Purpose:

The objective of this policy is to summarise for members and the public at large the Management Committee’s commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for activities conducted in the Men’s Shed, and the measures it has introduced to ensure this within reasonable parameters.

Background:

By virtue of the fact that:

• There are a number of wood and metal turning machines installed in the Shed, as well as a range of small handheld power tools, both categories of which present physical risk to unskilled or inexperienced operators.
• A significant number of existing and possibly future members have little or no personal experience of operating this type of machinery.
• Current (and possibly future) members are in the main retired and elderly, and to better understand any particular health issues that members may suffer, a brief disclosure of existing conditions and treatment is required (in confidence) on membership application forms.
• The premises are adequate for purpose, but not large in size, so numbers of full members attending on any particular day have to be limited due to the layout and limitations of the work area.
• Full membership numbers have to be capped for the same reason.

Risk mitigation approach and general measures include:

Training* and induction for all new members:

• Basic training* on major items of fixed equipment.
• Ad hoc training* on smaller equipment as required.
• Induction session whereby new members are acquainted with the whereabouts of first aid box, emergency electrical cut off switches, heart defibrillator, etc.
• Guidance and suggestions made regarding continuing online training via YouTube and other platforms.

Duty Supervisors: 

Each session in the Shed will be overseen by a Duty Supervisor whose responsibilities include discreet oversight of members executing personal and group projects, ensuring that workplaces and the environment generally are tidy, visible hazards are removed, and numbers of attendees are within agreed limits for the session. 

Trained First Aiders: 

SIMS has funded training for members who have expressed interest in being appointed as First Aid officers, and will continue to do so to ensure that first line aid is available in the event of need.

Fixed equipment one-page summaries:

Mounted adjacent to each unit is a one page summary providing safety instructions on use, and members are requested to familiarise themselves each time they use the equipment in question.

Dress code:

Appropriate foot coverings and no loose-fitting clothes.

Dust extraction:

An industrial dust extractor has been installed to mitigate dust inhalation.

Mental health and safety is as important as physical wellbeing.

A Code of Conduct Policy has been approved and a summary of its main features is displayed in the Shed. A copy can be downloaded below.

*Definition of Training

Training is defined as “practical guided instruction” including:

• Reading and understanding the Operating Instruction Manuals.
• Practical basic demonstration by an authorised person.
• Guided practice in the use of the machine.