NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

TABLE OF CONTENT

Content page
1.0 Introduction 3
Definition of Safety and Health 3
2.0 General Statement of Intent 4
3.0 Organising Section 5
Institute Manager 5
Management Staff 5
Department Heads 6
Employees 6
Learners 7
Health and Safety Officer 8
Contractors 9
4.0 Arrangement Section 9
5.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response Measures 13
6.0 Monitoring and Evaluation 13
7.0 Review of the Policy 14

2
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Workplace safety is very important for each and every employee in the industry because all workers
desire to work in a safe and protected environment. Health and safety is therefore the key factor for
all industries/Institutions in order to promote the wellness of both people and property. It is the belief
of management of Abetifi Vocational Training Institute that prevention of accidents and injuries of
staff, learners and visitors is paramount to the institute in its quest to promote human resource
development through skills training. Indeed, management deems it as its responsibility and moral
obligation to provide a safe and healthy environment for all manner of persons on its premises.

The need for the policy also stems from the Occupational Health and Safety Act established under the
Factories, Offices and Shops Act 1970, Act 328 and Labour Act 2003, Act 561, which require
employers, including institutions to develop and adopt an occupational health and safety policy. It is
against this background that the management of the institute has developed this policy for the
promotion of injury-free incidents on its premises.

This general policy, in respect of health and safety protection, sets out how the institute will manage
health and safety. It gives a general description of the institute’s safety management system and the
organizational arrangements. The main objectives of this policy are to: implement Health and Safety
programme in the institute, create awareness of workplace risks and preventive measures, create a culture
where students and staff see health and safety issue as a shared responsibility and to ensure standardization
in health and safety management in the institute.

1.2 Policy Definition

The Institute, AVOTRAIN, recognises health and safety policy as a written statement that spells out
the institute’s measures in place to address identified and anticipated risks associated with the
activities of all sections/units/departments in the school. The policy then shows the details of all the
health and safety elements to protect the life and health of employees learners and properties in the
institute as required by appropriate legislation and best industry practices.

3
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

2.0 General Statement of Intent.

Management of AVOTRAIN is firmly committed to this health and safety policy enabling all work
activities to be carried out safely, and with all possible measures taken to remove (or at least reduce)
risks to the health, safety and welfare of workers, learners, contractors, authorised visitors, and all
who may be affected by the institutes operations. We are committed to ensuring that all
departments/sections/units in the institute and all persons concerned comply with the Occupational
Health and Safety established under the Factories, Offices and Shops Act 1970, Act 328, and as
required by the Labour Law Act 2003, Act 561.

The institute will make a conscious effort and follow procedures for identifying workplace hazards
and reducing accidents and exposure to harmful situations and substances at all sections in the
institute. The institute will again take steps to train personnel in accident prevention, accident
responds, emergency preparedness, and use of protective clothing and equipment

The management welcomes feedback from staff or learners regarding any aspects of this document
and its implementation. Feedback in this regard should be directed to the Institute Manager.

The policy will be regularly reviewed in the light of regulation and Institute changes. Institute
Management Committee seeks cooperation from management, staff and trainees and all stakeholders
concerned in realizing our health and safety objectives in creating a safe environment. All staffs and
trainees will be advised in writing of the agreed changes and arrangement for the implementation.

Signed Date: 2nd August, 2019

Botcheoy Sampson (Mr)
(Manager, AVOTRAIN)

4
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

3.0 Organising Section

This section deals with operational duties of the Institute Manager, Management Staff, Department
Heads, Safety and Health Representative, Facilitators, All Employees, Learners, and Contractors of
AVOTRAIN in relation to health and safety pursuance at the institute.

Institute Manager

❖ Manager oversees all health and safety measures in the school

❖ Delegate responsibilities to the Vice Principal in his/her absence for safety issues
❖ Make budgetary allocation for health and safety matters
❖ Lead the review of the health and safety policy annually based on changes in legislation on health
and safety and technical advice given by the health and safety officer.
❖ Appoint some staff with designated safety roles such as health and safety officer, maintenance
officer in the institute;
❖ Investigate in collaboration with safety and health representative, all accidents to staff, learners in
the institute.
❖ Ensure compliance with health and safety issues associated with building projects;
❖ Ensure that reported incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences are dealt with
appropriately;
❖ To monitor incident trends to identify methods of reducing accidents among students, staff; etc.
❖ To ensure the proper records relating to accidents in the school are maintained;
❖ Prepare and submit quarterly report on health and safety management to the board;
❖ Ensure adherence to safety procedures by the staff and outside contractors under his/her control;
❖ Promote health and safety as considered as part of organizational culture;
❖ Institute appropriate sanction against a staff for deliberate disregard for health and safety matters
spelt out in the Safety Policy;
❖ Ensure regular premises safety inspections

