St Mary’s CEVAP School, Hadleigh

Health and Safety Policy

Person responsible:Mr A Frolish

Date of Policy:Spring 2015

Date of review:Spring 2016

The Governors and Headteacher acknowledge that under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:

  1. Suffolk Local Authority has the prime responsibility for Health and Safety and the Governing Body and Headteacher have specific responsibilities to manage health, safety and welfare at the school level. Because we are a VoluntaryAidedSchool, the Governing Body also carries the employer’s duties for Health and Safety.
  2. The Governors have responsibilities to:
  • Support the published policies and aims of the Local Authority,
  • Promote continuous improvement in the Health & Safety performance of the Education Service.
  1. The Headteacher, as Local Health and Safety Co-ordinator, has principal duty in the school for ensuring the local implementation of guidance, codes of practice and other advice from Suffolk Local Authority.
  2. 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.

All members of staff and Governors are committed to taking all reasonable actions to ensure that these duties are fulfilled.

All staff members have a responsibility to work in a safe manner and to report any conditions that may have health and safety implications in the school grounds or on the school premises.

This document must be made available to all staff in school. All staff members must be aware of the contents of this policy and should report any matters within the policy that should be modified or could be improved.

The school has separate policies for Safeguarding, Fire Safety and the administration of medicines.

ORGANISATION

The Headteacher has responsibility for day-to-day management of Health and Safety issues and is known as the Local Health and Safety Co-ordinator.

PHSC refers to the Governors’ Premises, Health and Safety Committee.

All staff should have regard to their own health and safety 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 dealt with quickly.

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 / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Governors’ Health & Safety Committee / PHSC
Communication and information management / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Critical Incident Management / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
H & S Induction Training / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Programmed Updated Training / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Personal Safety Procedures (also Schoolsafe) / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Planned checks (procedures) / PHSC
Planned checks (equipment) / Andrew Frolish / Contractors
Local authority / Headteacher
Planned checks (premises) / PHSC
Incident reporting / investigation / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Co-ordination of risk assessment work / PHSC
Fire procedures including personal emergency evacuation plans / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Locally organised premises maintenance, repair and improvement / Peter Bloomfield / Caretaker
First Aid (Training and Equipment) / Gloria Powell / Teaching Assistant
Vehicle Control and pedestrians / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Educational visits co-ordinator / Matthew Coombs / Deputy Headteacher
Stress and Wellbeing / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Safeguarding Co-ordinator / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Supporting children with medical needs / Andrew Frolish / Headteacher
Premises Security / Peter Bloomfield / Caretaker
Contractors on site / Sue Scrivener / Administrator
Outside lettings / Peter Bloomfield / Caretaker

ARRANGEMENTS

Health and Safety Policy Review

  • The school’s Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed annually and the new policy adopted.
  • The review process will take into account views from the staff.
  • Targets included in the policy document will be reflected in the School Development Plan and other strategic documents.
  • The school policy will be displayed openly and discussed with staff so that they are aware of it.

Premises, Health and Safety Committee (PHSC)

  • The school PHSC meets at least once per term. This committee monitors the Health & Safety Policy as well as carrying out planned inspections.
  • The meetings are minuted and action points followed up for review.
  • The Headteacher presents a termly report to the whole Governing Body that includes Health & Safety matters, such as training undertaken.
  • The PHSC conducts annual checks, which are reported to the full Governing Body annually.
  • The PHSC reviews the school’s incident records for each term, and for each year, to identify any patterns or other indicators requiring management attention.
  • Governors are aware of the school website and review the contents on an individual basis.

Communication and Information Management

  • The school has a system to ensure relevant Health & Safety information is passed onto the relevant people within the school. Information is passed out in staff meetings, briefings and via the staff information whiteboard.
  • Subject Co-ordinators acknowledge their specific responsibility for managing curriculum subject specific information.
  • A copy of the H & S Policy is kept in the staffroom (in the staff handbook), office (in the staff handbook), kitchen and on the school’s shared computer drive.
  • Relevant feedback from PHSC is presented at staff meetings.
  • Incident reporting procedures form part of staff H & S training.
  • The Headteacher keeps a copy of the ‘Education Health and Safety – Local Management of Schools’ manual.

Critical Incident Management and temporary staff absence

County guidelines on critical incident management are followed.

The school has arrangements to cover the occasional (but foreseeable) absence of key staff so that first aid provision, medical needs and security are maintained.

