West
Oxford u3a Health & Safety Policy
1. INTRODUCTION
West
Oxford u3a (WOu3a) aims to provide and maintain safe and healthy conditions and
environments for all members including during meetings, visits and outings, and
other events.
2. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
only applies to paid workers, but volunteers must still be protected
from risks. WOu3a aims to ensure that reasonable care has been taken to
avoid harming others and that participants are aware of any risks. 3. INSURANCE WOu3a
is covered by the insurance provided by The Third Age Trust. Further
details about the insurance cover can be accessed on the u3a website
www.u3a.org.uk/advice. If any activities are being considered where
WOu3a is unsure if they are covered, the u3a Office will be contacted
for further advice. The Third Age Trust provides third party liability
insurance. However, extreme sports and high hazard activities may not
be covered. Please check before arranging an activity. 4. RISK
ASSESSMENTS WOu3a
will ensure that the Committee, Group Leaders or others responsible for
a meeting, an outing, or other relevant event complete a risk
assessment. This will be used to identify any risks and explore how
they could be mitigated. The result will be recorded on a check list.
5. VENUES WOu3a
is aware that some venues used for meetings/events may already have
their own risk assessment. These should be reviewed and where
mitigations are identified, ensure they are actioned. E.g. a
venue may state that no more than 5 chairs should be stacked together
and / or nothing placed in the way of fire escapes. Where relevant,
clear instructions and guidance should be provided to anyone who
requires it.
6. MEETINGS
The designated person will complete a check list, confirming that action has been taken to mitigate each identified risk. Those attending will be advised what to do in the event of a fire alarm / evacuation. The
Committee will designate the Chairman, or in his/her absence the
Secretary, or in his/her absence the Treasurer to be responsible for
contacting emergency services if required during a meeting. 7. MANUAL hANDLING All
WOu3a members should be advised to think about manual handling in
advance to avoid injury to themselves and others. Members should not
carry out any manual handling tasks if they are not able to manage them
and should ask for help from other members.
8.FIRST AID BOX WOu3a will keep a first aid box at the venue where meetings are regularly held, currently Dean Court Community Centre. A member will be designated to check the box regularly to ensure it has been stocked and that the contents are in-date.
9. VISITS/WALKS/OUTINGS The
person responsible for such activities should provide the participants
with his / her mobile telephone number; and ensure that he / she has a
list of participants with, for each person, details of an emergency
contact and, if available, their mobile phone number.
10. ACCIDENTS
/ INCIDENTS / EMERGENCIES Where
a WOu3a member is involved in an accident, incident or other emergency
while taking part in a u3a event the responsible person will ensure
that those who witnessed the event will complete an incident report.
This must be completed and shared with those who need to have access to
it, including the Chairman, and kept on file. It will need to be shared
with the insurers in the event of an insurance claim. Further
information, guidance and templates about risk assessments can be
downloaded from the u3a website: www.u3a.org.uk/advice. Policy approved by the WOu3a Management Committee.
June 2026
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