Approved 6th April 2021

Trajectory Theatre is fully committed to meeting its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (as amended), and associated protective legislation, both as an employer and as an organisation. To achieve those objectives, the company has designated responsibility to the Executive to actively keep workplace health, safety and welfare under constant review, to liaise with the enforcing authorities, whenever necessary, and to keep the company and the Board of Trustees up-to-date with new legislation, regulations and British Standards, in order to ensure compliance with the law. Beyond this, the Board acknowledges that a positive approach to Health and Safety is necessary to ensure organisation-wide adoption. 

People are the core asset of Trajectory’s undertaking. Trajectory aims to foster a culture, supportive of health and safety, by providing visible and active leadership, which implements clear management systems, through which hazards are identified and risks are controlled.  

Trajectory will, so far as is reasonably practicable: 

• Identify hazards to employees, volunteers and third parties affected by the work and to control those risks adequately. 
• Ensure the safety and absence of risk to health, in connection with the use, handling, storage or transportation of articles and substances. 
• To continue improving through auditing and review. 
• Provide such information, instruction, training and supervision as may be necessary to ensure the health and safety of its employees and volunteers. 
• Make regular risk assessments available to its employees and volunteers. 
• Provide employees and volunteers with health surveillance, where necessary. 
• Appoint competent personnel to secure compliance with statutory duties and to undertake reviews of the policy, as necessary. 
• Regularly consult with its employees and volunteers on matters concerning health and safety. 

Organisation & Responsibilities 

Safety is the concern of everyone – management, employees and volunteers – at all levels. The Executive is responsible for the overall Health and Safety policy, its implementation and monitoring. To achieve this, tasks are delegated but responsibility remains with the Executive. 

Job Descriptions: Roles and Responsibilities 

The Board of Trustees are responsible for:

• Ensuring the organisation fulfils its legal obligations;
• Ensuring that the Safety Policy is adequate and effective;
• Ensuring the policy is reviewed and amended, as necessary; and
• That such resources, which might be required, are available to ensure the arrangements for health, safety and welfare are effective. 

The Executive (General Manager/Artistic Director) is responsible for:

• Reporting investigations and recording accidents; 
• Making arrangements for necessary training programs; 
• Ensuring the health and safety arrangements of the company are adequate;
• Ensuring they are made known to the staff and volunteers, maintained and reviewed, as required; 
• That adequate resources, in time and money, are made available for health and safety issues; 
• Promoting a positive culture, with regard to health and safety issues. 

Project Managers are responsible for:

• The day-to-day implementation of the policy;  
• First aid at work cover on site;
• Fire precautions, fire drill and evacuation procedures and safety inspections on site; 
• Ensuring the health and safety arrangements, required by each event, are assessed and implemented;
• Creation and circulation of risk assessment reports; 
• Ensuring event planning is carried out with due consideration to health and safety issues;  
• Allocating sufficient resources to the arrangements required for health and safety on each project; 
• Ensuring the information, required by employers and volunteers on sites, is provided and that all employees know their responsibilities for implementing the Safety Policy;
• Ensuring relevant instruction, information, training and supervision is provided to enable all tasks to be carried out without risk; 
• Checking competence of contractors and sub-contractors; and 
• Ensuring the organisation, or any contractor or subcontractor’s undertaking, does not put anyone at risk. 

All Employees and Volunteers are responsible for:

• Ensuring they are fully conversant with this policy; 
• Ensuring they cooperate with the Organisation to enable it to fulfil its legal obligations; 
• Taking reasonable care of themselves and others, who may be affected by their actions; 
• Not interfering with anything provided with regard to health and safety; and 
• Reporting all accidents, dangerous occurrences or near misses.

Accidents, Incidents and Near Misses

• If you sustain an injury, whilst working for the Organisation, you must report immediately to a First Aider or, if unable to do so, get someone to contact a First Aider to come to you for any necessary treatment.  
• In the case of a SERIOUS accident IMMEDIATELY dial 999 from any telephone and ask for the AMBULANCE SERVICE, giving essential details and address. 
• Either the injured person or the First Aider must communicate, in writing, the details of the accident to the Executive. 
• Where possible, if a member of staff, or volunteer, is sent to hospital they should be accompanied by the Project Manager or another management level representative of the organisation. 
• On notification of a person being sent to hospital, check if the next-of-kin has been notified and, if not and appropriate to do so, notify/visit the next-of-kin, and to consider making a hospital visit. 
• All accidents and near misses must be entered into the Digital Incident Log – controlled by the Executive. 
• Complete, if applicable, and return the Statutory Accident Report Form (F 2508), in accordance with Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR 1995). 
• Where incidents are considered serious they will be investigated to identify the circumstances, and measures will be introduced to prevent a re-occurrence.  

