Health and Safety Policy and Procedure

Transcription

1 Health and Safety Policy and Procedure Statement of intent Sunbeams Pre-school will take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees, children, parents and visitors. Sunbeams Pre-school will operate their business in accordance with the: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; All other relevant health and safety legislation; British Standards; Health Protection Agency guidelines. EU Directives; Approved Codes of Practice and HSE Guidance Documentation COSHH Aim We aim to make children, parents and staff aware of health and safety issues and to minimise the hazards and associated risks to enable the children and others to thrive in a healthy and safe environment, and ensure that compliance with the minimum standards of all relevant legislation is met. In order to achieve this we ensure that: The Management Committee and all Staff accept their accountability, and are aware of their collective and health and safety responsibility; That all required risk assessments in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage are carried out; Safety equipment is provided and tested and inspected as necessary; All chemicals and hazardous substances are used, stored, handled and transported in accordance with recommendations; All management and staff receive any necessary information, instruction, training and supervision; A safe working environment is provided and maintained at all times; Suitable and sufficient resources are provided for health and safety; Effective communication is maintained at all times in all directions, in addition to cooperation between all. Methods The member of staff responsible for health and safety is Natasha Toney. She is competent to carry out these responsibilities. All staff have undertaken health and safety training. Natasha regularly updates her knowledge and understanding. We display the necessary health and safety poster outside the kitchen. Risk assessment Our risk assessment process includes: Checking for hazards and risks indoors and outside, and in our activities and procedures. Our assessment covers adults and children; Deciding which areas need attention; and

2 Developing an action plan which specifies the action that is required, the timescales for action, the person responsible for the action and any funding required. Locating risk assessment documentation in the staff cupboard; Ensuring that updates and adaptations are disseminated to staff by regular team meetings. We maintain lists of health and safety issues which are checked: daily; with opening and closing procedures; Risk assessments are reviewed and updated regularly or as necessary. Insurance Cover We have public liability insurance, trustees liability and employers' liability insurance. The public liability certificate is displayed on the Parents Notice Board. Awareness raising Our induction training for staff and volunteers includes a clear explanation of health and safety issues so that all adults are able to adhere to our policy and understand their shared responsibility for health and safety. Records are kept of these induction training sessions and new staff and volunteers are asked to sign the records to confirm that they have taken part. Health and safety procedures are explained to the parents of new children so that they understand the part they play in the daily life of the pre-school. As necessary, health and safety training is included in the annual training plans of staff and health and safety is discussed regularly at staff meetings. We display no smoking signs as required by law. There is a strict no smoking rule throughout Pre-school and its immediate environment. Children are made aware of health and safety issues through discussions, planned activities and routines. Children's safety Only persons who have been checked for criminal records by an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and are registered with OFSTED as child carers have unsupervised access to the children, including helping them with toileting. Adults do not normally supervise children on their own. All children are supervised by adults at all times OFSTED ratios are adhered to at all times. Whenever children are on the premises, in the care of the Pre-school, at least two adults are present. We adhere to the OFSTED definition of care and abide by our insurance policy: we will not allow children to be in the building before or after the Pre-school session. The exceptions are members of staff s own children, the member of staff being solely responsible for those children during that time. This exception is only made when there are no Pre-school children or parents present. Security Systems are in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. The times of the children's arrivals and departures are recorded and filed in the staff cupboard. The arrival and departure times of adults - staff, volunteers and visitors - are recorded and filed in the staff cupboard or the visitors book.

3 Our systems prevent unauthorised access to our premises. Our staff procedures prevent children from leaving our premises unnoticed. The personal possessions of staff and volunteers are securely stored in personnel lockers during pre-school sessions. Please refer to our security policy. Windows and Doors Low level windows are made from materials which prevent accidental breakage or are made safe. We take precautions to prevent children s fingers from being trapped in doors. Floors Non slip altro floor has been laid where slip hazards could be present. All surfaces are checked daily to ensure they are clean and not uneven or damaged, eliminating the risk of trip hazards. Any potential hazards associated with the floor will be dealt with immediately in order to reduce potential hazards. Kitchen Children do not have unsupervised access to the kitchen. All surfaces are clean and non-porous. There are separate facilities for hand-washing and for washing up. Cleaning materials and other dangerous materials are stored out of children's reach. All H&S information on the packaging is adhered to. Electrical/gas equipment All electrical/gas equipment conforms to safety requirements and is checked annually, in line with the school in accordance with GS23 electricity in schools. Our boiler/electrical switchgear/meter cupboard is not accessible to the children. Fires, heaters, electric sockets, wires and leads are properly guarded and the children are taught not to touch them. Storage heaters are checked daily to make sure they are not covered. There are sufficient sockets to prevent overloading. The temperature of hot water is controlled to prevent scalds. Lighting and ventilation is adequate in all areas including storage areas. Storage All resources and materials which children select are stored safely. All equipment and resources are stored or stacked safely to prevent them accidentally falling or collapsing. A folder containing information regarding any hazardous substances to children and adults is kept on the premises. Outdoor area Our outdoor area is securely fenced. Our outdoor area is checked for safety and cleared of rubbish before it is used.

