Operational partnerships - Working in hazardous areas (O29)

1. Summary of changes

1.1 This standard operating procedure (SOP) has been reviewed in July 2024 – no amendments to content have been made.

2. What this policy is about

2.1 This policy will explain how Kent Police will comply with health and safety legislation in respect of workplace activity involving working at height, protestor removal, near water and in confined spaces.

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3. Statement of policy

3.1. In order to protect the public from serious harm, whilst policing within the legal framework of health and safety legislation, Kent Police will protect employees from the risks involved in workplace activity in hazardous areas including working at height, protestor removal, near water and in confined spaces.

3.2. This policy defines what Kent Police consider hazardous areas in the above policing environments.

3.3. It establishes the capability necessary to operate safely in those hazardous areas should it be necessary.

4. Implications of the policy

4.1. Finance/staffing/training/other

4.1.1. Financial implications relate to the issue and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other equipment necessary to carry out the different policing roles.

4.1.2. Initial and refresher training will be conducted in accordance with legislation, HSE guidance. 

4.1.3. The linked standard operating procedure (SOP) defines the levels of training appropriate to the risks involved with specific job roles.

4.2. Risk assessment

4.2.1. This policy and SOP have been assessed as high risk.

4.3. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.3.1. An EIA has been done and shows that this procedure would have no potential or actual differential impact on grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, trans-gender, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

4.3.2. There would be an impact on physical disability. Specifically, this relates to the requirement for officers to use safety equipment during operations and to complete realistic training, all of which require an individual to have a high degree of mobility and a reasonable degree of physical strength. There are no reasonable adjustments that can be made to this requirement.

5. Consultation

• Health and Safety at Work Focus Group
• Human Resources
• Finance
• Estates
• IT Security
• Health and Safety
• Equality and Diversity
• Legal
• Freedom of Information

6. Monitoring and review

6.1. This policy will be reviewed annually by the author, with any changes being approved by the policy owner, to ensure that it remains accurate and continues to comply with legislation and national guidance. 

6.2. The next scheduled review is July 2025.

7. Other source documents

None listed.

8. Security

8.1 Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy and in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations 2016/679.

9. Retention and disposal of records

9.1 Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.