health & safety policy
DESCRIPTION
2011 PolicyTRANSCRIPT
GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY for HEALTH and SAFETY and WELFARE
Birchwood Primary School
The governors and headteacher acknowledge that Suffolk County Council has the prime responsibility for health and safety. Health and Safety Governing body and headteacher have specific responsibilities to manage health, safety and welfare at the school level. They also have responsibilities to support the published policies and aims of the LEA in improving the overall health and safety performance of schools.The Headteacher, as Local Health and Safety Coordinator has principal duty in the school for ensuring the local implementation of guidance, codes of practice and other advice from Suffolk County Council. We understand that this duty extends to ensuring that:
working conditions and environment
substances used
equipment provided, and
working methods adopted
do not impair the well-being of any employee, or any other person including clients, contractors, visitors, volunteers and any member of the public who may be affected by the conduct of its work..
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ORGANISATIONThe head teacher has responsibility for day-to-day management of health and safety issues. Further to this all staff should have regard to their own H & S and that of others including pupils, clients, visitors and colleagues. They should communicate any concerns to the appropriate person(s) (see below) so that hazards can be quickly rectified. A record book is kept in the staffroom, for members of staff to log concerns and potential hazards.
Individual members of staff are responsible for the particular areas as follows:
Task Name of person responsible
Job title of person responsible
H&S Policy review S Cloke Headteacher
H&S committee/governor committee P Firman Premises Governor
Communication and information management S Moore SAO
Critical Incident Management S Cloke Headteacher
H&S Induction Training S Cloke Headteacher
Routine updating training S Cloke HeadteacherPersonal safety procedures (also Schoolsafe) S Cloke Headteacher
Planned checks (procedures) R Catton Caretaker
Planned checks (equipment) R Catton/Calbarrie Caretaker/LEA
Planned checks (premises) R Catton Caretaker
Incident reporting/investigation S Cloke HeadteacherCoordination of risk assessment work S Cloke/M Alexander Headteacher/Deputy
HeadteacherFire procedures S Cloke Headteacher
Locally organised building repairs and alterations L Westaway AO
First Aid (training and equipment) S Cloke/L Westaway Headteacher/AOVehicle control and pedestrian safety S Cloke Headteacher
Educational visits coordinator (EVC) M Alexander Deputy Headteacher
Stress and Wellbeing S Cloke Headteacher
Child Protection Co-ordinator S Cloke Headteacher
Supporting pupils with medical needs N Woods SENCO
Premises Security R Catton Caretaker
Contractors on site S Cloke Headteacher
Outside lettings R Catton Caretaker
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Other (specify)
Guidance for the ‘ARRANGEMENTS’ section of the school’s health and safety policy
Health and Safety Policy Review
The school’s health and safety policy is reviewed annually during the summer term
Targets included in the policy document are reflected in the school’s improvement plan and any other prime strategic documents
Communication and Information Management:
The head teacher presents a termly report in the recommended format for health and safety to the whole governing body
The school has systems to ensure relevant health and safety information is passed to on to the relevant people within the school. Records about where curriculum subject specific information is kept is shared with staff, it is normally kept by the subject co-ordinator.
There is a work/life balance notice board in the staffroom; this may display general health and safety information, which any member of staff might refer to at any time.
Items might include:
The schools health and safety policy
A copy of the “Health and Safety Law – What you should know” leaflet. All staff have a copy of this)
Notes from the school’s health and safety committee meetings, stored in a file
Poster displays or other awareness raising, etc. campaigns
The Senior Administrative Officer is responsible for keeping the "Education Health and Safety – Local Management of Schools" manual up to date. This is held in the school office
Critical Incident Management
The county’s guidelines followed and are staff aware of the advice. Refer to "Managing Critical Incidents in Schools"
Health and safety is a termly staff meeting agenda item.
Health and Safety Induction Training
All staff receive induction training including training, which is matched to their specific work and responsibilities. A general checklist for use with employees includes the following, which includes both basic and more specialised criteria.