Health and Safety Induction Training

New staff members receive appropriate induction training, including training that is matched to their specific work and responsibilities. This induction includes:

  • Overview of the school’s Health & Safety Policy and organisational structure.
  • Tour of the premises.
  • Current health and safety priorities for the school – safety policy targets.
  • Communication and relationships with other departments, schools and Suffolk Local Authority.
  • General health and safety advice, including the school’s own guidance and that from the Local Authority.
  • The use of the Incident Reporting form for incidents, hazards, work-related injuries and illnesses and fires.
  • Where appropriate, curriculum specific guidance and arrangements for working with local authority advisers e.g. swimming.
  • For certain staff (Headteacher, Administrator, Caretaker, etc) the arrangements for ensuring the duties relating to asbestos management are fulfilled and that the asbestos survey report is available.
  • Initial advice to women of child-bearing age about the need for an ‘expectant and new mothers’ risk assessment.
  • Smoking restrictions.
  • Fire evacuation and emergency procedures.
  • Critical incident procedures.
  • The arrangements the school has for managing visitors.
  • Information on hazards that are specific to the school, and established controls or precautions including the open space shared with the general public.
  • If relevant to the post, materials and substances in use – handling and labeling systems /warning signs and COSHH requirements, risk assessments and health and safety data sheets.
  • Arrangements for visits and trips.
  • Trained first aid personnel and first-aid facilities.
  • Fire extinguishers and blankets – location and use.
  • Access to well being advice, counseling and other staff support systems.
  • Security.
  • Restricted areas and equipment.
  • Manual lifting and handling – general advice and risk assessment.
  • What to do in an emergency, including fires which start in class.
  • Specific issues arising from mobility difficulties or other reasons giving rise to the need for Personal Evacuation Plans.

Routine Updating Training

Health and Safety training is undertaken on a regular basis. Staff members are expected to keep records of training received.

  • Teachers, teaching assistants, midday supervisors and named first aiders are trained to the appropriate level and this training is refreshed within the specified limits.
  • Copies of training certificates relating to general health and safety, ‘School Safe’, safeguarding and first aid are kept on file in the school office.

Personal Safety procedures, School Safe and control of violence

  • Schoolsafe training is undertaken at least every two years.
  • Any incidents of aggression, assault or verbal abuse are recorded under the school incident reporting procedure.
  • Guidance on ‘Dealing with abuse, threats and violence towards school staff’ forms part of ongoing H&S training.
  • Visitors to school have to sign in and are issued with a badge.
  • Visitors are clearly directed to use the main entrance to the school. Signs are clearly visible from the outside of the building.
  • Headteacher and caretaker are the main keyholders, and the relevant authorities are promptly advised of changes to the list.
  • Consideration is given to the safety of lone workers and procedures are in place, particularly with regard to locking up.

Planned Safety Checks

Procedures

Arrangements are in place for monitoring H&S issues:
PHSC monitors and considers health and safety issues, undertakes safety inspections annually and may conduct reviews of incident forms.

The Educational Visits Coordinator has oversight of risk assessments undertaken for educational visits.

Staff members on playground duties undertake simple, visual, informal checks of play equipment and outside environments and any issues are reported.

Equipment

The following are subject to appropriate maintenance checks:

  • All indoor and outdoor sports and play equipment.
  • The school’s water system – hygiene, temperature and legionnaires disease checks.
  • Catering equipment, including ventilators
  • Ladders and stepladders.
  • Electrical equipment (PAT).
  • Staff membersundertake simple, visual, informal checks of electrical equipment before and during use. Staff members are aware that any defective equipment should not be used and should be reported.
  • The school makes use of centrally organised contracts for maintenance e.g. PAT through the Property Department of the Local Authority.

Premises

  • The whole school site is inspected annually by the PHSC.
  • Regular visual checks are carried out by the Headteacher / caretaker.
  • Visual checks are carried out before using PE equipment and staff members are aware of the need to keep fire exits and routes clear of obstructions.
  • The Corporate Property Adviser undertakes condition survey reviews, asbestos surveys and ‘walk around’ site visits regularly.

Infection control Arrangements

The school has separate policies for providing intimate care, and managing medicines and pupils’ medical needs.

