Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- about:health-and-safety [2025/06/21 18:55] – created mkukri
+++ about:health-and-safety [2025/06/25 20:39] (current) – link to lone working policy ava
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 <!DOCTYPE markdown>
-Introduction
-============
+# Introduction
 Glasgow Hackerspace has a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of
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 these activities are carried out safely and without undue restriction.
-Obligations of Directors
+# Obligations of Directors
-========================
 Directors have final responsibility for health and safety. They may share this
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 * The Health and Safety Policy is complied with by users of the Hackerspace
-Obligations of Members and Visitors
+# Obligations of Members and Visitors
-===================================
 All users of the Hackerspace must exercise personal responsibility and care in the
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   when adding to the electronics workbench area)
-General Arrangements
+# General Arrangements
-====================
-Accidents, incidents, dangerous occurrences and occupational ill health
+## Accidents, incidents, dangerous occurrences and occupational ill health
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 All accidents, instances of occupational ill health, fires and dangerous
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 prevent future occurrence.
-Buildings and Access
+## Buildings and Access
---------------------
 Access to the Hackerspace is provided 24 hours a day throughout the year on an
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 prevent unauthorised access.
-Additional risks apply outside normal business hours. Make sure to read the Lone Working Policy, and to have a working mobile phone and a note of telephone numbers for Wasps South Block. These numbers are also posted by the door to the Hackerspace.
+Additional risks apply outside normal business hours. Make sure to read the [Lone Working Policy](planning:lone-working), and to have a working mobile phone and a note of telephone numbers for Wasps South Block. These numbers are also posted by the door to the Hackerspace.
 Lone working may also be relevant at any time when the Hackerspace is quiet and should
 be considered when working alone the unit.
-Fire Safety
+## Fire Safety
------------
 Fire safety is the responsibility of Wasps South Block and information about fire escape routes are adjacent to the unit entrance.
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 activities.
-Fire Safety Housekeeping
+## Fire Safety Housekeeping
-------------------------
 * All fire escape stairways and corridors must be kept free of rubbish or any item that might impede the possibility of escape.
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 * Fire fighting equipment must not be removed from the fire stations other than for the purpose of training, safety checking or fire fighting.
-Fire Emergency Procedure
+## Fire Emergency Procedure
-------------------------
 * If you discover a fire, sound the alarm immediately using the nearest call point.
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 * Members and visitors should not re-enter the building until it has been deemed safe to do by the fire officer.
-Fire Drills
+## Fire Drills
------------
 Fire drills may occur from time to time and will be organised by Wasps South Block.
-Disabled People
+## Disabled People
----------------
 Any person disclosing a relevant disability to the Hackerspace Directors that may
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 assess and define a personal emergency action plan.
-First Aid
+## First Aid
----------
 First aid boxes are provided and stocked based on evaluation of the risks and
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-Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
+## Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
------------------------------------
 Personal protective equipment includes, but is not restricted to, the following;
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 against that hazard.
-Manual Handling
+## Manual Handling
----------------
 All significant manual handling tasks must be risk assessed prior to
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 the introduction of mechanisation or manual handling equipment.
-Housekeeping
+## Housekeeping
-------------
 A major cause of accidents in general is poor housekeeping.
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 be turned off when not required, and especially when the Hackerspace is closed.
-Food and Drink
+## Food and Drink
---------------
 Food and drink should only be consumed in the kitchen and social area of the
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 if chemicals have been used or solder or electronics have been handled.
-Alcohol and Drugs
+## Alcohol and Drugs
------------------
 The use of alcohol, prescription medications and illegal drugs may impair the
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 and vapes.
-Risk Assessment
+## Electrical Safety
-===============
+Any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained
+in a safe condition.
+All users of equipment must perform basic visual checks on electrical equipment
+prior to use to ensure there is no damage to plugs, cabling or equipment
+casings. Any issues should be reported as a fault and the equipment taken out
+of service.
+Equipment should be appropriately fused.
+### Fixed Electrical Supplies
+South Block are responsible for the safety of the fixed electrical installation
+and this must not be modified by members.
+Any damage to the fixed electrical supplies should be immediately reported to
+the Directors who will inform building management.
+### Counterfeit, Non CE Compliant
+There is a high risk from equipment that fails to meet European safety
+standards.  This may be equipment ordered from eBay and AliExpress but also
+includes some items such as low cost phone chargers which are often imported
+with fake compliance certificates.
+Counterfeit equipment should not be used in the Hackerspace. It can often be
+identified by spelling mistakes or incorrect symbols on the device. Plugs may
+not be of the correct dimensions and fuses incorrectly manufactured in these
+cases.
+### Extensions and Adaptors
+Only fused multi way extensions connected to a wall socket via a cable may be
+used. These must not be daisy chained. Long extensions should be secured to
+prevent wear and not become a trip hazard.
+### Faulty Equipment
+All faulty equipment should be taken out of service and labelled to prevent
+use by others.
+## Hazardous Substances
+Any person who introduces, or manufactures, a source of hazard in the Hackerspace
+has a duty towards the control of the hazard and the eventual safe disposal of
+the material. Accurate records must be maintained.
+Persons who obtain hazardous substances must obtain from the supplier a
+statement detailing the known or potential hazards associated with the
+substance, the recommended precautions and control measures. Such information,
+in the form of Safety Data Sheets, must be made available by law by the
+supplier.
+A risk assessment for all work activities involving hazardous substances must
+be prepared before work commences, as required by the Control of Substances
+Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. The directors must be notified before
+new hazardous substances are introduced to allow for adequate risk assessment.
+All hazardous substances must be stored and labelled appropriately.
+Biological or radiation hazards should not be introduced or used in the
+Hackerspace.
+# Risk Assessment
 The Hackerspace operates on the basis of identifying the risks associated with
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 risks and the complexities of each case.
-Dynamic Risk assessment and Safety Culture
+## Dynamic Risk assessment and Safety Culture
-------------------------------------------
 Whilst risk assessments are carried out for many activities, members should