Policy Statement
The Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) is committed to so far as is reasonably practicable, ensuring the Health and Safety of its employees and anyone else that may be affected by our activities.
The purpose of this statement is to ensure that the GFRS takes effective steps to meet its statutory obligations in relation to health, safety and the environment and so that it complies with its legal duty of care to all affected by its undertakings.
Senior management and line management are to ensure that our working environment is safe, without significant risks and meets the appropriate statutory requirements. It is recognised that all levels of management and employees have a vital role in the implementation and maintenance of our health and safety programme.
It is our policy to reduce accidents, injuries and work-related ill health to the lowest level practicable. Where hazards exist they will be evaluated, controlled and brought to the attention of the employees. We all have a legal duty to co-operate in all safety related matters, not to endanger ourselves or others and not to misuse anything provided for safety. In particular, all persons are to ensure that appropriate safety rules are followed. This is to be achieved by the provision and compilation of suitable and sufficient risk assessments as is the provision and maintenance of all buildings, fire safety and environmental equipment.
All GFRS staff will be given adequate information and training as is necessary to ensure their safety, during routine, unscheduled and emergency situations, together with the appropriate facilities and equipment.
Risk assessments, audits and general inspections will be undertaken at regular intervals by those trained to do so. This will enable management to identify significant hazards and plan for their elimination, reduction and control. The GFRS will ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable resources are made available:
- to provide adequate control of the health & safety risks arising from work activities
- to consult with employees on matters affecting health, safety and welfare
- to provide and maintain safe plant and equipment
- to provide safe arrangements for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;
- to provide a safe place of work with safe access and egress;
- to provide adequate welfare facilities and arrangements;
- to provide adequate information, instruction and supervision for employees
- to ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks and give them adequate training
- to review and revise this policy as necessary
GFRS management is fully committed in preventing all work-related injuries through safety management and training. It requires all its employees to co-operate in establishing and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and to avoid any actions, which may adversely affect the Health, Safety and Welfare of themselves, their clients and others. In order to ensure ongoing compliance this policy will be reviewed and revised annually or as and when required due to changes in local, European or international regulations and legislation.
