrical fires.

Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is fundamental to good safety. Trips, slips and falls can result from poor housekeeping. It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that their work areas are kept clean and tidy.

• All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition. The floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. When wet processes are used, drainage must be maintained, and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats must be provided. o Walking-working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice.
• All materials, equipment, and tools not in use must be safely stored. All rubbish and waste must be placed in the bins provided. All aisles and access to fire extinguishers must be kept clear.
• Liquid spills must be cleaned up immediately with absorbent material. DO NOT wash the spill into a drain.
• Remember that cleaning up after a job is part of doing that job the right way.

Waste Management

Clients will inform you of the requirements for waste management during the induction. Some guidelines are:

• Check signage to see if the item can be recycled and if it has a particular waste container. Segregate all waste into correct containers:

• General
• Recyclables
• Flatten cardboard and place paper in the area provided.
• Recycle drink cans, glass, plastic bottles, and milk cartons;

• Refer to MSDS for guidelines on disposal of chemicals, also seek advice from your supervisor;

Personal Hygiene

Having good personal hygiene practices means taking care of yourself and leading a healthy lifestyle. Personal hygiene includes cleaning all areas of your body on a daily or regular basis to prevent odor and keeping up with your appearance. Personal hygiene is more than just staying clean — it can affect your self-esteem and how others view and approach you.

• Impact

• The body works hard every minute of the day, cleaning, and flushing toxins. This is done through sweat, skin shedding, tears, urine, saliva, ear wax, feces, and body oils. As toxins are released and the body continues to age, some of these functions can prove to be odorous and unsightly, especially sweat.
• Personal cleanliness is important in helping to prevent illness and the spread of infection.

• In order to reach to the required point of minimization of diseases and their spreading, there are some important points to do that:

• Use of protective clothing and barriers
• Disinfection of reusable materials or things (i.e., linen, pads, uniforms).
• Isolation of infectious persons or materials.
• Sterilization of instruments used in surgical operations.
• Safe disposal of medical waste

Office Safety

• It is just as important to observe good safety and housekeeping in offices as it is in other workplaces. Some general guidelines for office safety are:

• Keep walkways and aisles clear.
• Don’t open more than one filing cabinet drawer at a time.
• Don’t have power cables stretched across aisles – if necessary; cover them with duct/masking tape. Don’t use double adaptors or overload a power point.
• Don’t use a chair to reach high places – use a step ladder
• Watch for worn carpet or slippery surfaces, especially on steps and stairs. Think about how you sit – adjust your chair if necessary.
• Don’t forget to stretch and move about from time to time.
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

• It is important to be aware of your office/workstation situation and to understand that workplaces can be adjusted to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. You should also monitor any symptoms of fatigue and take action. The early signs and symptoms of occupational overuse are localized fatigue and discomfort relieved overnight and during the weekends. It is more efficient to take periodic stretch breaks than to keep on working even when fatigued. Report any problems with your equipment of furniture immediately. Good posture will assist you:

• Check your posture before commencing work and adjust your furniture to enable you to maintain a good posture while working on your keyboard or at your desk. Start by adjusting your seat height until your feet are flat on the floor, and the floor therefore supports the weight of your legs. This allows your forearms to be about horizontal while using the keyboard. It is recommended that the lumbar curve of the backrest should fit approximately into the lumbar hollow of your back. This helps to maintain some curvature in the lower back. The weight of the upper body is then taken through the spine, and a minimum of back muscle effort is required (the upright posture is recommended for typing).
• Avoid musculoskeletal problems, (e.g., stiff neck or shoulders, sore arms or wrists, back pain, and sore legs). Problems occur by repetitive motions, and awkward body positions, as this puts undue stress on muscles, tendons, and nerves. Pressure under the thighs when sitting or concentrated pressure under the forearms when keying can reduce blood flow and also cause premature tiredness.
• Adopting a range of comfortable postures maintains energy and efficiency. Avoid the same posture for long periods, by ensuring that you take appropriate ‘pause breaks’ (stretch/rest), when a lot of repetitive motion is necessary. Also, by arranging your work area you should ensure that all materials, equipment, and controls can be easily reached without stretching or twisting. A document holder is highly recommended when keying from a hard copy, because it minimizes neck flexion. It should be placed as close to the monitor as possible or be directly in front of you and the monitor to one side. The aim is to minimize twisting your neck.
• When using the telephone, avoid cradling the hand piece between your ear and shoulder which can lead to neck stiffness. Always hold the hand piece in your hand or else use a head set.

