Health and Safety Policy
Contents
1. Statement of Intent
2. Responsibilities
3. Procedures
4. Electrical Safety
5. Dangerous Substances
6. Equipment
7. Health and Hygiene
8. Animals in School
9. Outdoor Visits
10. Security
11. Contractors and Lettings
12. Staff and the Health and Safety Policy
Appendix 1;
Health and safety publications available in school
Appendix 2;
Security in action
Appendix 3
Disaster Management Plans
Members of the Health and Safety/Buildings and Premises Committee
1.0 Statement of Intent
The policy of the Governing Body and the Headteacher is to maintain safe and healthy working conditions at Lakeside Primary School for all staff, pupils and visitors. In preparing this policy the Health and Safety Guide-lines of City of York have been taken in to account.
The allocation of duties for safety matters and the particular arrangements made.
To implement the policy are set out in this document. An annual review of the
policy will take place. The Policy will be kept under constant review and reviewed at least annually.
2.0 Responsibilities
2.1. The L E A
The LEA is responsible for setting LEA policy for health and safety and informing schools about changes within this policy. They provide advice on health and safety matters.
2.2. The Governing Body
Through the health and safety/buildings and premises committee, the Governing Body is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the health and safety policy of the school as and when necessary.
The health and safety committee considers reports of inspections, assists in safe
work systems and discusses new regulations received from the LEA or the HSE.
The committee meetings are held termly and have an agenda, and are minuted.
A governor reports regularly at meetings of the full Governing Body. Health and Safety is always an agenda item for governors’, Staff, Team and MSA meetings.The Governing Body is responsible for making recommendations relating to safety.
2.3. The Headteacher
Overall responsibility for the detailed health and safety arrangements within the school lies with the Headteacher and in their absence with the designated team leader in charge. It is the Headteacher’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the LEA policy for health and safety.
2.4. Safety Representative
Health and Safety committee carry out termly safety inspections. Records of the inspections are discussed at the meetings of the health and safety committee. In addition the Headteacher and Site Manager do weekly checks.
2.5. Employees
All employees have the responsibility to co-operate to achieve a healthy and safe
workplace and to take reasonable care of themselves and others. Whenever an
employee notices a health and safety problem this should be drawn to the attention
oftheHeadteacher immediately who will record it intheincident book.
3.0 Procedures
3.1. Fire Safety
All exits are marked and kept free of obstructions. There are three fire extinguishers, one electrical extinguisher and a fire blanket in the school and an extinguisher and blanket in the kitchen. Their location is marked with a red fire sticker. Fire safety equipment is checked regularly by Thorn Security and records of their visit are kept. The Headteacher checks the alarm on a regular basis. Fire practices are held termly and recorded in the fire practice
book. In the event of a fire, all staff and children congregate on the field behind the play area, facing towards the school. Named staff are responsible for checking toilets. It is the responsibility of the Headteacher to call the fire brigade. Mrs Gunnell/Mrs Washington will take the registers out to teachers for role call.
3.2. Accidents
We have three first aid boxes, one in the reception classroom, one in the hygiene suite
and one in the office. All accidents are recorded and monitored. All staff hold an emergency first aid certificate. Regular emergency first aid courses are held for all staff. Notifiable accidents and incidents are recorded and passed totheLEA as appropriate.
Letters to parents informingthem of accidents to their children are recorded on a Local Authority Form. These forms are checked each half term for trends of accidents. Letters are always sent to parents when children have a bump on the head.
Plastic, disposable gloves are available and all staff are advised to use these when
dealing with bleeding or other cases of body fluids.
If there is an emergency situation, an ambulance is called to transport a child to
hospital. Wherever possible, the parent should accompany their child. If this is not possible, the child is accompanied by two members of staff. In a non emergency situation, staff can transport a child, but should ensure they have correct insurance cover, otherwise a taxi must be used.
3.3. Reporting Hazards
All staff are responsible for reporting hazards. It is then the Headteacher’s
responsibility to follow up this report. The health and safety committee monitors
the action taken to remedy hazards.
4.0 Electrical Safety
Electrical equipment is numbered and logged. All staff are expected to visually check equipment before use and report damage and remove fromthearea with a notice saying “Fault Do Not Use”
In addition, a risk assessment is carried out on an annual basis and appliances tested by a contractor and a certificate held listing all tested and serviceable equipment.
Staff should note, particular care needs to be taken with extension leads, to avoid trailing wires. No electrical equipment should be introduced into school from home without the prior agreement of the Headteacher.
5.0 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
Any substances marked as dangerous are not left in classrooms. Staff should check that instructions are followed when using any such substances. The cleaning
cupboard is locked during the day and the key kept in the Secretary’s office.
Teaching staff should note thattheuse of chemicals in science should be checked withthescience co-ordinator ortheHeadteacher.
Please informtheHeadteacher of any additional potential COSHHE items that have been brought into school other than those onthelist.