Arrangements 

Due to the nature of Trajectory’s work, we expect to operate in a variety of venues. We will ensure safety standards are maintained, either directly by the organisation or as part of the agreement with venues of operation. This includes:  

• Cleanliness and General Workplace Safety
  • All work areas are to be kept free from rubbish and maintained in a tidy condition. Cleanliness is the responsibility of individuals; 
  • Cleaning contractors may be employed for site-specific work; 
  • Common sense should be used when loading shelves, with heavier items being loaded at waist height or below, and only lighter items being placed above shoulder height; 
  • All cables should be managed, so they do not create trip hazards. 
• First Aid
  • First aid cover will be provided in our work spaces;
  • First aid training will be arranged, when deemed necessary; 
  • First aid boxes will be provided in our work spaces.
• Fire Safety
  • Designated persons are appointed to assist with an evacuation from our work spaces, and are given adequate instruction and training to ensure effectiveness.  
  • Except when being used for fire-fighting, fire extinguishers should not be removed from their locations and must be accessible and visible, at all times. Any use or accidental damage to appliances must be reported immediately.  
  • Employees should make themselves familiar with the location of fire exits and the procedure in case of fire. Employees are responsible for their own evacuation and reporting to their line manager, at the designated Assembly Point. 
• Manual Handling 
  • Never take personal risks by overreaching, twisting, stretching, stooping or over-exerting during a handling task. 
  • Follow the system of work, using handling aids properly and effectively, e.g. trolleys. 
  • Report any problems in the working activity or equipment, as soon as these arise, and ask for assistance, where necessary. 
• Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification
  • The organisation will carry out suitable and sufficient assessments of the risks to the Health and Safety of its employees, and others affected by work activities, in compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1992. 
  • Copies of the Risk Assessments are available on the organisation’s G-Drive or via the Executive. 
  • The organisation will identify all potential hazards to our employees and others, who may be affected.
  • Evaluate the probability and severity of injury or damage. 
  • Where a risk of serious, or imminent, danger is identified the organisation will establish appropriate procedures, including the stopping and resumption of work, for controlling exposure to this risk.
  • Nominate sufficient competent people to implement the procedure.
  • Analyse the options for eliminating, reducing or controlling the risks and then take the appropriate action. 
  • Review the assessments, periodically, and particularly where they may no longer be valid or where there has been a significant change in work activities, processes, etc. 
  • Keep records in writing,, or electronic form, of the significant findings of risk assessments and identify employees who may be especially at risk. 
  • Provide appropriate health surveillance, where there is an identifiable disease or potential adverse health condition related to our work. 
  • Appoint competent persons to assist us in complying with our statutory duties for health and safety. 
  • Provide employees, and employees of other employers working on our premises, with comprehensive and relevant information on risks, preventative and protective measures, emergency procedures and competent persons. 
  • In conjunction with the Board, the Executive are responsible for arranging appropriate job related Health and Safety training of staff and volunteers as identified by Risk Assessment. 
• Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
  • Under the Health and Safety DSE Regulations, the organisation will carry out an assessment of each workstation, taking into account the DSE, furniture, working environment and worker (at least once per annum, or if the workstation changes functionality). 
  • Take all necessary measures to remedy any risks found, as a result of the assessment. 
  • Take steps to incorporate changes of task within the working day, in order to prevent intensive periods of on-screen activity.  
  • Provide sufficient information, instruction and training, as is necessary.
  • Review software to ensure suitability for the task. 
  • Staff and volunteers should avoid adopting a static posture and avoid prolonged DSE work without a change of activity and always report problems with your furniture, equipment or health as soon as these arise.
• Work Equipment (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
  • The organisation will, in accordance with its general duties, make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the Health and Safety of our employees and volunteers, to which they may be exposed whilst working with hand tools and equipment. These risks will then be controlled, so far as is reasonably practicable, so that neither employees nor others, who could also be exposed to them, will be put at risk.  
  • No personnel may use their own equipment,without it first being checked by the Project Manager or Executive.
  • Personnel must only use tools in the situation for which they are designed.
  • All work equipment is regularly inspected and tested by trained competent persons (in the case of hire equipment prior to every issue). 
  • Maintenance and record keeping is in accordance with PUWER.
• Motor Vehicles
  • Drivers of vehicles are responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is roadworthy, in all respects, before driving it on the public highway.
  • At all times the vehicles must be driven sensibly and within the law (full guidance can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/. Smooth driving is more economical and is more environmentally responsible.)
  • Great care must be taken when reversing a vehicle.  
  • The safety of the driver, and all other persons, must be the priority, at all times, and speed should be moderated to suit the prevailing weather conditions, road surface, volume of traffic.  