Overview of the school’s health and safety policy and organisational structure
Tour of the premises
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Current health and safety priorities for the school – policy targets
Communication and relationships with other schools and Suffolk County Council (the LEA)
General health and safety advice, including the schools own guidance and that from the LEA
Where appropriate, curriculum specific guidance and arrangements for working with the county subject advisers
Introduction to recognised unions and the local representatives
Employee problems and concerns Specific duties and responsibilities
Grievance procedures
Information on hazards specific to the school, and established controls or precautions
Use of equipment and/or tools
Materials and substances in use – handling and labelling systems/warning signs. COSHH requirements, risk assessments and health and safety data sheets
Use and care of PPE (personal protective equipment)
Housekeeping procedures for policy documents and local rules
Legal responsibilities and rights
Work permit systems (for example, arrangements for visits and trips)
Physical examinations in pursuit of statutory maintenance requirements eg. Electrical equipment, fume cupboards and other exhaust ventilation equipment, lifts, hoists and lifting equipment, pressurised systems such as autoclaves and air compressors
Trained first aid personnel and first-aid facilities
Fire evacuation and emergency procedures
Fire extinguishers – location and use
Access to well being advice, counselling and other staff support schemes
Security
Restricted areas and equipment
One-on-one instruction and supervision of young and inexperienced workers (and work experience students)
Manual lifting and handling – general advice and risk assessment
Safe stacking of materials
Defective or inappropriate tools
Correct use of guards
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Safe procedures for machines, including design technology equipment
General housekeeping and maintenance of access
Smoking restrictions
Reporting of incidents, hazards, work-related injuries and illnesses
What to do in an emergency
Routine Updating Training
Training plans for each individual member of staff are updated annually, they form part of a performance management review.
Personal Safety procedures, Schoolsafe and control of violence
School staff been trained to the Schoolsafe standard. There is a bi-annual refresher course. This training forms part of general induction training.
The school have a written procedure advising how staff should deal with an incident where an adult has displayed aggressive behaviour or any kind of assault (including verbal abuse). There is a clear policy on reporting and investigating such incident. The LEA Incident Report form and Incident follow-up form are used. Refer to "Recording and Reporting Incidents in Schools and other Education Premises" Policy and Guidance 2001
Visitors and people entering the building are monitored. They sign in at reception and are issued with a badge.
Visitors are directed to use the main entrance to the school.
The Senior Admin Officer holds a list of key holders; this is checked annually and revised.
The school considers particular arrangements, which may be needed to ensure the safety of lone workers and outreach staff? Specific risk assessments are carried for these potentially higher risk activities.
Planned Safety ChecksProceduresEquipmentPremises
The school buys into the SAVES electrical checking system. The arrangements for routine maintenance of all electrical equipment are carried out by an external company contracted by the LEA. Equipment checked includes:
I. large (cookers, dishwasher etc.)
II. small (portable electrical appliances, extension cables etc.)
III. Other equipment (fixed, design technology, and ICT, drama, cleaning contractor/staff)
Staff are informed to bring to the attention of the Headteacher or SAO the deteriorating condition of any plugs, sockets and mains leads. This is dealt with immediately.
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All equipment (not otherwise covered under other headings) is subjected to an annual maintenance check
All indoor and outdoor sports and play equipment ( LEA contract REJB)
The schools water system(s)- hygiene, temperature and legionnaires disease checks (Guardian Water/Caretaker)
Mechanical equipment used in Design Technology ( DT Co-ordinator)
Catering equipment, including ventilators- LEA Catering Service
Ladders, stepladders and mobile scaffold/access equipment- Caretaker, annual H+S audit
Door closers, running gear and catches- termly H+S inspection by Governors H+S committee
Printing and reprographics machines- regular service by NCS Photocopiers
The whole school inspected once a term by a member of the school’s management team, and a delegated member of staff or the governing body committee
Incident Reporting/Investigation
The new double sided Incident Report form is used
The school’s ID (2924) number is recorded on every form
All staff briefed on when and how to use the form
Every incident is subject to investigation as appropriate with a view to preventing recurrence
The school’s health and safety committee periodically review the incident history for the school and plan actions to reduce the likelihood of future incidents
Coordination of Risk Assessment Work
Risk assessments may be required under many circumstances, but in general they will only need to be completed in school when published guidance or recommended practice is not followed, is not completely relevant to the activity considered, or does not exist.
