Health and Safety Policy

  Duck Street, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, DT2 7LA

‘The Small School with the Big Heart.’

Tel: 01300 341319         e-mail:office@cerneabbas.dorset.sch.uk         Website: www.cerneabbas.dorset.sch.uk

Health and Safety Policy 

Health and Safety Policy for

CERNE ABBAS CE VC FIRST SCHOOL 

Health and Safety Governor – Barbara Southcott

Statement of Intent

Cerne Abbas CE VC First School recognises its legal and moral responsibilities to persons who may be adversely affected by school activities.

The Law

Health and safety in schools is governed by legislation and associated regulations, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

In community schools, community special schools and voluntary controlled schools statutory health and safety responsibilities fall on the LA (as the employer) and on the Headteacher and other school staff (as employees).

As the management body, the Governing body must ensure that school staff and premises comply with the LA’s health and safety policies and practices (e.g. reporting accidents, first aid provision), and:

• Develop and regularly update a health and safety policy and advise employees of it;
• Have a critical incident/emergency contingency plan;
• Ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and wellbeing of teachers and other education staff; the health and safety of pupils in school and on off-site visits; and the health and safety of visitors to the school including volunteers involved in any school activity and contractors working on the school site;
• Assess the risk of all activities, both in school and off-site; introduce measures to manage the risks, and instruct employees about the risks and the measures to control them; 
• Ensure that staff are competent and trained in their responsibilities (including written records of training); and are actively involved in health and safety;
• Take reasonable steps to make sure that the buildings, equipment and materials are safe and do not put the health of users and visitors at risk.

In practice, the governing body may delegate specific health and safety tasks to others at the school.

The Governing body, and the Headteacher, must comply with any direction given to them by the LA concerning health and safety of persons on the school’s premises or taking part in any school activities elsewhere.

Responsibilities

It is recognised that individuals and groups of individuals have responsibilities for the health, safety and wellbeing in the school. The individuals and groups identified below are expected to have read and understood the school’s policies and procedures for ensuring health, safety and wellbeing and to conduct their duties in accordance with them.

Governors

The governors are responsible for ensuring that mechanisms and procedures are in place for health, safety and wellbeing. The governors will receive regular reports to enable them, in collaboration with the Headteacher, to prioritise resources for health, safety and wellbeing issues.

The governors have appointed a Health and Safety Governor to receive information, monitor the implementation of policies, procedures and decisions and feedback to the governing body on health, safety and wellbeing issues.

The governors of: Cerne Abbas CE VC First School will

• Provide as far as reasonably practicable a safe and healthy environment for all persons who work at, attend or visit the school.
• Ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of pupils, staff and volunteers on off-site visits and activities. 
• Endorse and support the safety policies of Dorset Council (DC), and to assist the Council to discharge those responsibilities, which it holds as an employer.
• Seek improvement to working conditions according to priorities within existing resources.
• Recognise their responsibilities when they make available premises or equipment for hire, and will ensure that risks to the safety or health of hirers and other persons are adequately controlled as far as possible.
• Ensure that risk assessments are carried out within the school using DC Evolve risk assessment online system.
• Encourage informal meetings and ensure time is made available in staff meetings where health and safety issues can be raised.
• Ensure that staff can access training to ensure their competence for their task.
• Accept the duties they may hold as a client when they arrange for work through contractors or volunteers. Follow DC guidance for the selection of competent contractors and will seek assistance from the schools Property Surveyor or DC Property Management Division when necessary. Ensure that volunteers receive adequate instruction and supervision to work safely.
• Ensure all staff accidents, significant pupil accidents and third party accidents are reported to the Dorset County's Health and Safety Team in accordance with the DC accident reporting policy and procedure.
• Review on an annual basis, all accidents and incidents reported to identify trends.
• Consult with the school council and inform pupils of their responsibility for health and safety.
• Recognise the role of safety representatives appointed by recognised trade unions and co-operate with them so they may undertake their health and safety related functions, including reasonable paid time off for consultation, inspections and investigations.

Headteacher

The Headteacher has responsibility for:-

• Ensuring termly H&S inspections are carried out by the Finance and Business Manager, Site Manager and if available Health and Safety Governor.
• Ensuring inspection reports are submitted to the governors.
• Liaising with governors and/or the LA on policy issues and any problems in implementing the health and safety policy.
• Day to day management of all health and safety matters in the school in accordance with the health and safety policy.
• Ensuring action is taken on health, safety and wellbeing issues.
• Passing on information received on health and safety matters to appropriate people.
• Carrying out accident investigations where pupils are involved.
• Liaising with governors and/or the LA on policy issues and any problems in implementing the health and safety policy.