5
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

Management Staff
Management Staff is responsible for providing and maintaining:
❖ a safe working environment
❖ safe systems of work
❖ provision of personal protective equipment for staffs
❖ plant, equipment and tools in safe condition
❖ facilities for the welfare of all staffs and trainees
❖ any information, instruction, training and supervision needed to make sure that all staffs and
trainees are safe from injury and risks to their health
❖ provides requisite resources for working
❖ ensures that staffs are adequately trained to perform their work safely
❖ ensures that staffs perform their work in a safe manner
❖ in cases of an accident the manager investigates and ensure the health and safety of the staff
and trainees. He further takes actions to prevent the recurrent of such accident.

Department Heads
Heads of Unit the Institute have the following safety management functions:
❖ To implement and keep under review this policy
❖ To delegate to appropriate staff specific duties relating to the implementation and monitoring
of this Health and Safety Policy and related Codes of Practice;
❖ To ensure that those staff with delegated safety responsibilities receive adequate training and
support to discharge their duties;
❖ They in conjunction with the Health and Safety Representative, ensure appropriate safety
training needs are identified and provided with records kept;
❖ To ensure that inspections take place and reports are followed up with actions completed;
❖ To ensure adequate allocation of resources in budget planning for safety management;
❖ To ensure periodic reporting through the Management Team to the Chief Executive Officer
on safety performance including accidents and incidents;
❖ To ensure the accident reporting and investigation procedures are duly followed;

6
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

❖ To seek advice from the Health and Safety Department in fulfilling these functions.

Employees
Employees are responsible for:
❖ ensuring their own personal health and safety, and that of trainees and others in the Institute
❖ complying with any reasonable directions (such as safe work procedures, wearing personal
protective equipment) given by management for health and safety
❖ staffs are responsible for maintaining law and order among the trainees with regards to safety
❖ the staffs must cooperate with manager on health and safety matters
❖ they must also perform their duties in accordance with training and instructions
❖ must inform the manager of any situation at the workshop that represent an immediate danger
so that appropriate action can be taken
❖ organize health and safety training for the trainees.

Health and Safety Officer

The co-ordination of health and safety management in the school is the responsibility of the Health
and Safety officer. The officer in particular, will:
❖ Prepare an annual report on safety matters to management;
❖ Embark on regular inspections and safety audits;
❖ Update management on matters requiring immediate attention, e.g. changes to legislation or
outcomes from premises safety inspections;
❖ Develop and organize orientation on health and safety programmes for all students and staff;
❖ Investigate and advise management on hazards and precautions;
❖ Develop and establish emergency procedures, and organize fire evacuation practices within
the center;
❖ Have oversight responsibility on health and first aid issues;
❖ Act as liaison officer between the school and outside bodies concerned with safety and health
such as fire, health and police services.

7
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

❖ Monitor and identify pattern of accidents so as to introduce appropriate methods of minimizing

the accidents.

Learners
Trainees must:
❖ ensure plants, tools and equipment are kept in order and at their appropriate places
❖ abide by the rules and regulations of safety in their various department
❖ ensure the working environment is clean before and after work
❖ read instructions and safety data before operating any machine at workplace
❖ report faulty machines, electrical problems and any other problems to the staffs
❖ appear in their correct personal protective equipment before work
❖ switch off all gadgets after work
❖ trainees must not willfully interfere with or misuse items of the institution provided in the
interest of health, safety and their welfare
❖ work in accordance with the agreed Institute’s procedures for accident and incident reporting.

Contractors
The Contractors shall:
❖ Take reasonable care to ensure the protection of their own health and safety on the institute’s
premises
❖ Abide by the health and safety policy of the Institute and follow every instruction including
emergency evacuation procedure
❖ Establish and enforce good housekeeping at their work site
❖ Ensure that work equipment brought on site are maintained and in safe working order
❖ Report any defective plant and structures to appropriate person
❖ Ensure that their employees are issued with suitable personal protective equipment and that
they are won at all times whilst carrying out their activity.

