Health and Safety Policy
Subject / Aspect Policy Statement Health & Safety
Clydach Infants' School
Introduction
This policy outlines our school's provision for health and safety within our school.
The school policy for this provision reflects the consensus of opinion of the whole teaching staff. It has been drawn up as a result of staff discussion and has the agreement of the Governing body and teachers.
The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of all the teaching staff.
Definition
This Statement is supplemental to the Education Department's Statement of General Policy made pursuant to Section 2 (3) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It details the arrangements made to discharge those duties and responsibilities with respect to health, safety and welfare ascribed in the Departmental General Policy.
This statement applies to all County Council employees who work within the school premise, which means all buildings, car parks and other places used by County Council employees in the course of their employment with the school.
Guidelines
Management Organisation
The Head Teacher has made the following arrangements for the discharge of her responsibilities.
The Head Teacher is responsible for the monitoring and maintaining of satisfactory standards of Health and Safety within the premises.
The Deputy Head will assume these responsibilities in the absence of the Head Teacher. In the absence of both, the senior teacher will be responsible.
All employees are expected to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work; to co-operate with those having specific health and safety responsibilities and to observe instructions and advice on health and safety matters as may be brought to their attention by the Head Teacher.
The Head Teacher will ensure that any authorised persons/organisations using the school premises, but not employed by the school, are notified of any particular hazards within the premises and of the general safety arrangements which are applicable to them.
The Caretaker will be responsible to the Head for the health and safety of the caretaking and cleaning staff while they are at work.
Fire
All employees must ensure that they do not do anything which may cause the possibility of an outbreak of fire
The Head Teacher assumes responsibility for ensuring that the right type of fire extinguisher is sited within easy access and at all times, clearly visible.
In the event of a fire within the school premises, the following action is to be taken.
Raise the alarm by operating the nearest fire alarm.
Do not attempt to extinguish the fire unless it can be done without incurring personal risk.
If the fire cannot be extinguished, evacuate the building immediately, closing all doors and windows where possible. Proceed to the school assembly point (playground).
Do not delay evacuation to collect personal effects.
Do not re-enter the building until told it is safe to do so.
Accidents
It is school policy to take all practicable steps to avoid accidents. However, in the event of an accident, the first concern must be for the person or persons who have suffered injury.
All accidents, other than minor cuts and grazes, occurring on school premises or during a school activity off the premises will be reported to the Head Teacher or her Deputy. Details of the accident will be recorded in the Accident Book. All accidents will be investigated by the Head Teacher.
First Aid
The Head Teacher is responsible for arranging the provision and maintenance of a suitable First Aid Kit. The First Aid Kit, together with a list of those members of staff trained in First Aid, is kept in the cupboard next to the main entrance.
Exposure to the Sun
Parents will be asked to provide suitable clothing for children during hot sunny weather e.g. hats and light-weight tops with long sleeves. Parents will also be asked to put plenty of sun cream on exposed areas of their children before coming to school.
Children should not be allowed out for long periods during hot weather.
Children should be encouraged to find shaded areas in which to play.
Machinery and Equipment
The Head Teacher will ensure that all equipment and machinery used in the school is maintained in a safe and satisfactory condition and that maintenance of any appliance will only be carried out by an authorised, competent person. An annual test of all mobile electrical equipment will be carried out by qualified, authorised persons.
Machinery and equipment is only to be used/operated by authorised persons who have been instructed in the use/operation of such equipment.
All faults are to be reported to the Head Teacher who will ensure that such faults are rectified.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted on school premises at any time. A children's charter "Children's' Right To Freedom From Tobacco", is attached to this policy.
Safety Procedures
Safe working practices should be following at all times. Guidance on the procedures is contained in the Health & Safety at Work Manual, Education Department.
Hazard Identification
Every effort is made to identify and eliminate hazards and hazardous practices. The Head Teacher should be notified of any potential hazard.
All employees are reminded of the need to maintain good housekeeping practices. All floors and passageways are to be kept free from anything which may pose a slipping or tripping hazard and no rubbish is to be allowed to accumulate in any working area. Waste materials are to be removed as soon as possible and spillages cleared up as soon as they occur.
All items stored on shelves will be stored in such a way as to ensure they do not cause injury to persons working or passing in the vicinity.
All flammable liquids are to be kept in a store-room which is either in a safe position or is in a fire resisting structure (out-door store cupboard).
Flammable liquids will not be permitted in any classroom or office in quantities which are in excess of those required to meet immediate needs and no radiant heat sources will be used in any circumstances in which such use could incur a risk of fire or explosion.
Other areas which require constant attention are:-
Kitchen/Dining Room;
Caretaking and Cleaning;
Children running in corridors;
All doorways;
Playground supervision.
Joint Consultation
It is the school policy to ensure that there is full consultation with representatives of the employees on all matters concerning health and safety at work. The consultation will be with the Trade Union appointed Safety Representatives.
Facilities will be granted for all safety representatives appointed by the recognised Trade Unions to carry out the functions allotted to them by the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977 and the school will have regard to agreements reached between the County Council and the recognised Trade Unions in deciding the extent of those facilities.
The Head Teacher will establish a Safety Committee to facilitate joint consultation with representatives of the recognised Trade Unions if requested to do so in writing by at least two Safety Representatives and will consult with them about the constitution for such a Committee.
It is the school policy to encourage every employee to seek to identify hazards within the work situation and to bring any hazards that are identified to the notice of the Head or Deputy Head Teachers, Caretaker in the case of caretaking and cleaning staff, and to his/her Safety Representative.
Risk Assessment
Annual Risk Assessments will be carried out with the support of the LEA.
Health and Safety Committee of the Governing body will make a termly tour of the building using the appropriate form, see APPENDICES
Educational Visits
See Policy Document for Educational Visits.
Review
This document will be reviewed annually.
Date Agreed: December 1993
Head Teacher: Glenys Lloyd
Date of last review: December 2005
Appendices
RISK ASSESSMENT Form
NIVEA INFORMATION - Safety in the Sun.
Health and Safety Committee Conditions Survey Form.
A Charter.