• Ensure good posture by:

• Relaxing shoulders;
• Have elbows level with the home row of keys and to the side of your body keep wrists straight;
• Make sure you have ample leg room keep a balanced upright head position
• Make sure the backrest is supporting your spine avoid pressure at the front edge of the seat keep your feet firmly supported.

• Visual (computer screens)

• Avoid visual fatigue, e.g. sore eyes, blurred vision and headaches by checking your computer screen. A good starting point is to have the screen on a slightly downward gaze, i.e. 10-15 degrees below the horizontal. The screen should be about 600 mm from the eyes (a comfortable distance), then the top of the screen would be just below eye level. A simple way to set it would be to get the top of the monitor at eye level. Have the screen reasonably high as this gives the most scope for tilting it down in order to minimize any reflections on the screen, usually from bright light through windows or overhead lights. To avoid window reflections, the windows need to be screened or the computer repositioned. “Anti-glare” screens can also be used.
• The best position for a monitor in an office or workstation is adjacent to windows. If the window is behind the screen the eyes adjust to the bright light from the window making it harder to read the less bright display on the screen.
• In order to minimize the effects of both reflections and glare, it is useful have a display of high brightness. A positive image, with black letters on a white background, is best. The positive display is also well matched to hard copy of black print on white paper, minimizing the needs for the eyes to adjust when shifting attention one to the other.

Unacceptable Behavior

The following behavior is unacceptable and in the interests of you, your fellow employees and Workforce will not be tolerated:

• Horseplay and practical jokes.
• Bullying.
• Fighting or instigating a fight.
• Assaulting, threatening, or interfering with other employees. Abuse, damage or destruction of property.
• Interfering with, or removing without permission, the property of the Company, the client or any person.
• Interfering with, bypassing, or rendering inoperative, controls designed to provide protection or safety of yourself or another person.
• Failing to adhere to safe operating procedures.
• Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on Company or client property, or bringing or consuming drugs or alcohol on Company or client property.
• Driving a Company vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Smoking in a non-smoking area.

Bullying

Bullying is repeated, unreasonable behavior directed to an employee or group of employees that creates a risk to health and safety. Bullying has been linked to situations of role conflict and uncertainty.

The client should make sure you understand your role and have the appropriate skills to your job. During your client induction, you should be made aware of the clients bullying policies and procedures.

If you feel you are experiencing bullying at work, there are a number of actions you can take:

• If you can, tell the person who is behaving inappropriately that you are offended and want it to stop. Get advice from your Health & Safety Representative and/or client Health and Safety Representative or Supervisor.
• Keep a record of events, including the name of people involved (e.g. witnesses). Make sure the records focus on the facts of the situation (what happened, including dates and times, and if possible, copies of any documents)
• Use the workplace or OHS procedure to report the situation. Seek professional counselling and/or advice.
• Talk to people you trust (Health & Safety Representative, supervisor, manager, HSR or someone from human resources).
• The Authority can take further action.

Occupational Violence

Occupational violence is a physical attack or threat to an employee or group of employees that creates a risk to health and safety. It includes aggression and challenging behaviors and can be categorized as client-initiated and external or intrusive occupational violence.

The key risks of Occupational Violence are:

• Client-initiated occupational violence:

• Providing care to people who are in distress, afraid, ill or incarcerated;
• People who feel anger, resentment, and feelings of failure or unreasonable expectations of what an organization or worker can provide them;
• Carrying (or having access to) drugs;
• Handling cash or valuables.

• External or intrusive occupational violence:

• Working alone or in an isolated area
• Having few workers on site
• Working at night
• Communicating face to face with customers
• Working where money, drugs or valuables are kept

If you are involved in or witness an incident of occupational violence at the client workplace, report it through the client’s incident reporting process.

Policy:	Occupational Health and Safety Policy
Organization:	Duguf Enterprise Security Services
Approved by:	Bashir Qeyre
Title:	Managing Director
Date Updated:	2021