Freegle Health and Safety Policy
Overview
The Board has overall responsibility for health and safety in our organisation, and for making sure it meets all its legal responsibilities. The Board recognises that the way we operate falls outside the usual procedures and policy approaches used by other organisations.
Freegle is an online organisation with no employees. Although the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 ("HASAWA") doesn't require us to have a health and safety policy, that doesn't mean we don't take the issue seriously for our volunteers.
The Board can choose to delegate aspects of the work involved in health and safety implementation.
Online Volunteering
The Board wants our online volunteering to be safe, and will do what it can to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all volunteers, making sure risks are minimised.
Volunteer Responsibilities
All Freegle volunteers are made aware of the safety risks involved in their online volunteering. While doing online work for Freegle, they are responsible for looking after themselves, and should contact the Board if they have any concerns or problems. See Safe Home Working.
Other Volunteering
Occasionally volunteers arrange events, attend meetings, or take part in other activities offline in Freegle's name. Insurance is available for volunteers for some activities, and there is some guidance on safety issues at Events.
Contractors
Although Freegle has no employees, some work is contracted out. The Contract for Services issued to contractors sets out the health and safety responsibilities.
Resolving Health and Safety Problems
Any volunteer with a health and safety concern should refer the matter to the Board by email. The matter will be entered on the agenda for the next Board meeting.
This policy was approved for adoption by the Board on 24th January 2022.
