Health & Safety – My Life Charity

Health & Safety

We want to do everything possible to support you to maintain your tenancy in a Life House and use this opportunity to build a life in which you are safe, happy and can thrive.

Health & Safety checks

Life is required to facilitate health and safety checks on properties to ensure compliance with national legislation. This guidance details the various health and safety checks conducted to meet regulations and provide safe living conditions for everyone

Compliance checks

Compliance checks in housing ensure that properties meet various legal and safety standards. These checks are crucial for maintaining the health and safety of residents, staff, and visitors.

Here are some key areas covered in our housing compliance checks:

Gas Safety: Annual checks for gas appliances and fittings, ensuring they are safe and providing tenants with a gas safety certificate.
Electrical Safety: Conducting Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) every five years to ensure wiring and systems are safe
Fire Safety: checking smoke alarms and fire extinguishers on every floor, carbon monoxide detectors, and maintaining fire escapes
Water Hygiene (Legionella): Ensuring water systems are free from contaminants and regularly inspected, conducted annually
Asbestos Management: Identifying and managing asbestos-containing materials to prevent exposure
EPC: energy performance certificates are completed every 10 years
PAT testing: checking all Life electrical items are safe yearly

Landlord site visits

Life leases properties from the local council or housing associations. Typically, an annual site visit is conducted to ensure the property is well-maintained. These visits also provide an opportunity to address any maintenance issues, allowing Life to collaborate with the council or housing association to resolve them. Access to bedrooms is usually required during these visits, but prior notice is always given to everyone.

House and bedroom audits

House and bedroom audits are essential for ensuring the safety, functionality, and overall condition of a property. These checks are completed monthly by either the Area Services Coordinator, the Area Services Manager or another team member. Dates of the audits are always provided to clients and 24 hours notice is provided beforehand.

These are some key aspects typically covered during these audits:

Waste Management: Ensuring that bins are emptied regularly and that waste is properly disposed of
Pest Control: Checking for signs of pests and taking appropriate measures if any are found
General Cleanliness: Ensuring that floors, walls, and other surfaces are clean and free of debris.
Signage: Making sure that all necessary signs (e.g., fire exits, floor numbers) are visible and in good condition
Facilities: Checking that communal facilities like laundry rooms, kitchen, lounge and gardens are well-maintained and safe to use
Fire Safety: Ensuring that fire exits are clear, fire alarms and extinguishers are in place and functional, and that there are no flammable materials in the area
Lighting: Checking that all lights are working properly and that emergency lighting is functional
Electrical Safety: Inspecting electrical outlets, switches, and any communal appliances for safety and functionality
Structural Integrity: Examining walls, ceilings, floors, and staircases for any signs of damage or wear

Actions following an audit

Everyone will be updated during the audit if any actions are identified within their bedroom or communal area. If you are not present during the audit a calling card will be left in the bedroom which will highlight any areas for attention by Life or by the client

Following an audit the Area Services Coordinator will follow up any actions found and ensure that they are rectified as soon as possible. Everyone will be kept updated with any repair actions including any dates and times of repairs.

Additional room checks

There may be instances where additional support is identified to help clients maintain their tenancy and ensure a safe environment for themselves and their children. In such cases, Support Workers will conduct weekly room checks to identify any concerns/actions in the bedroom. They will provide support through tailored support plans or Maintaining Accommodation Plan (MAP) meetings. These weekly checks are completed in conjunction with the client and are a supportive measure within their housing journey. These weekly room checks will be documented using the bedroom audit form, and a copy will be saved on file.

Where properties have self-contained flats weekly room H&S checks will be completed to ensure they are safe and being well maintained.

If there are Health & Safety concerns, we may have to gain access without notice in order to protect your wellbeing.

Guidance on damp and mould

Damp and mould in the home can be a hazard. Making sure your home is free of mould and damp is not only important for your health, but it is also your responsibility.

Types of Dampness

There are four main types of dampness that could affect your home.

Rising damp: This is caused by water from the ground rising into the home by penetrating or bypassing a defective damp proof course.

Penetrating damp: This type of dampness will only occur on external walls. It will only appear because of a defect outside the home, such as leaking eaves, gutters or down pipes which permits water to pass from the outside to the inside.

Defective plumbing: Leaks from water and waste pipes, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, are relatively common. They can affect both internal and external walls and ceilings. The area looks and feels damp to the touch and remains damp whatever the weather conditions outside.
Condensation: This is by far the most common cause of dampness. Condensation is caused by water moisture from inside the home encountering a colder surface, such as a window or wall. The water drops (or condensation) may then soak into the wallpaper or paintwork or even plasterwork and attract black mould to grow on its surface.

What can you do to help prevent damp, mould, and condensation in your home

Air your property regularly – Open windows regularly just for short spells to make sure your property is well-ventilated. Even when it’s cold, moisture can gather in the home.
Keep doors closed – Keep bathroom or kitchen doors closed when having a shower or bath, or when cooking. This will prevent moisture from spreading to other parts of the property.
Wipe away condensation – Cleaning the condensation from windows and frames every day will minimise the spread of black mould. Use a rag or towel to wipe away condensation.
Turn your heating on – Running your heating can avoid cold spots, dry out damp, and reduce your chances of getting mould.
Dry clothes in a ventilated room – Don’t dry clothes on radiators. The vapour turns into moisture in the air and is then circulated around the rooms. Instead, dry clothes on a clothes airer in a well-ventilated room. Open a window or use a dehumidifier to minimise the spread of moisture indoors.
Dehumidifiers – Using a dehumidifier is a great way to take the moisture out of the air, especially if you dry your clothes indoors.

How to use an air fryer safely

The UK Fire Brigade has issued guidance due to air fryers being the leading cause of callouts this year. It’s crucial that we share this information with you to promote safe usage.

To keep yourself and other clients safe when using an air fryer, please:

Ensure air fryers are kept close to the wall and not used under cabinets or in confined spaces.
Place air fryers on a stable, solid surface to prevent tipping.
Clean the appliance after each use in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. (Do not fill the air fryer with water and turn it on, as suggested by some social media videos.)
Avoid using tin foil or baking paper, as the airflow can cause these materials to come into contact with the heating element, potentially igniting a fire.
Always unplug the air fryer from the wall after use. Simply turning off the power does not eliminate the risk.
In the event of a fire, do not attempt to extinguish it. Instead, raise the alarm, evacuate the premises, and dial 999 for assistance.

Additionally, it is important for you to register your air fryer’s warranty, which ensures you receive information about any recalls. This is a good idea for all electrical items, particularly high-power appliances such as air fryers, washing machines, and tumble dryers.