Finance and Business Manager

The Finance and Business Manager has responsibility for:

• Passing on information received on health and safety matters to appropriate people.
• Submitting inspection reports to the governors.
• Identifying and facilitating staff training needs.
• Carrying out accident investigations where staff are involved.
• Liaising with governors and/or the LA on policy issues and any problems in implementing the health and safety policy.
• Co-operating with and providing necessary facilities for trade union safety representatives.
• Providing necessary facilities for all employees to be consulted on health and safety matters.
• Where contracts are negotiated directly between the school and the contractor, the Finance and Business Manager is also expected to monitor purchasing and contracting procedures, to ensure that the employer’s health and safety policy is complied with.
• liaising with contractors undertaking major works and for ensuring that the risk due to having contractors on site is monitored and controlled.
• with the authority of the Headteacher to request action from the contractor where conditions are considered to be unsafe.
• The coordination of the school’s health and safety policy directly responsible to the Headteacher for the application of the health and safety procedures and arrangements.
• Ensuring, as far as reasonably practicable, that sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision is provided to enable employees and pupils to avoid hazards and to contribute positively to their own health and safety.
• Obtain relevant advice and guidance on health and safety matters.

Whilst the responsibility for the above cannot be delegated, the function of carrying out these tasks can be delegated to other members of staff (i.e. the school’s Site Manager).

Staff with special responsibility

Bernie Edwards, Site Manager, has responsibility for:

• The local arrangements to ensure the effective control of risks within the specific areas under their control.
• The local arrangements for the purchase, inspection and maintenance of equipment and its specification.
• Establishing and maintaining safe working practices including arrangements for ensuring, as far as is reasonably practicable, the absence of risks to health and safety in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances, e.g. chemicals, hot water, sharp tools and machinery.
• Resolving health, safety and wellbeing problems referred to them by members of their staff or referring to the Headteacher or line manager any problems they are unable to resolve within the resources available to them.
• Ensuring that risk assessments are carried out when necessary and reviewed, and on a regular basis within the overall programme for the school, on the activities and equipment for which they are responsible.

Employees

All Dorset Council employees are directly responsible for:

• Taking reasonable care for the health safety of themselves and of other people who may be affected by their acts and / or omissions.
• Co-operating fully with their manager or responsible person on all matters relating to their health and safety at work.
• Not recklessly or intentionally interfering with, or misusing any equipment, safety devices etc. that have been provided in the interest of health and safety.
• Reporting promptly, in the first instance to their manager or responsible person, any accidents, injury, significant near miss, incident of violence and aggression or cases of work–related ill health.
• Report to the relevant manager, any defects, hazard, damage or unsafe practices or other items that could give rise to an unsafe place of work or cause injury or ill-health to others. Any defective equipment should be labelled to ensure other employees cannot use the item.
• Wearing any protective clothing or equipment and using any safety devices that have been provided for their health and safety while at work.
• Observing safety rules, complying with codes of practice and health and safety policy and procedures, and adhering to safe working procedures at all times.
• Acquaint themselves with, and comply with, the procedure to follow in case of a fire or other emergency.
• Attending health and safety training as directed and undertaking their work activities in accordance with any health and safety training provided to them.

Volunteers

Volunteers (such as parent helpers etc.) have a responsibility to act in accordance with the schools policies and procedures for health and safety and to report any incident or defective equipment to a member of staff immediately.

Volunteers are also expected to act only under the supervision of a qualified member of staff.

School health and safety representatives

Safety representatives are appointed by recognised Trade Unions.

** At present there are no safety representatives.

Under the requirements of the Safety Committee and Safety Representative Regulations 1977, where safety representatives are appointed they will be given adequate time and facilities to fulfil their functions.

Contractors

All contractors under school control will be appropriately selected and competent in terms of health and safety.

