Health & safety policy
Rescue sanctuary policy maintained by Naylor’s Ark Soul Sanctuary (CPH 46/327/7111) in line with UK HSE agriculture guidance. We do not breed, lamb, kid or calve on site.
Naylor’s Ark Soul Sanctuary is an animal rescue sanctuary. The management team acknowledges its responsibility to ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff, volunteers, visitors, animals and neighbours in all activities carried out on and around the site, so far as is reasonably practicable. Safety takes priority over speed of work at all times.
We do not breed: no lambing, kidding, calving or farrowing takes place here. Animals come to us as rescues, are isolated and vet-checked on arrival, and are cared for or rehomed — never bred from or entered into the food chain.
This policy sets out the practical controls used here for animal handling, visitors and groups, volunteers, machinery, medicines and site hazards. It is reviewed annually or after any significant change to our activities or site conditions.
This page is sanctuary-owned, editable content written to reflect current practice on site. It follows the general expectations of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and HSE agriculture guidance, but it is not legal advice, an inspection outcome, or a certification of compliance.
608 Equine & Farm Veterinary Surgeons
Quarry Farm, Rowington Green, Rowington, Warwick CV35 7DD
Volunteers should contact a sanctuary manager first where possible. For an urgent animal welfare emergency, call the veterinary practice and give the sanctuary name and CPH 46/327/7111. This contact is also printed on APHA-style reports.
Risk assessments
Open the sanctuary policy, risk assessments, site map and printable working forms.
Every volunteer completes induction and task-specific training before working independently. The trainer records the method, date, practical observation, competence limits and signatures on form TR-01; refreshers are added after changes, incidents or a long absence.
Medical information must be collected only where relevant, kept securely with restricted access and never displayed publicly.
For visitors and volunteers to record a hazard, injury or near-miss promptly.
For immediate danger, serious injury or fire, alert a member of staff and call 999 first.
Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
- The management team is responsible for the health, safety and welfare of staff, volunteers, visitors, animals and neighbours, so far as is reasonably practicable, and reviews this policy annually or after any significant change.
- All staff and volunteers receive training from a competent person for every activity they undertake on site, including hazard identification, prevention and reporting.
- Anyone working on site — staff, volunteers, contractors, casual help — must follow this policy and report hazards immediately.
- Contractors and vets are asked for their own risk assessments and insurance before work starts.
- Visitors are supervised and kept away from machinery, chemical storage and any animal not cleared for public contact.
Naylor’s Ark Soul Sanctuary is an animal rescue sanctuary, not a breeding or production unit.
- No breeding takes place on site: we do not lamb, kid, calve or farrow here, and no maternity or birthing facilities are provided.
- Entire males are not kept with females. Incoming animals capable of breeding are separated on arrival and neutered or castrated on veterinary advice where appropriate.
- If an animal arrives already pregnant, it is treated as a veterinary case: the vet is informed on arrival, the animal is moved to a quiet isolation area and birthing is managed under veterinary direction, not as a routine activity.
- No animal is sold, slaughtered or entered into the food chain from this site; animals leave only for veterinary care or an approved rehoming or sanctuary placement.
- Volunteers and visitors are never asked to assist with birthing, and pregnant or immunosuppressed people are kept away from any pregnant animal in isolation.
- Written, numbered risk assessments are kept for every activity and area of the site, including animal handling, visitor and group visits, machinery use, veterinary medicines and working at height.
- Current issued assessments include RA001 Main Paddock, RA011 Scout visit, RA012 school / SEMHL alpaca visit, RA013 JLR charity work party and the activity-specific assessments in the document library.
- All staff and volunteers must read the relevant risk assessment before starting a task; new hazards are reported to a supervisor immediately.
- Assessments are reviewed after any incident or near miss, and when new animals, equipment, chemicals or visitor activities are introduced.
- Control measures follow the hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, engineer, then administrative controls, with PPE last.
Rescued cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas and poultry in our care.
- Handling systems (race, crush, hurdles, pens) are checked before every gathering; damaged equipment is taken out of use.
- Approach animals calmly and confidently; never enter an enclosure without permission and always keep an escape route within reach.
- Never work alone with cattle or alpacas in a confined space; two people are required for any animal showing fear or aggression.
- Rescue animals often arrive with unknown histories — assume nervousness, watch for warning signs and record behaviour changes the same day.
- Animals not suitable for public contact are clearly signed and kept segregated; contact sessions are supervised and led by trained staff.
- Do not feed any animal unless authorised; feeding by visitors happens only in designated, supervised sessions with approved food.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, plus the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.
- Medicines are stored in a locked, temperature-appropriate cabinet away from food and out of reach of children and visitors.
- Product datasheets and COSHH assessments are kept for every medicine, dip, disinfectant and fuel held on site.
- Gloves and eye protection are worn for injectables, pour-ons, wormers and dips; hands are washed after every use.
- Sharps go straight into a sharps bin; needle-stick injuries are reported and treated as a medical matter the same day.
- Every treatment is recorded in the medicine book with batch number and withdrawal period before the animal leaves the handling area.
- Out-of-date and part-used medicines are disposed of through a licensed waste contractor, never into the muck heap or drains.
School, scout, corporate and public visits run to an issued risk assessment.
- Every organised visit has a named lead, a briefing on arrival and an agreed route; group sizes and ratios follow the relevant risk assessment.
- Clear safety signage, designated paths and secure gates keep visitors separated from animals and vehicles where required.