  • If a driver is concerned about the road conditions, they should pull over and wait until conditions change. 
  • Where possible, avoid lone driving, whilst on Trajectory Theatre business.
  • If you are driving alone, ensure you inform a Trajectory Theatre colleague of your travel plans. 
  • Do not drive for longer than two hours without a break of at least 15 minutes.
  • Take into consideration any risks associated with your route (motorways are typically less dangerous than single-lane roads).
  • Take into consideration the risks associated with adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, spray, wind, fog, snow or ice (do not travel if they may put you at risk). 
  • Drivers should not use mobile phones while driving.
• Electricity
  • Any person touching live electrical contacts or un-insulated wire is likely to suffer the effects of electric shock.  The injuries received may range from minor burns to death. Electricians and lighting technicians are particularly vulnerable to this form of injury, but all employees and volunteers must be aware of the hazard.
  • All mains connected equipment must conform to the Portable and Transportable electrical safety testing (PAT) guidance in place at the specific venue.
  • Production equipment is sourced from reputable hire companies, where it is tested prior to dispatch and records of this testing are kept at the hire company’s base.
  • All users of electrical equipment should check that the equipment is not damaged, in any way, and any PAT sticker or label is up to date. If there is any question about a piece of equipment, it should be taken out of service, until such time as a competent person can check it.
  • Check plugs and leads prior to use.
  • Isolate faulty equipment from the mains.
  • Use a residual current breaker (RCB) if necessary.
  • Report any faults as soon as practicable to do so.
  • Do not “Jockey” extension leads (extension lead being plugged in to another extension lead).
  • Do not override or change fuses until the original fault has been repaired.
  • Do not attempt to hardwire any equipment to the mains.
  • Do not overload wall sockets.
  • Do not use electrical extension cables whilst fully rolled up.
  • Do not leave faulty items lying around for others to use.
  • Do not use any item that appears to be overheating.
• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) 
  • The Manual Handling Regulations require the avoidance of hazardous, manual handling activities, so far as is reasonably practicable.  
  • Where it is not possible to eliminate hazardous manual handling, an assessment must be undertaken to determine the level of risk and suitable controls introduced to reduce the risk of injury. 
  • The wearing of Personal Protection Clothing and/or equipment, such as gloves and safety shoes, is considered to be a last line of defence against a hazard to health that cannot be eliminated or controlled by other means.
  • The requirement for PPE would be identified following the Risk Assessment of an activity.
• Alcohol, Drug and Substance Abuse 
  • Alcohol must not be consumed during working hours or during breaks (including meal breaks). 
  • Staff and volunteers are expected to arrive for work in a fit condition to perform their duties and to remain so until the working day is completed. 
  • Permission from your Project Manager or the Executive must be gained for individuals to drink moderate levels of alcohol at evening hospitality events, press nights or one-off celebratory occasions. 
  • Individuals, present at such events, should be aware that they are representing Trajectory and behave in a responsible and professional manner. 
  • The drinking of alcohol is permitted at parties, when organised by Trajectory.
  • Should an individual be taking prescribed drugs or have a medical condition that may have similar symptoms to being under the influence of alcohol or a prohibited drug, their Project Manager should be informed, immediately.  
  • Individuals must not use, possess, conceal or deal in, prohibited substances in venues managed by Trajectory, or arrive to work under the influence of such substances. 
• Instruction and Training
  • Training is the most important way of achieving competence and, combined with skills, experience and knowledge, leads to competence.  
  • Employees and volunteers are made aware of relevant basic Health and Safety information at a health and safety induction session, carried out by the Project Manager, at specific venues or by the Executive in standing use spaces.
  • Instruction of employees on safe working methods, based on risk control measures, and the maintenance of these procedures are part of the duties of the Executive.  They must also initiate any steps necessary to secure additional training, if deemed necessary.
  • Training will be provided to employees and volunteers, to enable them to work safely and carry out their health and safety responsibilities efficiently. 
  • Records of all training are kept on file.  
• Employee Communication and Consultation
  • Health and Safety concerns can be voiced in any meeting with a Project Manager or the Executive. 
• Employee and Volunteer Responsibilities
  • Employees and volunteers are required to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons, who may be affected by their acts and omissions at work. 
  • Employees and volunteers must not interfere with anything provided in the interest of health, safety and welfare. 
  • Employees and volunteers must report all health and safety concerns to their Project Manager, initially, or the Executive, if this is not possible.
• Travelling Abroad for Business 
  • All members of staff and volunteers, who intend to travel overseas on Trajectory business, must ensure that all aspects of their health, safety and security have been considered and risk-assessed.
  • Consideration should be given to: vaccinations; insurance for medical emergencies, including repatriation; insurance for loss of belongings; personal security; different local customs and mores; clear itineraries, with planned accommodation; methods of travel; contact details for local contacts; carrying sufficient emergency currency, and; not underestimating the effects of jet-lag.