• Contractors must be made aware of and abide by the schools health and safety policy and not endanger pupils, staff or other visitors to the site.
• Alex Ryan, Finance and Business Manager and Bernie Edwards, Site Manager will be responsible for the co-ordination of the contractors’ activities on site.
• The Headteacher must ensure that any temporary rules, such as exclusion from parts of the premises, are known to all staff, pupils and visitors to the premises. This might be achieved by the posting of suitable notices by the Headteacher, or by the contractor, in consultation with the Headteacher. All contractors must report to the responsible person named above before any work takes place and prior to each working session. The responsible person should then inform the contractor of any conditions which may affect his safety and that of others.

Visitors and other users of the premises

Where the facilities are shared, ensure that there are suitable and sufficient arrangements for communicating and co-ordinating health, safety and security policies and procedures with other occupiers, e.g. youth service, leisure centre, catering and cleaning contractors and outside staff based in schools.

• All visitors to the school must comply with the school and DC health and safety policy and procedures.
• The Headteacher must ensure that a suitable system is implemented whereby visitors are required to record their visit to the school (visitor’s book) and the time they leave. This should include all visitors to the school including Governors, Property Surveyor, Contractor’s etc.
• Where applicable visitors will be required to wear a ‘visitors’ identification badge which will be supplied by the school.
• Where reasonably practicable, visitors will be accompanied at all times by a responsible employee.
• Should a fire / emergency occur or the fire alarm is activated whilst visitors are on the schools premises, the person who is accompanying the visitor will take him / her to the fire assembly point.
• Should an incident / accident occur involving a visitor it must be reported using DC accident reporting policy and procedure and form and sent to the Dorset Council Health and Safety Team. An investigation must be undertaken as soon as possible by the relevant responsible person.
• If the incident is of a serious nature or fatal the Headteacher should contact the County Health and Safety Team immediately on 01305 225019.
• Persons hosting visitors including meeting arrangers must ensure:

1. Visitors are alerted to the establishment fire procedures.
2. Visitors adhere to the ‘no smoking’ policy.
3. Visitors park their vehicles in such a way so as not to obstruct fire escape routes, roads, access or other vehicles.
4. Visitors record time of arrival and departure in the visitors book.
5. Where applicable visitors are provide with and wear identification badges.
6. Visitors are accompanied or authorised to enter the premises.
7. Visitors remain within authorised areas and do not enter any restricted area unless permission is granted and the person is accompanied.
8. Visitors do not take anything with them from the premises, or bring anything onto the premises that may create a hazard or risk unless authorised.
9. Visitors report all accidents, incidents and near misses to the host.
10. Visitors wear protective clothing that is supplied when necessary.

Pupils

Pupils will be reminded that they are expected to:

• Exercise personal responsibility for the health and safety of themselves and others.
• Observe standards of dress consistent with safety and / or hygiene, as detailed within the appropriate curriculum safety guidelines.
• Observe all the health and safety rules of the school and, in particular, the instructions of staff given in an emergency.
• Use and not wilfully misuse, neglect or interfere with things provided for their health and safety.

All pupils and parents will be made aware of this section of the policy through the School Website under the Policies Section.

Arrangements

Monitoring and Inspection

The school buys in to the Service Level Agreement for Health, Safety and Wellbeing. As part of this service the Dorset Council Health and Safety Team conduct an audit or review of the schools health and safety systems. A copy of the latest audit is available in the office.

The school completes written termly premises inspections in accordance with DC guidance.

First aid

The school has assessed the need for first aid provision and ensures that the guidelines given within the latest DC First Aid Code of Practice are complied with.

An up to date list of all first aiders is displayed in the office.

First aid kits are located in the office and portable kits are available for lunchtimes, PE lessons and school trips and visits. The contents of the kits will be checked on a regular basis and the kit will be labelled with the date of checking and signature of the person who has checked the kit.

For further information please see the schools First Aid Policy.

Accident recording

The school will record all accidents in accordance with DC Accident reporting policy and procedure.

*Any accidents reportable to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) will be completed by the County Health and Safety Team on the schools behalf.

Administration of medicines

The school follows DfES guidance on the dispensing of medicines within school. For further details please see the schools administration of medicines policy.

Off site visits

The school follows DC Children’s Services Off Site Events and Adventurous Activities Policy.

Further information can be found within this policy.

Fire

The school will ensure that a fire evacuation drill is completed at least once per term and record the date in the fire log.

The fire log will be kept up to date with entries for weekly fire alarm checks and fire door checks, monthly emergency lighting checks and fire extinguisher checks and any contractor visits or false alarms.

Arrangements are in place for evacuating disabled people (a personal emergency evacuation plan PEEP).

