Local Responsibility for the Management of the Safety Policy of the Association


All County, District and Group Executive Committees play two important roles. Firstly as Trustees to assume full legal responsibility for the Charity and secondly to provide support to the County Commissioner, District Commissioner or Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of his/her appointment.

As Charity Trustee you must:

• act together and not delegate control to others;
• act strictly in accordance with the Charity's governing document (Royal Charters, and POR);
• take proper professional advice on matters on which they are not competent.
• make sure buildings and equipment are maintained in good condition;
• consider the need for insurance.

The Trustees have a general duty of care and also responsibilities under Health and Safety Law. Where any organisation has at least one paid employee it is considered to be an 'employer' for the purposes of the HSW Act and the regulations made under it. Section 3 is of particular relevance as it applies to people other than employees and therefore includes volunteers and members of the public. Section 4 relates to non-domestic premises and is of particular relevance to Scouting.

HSE guidance states that the same heath and safety standards should be applied to voluntary workers as they would to employees exposed to the same risks.

Taking into account the above guidance, Trustee responsibilities, legislation, and the Association's Safety Policy POR now reflects the interdependency on Trustee and functional leadership responsibilities, has removed past ambiguity and created a coherent accountable structure in which a 'total safety culture' can be developed.


Responsibilities

Local responsibility for the management of the Safety Policy of the Association rests with the Chairman of the appropriate County, District or Group Executive Committee. (POR: Rule 2.3g)


The Safety Policy (POR: Chapter 2 - Key Policies)

It is the policy of The Scout Association to provide Scouting in a safe manner without risk to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. The Association believes that this responsibility ranks equally with the other responsibilities incumbent upon those providing Scouting activities and functions. It is the responsibility of all those involved in Scouting to seek, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that:

• all activities are conducted in a safe manner without risk to the health of participants;
• the provision and maintenance of equipment and buildings for Members and others is safe and without risk to health and adequate for their welfare;
• information, instruction, training and supervision is provided with the object of ensuring the health and safety of all those involved in Scouting activities or who may be affected by them;
• appropriate arrangements are made to ensure safety and the absence of risks to health in connection with the use, transport, storage and handling of equipment, and substances which are inherently or potentially dangerous.

Responsibilities within the Safety Policy (POR: Rule 2.3)

1. All persons involved with Scouting are responsible for the operation of the Association's Safety Policy.
2. It is the responsibility of all persons to ensure that:
   • they do not endanger the health and safety of themselves or others;
   • they observe the rules established for the safety of those involved in Scouting activities.
3. The District or County Commissioner, as appropriate, must be satisfied that all applicants for adult appointments are fully aware that they will be required by their personal example to implement the Association's Safety Policy.
4. Counties should designate one or more Safety Co-ordinators. They should have the responsibility of advising the County Commissioner and the County Executive Committee on the implementation of the Association's Safety Policy within the County and shall assist District Commissioners in operating the policy.
5. Group Scout Leaders must be satisfied that all those whom they invite to assist them in the work of the Scout Group are competent persons to carry out the tasks given to them and are aware of their responsibilities under the Association's Safety Policy.
6. When District or County Commissioners do not renew, or when they cancel warrants and appointments because the holder has not acted in accordance with the Association's Safety Policy, they must inform the Records Manager at Headquarters, in writing, of the reasons for the termination of the warrant or appointment.
7. Local responsibility for the management of the Safety Policy of the Association rests with the Chairman of the appropriate County, District or Group Executive Committee.

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Last updated: May 7th, 2012
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