Policy on the Use of Mobile Telephones
ENDERBY PARISH COUNCIL
Policy On The Use Of Mobile Telephones
Whilst Working
(Includes the Use of Mobile Phones & Personal
Music Players whilst Performing Other Duties)
1.0Introduction
Enderby Parish Council recognises and accepts its duty as an employer to provide a safe
and healthy work place and working environment for all its employees.
(Ref. Health & Safety Policy, adopted 22nd January 2014).
Being provided with a mobile phone does not imply that it may be used whilst driving. It does not imply that the Council would be liable for an offence committed by a driver.
The procedures for the use of mobile phones must be followed at all times. Failure to do so
will be dealt with under the Council’s Disciplinary Procedure. This would be in addition to any legal sanction or conviction imposed on the individual under current law.
2.0Definition : Hand-held Mobile Phone
“A device which performs an interactive communication function by transmitting and receiving data.”
A mobile phone will be treated as hand-held if it is held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function, such as sending or receiving oral or written messages, sending or receiving still or moving images or accessing the internet.
3.0The Use of Mobile Phones Whilst Driving
3.1 Definition : Driving
A person is considered to be ‘driving’ if the vehicle is stationary but the engine is running.
3.2 The Use of Mobile Phones Whilst Driving
The law prohibits drivers using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving.
Under no circumstances may any member of the Council’s staff make or answer any call or text message, send or receive still or moving images or access the internet on mobile phoneswhilst driving. This applies to personal mobile phones as well as those issued by the Council.
A mobile phone may only be used when the vehicle if stationary,in a safe and legal location, and when the vehicle’s engine has been switched off.
3.3 Best Practice
i) Hand-held mobile phones should be switched off whilst driving.
ii) A message should be pre-recorded saying that the driver will call back when he/she is not
driving.
iii) If it is imperative that a mobile phone is switched on whilst driving, the ring tone should be
set to a volume and tone that will not startle the driver.
4.0The Use of Mobile Phones/Personal Music Players Whilst Operating Machinery
Employees are prohibited from using headphones whilst operating machinery.
5.0The Use of Mobile Phones/Personal Music Players During Other Duties
Employees are permitted to use headphones during other duties but must, at all times, be aware of others and of what is happening around them. Particular care must be taken when working on or near a road. Attention must be paid at all times. Lack of concentration could lead to an accident.
The use of mobile phones/personal music players is permitted at other times, commensurate with the duties being carried out.
6.0Office Based Staff Making Outward Calls
Office based staff must avoid making calls to staff who are known to be driving. If such a call is made inadvertently, the call must be cut short.
7.0Generic Risk Assessment
Refer to Appendix
APPENDIX
Policy On The Use Of Mobile Telephones
Whilst Working
(Includes the Use of Mobile Phones & Personal
Music Players whilst Performing Other Duties)
Generic Risk Assessment
IDENTIFIED HAZARDSRISK ASSESSMENT
Driving whilst using mobile phoneHIGH: Risk of road traffic accident; personal
injury and injury to members of the public
Operating machinery whilst wearingHIGH: Risk of personal injury and injury to
headphonesmembers of the public / damage to property/machinery
Litter-picking of pavements whilstMEDIUM: Limitations to hearing and
wearing headphonesawareness of surroundings and possible
injury/collision due to lapse of concentration
CONTROL MEASURES
All staff members will be issued with a copy of this Policy,
Failure to comply with this Policy will be dealt with under the Council’s Disciplinary Procedure. This would be in addition to any legal sanction or conviction imposed on the individual under current law.
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Enderby Parish Council – Adopte 11th June 2014Policy on the Use of Mobile Telephones Whilst Working