The Headteacher/governing body will ensure a fire risk assessment is completed and updated at least annually or more frequently if there is a significant change to the building.

All staff are responsible for ensuring that pupils and visitors evacuate in an orderly and timely fashion in the event of the alarm sounding.

All staff are responsible for ensuring evacuation routes and doors are kept clear at all times.

For further details please see the schools policy for fire.

Electricity

The school will undertake to inspect and test all portable appliances by a competent person on an at least two yearly basis with a written annual visual check in between the years of PAT test undertaken annually.

The competent person will produce an inventory of test which will be kept in the health and safety file.

All staff will visually inspect electrical equipment before use for obvious defects.

Defective equipment will not be used, will be labelled and reported as defective for replacement/repair.

The school will ensure that the fixed wiring inspections are completed on a 5 yearly basis by a competent contractor.

* If personal items of electrical equipment are required to be used in school then permission must be sought from Alex Ryan or the Headteacher and the equipment must have a current portable appliance test completed on it.

Work equipment 

All work equipment will be purchased from a reputable supplier.

Before purchase the following considerations must be given:

• The installation requirements
• The suitability for purpose
• The positioning and or storage of the equipment
• Maintenance requirements (contracts and repairs)
• Training and use of the equipment.

Staff must not use new items of work equipment unless appropriate training has been given. A risk assessment must be completed for the work equipment and staff using the equipment must have assess to and comply with the risk assessment.

All plant and equipment that require statutory inspection, testing and maintenance for example, steam boilers, pressure cookers, lifting equipment, local exhaust ventilation will be completed by a DC approved contractor (if the school does not use an approved contractor they must ensure a competent contractor is used).

Any personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the use of the work equipment will be supplied free of charge by the school. All employees will be expected to wear the PPE when operating the equipment.

Access equipment (kick-stools, ladders, tower scaffolds and mewps etc)

All access equipment must be purchased form a reputable supplier.

Before purchase the following considerations must be given:

• The installation requirements
• The suitability for purpose
• The positioning and or storage of the equipment
• Training and use of the equipment.

Staff must not use access equipment unless appropriate training has been given. A risk assessment must be completed for the access equipment or task and staff using the equipment must have assess to and comply with the risk assessment.

The access equipment should be visually checked before each use. An inventory is required for all access equipment with a formal written 6 monthly check (tower scaffolds and mewps will require specialist and more frequent checks).

Control of hazardous substances

All substances that may be considered hazardous to health have been assessed (except in science – these are covered by CLEAPSS hazcards).

A copy of the health and safety data sheet and COSHH assessment will be available in the location of where the chemicals are used / stored. Any person using these chemicals must ensure they have seen and follow the information given on the COSHH assessment (including the wearing of any identified PPE) Staff must not bring any hazardous chemical onto the school site unless prior permission has been sought and a COSHH assessment has been completed.

Asbestos

The school has an asbestos register which is located in the office in a Health and Safety file.

All contractors must be shown the register before work commences.

Any damaged or suspected damage to asbestos should be reported to the Headteacher who will contact the schools Property Surveyor immediately.

Legionella

The school has a legionella survey which is located in the office. Bernie Edwards, Site Manager is responsible for ensuring that any monthly temperature checks are completed and the weekly flushing records are completed. 

Violence

The school follows DC policy and guidance for violence at work. For further information please refer to the DC Violence at Work Policy (schools).

All incidents of verbal and physical abuse will be recorded on the accident / incident report form and sent to the County Health and Safety Team.

Manual Handling

The school complies with the DC Manual Handling Policy and Procedure and completes risk assessments on any significant manual handling tasks. Employees who complete manual handling tasks will have suitable and sufficient training. For further information please refer to the DC Manual Handling Policy.

Lone working

The school complies with the DC Lone Working Policy and completes risk assessments for any lone working scenario. For further information please refer to the DC Lone Working Policy.

Risk assessments

Risk assessments are completed for any significant risks in accordance with the DC Risk Assessment policy. These risk assessments are working documents and must be viewed by staff carrying out the activity and updated/reviewed on an at least annual basis or whenever there is a significant change to the activity / task / personnel / or following an accident. For further information please refer to the DC Risk Assessment Policy.

Training and records 

The school will ensure that all staff have suitable and sufficient training to complete the tasks required of them. The school will ensure all training is recorded and update training is completed where required.