Health and Safety policy for learners

EdgeWorks™ is committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all learners engaged in training, assessment and related activities.

This policy is written in accordance with:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (as amended)
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
• Equality Act 2010
• Relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance

This policy applies to all learners, including those:

• Undertaking online or remote learning.
• Completing workplace-based training.
• Attending meetings, assessments or events arranged by EdgeWorks™.

Safeguarding responsibilities are set out separately within the Safeguarding Policy.

Scope

This policy covers:

• Remote and online learning environments.
• Workplace-based training.
• Employer-sponsored programmes.
• Learners under 18 years of age.
• Adults at risk.

Where learning takes place within an employer’s premises, primary day-to-day health and safety responsibility rests with the employer. However, EdgeWorks™ retains responsibility for ensuring that learning activities it delivers are appropriately risk assessed and monitored.

Governance and Responsibilities

Board of Directors

The Board has overall responsibility for:

• Ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation.
• Approving and reviewing this policy.
• Ensuring adequate resources are in place.

Managing Director

The Managing Director is responsible for:

• Oversight of health and safety arrangements.
• Ensuring systems for risk assessment and reporting are in place.
• Escalating serious incidents to regulators where required.

Operations Director / Centre Management

Responsible for:

• Ensuring learner-facing activities are risk assessed.
• Confirming employer workplace suitability where applicable.
• Ensuring accident reporting procedures are followed.
• Reviewing incidents and implementing corrective action.

Staff and Associates

Must:

• Follow this policy.
• Report hazards, incidents or concerns promptly.
• Ensure learning delivery does not introduce unnecessary risk.
• Apply safe working practices.

Learners

Learners must:

• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety.
• Follow employer and EdgeWorks™ safety guidance.
• Report accidents, hazards or concerns without delay.
• Use equipment safely and appropriately.

Risk assessment

EdgeWorks™ will undertake suitable and sufficient risk assessments in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Risk assessments will cover:

• Online learning environments.
• Meetings or assessments conducted in person.
• Employer premises (confirmation of suitability).
• Young persons where applicable.

Risk assessments will:

• Be reviewed annually.
• Be reviewed following any significant incident.
• Be updated where delivery models change.

Where learners are based in employer settings, EdgeWorks™ will:

• Confirm the employer has appropriate health and safety arrangements in place.
• Seek assurance that risk assessments cover the learner’s role.
• Escalate concerns where standards appear inadequate.

Young learners (Under 18)

In accordance with Regulation 19 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, additional consideration will be given to learners under 18.

This includes:

• Assessment of risks arising from inexperience or immaturity.
• Consideration of supervision requirements.
• Communication with employers regarding enhanced protections.

Where required, parents or guardians will be informed in line with safeguarding procedures.

Remote and online learning

As EdgeWorks™ delivers primarily computer-based and remote learning, the following controls apply:

• Learners are expected to maintain a safe and suitable workspace.
• Guidance is provided on posture, workstation setup and screen use.
• The Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Policy applies to staff and is available as guidance to learners.
• Learners are encouraged to take appropriate breaks.
• Online communication platforms must be used safely and appropriately.

Where concerns arise about a learner’s home or remote environment, these will be managed proportionately and, where relevant, in partnership with the employer.

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

While learners are not employees of EdgeWorks™, the organisation promotes safe screen use consistent with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.

Guidance is aligned with the EdgeWorks™ DSE Policy.

Accident and incident reporting

All accidents, near misses or safety concerns involving learners must be reported immediately to EdgeWorks™.

EdgeWorks™ will:

• Record all incidents.
• Investigate where appropriate.
• Determine whether RIDDOR reporting applies.
• Notify the relevant awarding organisation or funding body where required.

Where learners are workplace-based, the employer retains primary responsibility for statutory reporting. However, employers must inform EdgeWorks™ of any RIDDOR-reportable incident involving a funded learner.

RIDDOR obligations are detailed within the EdgeWorks™ RIDDOR Policy.

First aid

Where learning occurs at employer premises, first aid provision is the responsibility of the employer.

Where EdgeWorks™ arranges in-person events, appropriate first aid provision will be confirmed as part of event risk assessment.

Equality and reasonable adjustments

Health and safety arrangements will not unlawfully discriminate against any learner.

Reasonable adjustments will be made in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustments Policy.

Safeguarding interface

Health and safety concerns that involve:

• Abuse.
• Radicalisation.
• Exploitation.
• Mental health risk.
• Serious welfare concerns.

Will be managed in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy and PREVENT Policy.

Monitoring and review

EdgeWorks™ will:

• Monitor incidents and trends.
• Review risk assessments annually.
• Analyse feedback and complaints relating to safety.
• Update this policy in line with legislative or operational changes.

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation or delivery arrangements change.