- Children are supervised by their own adults at all times; sanctuary staff supervise animal interaction.
- Hand-washing facilities are provided and visitors are directed to wash hands after animal contact and before eating.
- The site is smoke-free and vape-free; visiting dogs must be kept on a lead and away from enclosures.
- Staff and volunteers are expected and fully supported by management to challenge any visitor behaviour that is unsafe for people or animals.
- Everyone signs in at the start of a shift and out at the end on the Staff & Volunteer Register, for headcount in an emergency and for record keeping.
- Signing in confirms you have read and accepted these health and safety policies.
- Closed-toe footwear is required; gloves are worn for animal handling, cleaning and waste.
- Follow instructions from senior staff, report issues and concerns immediately, and keep the site clean and organised.
- Regular training is provided and senior staff are available for guidance and support; constructive feedback is encouraged.
- Daily duties — feeding, watering, cleaning, visitor supervision — are logged, along with any change in animal behaviour, health or maintenance issue.
- Safe Stop is used every time: handbrake on, controls in neutral, engine off, key out before leaving the seat.
- PTO guards, shields and ROPS must be in place; a machine with a missing guard is not used.
- Only trained, competent people operate tractors, telehandlers, ATVs and chainsaws; children never ride on or drive machinery.
- Volunteers do not use powered machinery unless trained, authorised and covered by a risk assessment.
- Helmets are worn on quad bikes; loads are secured and rated capacities are not exceeded.
- Trailers, brakes, tyres and lights are checked before every animal journey.
- Fragile roof sheets are never walked on; roof work is left to a contractor with proper access equipment.
- Bale and straw stacks are built and dismantled from the correct side, never climbed.
- Muck and slurry stores are fenced and covered; nobody works alone near an open store.
- Nobody enters a slurry store, silage clamp gas zone or grain bin — these are treated as confined spaces requiring specialist entry.
- Electrical installations in buildings and around water are inspected periodically by a competent electrician.
- Hand-washing facilities with hot water and soap are available at the handling area, the visitor exit and before eating.
- As a rescue we take in animals of unknown health status: all arrivals are isolated, vet-checked and treated before joining a group.
- Tools and equipment are disinfected after use and cross-contact between animal groups is limited.
- Overalls and boots are washed on site and not taken into the house; a disinfectant boot dip is maintained at the entrance.
- Anyone pregnant or immunosuppressed must avoid contact with pregnant, newborn or sick animals and with birthing fluids.
- Sick animals, abortions and unexplained deaths are reported to the vet promptly and handled with gloves.
- Closed-toe or steel-toe boots and gloves for all animal work; ear defenders for chainsaws, grinders and dryers.
- Eye protection and respirators (FFP3) for dusty, mouldy or chemical work.
- PPE is provided free, stored clean and dry, and replaced when damaged.
- First aid is managed by a fully trained and qualified first aider; kits are kept in the house, the main building and the vehicle used for animal work.
- All accidents and near misses, however minor, are reported to a supervisor and written in the accident book the same day.
- Reportable injuries, dangerous occurrences and diseases are notified to HSE under RIDDOR 2013 within the required timescales.
- Everyone must know the location of first aid kits, fire points and emergency exits, and the evacuation procedure.
- Lone working: someone always knows the task, location and expected finish time; a phone is carried at all times.
- In an emergency call 999 and give the site name, CPH and a what3words location for the field or building.
- Extinguishers are sited at the workshop, fuel store and main building and serviced annually.
- Fuel, gas and chemicals are stored apart from hay, straw and bedding.
- The issued fire evacuation procedure, animal evacuation plan and emergency contacts (vet, electricity supplier, APHA) are kept by the door and available in the document library below.
- The sign-in register is taken to the assembly point so everyone on site can be accounted for.
Displayed at the entrance for everyone visiting the sanctuary.
- Supervise children at all times, especially around animals.
- Wash your hands after touching animals and before eating.
- Follow staff instructions — they protect you and the animals.
- Stay on designated paths.
- Move calmly and quietly around the animals.
- Use the bins provided.
- Feed animals only during designated, supervised sessions.
- Keep visiting dogs on a lead and away from enclosures.
- Close all gates behind you.
These rules protect our rescued animals and our visitors.
- Don't feed animals outside designated sessions.
- Don't chase, tease or disturb the animals.
- Don't climb fences or enter enclosures.
- Don't let pets off the lead near enclosures.
- Don't leave gates open.
- Don't smoke or vape — the site is smoke-free.
- Don't drop food or litter.
999 — give holding name, CPH and what3words location.
Record your practice number in Settings notes and by the medicine cabinet.
Report reportable injuries and dangerous occurrences via the HSE RIDDOR service.
- Animal welfare first: the five welfare needs are met every day.
- Rescue, not production: we do not breed, lamb, kid or calve on site.
- Kindness and respect towards animals, visitors and each other.
- No work with animals or machinery under the influence of alcohol or medication that impairs judgement.
- Stop unsafe work — anyone can halt a job without blame, and management will back you.
- Sign in and out of every shift; records are written up the same day, honestly and legibly.
- Biosecurity respected: clean boots, clean kit, isolate every incoming animal.
- Treat contractors, vets, hauliers, visiting groups and neighbours with courtesy and clear communication.
Keep a signed, dated paper copy of this policy, the issued risk assessments and the staff and volunteer sign-in register with your site records.