1. The People’s Comedy (TPC) fully accepts the      obligations placed upon it by the various Acts of Parliament covering      health and safety. TPC will revise the following policy annually, implement      any changes necessary and evaluate its effectiveness.

1. The purpose of the policy is to establish general      standards for health, safety and wellbeing at TPC nights and to distribute      responsibility for their achievement to all those who work on its behalf.

1. The organisers of TPC has overall responsibility for the      implementation of this policy. In particular, they are responsible for      ensuring that the policy is widely communicated and that its effectiveness      is monitored.

1. Volunteers and anybody working under TPC are wholly      accountable to the TPC lead organisers for the implementation and      monitoring of the policy within the area of their specified      responsibility.

The People’s Comedy believes that consideration of the health, safety and welfare of both acts and audience members is an integral part of the management process. The provision of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. associated Codes of Practice and other relevant Directives will be adopted as required standards within the TPC. 

1. TPC requires its lead organisers to approach health and      safety in a systematic way, by identifying hazards and problems, planning      improvements, taking executive action and monitoring results so that the      majority of health and safety needs will be met from locally held budgets      as part of day-to-day management, although many health and safety problems      can be rectified at little additional cost.

1. It shall be the responsibility of the lead organisers of      TPC to bring to the attention of all members of his, her or those working      under TPC banner, the provisions of the guidelines, and to consult with      appropriate Health and Safety Representatives about the updating of these      guidelines. 
2. No prejudice or discrimination is permitted against any      individual in attendance at a TPC night, including on the grounds      involving any of the following protective characteristics:

age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Anybody working for TPC must conduct themselves in a professional capacity, ensuring that nobody’s rights are put at risk and those in attendance are safe.

1. It is the policy of The People’s Comedy to require a thorough      examination of health and safety performance against established standards      in each department, at least annually.      The technique to be adopted for such examinations will be the 'Safety      Audit'. The Audit requires review of:

· standards laid down in the policy;

· departmental guidelines;

· relevant regulations;

· environmental factors;

· staff/volunteer attitudes;

· staff/volunteer instructions;

· methods of work;

· contingency plans;

· recording and provision of information about accidents and hazards and the assessment of risk.

1. The information obtained by the Audit will be used to form      the basis of the plan for the department for the following year. 

The responsibility for ensuring that audit activity is carried out as part of this policy rests with TPC’s lead organisers and will be carried out by the health and safety representative at the venue in question.

1. It is TPC main organisers’ responsibility to ensure that      any deficiencies highlighted in the Audit are dealt with as speedily as      possible.
2. In addition to carrying out Safety Audits, it is the      responsibility of the lead organisers to have checked, at least quarterly,      all portable equipment, including electrical appliances, in their area,      and to ensure that all problems are immediately dealt with.
3. The lead organisers have a continual responsibility for      the elimination of hazards in order to maintain a safe working environment      and will also be expected to carry out regular risk assessments in line with the Health and Safety Executive      Guidelines; that is follow the 5 steps:

1. Identify the hazards

2. Decide who might be harmed and how

3. Evaluate the Risks and decide on precautions

4. Record the findings and implement the precautions

5. Review the assessment and update when necessary

The People’s Comedy will support Safety Representatives in carrying out their role and give all reasonable assistance. 

1. TPC will operate systems for recording, analysis and      presentation of information about accidents, hazard situations and      untoward occurrences. Advice on systems will be provided by the lead      organisers, in conjunction, where appropriate with specialist advisory      bodies for example local Environmental Health Departments, and the      responsibility for the operation of these systems rests with the lead organisers      and anybody working under TPC’s banner. 

1. The Health and Safety at Work Act requires each employee      'to take reasonable care for the Health and Safety of himself and of other      persons who may be affected by their acts and omissions' and co-operate      with management to enable management to carry out their responsibilities      under the Act. Employees have equal responsibility with the TPC for Health      and Safety at Work. For this policy’s purposes, employees refers to acts. 
2. The refusal of any act to meet their obligations will be      regarded as a matter to be dealt with under the Disciplinary Procedure. In      normal circumstances counselling of the act should be sufficient. With a      continuing problem, or where an act leaves themself or other employees      open to risk or injury, it may be necessary to implement the formal stages      of the Disciplinary Procedure.

1. Persons working in The People’s Comedy premises who are employed by      other organisations are expected to follow TPC’s Health and Safety      Policies with regard to the safety of TPC’s acts, their own personal      safety (and that of other parties such as the general public if      appropriate) and their method of work. This responsibility will be      included in contracts or working arrangements. 

1. TPC wishes to ensure that as far as is reasonably      practicable, the Health, Safety and Welfare of visitors to TPC      establishments will be of the highest standard.
2. Anybody working under TPC who notices persons acting in a      way which would endanger others, should normally inform TPC lead      organisers. If the danger is immediate, common sense must be used to give      warning, call for assistance or give aid as necessary. It is equally      important not to over-react to a situation.