Safety Statement

Safety Statement

St. Patrick’s G.N.S.

Cambridge Road

Ringsend

Dublin 4.

Phone: 6685928

The Board of Management of St. Patrick’s GNS, recognising the importance of the legislation enacted in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1999, and revisal under the 2005 Act, sets out herewith the Safety Policy of the school and the means to achieve that policy. The Board’s objective is to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all its employees and pupils and to meet its duties to members of the public, with whom we come in contact.

This policy requires the full cooperation of all employees.

A Safety Committee, which includes the Principal Teacher, the Staff Safety Representative and the Safety Officer of the B.O.M. will under take regular reviews of the Statement in light of experience, changes in legal requirements and operational changes.

It will also carry out an annual safety audit on behalf of the B.O.M. and issue a report to staff. More frequent inspections/safety audits will be carried out if so requested by staff or Board.

Records of accidents or ill-health will be monitored to ensure that all possible safety measures are put in place, so as to minimise the recurrence of such accidents and ill-health.

Signed:

______

Fr.Ivan Tonge, Martin Lynch

(Chairperson, (Principal Teacher)

Board of Management.)

Policy on Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1999

1.1  St. Patrick’s GNS, Ringsend, Board of Management:

Chairperson: Fr. Ivan Tonge

Secretary: Mr. Martin Lynch

Treasurer: Mrs. Christina Byrne

Board Members: Mrs. Sandra Shortt

Mrs. Patsy Doolin

Mr. Patrick O’Reilly

Mr. Damian Cassidy

Mr. Donal Lehmann

1.2  The B.O.M. will ensure that, insofar as is practicable, the highest standards of safety shall prevail and that, at a minimum, the provisions of the Act are applied.

1.3  Specifically the B.O.M. will ensure, insofar as is reasonably practicable…

(a)  the design, provision and maintenance of all places in a condition which is safe and without risk to health.

(b)  The design, provision and maintenance of safe means of access to and from places of work.

(c)  The appropriate design, provision and maintenance of plant, machinery and other equipment.

(d)  The provision of systems of work which are planned, organised, performed and maintained so as to be safe and without risk to health.

(e)  The provision of instruction to staff on dealing with pupil challenging behaviour.

(f)  The provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the safety and health, at work, of its employees.

(g)  The provision and maintenance of such protective clothing or equivalent as is necessary to ensure the health and safety, at work, of its employees.

(h)  The preparation and revision, as necessary, of adequate plans to be followed in emergencies e.g. fire drill, injuries etc

(i)  The safety and the prevention of risk to health, in connection with the use of any aid or substance at work.

(j)  The provision and maintenance of facilities and arrangements for the welfare of employees at work.

(k)  The provision, where necessary, of the services of a competent person to ensure the safety and health of its employees at work.

(l)  The continuous updating of the Safety Statement.

(m)  Arrangements for consultation with employees on matters of health and safety.

(n)  Arrangements for the selection from amongst its employees of a Representative in connection with safety matters.

1.4  The B.O.M. recognises that its statutory obligations extend to students and to persons legitimately conducting school business or with the school.

1.5  The B.O.M. will ensure that the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare Act (1989) are adhered to.

1.6  A Safety Committee, established by the B.O.M., will monitor the implementation of the school’s Safety and Health Policies and the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare Act (1989)

Duties of Employees

1.  It is the duty of every employee, while at work..

(a)  to take reasonable care for his/her own safety, health and welfare, and that of any person who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions while at work.

(b)  To cooperate with his/her employer and others to such extent as will enable his/her employer or others comply with relevant statutory provisions.

(c)  To use, in such a manner as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or other thing provided (whether for his/her use alone or in common with others) for securing his/her safety, health or welfare at work.

(d)  To report to the B.O.M., without undue delay, any defects in plant, equipment, place of work or system of work, which might endanger safety, health or welfare, of which he/she becomes aware.

2.  No employee will intentionally or recklessly interfere with, or misuse any appliance, protective clothing, convenience or other means or thing provided in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions or otherwise, for securing safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work activities.

3.  Employees will, by using available facilities and equipment provided, ensure that work practices are performed in the safest manner possible.

Consultation and Information

It is the policy of the B.O.M.:

·  To consult with staff in preparation and completion of Hazard Control Forms

·  To give a copy of the Safety Statement to all present and future staff.

·  That any additional information or instructions regarding health, safety and welfare at work, not contained in the document, will be conveyed to all staff, as it becomes available.

·  That health, safety and welfare will form an integral part of any future staff training and development plans.

Hazards

The B.O.M., in consultation with the employees will review and

make recommendations on the elimination of hazards.

Specific Hazards

1.  Fire

It is the policy of the B.O.M. that:

·  There is an adequate supply of fire extinguishers which will deal with any type of fire.

·  All fire equipment is identified and regularly serviced

·  Regular fire-drills take place, at least once a term.

·  Instruction is given in the use of fire extinguishers for specific materials/equipment.

·  Fire alarms are clearly marked

·  Exit signs will be clearly visible to visitors and others

·  All electrical equipment, with the exception of the alarm system must be turned off outside school hours.

·  The General Assembly Area is the school playground to the rear of the school.

·  When leaving building/classrooms, members of staff must make suitable arrangements with a colleague to undertake their supervisory responsibilities until they return

·  The school and equipment have been checked by a fire officer and all recommendations made by him have been implemented.