Incident Reporting/Investigation

  • Minor accidents and any treatment given are reported on recording sheets from first aid books kept with first aid kits. A copy of this record is kept in a central file in the school office and a copy is sent home to parents.
  • The Incident Report form and associated guidance booklet is kept in the office and is used to record and report serious incidents.
  • Staff are briefed on when and how to use the form.
  • The Headteacher, or a designated and competent member of staff, signs, and checks every Incident Report form before it is sent to the Area Office.
  • Every incident is subject to investigation as appropriate with a view to preventing recurrence.
  • The school’s PHSC periodically review the incident history for the school and plan actions to reduce the likelihood of future incidents.

Co-ordination of Risk Assessment Work

Published guidance or recommended practices are generally followed and this is supplemented by individual risk assessments. For example:

Educational visits and trips

New and expectant mothers

Display screen equipment

Manual handling

Working at heights

Lone-working

Pupils with challenging behavior (relevant staff members have undertaken School Safe risk assessment training)

Fire Procedure

  • As part of the ‘Core Plus’ property package purchased from the LA, the LA undertakes a fire safety risk assessment annually.
  • Fire risksare considered by the PHSC when undertaking general monitoring, and when there are any significant changes to the premises.
  • Staff members are briefed on the fire evacuation procedure.
  • Running green man signs are in appropriate places around the school.
  • Evacuation practice is carried out and recorded termly.
  • All fire extinguishers are checked weekly by the caretaker and have an annual maintenance check. Emergency lighting and the fire alarm are tested weekly.
  • Fire exit doors are in constant everyday use and staff members have responsibility for keeping exits clear.
  • Fire awareness is included in general health and safety training.
  • Fan heaters in classrooms are a potential fire risk. Staff members are instructed not to store things on or around the fan heaters in a way that increases the risk.

Locally Organised Premises Maintenance, Repair and Improvement

  • Advice is sought from the Diocesan Buildings Officer and LA Property Adviser before project work is commenced.
  • All relevant staff members are aware of the asbestos procedures and all contractors coming onto site are required to view and sign the asbestos survey report log.
  • Cleaning and ground maintenance contractors are expected to carry out their own risk assessments and conform to safe systems of work.

First Aid – Training and Equipment

  • First aid equipment is appropriately located (including in every classroom and the school office) and the First Aid Co-ordinator monitors stock levels on a weekly basis.
  • The First Aid Co-ordinator keeps a record of staff training.
  • First Aid arrangements for visits and trips are covered under the Educational Visits Policy.
  • Minor accidents and any treatment given are reported on recording sheets from first aid books kept with first aid kits. A copy of this record is kept in a central file in the school office and a copy is sent home to parents.

Vehicle Control and Pedestrian Safety

  • There is a very small parking area to the side of the school. Staff and visitors are permitted to park on site if room. All vehicles must be parked considerately.
  • Routine deliveries happen before school starts or at times when there are no children in the area, or where the children are closely supervised.
  • The school liaises with the council regarding refuse collection times.
  • Delivery and refuse vehicles access the driveway to the side of the school, which is out-of-bounds for pupils.

Educational Visits Co-ordinator (EVC)

  • The school has a nominated co-ordinator and ensures that the LA training has been completed.
  • The school has adopted a policy which follows the model provided by the LA.
  • The school uses the LA’s online ‘Evolve’ risk assessment system.

Stress and Well Being

  • If a member of staff informs the school that they are suffering from stress, then the school assesses risks so that where possible the school will aim to reduce the causing factors, and will provide an opportunity for counseling.
  • Free vouchers for Inspire Christian Counselling are given to staff each year, and stress management training takes place as appropriate on PD Days.
  • The school also buys into the Local Authority’s wellbeing scheme, ‘Worklife Support’.
  • The school may refer an employee to Occupational Health for an assessment and support if necessary.
  • Any reported cases of stress are recorded in individual files on Return to Work forms so that support can be given by the school.
  • Issues relating to stress, workload and work-life balance are discussed regularly by Governors.

Safeguarding Procedures

  • The current LA guidance is followed and is supported by a specific school policy updated on an annual basis.

Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs

  • The latest LA guidelines are followed.
  • The school has a policy documenting the arrangements for the administration of medicines and for the management of medicines within the school.
  • The PHSC review the school’s policy and practice relating to the supporting of students with medical needs.

Premises Security and Visitor Safety

  • Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure adequate supervision exists when visitors (including parents and children who are not pupils of the school) are present on site. They are required to sign in and are escorted round the site by a member of staff.
  • All visitors are required to sign in and wear a visitor’s badge.
  • Staff members are encouraged to challenge strangers who are either on the site or nearby and acting suspiciously.

Contractors on site