Health and Safety Policy

GENERAL STATEMENT

1. Caroline Boseley Studio Ltd (trading as Studio West) (Studio West, us, we) is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all staff, volunteers, interns, freelancers, partners, visitors and members of the public. 

2. It is the policy of Studio West to do all that is necessary to comply with our legal obligations to protect the health and safety of all the employees whilst at work and also that of members of the public or any contractors.

3. In particular, Studio West has the responsibility as far as is reasonably practicable to:

1. establish and maintain clear written standards and procedures to control the risk to health and safety and to ensure that these are adhered to;

2. ensure that all Studio West employees and contractor employees are competent; 

3. ensure that each employee will be given such information, supervision, instruction and training as is necessary to enable them to perform their tasks safely;

4. maintain an effective system of consultation with Studio West employees and their representatives to enable issues of health and safety to be resolved;

5. ensure the provision and maintenance of a safe place of work and safe access to and exits from that place of work;

6. ensure compliance with all relevant statutory requirements for health, safety and welfare;

7. ensure the keeping of detailed records on all health and safety matters; and

8. ensure that emergency plans are in place (to include evacuation procedures) and that communication of such plans is made to all staff who may be affected.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISITOR HEALTH AND SAFETY

1. Studio West complies with all health and safety and fire safety legislation and relevant local authority and licensing regulations.

2. Studio West maintains high standards of public safety and carry out regular reviews of our risk assessments.

3. Where there is an identified hazard and for public areas where we are introducing elements, such as new exhibitions or displays, these are recorded and can be made available for inspection by appropriate authorities.

4. All visitors are required to comply with the relevant safety procedures, legislation and codes of practice.

5. Any exhibits or materials displayed must be stable and adequately secured to prevent them falling or posing a risk to others in the vicinity.

6. When planning a visit to the Studio West gallery, groups are advised to ensure that a competent person carries out a risk assessment relevant to their particular group’s needs. The gallery cannot assume a specific duty of care for your group.

7. Studio West [is not required to maintain] public liability insurance.]/maintains the following public liability insurance: [x]].

8. [CCTV is in operation throughout the gallery and is monitored by trained staff. Studio West is registered with the ICO in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.]

SAFETY 

9. Studio West believes that everyone has the right to live free from abuse of any kind and is responsible for keeping staff and visitors of the gallery safe. 

10. Studio West does not welcome any behaviour that is offensive to the individual receiving it. Such unwelcomed behaviours could include any of the following:

1. threats or other aggressive behaviour, including swearing, verbal abuse, personal comments, insults, racist, homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, xenophobic or sexist remarks or behaviour and bullying or intimidation; 

2. unwanted touching/physical contact; and

3. persistent or vexatious enquiries or contacts via social media.

11. Anyone exhibiting these behaviours will be asked to stop, or to leave, or if necessary we will call the police.

12. The following items are not allowed in the gallery: 

1. alcohol (unless served on the gallery premises); 

2. clothing with offensive signage or logos;

3. animals, with exception of Assistance Dogs;

4. potentially dangerous items such as fireworks or knives.

13. Studio West staff will sometimes conduct bag searches on arrival. The searches look for restricted items and any other materials that might be considered a risk to our collection, or to the health and safety and enjoyment of our visitors.

14. Please look after your personal property while at the gallery. Any property left unattended may be removed from the gallery. If you lose any item during your visit, please speak to a member of staff.

PHOTOGRAPHY

15. You can take photos in the gallery unless it is stated otherwise. Photography must be for personal, non-commercial use only.

16. Non-private or commercial use of cameras/recording devices, and the use of tripods or lighting, is only allowed by prior arrangement.

17. The use of selfie sticks is not permitted.

18. It is your responsibility to ensure copyright and other laws are not infringed.

19. If using a camera, please be considerate of other visitors. Please only photograph or film people with their consent.

20. We will always let visitors know if filming or photography is taking place in the gallery during their visit.

COVID-19 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

1. As an employer and institution which is open to the public, Studio West is required to meet certain obligations to ensure the health and safety of its employees and visitors. We are aware of the specific guidance in this area, including that issued by the government in the context of reopening of tourism and visitor attractions. This document sets out the key steps we have taken to comply with our obligations, and is made available on our website in accordance with the relevant guidance.

2. We ask that all visitors abide by the following guidance:

1. please do not come to the gallery if you or someone you live with is ill or displaying any COVID-19 symptoms;

2. please wear a mask when in the gallery. This is government guidelines.

3. No measures we implement can, at this time, completely eliminate the risk of transmission of Covid-19. We will follow government guidance, but will not hesitate to put in additional measures where we consider these better protect the health, safety and welfare of our staff, as well as the visiting public. We will also want to monitor how effective risk mitigation measures are in practice, and whether these need to change. We will therefore review and update this document regularly.