8
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

4.0 ARRANGEMENT SECTION

The institute is committed to ensuring the safety of our employees, learners and those who may
be affected by our work activities, and one of the ways of achieving this is through assessing the risks
associated with each of the trading units in the school.

GARMENT MAKING DEPARTMENT

The Fashion Department, like any other department, is characterized by several risks. This subsection
specifically deals with specific measures that are put in place to control the risks or the hazards in the
Fashion Department
Health and Safety Hazards
Risks Sources Effects Control measures
Poor ergonomic design Bodily pains Adjust tables to appropriate
heights
Stepping on sharp objects or Bodily cuts Avoid walking barefooted;
tools wear enclosed shoes
Prolonged sitting Waist and back pains Alternate sitting and standing;
frequent breaks
Faulty equipment be tagged as
Using faulty electric iron Electrical shocks unsafe for use and removed
from use.

Using metal tools with electric Deeper Structures of the flesh Be careful when using power
socket with possible charring of tissues and metal tools.

Poor lighting system Eye strain, fall etc Make sure the place is well lit

Lifting of heavy objective Waist pain Avoid lifting heavy objective

alone; use trolley if possible
Contact with chemicals Poisoning Wash hand after contact with
chemicals
Working on wet and slippery Fall Make the floor dry and clean
floor always
Swallowing of pins Suffocations, pricks in the throat Must not put pins in their month
when sewing
Injury Deformity, Wear the correct protective
equipment for the tools you are
using

9
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

Fire Safety Policy

The avoidance of fire requires the needed attention. Most fires are caused by carelessness and
ignorance. A high standard of fire consciousness will prevent this. It is the responsibility of all
personnel to become conversant with these instructions.

Upon the outbreak of fire, the saving and preservation of life takes precedence over the salvaging of
property. A member of staff’s first and overriding duty is of course to look after the trainees or persons
under their charge and this will mean the evacuation from the building. No attempt should be made
to fight fire until their safety is assured, and then without exposing any person to risk.

The Institute safety officer is to be informed of all fires, no matter how small. A fire is not considered
extinguished until such time as it has been inspected by the safety officer.

4.2 Fire Risk Assessments

The Fire Precautions Workplace Amendment Regulations 1999, ensures that employers are
responsible for ensuring appropriate fire precautions, which include:

• appropriate fire detection and fire-fighting equipment that is accessible and simple to use
• nominated employees to implement fire-fighting measures
• provision of adequate training and equipment for those appointed
• arrangements for any necessary contacts with external emergency services
• provision of adequate emergency escape facilities
In order to do this, management of AVOTRAIN will carry out risk assessments and revise them from
time to time. They would identify any person especially at risk in a case of fire, eg a person who is
deaf, blind or disabled etc.

An emergency plan to evacuate the premises would be created, provide means for calling the fire
service and allocate individuals who are responsible for supervising, controlling and putting into
effect the plan. Fire drills would be carried out in accordance with the emergency plan and
modifications made. It is important that any actions arising from the fire risk assessment form part of
the overall health and safety policy for the Institute to ensure that the management of all health and
safety risks are considered together.

10
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

The important thing which would be emphasized for checking fire safety is that any approach adopted
should be both practical and systematic to ensure that the whole of the workplace is examined,
including every classroom, workshops or area.

Strategy for Fire Prevention

Management strategy for fire prevention may be classified as follows:
• everyday management and vigilance by staff to ensure that potential hazards are kept under
control to prevent the occurrence of fire
• alarm, evacuation and emergency action backed up by notices, drills and practice to ensure
that correct action is taken in the event of an outbreak of fire
• A strategy should also include:
• preventive measures to be taken in the event of fire outbreaks:
• training of staff, including any specially delegated function
• display of appropriate fire instruction notices
• control of risks associated with activities or processes that may cause or adversely affect any
outbreak of fire, e.g. storage, gas, electricity, contractors on site, vandalism, etc.
• check on existing structural precautions, and seek further advice where there are deficiencies
• monitor the effectiveness of precautions, e.g. analysis of evacuation drills, annual review by
checklist

Issue of General Fire Notice

The issue of general fire notices to staff and trainees will take place during induction. It is imperative
that this document is issued and explained in detail to an employee in the same way as details of pay,
work hours and holidays would be explained. This requirement applies to all staff.

