3. RULES & RESPONSIBILITIES

a. SAFETY IN THE TOWER – all volunteers are bound by the Health & Safety Act.

i. Attached to this section is copy of the Code of Practice for Personnel, Visitors & Contractors (and attached Risk Assessment) which applies to this and all other Coastwatch venues operated by the National Coastwatch Institution.

ii. New volunteer watchkeepers are required to find the original the Code of Practice for Personnel, Visitors & Contractors (and attached Risk Assessment) in the Tower and, after carefully reading it, sign the last page to confirm that they have done so.

iii. Near to the top of the final flight of stairs into the Tower there is a shelf which holds a model “gallows” which supports the 1^st Aid Box and 1^st Aid Manual, together with the “Accident Book” – see Emergencies paragraph below.

iv. On the NorthWest pillar at the top of these stairs you will see two small Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers that can be used in the event of a fire (including electrical fires) within the Tower. There is also an orange hammer, specifically designed to easily smash windows and help volunteers becoming trapped should a fire occur below. It is strongly recommended that at the earliest opportunity every volunteer take a moment to evaluate which window might be the safest for them to exit from should a fire ever occur.

v. Within the Tower, usually kept on a lower shelf on the Eastern side, is a large yellow Cordless Spotlight (500,000 candlepower) for emergency use.

vi. A smoke alarm is installed for your safety. You are to observe the strict rule that smoking is not allowed in this Tower.

b. VISITORS -

i. For your own safety and comfort you should ensure that there are never more than a total of FIVE persons inside the Tower at any one time.

ii. Children under the age of 14 years are not permitted in the Tower without parental permission and the agreement of the Senior Watchkeeper present. If you have any doubts about a child’s age and/or the certainty of their parents’ permission – do not allow them access.

iii. The Senior Watchkeeper on duty shall have the final decision as to whether to allow any visitors into the Tower, without the need to give any reason/s. However, commonsense will govern many decisions including the need of visitors to be capable of climbing the ladder in safety; that ladder is certainly not suited to small children or infirm adults.

c. EMERGENCIES - You must have a keen awareness for your own safety and that of others in the Tower. Do not hesitate to take prompt action – your life might depend upon it. Please note that if ever there is any fire, accident or injury to any volunteer or Tower visitor, details are to be recorded in the Accident Book as soon as possible after the event.

d. INSURANCE – Volunteers in the Tower are covered by an insurance policy against death or injury whilst on duty (details have yet to be advised)

e. NCI Exmouth Declaration of Facilities

The station will carry out watches as follows:

· from the 2^nd weekend in October until the weekend of 30^th April (or the weekend nearest this date) two watches of three hours each from 1000 local time to 1600 local time Saturday and Sunday only

· from the weekend of the 30^th April (or the weekend nearest this date) until the Spring Bank Holiday weekend and from the 2^nd weekend in September until the 2^nd weekend in October two watches of four hours time from 1000 local to 1800 local time Saturday and Sunday only

· from the weekend of the Spring Bank Holiday until the 2^nd weekend in September two watches of four hours each from 1000 local time to 1800 local time every day of the week.

While on watch the watch keepers will carry out a visual watch to sea and on the visible shoreline using eyes, hand held and mounted binoculars.

While on watch the watch keepers will carry out a listening watch on marine VHF channels 0 and 16 with observation of channels 10, 67 and 69 as required.

All communications with the emergency services will be by telephone, landline in normal operation and mobile as a standby.

The station is equipped with a weather station giving Barometric pressure, wind speed and direction and outside temperature which can be made available to the emergency services.

The station will supply HMCG with an out of hours call out team list with names and telephone numbers.

Note :- The signed original of this document is with the Station Manager.

f. Additional Responsibilities

a. Within this section you will note that the NCI have agreed to cooperate with various authorities concerning any illegal (actual or suspected) operations that might be seen from our Tower. You will see that “Contact Details” have been given. Please remember that our primary concern is Safety of Life and we can only provide a watch on “smuggling” when our primary duties allow.

b. HM Immigration Service (Maritime Unit) per the attached, to keep an eye open for any “people smuggling”.

c. H.M.Customs & Excise – see Coastwatch 17 circular attached.

NATIONAL COASTWATCH INSTITUTION

HEALTH AND SAFETY

ACCIDENT, INCIDENT, HAZARD AND NEAR-MISS REPORT FORM

NCI EXMOUTH

Date

Name

Accident Book completed

(Ö) (X)

Reported to:-

Please note: The Reporter’s name section should be completed along with all other details and the form given to the station Health & Safety Officer. If the reporter wishes to remain anonymous, the H.S.O. should be informed of the request and act accordingly.

Details of Report:

Signature of Reporter:-

National Coastwatch Institution HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK ACT

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PERSONNEL, VISITORS & CONTRACTORS

1. INTRODUCTION

a). As a National Organisation, the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) has a responsibility for the safety of, and a duty to care to all its personnel and to all visitors to NCI stations.

b). NCI recognises, and will actively promote throughout the organisation the need for all personnel to take Health and Safety into account in all aspects of their work.

