Health and Safety Policy

Bee Inspired Eco Education CIC (BIEE) is committed to keeping staff, volunteers and clients safe during the course of their interactions with us.

Purpose of this policy

  • prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health
  • manage health and safety risks for children, young people and adults participating in BIEE activities
  • provide clear instructions and information, and adequate training, to ensure staff and volunteers are competent to do their work
  • provide personal protective equipment where necessary
  • consult with staff/volunteers on matters affecting their health and safety
  • provide and maintain safe equipment
  • ensure safe handling and use of substances
  • maintain safe and healthy working conditions
  • implement emergency procedures, including evacuation in case of fire or other significant incident
  • review and revise this policy regularly

Responsibilities for health and safety

Overall BIEE responsibility

Kate Turner (Director) has the overall responsibility for health and safety and will be responsible for ensuring this policy is put into practice on a daily basis. She has passed the level 3 award in paediatric first aid.

To ensure health and safety standards are maintained/improved, the directors will regularly review any incidents and ensure that new staff and volunteers are trained in the latest policies and procedures.

Staff and volunteers

All employees should:

  • co-operate with supervisors and managers on health and safety matters
  • take reasonable care of their own health and safety
  • report all health and safety concerns to Kate Turner

Arrangements for health and safety

Risk assessment

A risk assessment should be carried out to identify potential hazards prior to any BIEE activity. This can include (but not limited to):

  • ensuring adequate adult to child supervision ratios in line with NSPCC guidance. These ratios should be risk assessed and tightened for safety reasons depending on the needs of the group and the activity
    • at least two adults should be present when working with children and young people, plus an adult to child supervision ratio of:
      • 1:6 for 4-8 year olds
      • 1:8 for 9-12 year olds
      • 1:10 for 13-18 year olds.
  • being aware of and ensuring full disclosure of any relevant allergies within the participating group (for example, allergy to bee stings, honey, latex)
  • ensuring the area around display equipment (especially the observation hive if present) is clear and free from obstructions and trip hazards
  • ensuring participants who are assisting in a hive inspection have adequate personal protective equipment and that the equipment is fit for purpose
  • minimising the risk of aggravating bees during bee inspections by ensuring all participants have undertaken training and are aware of expectations
  • ensuring adequate child to adult supervision ratios
  • being aware of and complying with the health and safety, safeguarding and child protection policies of the host venue/site (for example, the school or Scout group)

First aid

A trained first aider should always be present and should have an in-date and well stocked first aid kit to hand. If live bees are involved in the activity, the first aid kit should include cream to provide relief from insect stings plus an antihistamine allergy tablet (for example chlorphenamine such as Piriton).

Protocol in the event of a bee sting

When a bee stings, it leaves its stinger in the skin. The stinger has a venom sac attached to it. It takes a few minutes for all the venom to pass through the stinger into the skin, so removing the stinger quickly lowers the risk of a serious reaction. To remove the stinger and venom sac, the first aider will flick the venom sac upwards with one quick scrape of a fingernail or credit card. It is important to avoid squeezing the venom sac as this will inject more venom into the skin.

Bee stings are likely to cause a painful swelling at the sting site. This can usually be treated with an ice pack and by elevating the site above the heart. The acidity of the bee sting can be counteracted with a diluted mixture of sodium bicarbonate and water.

Medications should only be applied by a trained first aider and with the consent of the person requiring first aid. In the case of a child or young person, consent must be sought from their responsible adult.

Allergic reactions to insect stings are usually mild, causing pain and swelling at the sting sight. Occasionally, they can cause symptoms that affect the whole body which can sometimes lead to anaphylaxis. The first aider should be trained to be able to spot this and know what to do.

Anaphylaxis

The symptoms of a serious allergic reaction usually come on quickly, within minutes of being stung. Serious symptoms are often referred to as the ABC symptoms and can include:

  1. AIRWAY – swelling in the throat, tongue or upper airways (tightening of the throat, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing).
  2. BREATHING – sudden onset wheezing, breathing difficulty, noisy breathing.
  3. CIRCULATION – dizziness, feeling faint, sudden sleepiness, tiredness, confusion, pale clammy skin, loss of consciousness.

You might also have:

  • itching and swelling away from the site of the sting
  • severe abdominal (stomach) pain, vomiting or diarrhoea

For more information see the Anaphylaxis UK website.

BIEE does not carry an epi-pen to counteract anaphylaxis as they are prescribed medicines in the UK. This means they have to have been issued by a doctor for the use of the specific patient.

Staff training

Staff should receive relevant training and supervision to ensure health and safety issues are reviewed regularly.

Cleanliness

The environment, equipment, and craft materials should be kept clean. 

Food hygiene

Strict hygiene practices should be maintained when preparing and carrying out honey tasting sessions.

Anyone assisting in the collection and processing of honey should be trained on food hygiene practices. Kate Turner completed the level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering Course in October 2024

Equipment safety

Equipment should be safe, clean, and meet the necessary safety requirements.

Trained staff and volunteers must check personal protective equipment (for example bee suits) are fitted correctly before participants start an activity.

Safety checks

Regular safety checks should be made to assess the wear and tear of equipment. At the end of each session, equipment should be inspected as it is stored. Any issues need to be reported in a timely manner so replacements or repairs can be carried out. 

Accident procedure

Accidents should be recorded in the accident book. Details should include:

  • name and age
  • date and time
  • nature of accident
  • details of any injury sustained
  • details of any treatment given

If the accident occurred to a child or young person, details of the accident should be communicated at the earliest opportunity to their parent, guardian or responsible adult.

If the accident occurred in a school, community or youth group setting, a record of the incident should also be given to their first aid lead.

Evacuation procedure

If the activity is taking place on the site of a school, community or youth group setting, BIEE employees should be aware of, and follow their evacuation procedures in case of emergency.

Staff communication

All staff and volunteers will be instructed in health and safety procedures as part of their induction. Any issue that arises during the course of normal operations will be highlighted to staff for awareness and improvement reasons.

Public liability insurance

BIEE has public liability insurance to cover accidents and mishaps. 

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. This policy was last reviewed on: 1 November 2024, next review 1 November 2025   

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