Chiltern Archaeology

Health and Safety Policy Statement

Chiltern Archaeology is committed to protecting the health and safety of members and all others directly affected by its work activities. To achieve this requires the integration of H&S into normal management and organisational processes.

Introduction

	Before any field visit each member of the group must read this safety statement and listen to specific verbal instructions on the day with regard to that day’s work.
	Persons taking part in fieldwork must observe sensible standards of behaviour and conduct themselves with full consideration for the safety of others.
	Leaders must follow safety procedures and take every reasonable care to ensure the safety of members of the group/party and others whom it may concern.
	Leaders are personally responsible for the safety and welfare of the group/party and will be held liable if accidents arise through failure to observe H&S procedures.
	All safety instructions given by leaders or others in authority must be obeyed. Anyone not conforming to the standards required will be dismissed from the field working site.
	Smoking is completely banned from all areas of the fieldwork site.

Aims

	Adequate control of all risks
	Provide full training for all staff
	Provide and maintain safe working practices.

Fieldwork - We expect:

1 People working on the site must sign in and out, logging the time of each. Signing in is the record and agreement of an individual to have familiarised themselves with the Health and Safety instructions on site.

2.1 Park on site appropriately so as not to hinder the general public or the landowner or the group activities. Vehicles are parked at owner’s risk. No claims can be entertained for any reason.

2.2 No dogs are allowed on private land or where they may disturb wildlife or farm animals. No dogs are allowed in areas of the geophysical surveys or excavations.

3.1 Each person entering onto the site must report to the site supervisor and obtain approval.

3.2 People must notify us if they have specific health problems or mobility restrictions that they would like us to take account of in the selection of rotas.

3.3 Each individual must take responsibility for their own safety and those around them.

3.4 Illness and injury must be reported immediately.

3.5 People must conduct themselves with good manners and care for others and also to the environment and ecology of the area.

3.6 People must keep to the instructions given by those in charge of the work party or visit. If this causes a conflict in any way, they must bring this to the attention of the person in charge, or other suitable person in authority.

3.7 Only undertake work if you think it is safe for you to do so and you are physically up to the task.

3.8 Ensure you understand the intentions of the task and the methods in use, as well as constraints, terms of access and any landowner requirements.

4.1 Everyone participating in fieldwork must wear appropriate clothing: sturdy footwear, and warm and waterproof clothing, or cool clothing with sun protection, for their own safety.

4.2 It is the responsibility of the individual to provide appropriate sun protection cream, sunglasses, hats, etc. For UK high Summer and European locations Factor 30 is recommended; for Mediterranean locations the minimum is 35.

4.3 A basic first-aid kit (with headache tablets, plasters, etc) must be the responsibility of the individual, as these cannot be issued by others.

4.4 People must only work in the designated areas.

5.1 Up-to-date tetanus injections will be required if excavating or contact with soil is expected, seek advice from your medical practitioner.

5.2 Do not work on site if under the influence of drink or drugs.

5.3 Equipment should be checked before it is used; report any item considered to be in an unsafe condition.

5.4 Take care in the use of equipment, some equipment has special safety instructions and these require training before it is used for the first time (e.g. the resistance meter, mattocks, or JCBs, etc).

6.1 When large vehicles are in operation (e.g. JCBs) there will be a restricted staff presence in the area and all staff present will wear hard hats and high visibility jackets. The driver must be made aware of how many people are present and where they will be standing/working.

6.2 The company accepts no liability for loss of personal material or equipment or damage or injury. Personnel are on site at their own risk. Personnel on site will be covered by the group third party indemnity insurance or, if visiting as a society or other unit, then they will be covered by their own group insurance. Chiltern Archaeology’s Public Liability insurance is with Towergate with a limit of £2 million pounds.

7.1 The area must be kept clean and tidy and free of obstacles at all times.

7.2 In the event of an accident the details of the incident must be entered into the site accident book by a supervisor or similar person in authority. In the event of a serious accident (requiring hospital treatment) this must be investigated thoroughly by a supervisor or other person in authority where statements are taken from all concerned with diagrams, photographs and all relevant information recorded.

7.3 In all actions all personnel on site must make themselves familiar with the relevant archaeological regulations, H&S, codes of practice and guidelines, and it is for each individual to act in accordance with these.