Health and Safety Policy Statement

I, Dr Dave Wood, as the sole proprietor of Metanoeo, am committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of myself, my clients, trainees, and any other persons who may be affected by my business activities.

As a life coach and coach trainer, my business activities are primarily low-risk, involving administrative work, one-to-one coaching, and training sessions, often conducted online (virtually) or in rented, established facilities.

I will take all reasonable steps to:

Comply with the relevant provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated regulations.
Manage and control the risks associated with my work.
Provide and maintain a safe working environment.
Review and update this policy as necessary.

Organisation and Responsibilities

As a sole trader, I retain ultimate responsibility for health and safety within the business.

Responsibilities include:

Ensuring this policy is implemented and reviewed.
Conducting risk assessments for all significant business activities.
Ensuring any space used for coaching or training (whether home office, rented meeting room, or client/trainee location) is safe and suitable.
Maintaining appropriate Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance.
Ensuring adequate provision for First Aid and Emergency Procedures relevant to the location of work.

Arrangements for Health and Safety

Risk Assessment

I will undertake regular risk assessments for the primary areas of business activity, which include:

Virtual/Online Sessions: Assessing the safety of the working environment (e.g., home office/desk setup) to prevent Display Screen Equipment (DSE) related injuries (like back or eye strain).
Administrative Tasks: Reviewing fire safety, electrical safety (PAT testing where necessary for personal equipment), and trip hazards.
In-Person Sessions (if applicable): Before using any rented space (e.g., meeting room, training venue), I will check that the venue's management has confirmed appropriate fire, security, and emergency procedures are in place.

Working Environment and Equipment

Home/Office: I will maintain a clean, well-lit, and hazard-free environment. Equipment (e.g., laptop, monitor, chair) will be adjusted for ergonomic comfort.
Rented Venues: I will rely on the venue's health and safety procedures for their building (e.g., fire exits, accessible facilities) but will ensure that the specific room I use is clear of hazards before clients/trainees arrive.

Working Alone and Security

Given the nature of the work, sessions may be conducted alone, either virtually or in person.

Virtual Safety: I will use secure, encrypted communication platforms and will not share personal contact details unnecessarily.
In-Person Security: If meeting clients or trainees in person, I will ensure the location is public or professional (e.g., a reputable business centre) and will inform a trusted contact of the time and location of the meeting.

Accident and Incident Reporting

Although the risk is low, I will maintain a simple record of any accidents, near misses, or incidents. This includes:

Date and time of the incident.
Details of the injured person (self, client, or trainee).
Nature and cause of the injury/incident.
Actions taken to prevent recurrence.

Psychological Health and Well-being

Given the emotionally charged nature of coaching and training, I commit to:

Managing my own workload and stress to maintain my well-being (Duty of Care to myself).
Maintaining professional boundaries and referring clients to appropriate specialist services (e.g., counselling, medical professionals) when issues fall outside the scope of life coaching.

Review and Training

This policy will be reviewed at least annually or whenever there is a significant change in business operations, location, or equipment.

I will ensure that I am aware of current UK health and safety guidelines relevant to my work, primarily concerning DSE/office safety and lone working.