1. General Statement of Policy
Cadence Training recognises its duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all individuals involved in its training courses, including students, teaching and support staff, and members of the public potentially affected by its activities.
We will take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure:
- The health, safety, and welfare of course participants and staff during classroom and field training.
- That activities are risk assessed and appropriately controlled.
- Safe systems of work are implemented and maintained.
- That individuals receive information, instruction, training, and supervision as necessary.
2. Responsibilities
We recognise that staying safe during our courses is not the responsibility of one person or one group of people, but that everyone involved has a degree of responsibility, whether they are a Course Director, Tutor, or Student.
Our Course Directors are committed to:
- Ensuring compliance with UK health and safety law and relevant codes of practice.
- Conducting suitable and sufficient risk assessments for the environments where training is delivered.
- Ensuring tutors and staff have adequate health and safety knowledge in order to fulfil their service provision.
- Maintaining up-to-date public liability insurance.
- Monitoring & regularly reviewing safety management systems and improving them as appropriate following reviews.
All our teaching staff (Tutors, Course Directors, or third-party staff) are expected to:
- Conduct dynamic risk assessments on the day and during training sessions.
- Deliver site-specific safety briefings before each tour, in-person lecture or activity.
- Monitor group behaviour to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
- Carry all appropriate emergency contact details during practical sessions.
We require all students to:
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.
- Follow all safety instructions and report hazards or incidents to Tutors and/or Course Directors.
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the training environment.
- Disclose any medical or access needs (in confidence) before course commencement.
3. Risk Management by Environment
A. Coach Tours
Key Risks: Boarding/alighting vehicles, moving traffic, vehicle safety, passenger conduct.
Control Measures:
- Risk assessments are conducted for coach journeys (by coach provider) and dynamic risk assessments provided for rest stops.
- Only reputable and properly licensed coach operators are used (with valid insurance and maintenance checks).
- Safety briefings are provided. These cover seatbelt use, emergency exits, and on-board behaviour.
- Supervised boarding/disembarking at safe locations.
- Students and staff must not distract the driver at any time during transit.
B. Walking Tours (Urban, Rural, Historic Sites)
Key Risks: Slips, trips, falls, weather exposure, road traffic.
Control Measures:
- Routes are pre-assessed to ensure avoidance of hazardous terrains or unsafe crossings.
- Dynamic assessments are conducted on the day by teaching staff, which also cover changing conditions.
- Group control is maintained by guides and/or teaching staff.
- Before engagement, teaching staff are required to demonstrate training/understanding of relevant emergency procedures.
C. Indoor Tours (Museums, Churches, Historic Buildings)
Key Risks: Congestion, fire safety, restricted access, trip hazards.
Control Measures:
- All staff and students are expected to comply with each venue’s health and safety requirements and protocols.
- All staff and students will be made aware of fire exits, evacuation procedures, and access restrictions at the start of each training session.
- Group sizes managed to avoid blocking exits or pathways.
- Respectful behaviour will be maintained (and monitored by teaching staff) in religious or sensitive venues.
4. Emergency Procedures
- All teaching staff will carry a mobile phone and emergency contact list.
- Students are briefed on what to do in an emergency (e.g., injury, getting lost).
- Teaching staff are required to know the locations of nearest hospitals or first aid posts.
- All incidents are reported and logged using a standard Incident Report Form.
- Emergency services are contacted immediately when required.
5. First Aid and Medical Needs
- Students are encouraged to share medical, or accessibility needs confidentially.
- Reasonable adjustments made in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
- Staff are expected to either know the location of (or quickly source) the nearest first aid kit during any training session.
6. Weather and Environmental Considerations
- Activities are rescheduled or modified in adverse conditions (e.g. dangerous storms, extreme heat).
- Trainees are advised in advance to bring weather-appropriate gear (waterproofs, sun protection, water, etc.).
- Environmental hazards (e.g., ice, flooding, UV exposure) are considered carefully before proceeding with any training session.
7. Safeguarding and Public Interaction
- Students and teaching staff must remain professional at all times when interacting with members of the public.
- Any safeguarding concerns must be reported to Lindsey Garwood (Welfare Officer) immediately.
- Respect for cultural, historical, and religious sites is to be maintained at all times.
8. Monitoring and Review
This policy will be:
- Brought to the attention of all staff and trainees at induction.
- Reviewed annually or following any incident or significant change in operations.
- Revised as necessary to maintain compliance with UK legislation and best practices.