2.  Other Hazards

The condition of school buildings, roofs, interiors, protrusions from walls, floor surfaces, electrical wiring and fittings, yard surface etc. will be kept under continuous review, with a view to obviating hazards. Specifically..

·  Machinery, kitchen equipment and electrical appliances must be used by competent people only. Such appliances and equipment will be subject to regular maintenance checks.

·  Chemicals, detergents etc. are to be stored in clearly identifiable containers bearing instructions and precautions for their use, kept in a locked area and only handled with the protection necessary for the purpose.

·  Drugs and Medications are kept in the Principal’s office.

·  Floors will not be kept in a slippery condition after cleaning, which will be carried out after school hours. Where necessary, warning signs will be used.

·  The Code of Good Behaviour and Discipline provides for a level of behaviour which will minimise personal risk and stress of staff and students.

·  Due attention will be paid to instructing and revising the safest way for students to walk up and down the stairs. They will be instructed to walk in single file, holding the handrail at all times. Mats will be placed on the turns in the stairs to reduce the possibility of slipping on wet days.

·  Access to employees is by consent. If the employee feels at risk from, or threatened by, a particular person on school property, this must be drawn to the B.O.M.’s attention. The B.O.M. will undertake to ensure that in such circumstances all appropriate measures will be taken to protect employees e.g. meetings by appointment (with or without witnesses), an injunction/barring order or other legal steps, in extreme circumstances.

·  The whole school has been designated a “Smoke Free Zone”.

·  Children are not permitted to bring drinks in glass bottles to school, in order to minimise the risk of breakages and cuts.

·  Where possible, classes will not be divided into other rooms.

·  The B.O.M. wishes to ensure, as far as practicable, the safety of all staff –permanent, temporary and voluntary- against all infectious diseases, including Hepatitis B. It will endeavour to minimise the risk by adhering to sound principles of cleanliness, hygiene and disinfection, and has provided disposable gloves to be used for all First Aid applications, cleaning jobs etc. The staff have been provided with a separate toilet with hot and cold water, a disposal unit and soap.

First Aid

The First Aid box for the school will be kept in the Principal’s Office. This will contain disposable gloves, Savlon antiseptic cream, Elastoplast spray plaster, cotton wool, scissors, tape. Parents will be asked each year to allow for the use of spray plaster in case of emergencies, where skin allergies to ordinary plasters might arise.

Disposable gloves must be used at all times when administering First Aid.

Miscellaneous

·  The advisability of having a member of the B.O.M. with skills in areas covered by the Health & Safety Act will be raised when appointments are being made to the Board.

·  Persons entering the school for business or other purposes must identify themselves clearly to whoever admits them and/or make direct contact with the Principal, Deputy Principal or a member of the B.O.M., before initiating any work on the school premises.

·  All flammable, toxic and corrosive substances must be kept in a locked area provided for the purpose and be clearly labelled at all times.

Emergency Procedures

Fire Drill Procedure (-see ‘Fire Drill’)

Fire Drills are carried out at least once a term

Injured / sick child

Policy states that a teacher acts as a prudent parent would in case of illness, injury or accident. If a child is unwell in class, or suffers injury during class time, she is brought to the office (by a teacher for junior classes or accompanied by a classmate, where appropriate, for middle and senior classes) to be seen by the Principal or teacher acting on his behalf.

If warranted, a parent/guardian/childminder/designated relative or neighbour is contacted to be informed of developments and invited to check the child, as required. If a child is injured during yard time, the same procedure applies. The teacher on duty makes a short report on the incident and enters this into the ‘Yard Report Book’. This information is then kept on file.

In the case of serious injuries accidents, insurance and I.N.T.O. forms are filled out and forwarded to the appropriate parties.

It is school policy that children going on messages to the office, another classroom or elsewhere during the school day travel in pairs – they are not allowed on their own. Pupils must not pour hot liquids, plug in or unplug electrical appliances, lift heavy or awkward weights or endanger themselves or others.

First Aid supplies are kept in the office.

Closure of school

The school adheres to D.E.S. Rules regarding exceptional closures in the event of heating breakdown, election/referendum days etc.

Fire Drill and Evacuation Procedures

For St. Patrick’s G.N.S.

1. When Alarm sounds….

- all pupils stand quietly to attention.

- all pupils, when instructed by teacher, leave the classroom in single file. It is very important that there is no running, laughing, talking or making noise. No attempt should be made to pass others. Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to return to the classroom for anything.

- teacher takes roll book and closes the classroom door on leaving.

- teacher calls out on corridors to check in case any pupils are in the toilets.

2. Evacuating the building…

- all downstairs classes exit by the front door and go around to the school yard to line up.

- members of SET will aid evacuation of middle and top floors, overseeing supervision of the descent of the stairs.

- the class on the middle floor should be off that corridor before the top floor classes arrive down.

- the centre classroom and right-hand room on the top floor should descend on the left-hand side of the stairs using the handrail provided.

- pupils from the left-hand classroom should descend using the right-hand side of the staircase.

- pupils are then followed out by SET members and Principal. All other rooms will have been checked out en route.

3. Assembly…

- pupils line up in their normal lining-up positions in the yard.

- a roll call is carried out immediately and an “ALL PRESENT!” call indicates that no pupil is missing.