Staff Training
The fire/safety officer is responsible for ensuring that all staff in the premises are trained in accordance
with the requirements of the Institute. Every member of staff will receive instruction in fire
precautions during induction.

11
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

After the initial instruction, all members of staff will receive verbal instruction as and when necessary.
The Institute’s fire/safety officer will arrange fire training.

Control of Risks: Training of Staff and Instruction of Trainees

• The training of all persons forms an essential part of the Institute’s fire precautions. The aim
should be to ensure that all staff receive training in a basic appreciation of the risk of fire and the
action to be taken in the event of fire, including instruction appropriate to their responsibilities in
an emergency.
• Instruction and training for all will include the following points:
✓ action to be taken upon discovering fire
✓ action to be taken on hearing the fire alarm
✓ method of raising the alarm, including location of call points, use of internal telephone
system and location of external telephone
✓ correct method of calling the fire service
✓ location and use of fire-fighting equipment
✓ knowledge of escape routes
✓ evacuation method for the building, location of assembly point and method of accounting
for persons
✓ stopping machinery, activities and isolating power and fuel supplies where appropriate
✓ appreciation of the importance of fire doors, the need to close all doors and windows at
the time of fire outbreak or on hearing the alarm

Fire Drills
Fire drills will be carried out at least once every term. The exercise will include a simulated evacuation
drill with the assumption that one escape route is not available. Each exercise will be started by a
predetermined signal, such as activating the fire alarm and the whole premises will be checked as if
an emergency has arisen. This fire drill can be combined with the instruction given to staff. When a
fire drill is held, it will be recorded in the staff training record book, held by the Ghana Fire Service.
All staff must participate in at least two drills per year.

12
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

Fire Instruction Notices

Printed notices should be conspicuously displayed at all fire points stating concisely what staff and
others should do if a fire is discovered or if they hear the alarm. The notices should be permanently
fixed in position and suitably protected to prevent loss or defacement.

5.0 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE MEASURES

The institute has made provision for emergency evacuation and response procedures in place to ensure
that potential life-threatening events are handled with maximum efficiency in order to protect people’s
lives. It is important that parties are aware of their responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
AVOTRAIN shall discuss this emergency procedures with all parties and involve them in emergency
evacuation drills when they are scheduled to occur. Some general guidelines are:

❖ The management, staff, learners and visitors who will be in the building or on the premises of the
school at the time of an emergency are to evacuate through the approved routes as depicted in the
evacuation/exit signs in case of an emergency and assemble at the designated emergency assembly
point to be counted or “roll-called”.
❖ The Emergency Assembly Point shall be at the forecourt of the institute.
❖ At the Emergency Assembly Point, the health and safety officer and designated health and safety
representatives from all the departments/units representatives shall lead the roll-call exercise.
❖ Departmental/Unit Health and Safety Reps or ordinary Reps shall write down names of their
members and the time they reported at the Emergency Assembly Point. This list shall be forwarded
to the head of the Managerial Health and Safety Team for further decisions and directions.

6.0 MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REVIEW OF THE POLICY

The monitoring and evaluation of safety procedures and compliance with safety standards is everyday
responsibility of all staffs, learners and other persons concerned. However, Management Team and
Unit/Department Heads hold a higher duty of responsibility to monitor and ensure compliance.

The Institute’s Manager, Management Team, Unit Heads, learners and all workers concerned will
implement suitable and sufficient internal safety inspections, the frequency and detail of such

13
 NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITTUE

ABETIFI VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

“AVOTRAIN - LEAD! OTHERS FOLLOW”

activities must commensurate with the size of the level of risk and nature of the hazards within each
location.

Additional monitoring activities will occur during accident investigations, complaints and feedback
during team meetings.

The Health and Safety Department provides training, where necessary, for staff undertaking safety
inspection and audit

7.0 REVIEW OF THE POLICY

All sections of this policy, will be subjected to regular reviews in the light of regulation and Institute
changes as appropriate in order to improve its efficiency. This will include consideration of
procedures which will assist in remedying any issue of health and safety underestimated in the
Institute.

14
15