An overview of the school premises and activities assists with the general risk assessment and indicates the areas for more detailed risk assessment and control work. It requires longer term planning for adequate remedies to be provided.
Areas for risk assessment development
the school has limited space for pedestrians and vehicle access, creating a serious incident risk directly outside the school
the school grounds are used outside normal school hours by local youths – they may leave litter, bottles, or more dangerous articles such as needles and other paraphernalia. All staff and children are instructed
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to inform the Headteacher about items they have found. A sharps box is kept in the caretaker’s room.
Risk assessments, which are required due to the need for specific locally arranged precautions, are: First aid arrangements, (numbers of trained staff, level of training and
equipment) Lone working situations Hinge protectors for doors Visits and trips Tree maintenance Display screen equipment/workstations Manual handling New and expectant mothers Level of supervision in playgrounds and for play equipment Working at height Clinical waste Swimming pool supervision School fetes, drama productions, fireworks displays etc.
Fire Procedures
An annual fire risk assessment is completed. This is incorporated into the general risk assessment mention in the preceding section.
There is a planned evacuation procedure The notices detailing the evacuation procedures are displayed in every
classroom and teaching space. There is a termly schedule for routine practices of the drill There is a check to ensure all fire extinguishers have been tested during
annual inspection and are staff adequately trained to enable escape in an emergency
The Senior Administrative Officer carries out the weekly fire alarm test. The details of the tests are recorded in the Fire Drill Log
The fire safety arrangements are checked with the fire service
Locally Organised Building Repairs and Alterations
Procedures are in place to ensure the Form 13 procedure is followed
The relevant staff (senior administrative officer, caretaker/custodian, Headteacher, etc) and governors know the asbestos procedures. They have been advised about the asbestos survey report.
First Aid – Training and equipment
First aid equipment is appropriately located throughout the school. Individual kits are located close to teaching areas.
First aid kits are monitored termly by Ronnie Leader, a MDSA
The above named person manages maintenance and replenishment.
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There are procedures for the disposal of clinical waste, including incontinence and sanitary waste.
Records are kept of who is trained, and when their certificates expire by SAO.
All injuries are logged in a record book held in the office. The Headteacher monitors this and follows up any incidents that require further investigation or checking. Parents are informed via a note home about a head injury.
Staff have access to health centre / GP telephone numbers. THE SAO maintains these records list of staff.
In an emergency a parent is contacted immediately. However, in extreme cases an ambulance would be called first
First aid arrangements for visits and trips for part of the organising teacher’s risk assessment.
Vehicle Control and Pedestrian Safety
Staff, delivery and contractors vehicles are permitted to enter and/or park on site. Parents with a disability may use the staff car park with prior agreement with the Headteacher. No vehicles are allowed to drive on to the site during playtimes or before or after school.
Education Visits Coordinator (EVC)
The current county council advice being followed.
Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs
The latest county council and DfES guidelines followed.
Premises Security
The current county council guidance is followed.
Contractors on Site
Contractors should always report to reception.
The Headteacher of SAO briefs them about fire procedures, smoking restrictions, local management arrangements, vehicle movement restrictions etc.
No vehicles are driven on to the site during playtimes or before or after school.
All staff (including cleaners etc who may be on site earlier and later than teaching, etc.) is informed of areas to avoid for the duration of the work.
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Outside Lettings
The school hall rooms is available for lettings
The office and reception area is not accessible from the school hall. There is a phone in the staff room.
Information is provided to inform people who are booking the premises about any necessary health, safety or security information relating to the premises and any equipment which may be used (Please refer to outside lettings policy)
1st February 2011
S Cloke
Headteacher
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