2. GENERAL POLICY

a). Each station shall appoint a Health & Safety Officer (HSO) who will be responsible to the Station Controller for ensuring this code is observed by all personnel, recommending new equipment as required. To ensure equipment is not out of date, providing H&S information to personnel and overseeing the Accident Record held for the station.

b). All personnel of the NCI are to familiarise themselves with this code of practice which seeks to identify the potential hazards encountered in the course of their duties. NOTE:- Any potential danger identified by any person, at any station, is to be reported immediately to the local HSO for rectification.

c). All persons must be aware of their own responsibilities, to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

d). Much depends upon the application of common sense during the course of daily duties. Safety can usually be assured by keeping a "weather eye" lifted for unexpected hazards. However, piers, quaysides, close proximity to cliffs in darkness and inclement weather, all present a potentially dangerous environment.

e). Senior personnel must bear in mind the need for new or inexperienced persons to be given early "on the job" safety training by an appropriately experienced officer.

f). If any person has any reason to doubt any aspect of his/her fitness for the duties rostered, she/he should seek advice from their GP and advise the Station Controller accordingly.

g). In the event of a fire, if any doubt exists about the wisdom of fighting it in the mind of the person at that time in charge of the station, an immediate and controlled evacuation of the premises is to be initiated following the emergency laid down emergency evacuation plan for that station. The fire service is to be summoned as soon as practicable and a muster and roll-call of all duty personnel and visitors undertaken.

3. SAFETY EQUIPMENT

a). All personnel must aquaint themselves fully with the correct use and location of all safety equipment also the emergency exits installed in their Station, to ensure a quick and concerted action in the event of an unexpected emergency. It is the responsibility of each and every person to ensure that he/she has located, read and assimilated the Emergency Evacuation Plan placed in each Station.

b). Any equipment found to be defective or missing is to be reported immediately to the HSO.

c). Foam or Water fire extinguishers must not be used on electrical fires.

d). Safety equipment must not be tampered or experimented with. Any necessary modifications are to be carried out by the manufacturers’ representatives only.

4. PERSONAL "DO'S" & "DO NOTS"

a). Do's

I). Do always have a regard to your own and others well being.

II). Do ensure the Radar is switched off prior to yourself or anybody else climbing onto the roof for whatever reason. The Radar is to remain off until the person aloft has reported back to the watch officer that he/she has completed the task in hand. Whilst personnel are situated on the roof or in the immediate vicinity of the scanner unit a large clear and concise notice should be hung on the radar screen "RADAR MUST NOT BE SWITCHED ON" until such time as the officer in charge is satisfied the area is clear of personnel.

III). Do wear a Safety Helmet and harness if undertaking any work aloft and on every occasion inform the watch officer prior to carrying out the action. Always ensure there is another person in the vicinity to keep a watchful eye.

IV). Do wear eye protectors if undertaking work where your eyes could be at risk.

V). Do ensure that all exits and access steps are unlocked and kept clear of clutter.

b). Do Nots

I). Do not take any risks.

II). Do not open up or tamper with electrical or electronic equipment if you are not qualified and authorised to do so.

III). Do not go out onto a balcony (where fitted) without suitable footwear and clothing, especially in inclement weather.

IV). Do not climb any ladder that has not been chocked and secured to a substantial structure.

V). Do not climb aloft with "points" or "sharps", i.e. Screwdrivers, chisels etc., in pockets of clothing. A far better practice is to put such items in a bucket and lift to the working area using ropes.

VI). Do not climb onto any roof or structure without suitable protection, or where you have reason to doubt the point loading capability of the structure.

5). EMERGENCY GENERATORS

a). In those stations fitted with emergency generators, the machinery is not to be run without belt guards in place.

b). Personnel must ensure they have no flapping or loose clothing i.e.: ties, when in the vicinity of the machinery.

c). Ear defenders are to be worn in the generator room when the engine is running.

d). Stout, non-slip footwear, which is impervious to oil and solvents should be worn.

e). Work on any electrical circuit by a qualified electrician shall not commence until the said circuit has been isolated.

5. REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS

a). All accidents shall be reported to both Central Office and Station Controller at the time of occurrence.

b). All accidents after reporting shall be recorded in both the Station Log Book, The Station Accident Book and on the Central Office Accident Report Form.

c). All personnel shall co-operate fully with any accident investigation instigated by Central Office, the Health and Safety Executive, or other local or statutory authority.

6. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

a). Where any person feels that they require, or are required by law to use, personal protective equipment to complete a job or to carry out their normal duties, they should request the appropriate item from their station HSO. The equipment required will be supplied, if necessary by NCI.

b). Where Personal Protective Equipment is provided, it is the responsibility of the person undertaking the task to use such equipment correctly. Training will be given when required.

Note:- The signed original of this document is with the Station Manager.

NCI Exmouth Declaration of Facilities