usvmarix.com

Environment, Health & Safety

USV MARIX — Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Policy

1) Policy statement

USV MARIX is committed to preventing injury and ill‑health, protecting the environment, and complying with all applicable legal and other requirements. We will provide safe and healthy workplaces; prevent pollution; and continually improve our management systems and performance.

  • Zero harm — We aim for zero injuries, occupational illness, and significant environmental incidents.
  • Compliance — We comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations, and with UK environmental law.
  • Improvement — We set measurable objectives and targets and review progress quarterly.
  • Consultation — We consult workers and safety reps on EHS matters.

Signed: [Managing Director] · Date: [insert date] · Next review:

2) Scope

This Policy applies to UK workplaces, field trials, marine test sites, and remote operations, including contractors and visitors under our control.

3) Roles & responsibilities

  • Directors/MD: Provide leadership, resources, and oversight; approve EHS objectives.
  • EHS Lead/Competent Person: Maintain the EHS management system; advise on compliance; carry out audits.
  • Managers/Supervisors: Implement risk controls; conduct briefings and toolbox talks; ensure training and PPE.
  • All workers: Work safely; follow procedures; report hazards, near misses, and incidents immediately.
  • Contractors/Visitors: Comply with site rules and inductions; provide RAMS and competence evidence.

5) Risk management

  • We maintain suitable and sufficient risk assessments (RA) and method statements (MS) for all activities.
  • Hierarchy of controls: eliminate → substitute → engineer → administrate → PPE.
  • Change management: assess risks before new equipment, processes, or locations.
  • Permits to work where required (e.g., hot work, confined spaces, live testing).

6) Competence, training & communication

  • Induction for all workers and contractors; role‑specific training and authorisations.
  • Marine/field operators require documented competence and, where applicable, qualifications and medical fitness.
  • Toolbox talks before higher‑risk tasks; safety alerts communicated promptly.
  • Records retained for statutory periods.

7) Operational controls

  • Housekeeping & access: Keep areas tidy; maintain clear egress; control of visitors and keys.
  • Machinery (PUWER/LOLER): Selection, guarding, inspection, maintenance, and statutory thorough examinations.
  • COSHH & hazardous substances: Inventory, SDS, exposure controls, LEV where needed, storage/segregation, spill kits, waste disposal.
  • Electrical safety: Fixed installation maintenance; PAT for portable equipment; lock‑out/tag‑out.
  • Manual handling & ergonomics: Avoid heavy lifts; use aids; train safe technique; DSE assessments for display screen users.
  • Lone/remote working: Risk assessment, check‑in/out protocols, emergency comms.
  • Fatigue & wellbeing: Manage hours/rotations; access to welfare facilities; support for mental health.
  • Substances & alcohol: Strictly prohibited during work; testing may be conducted for safety‑critical roles where lawful.

8) Marine operations addendum

  • Operations planned with RA/MS, mission plans, geo‑fencing, fail‑safes, and recovery contingencies.
  • Maintain watch‑keeping and deconfliction; comply with COLREGs and local Notices to Mariners.
  • Use AIS, lights/shapes, and sound signals as required; establish safety zones for tests.
  • Emergency stop/remote takeover tested before launch; drills for loss of comms, power, GNSS, or control.
  • Spill prevention and response: secondary containment for fuels/oils; spill kits on site; report to authorities as required.

9) Environmental management

  • Comply with permits and duty of care for waste; segregate and label waste; use licensed carriers.
  • Prevent pollution: store chemicals with bunding; inspect regularly; maintain spill response plans.
  • Resource efficiency: set objectives for energy, water, materials; preference for low‑impact options.
  • Noise & emissions: assess impacts; implement controls and community notices where relevant.
  • Wildlife & habitats: plan activities to avoid harm; follow seasonal restrictions and local guidance.

10) Emergency preparedness & response

  • Emergency plans for fire, medical, spill, environmental release, and maritime incidents.
  • First aid: appointed persons/first aiders; stocked kits; AED where feasible; arrangements displayed on site.
  • Drills conducted at planned intervals; learnings recorded and actions tracked.
  • Business continuity: backup power/comms for critical tests; data backups for mission logs.

11) Incident, near‑miss & RIDDOR reporting

  • Report all incidents, injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions immediately to your manager/EHS Lead.
  • We investigate events to learn and improve; we do not assign blame for good‑faith reporting.
  • RIDDOR‑reportable events will be notified to the HSE within statutory time limits; records retained per law.

12) Contractors & visitors

  • Pre‑qualification and competence checks; exchange of RAMS; site induction prior to work.
  • Supervision proportional to risk; permit systems as required.
  • Contractors must provide their own PPE unless otherwise agreed.

13) Consultation & worker engagement

  • We consult employees and safety representatives on EHS matters and changes affecting health and safety.
  • Feedback channels: toolbox talks, safety committees, hazard reporting line (info@usvmarix.com).

Stop‑work authority: Any person may stop work they believe to be unsafe or environmentally harmful — without fear of reprisal.

14) Monitoring, measurement & audit

  • We track leading and lagging indicators (inspections, training, near misses, incidents).
  • Internal audits and management reviews at planned intervals; actions tracked to closure.
  • Corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) logged and verified.

Document control

  • Owner: EHS Lead
  • Approved by: Managing Director
  • Version: 1.0 ()
  • Next review:

Publisher’s checklist (remove before publishing):

  • Insert names for MD/EHS Lead and sign/date the policy statement.
  • Attach local emergency plan, site rules, and RA/MS templates; display first‑aiders and fire marshal lists.
  • Confirm contractor pre‑qualification criteria and permit‑to‑work triggers.
  • Set specific environmental and safety objectives/targets for the year (e.g., training completion %, waste reduction %).

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