6.0 Equipment
It istheresponsibility of all staff to ensure that equipment is in good working order and is stored safely. Any faulty equipment should be withdrawn from use and reported totheHeadteacher, with a note saying Fault Do Not Use. The following points about equipment should
be noted:
Staple Guns - These are not to be used by children and must always be stored in a drawer when not in use.
DT Equipment Children are instructed in the correct use of this
equipment and fully supervised when using tools.
Ladders - Several pairs of ladders are kept in school. These are
checked during a health and safety inspection. Teachers and helpers are advised to use ladders and not chairs when displaying work.
PE Equipment PE equipment is inspected annually by an outside contractor. Records are kept of these inspections.
Cookers - Parents are shown how to operate the cooker. It is
essential that parents remain by the cooker when the rings
are still hot. The cooker is marked with this instruction.
7.0 Health and Hygiene
7.1. Notifiable and Infectious Diseases
Details of notifiable diseases and periods of exclusion are kept in the school prospectus.
7.2. Medicines
It isthe school policy not to administer medicine except inthecase of chronic illness after discussion with parents. A medical care plan isthen drawn up in conjunction withtheschools medical officer. In general only inhalers are kept in school. Children who go home with a medical complaint or as a result of an accident are recorded in a book intheoffice.
7.3. Smoking
The Governing Body has adopted a no smoking policy within the school building and grounds.
7.4. Hygiene
It is the responsibility of the Headteacher to monitor the cleanliness of the building. This is part of the weekly visual inspection.
All staff are responsible for encouraging good hygiene habits in the children. Particular emphasis is placed on hand washing.
8.0 Animals in School
Only the following small mammals can be kept in school - gerbil, mouse, hamster, rabbit and guinea pig.
Fish may be kept in school
No dogs are allowed in the school grounds.
Guidance on keeping animals is located in “Be Safe”. Stuffed animals are only used if displayed in glass cases.
9.0 Outdoor Visits
These are considered a vital part of our work. Any outdoor visit is carefully researched and preliminary visit made by theteacher. APPROPRIATE RISK ASSESSMENT FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED using Evolve. It isthe duty ofthe teacher to ensure all helpers are fully briefed aboutthe visit andthe expectations for behaviour. Parental consent forthe visit is always sought. Risk assessment for outdoor visits are completed and checked by a member ofthe Health and Safety Committee.
When residential visits are organised parents are invited in to school to discussthevisit in detail. Staff should be aware ofthe LA guide-lines for educational visits.
10. Security
All staff and pupils are encouraged to be aware of strangers on the premises. If a
visitor is unknown identification should be requested. Visitors are requested to enter
only by the front door Outside doors at the school are closed once children have left
the premises., Pushpads and keypads on doors prevent entry. Staff who remain in
school late are advised to ensure that their classroom doors are locked. In the event
of anything suspicious or a child or a teacher is at risk of injurythen a precoded card will be sent totheHeadteacher or Secretary andthey will act appropriately (red card - emergency, green card - assistance required). Any act of violence or abuse towards a member of staff must be reported totheHeadteacher, who will taketheappropriate action. Further notes on our security policy are set out in appendix 2.
All outside classrooms have walkie talkies which are linked directly totheoffice.
11. Contractors
All contractors are expected to reporttheir arrival and departure totheHeadteacher or office staff before commencing work. Ifthey are working in an unsafe mannerthey are requested to stop work bytheHeadteacher. Additional advice is available from Property Services.
11.1. Lettings
All bodies using the school building receive information which includes information about the location of the first aid box and the telephone. They also have a contact number for the caretaker.
12.0 Staff and the Health and Safety Policy
All staff, teaching and non teaching, are given a copy of the policy. New staff are given a copy and are required to confirm they have read it. All staff keep a copy of the policy in the staff file so that it is available for supply staff.
12.1. Staff are encouraged to attend health and safety courses as appropriate.
Appendix 1
Booklets and Books
1. Health and Safety - LEA Guide-lines
2. Health/Safety and Schools - Barry Stock
3. Be Safe (science safety guide-lines)
4. Make it Safe (DT safety guide-lines)
5. Safety Guide-lines for Educational Visits and Outdoor Activities
6. Safety and Disaster Mangement in Schools and Colleges.
Appendix 2
Security in Action
Management Practice
is being reviewed.
Contingency Planning
Evacuation Plans
General Building Security
The keyholders for theschool are controlled. Currently these are theHeadteacher, Site Manager and Keyholding Company (Mayfair).
Security Outside of School Hours
Equipment/Money
Policy?
or anything which may cause injury?
and safety?
Name:
Signature Date
Members of the Health and Safety/Buildings and Premises Committee
Alison Morgan Governor
Jane Wade Governor
Irene Waudby Governor
Laura Wade Teacher Governor
Ros Latham Headteacher
Karen Reynolds Staff Governor