4 Adults and children are alerted to the dangers of poisonous plants, herbicides and pesticides. Where water can form a pool on equipment, it is emptied before children start playing outside. Our outdoor sand pit is covered when not in use. All outdoor activities are supervised at all times. Hygiene We regularly seek information from the Environmental Health Department and the Health Authority to ensure that we keep up-to-date with the latest recommendations. Our daily routines encourage the children to learn about personal hygiene. We have a daily cleaning routine for the pre-school which includes play room(s), kitchen, rest area, toilets and nappy changing areas. We clean resources and equipment regularly, dressing up clothes and furnishings. The toilet area has a high standard of hygiene including hand washing and drying facilities and the disposal of nappies. We implement good hygiene practices by: - cleaning tables between activities; - checking toilets regularly; - toilets are cleaned between sessions. - wearing protective clothing - such as aprons and disposable gloves - as appropriate; - providing sets of clean clothes; - providing tissues and wipes. Activities Before purchase or loan, equipment and resources are checked to ensure that they are safe for the ages and stages of the children currently attending the pre-school. The layout of play equipment allows adults and children to move safely and freely between activities. All equipment is regularly checked for cleanliness and safety and any dangerous items are repaired or discarded. All materials - including paint and glue - are non-toxic, non-irritant, non-harmful and are water based. Sand is clean and suitable for children's play. Physical play is constantly supervised. Children are taught to handle and store tools safely. Children who are sleeping are checked every 10 minutes. Children learn about health, safety and personal hygiene through the activities we provide and the routines we follow.

5 Equipment and resources Policy Statement of intent At Sunbeams Pre-school, Radford Semele, we believe that high quality care and education is promoted by providing children with safe, clean, attractive, age and stage appropriate resources, toys and equipment. Aim We aim to provide children with resources and equipment which help to consolidate and extend their knowledge, skills, interests and aptitudes. Methods In order to achieve this aim: We provide play equipment and resources which are safe and - where applicable - conform to the BSEN safety standards or Toys (Safety) Regulation (1995); We provide a sufficient quantity of equipment and resources for the number of children; We provide resources which promote all areas of children's learning and development, which may be child - or adult-led; We select books, equipment and resources which promote positive images of people of all races, cultures and abilities, are non-discriminatory and avoid racial and gender stereotyping; We provide play equipment and resources which promote continuity and progression, provide sufficient challenge and meet the needs and interests of all children; We provide made, natural and recycled materials which are clean, in good condition and safe for the children to use; We provide furniture which is suitable for children; We store and display resources and equipment where children can independently choose and select them; We check all resources and equipment regularly as they are set out at the beginning of each session and put away at the end of each session. We repair and clean, or replace any unsafe, worn out, dirty or damaged equipment; We keep an inventory of resources and equipment. This will record the date on which each item was purchased and the price paid for it. We use the inventory to record the dates and results of checking the resources and equipment; We provide adequate insurance cover for the Pre-school's resources and equipment; We plan the provision of activities and appropriate resources so that a balance of familiar equipment and resources and new exciting challenges is offered. Food and drink Staff who prepare and handle food receive appropriate training and understand - and comply with - food safety and hygiene regulations.

6 All food and drink is stored appropriately. Adults do not carry hot drinks around the play area(s) and do not place hot drinks within reach of children. Snack time is appropriately supervised and children do not walk about with food and drinks. Fresh drinking water is available to the children at all times. Parents sign on induction a document listing the 14 allergens* indicating whether their child has any and we operate systems to ensure that children do not have access to food/drinks to which they are allergic. We follow allergen information from the Food Standards Agency. *celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, pupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, soya, sulphur dioxide. More information can be found at Outings and visits We have agreed procedures for the safe conduct of outings. Procedures to be followed on outings are contained within our operational plan. A risk assessment is carried out before an outing takes place all information is disseminated to relevant parties including parents. Parents always sign an additional consent form before major outings. Our adult to child ratio is high, one adult to two children. The children are appropriately supervised to ensure no child gets lost and that there is no unauthorised access to children. Please refer to our Outing Policy. Animals Animals visiting the pre-school are free from disease, safe to be with children and do not pose a health risk. Our pre-school pets are free from disease, safe to be with children and do not pose a health risk. We have a sign stating no dogs allowed on the premises. Good hygiene procedures are implemented, children always wash their hands after handling animals. Fire safety Fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed and easily opened from inside. Smoke detectors/alarms and firefighting appliances conform to BSEN standards, are fitted in appropriate high risk areas of the building and are checked as specified by the manufacturer. Our emergency evacuation procedures are approved by the Fire Safety Officer and are: - Clearly displayed in the premises; - Explained to new members of staff, volunteers and parents; and - Practised regularly at least once every half term. Fire drills are carried out half termly. Records are kept of fire drills and the servicing of fire safety equipment.

7 First aid and medication All staff have undertaken paediatric first aid training. We have first aid kits in the main classroom, and in the kitchen and in our outdoor area. Our first aid kit: Complies with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981; Is termly checked by a designated member of staff (Natasha Toney) and re-stocked as necessary; Is easily accessible to adults; and Is kept out of the reach of children. At the time of admission to Sunbeams Pre-school, parents' written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is sought. Parents sign and date their written approval. Our Accident Book: Is kept safely and accessibly; All staff and volunteers know where it is kept and how to complete it; Is reviewed at least half termly to identify any potential or actual hazards; Complies with the Data Protection Act. All children have an individual page to comply with EYFS statutory framework. The accident book will be signed on the day of the injury by the person collecting the child, if this is not the parent then a copy of the accident book will be sent home and the parent will be informed by telephone. The accident book will be reviewed termly by the member of staff responsible for Health and Safety. Ofsted is notified of any serious accident, illness or injury, or the death of a child or adult within 14 days of the incident. Local child protection agencies will be notified of any serious accident or injury, or the death or any child whilst in our care. We will act on any advice by those agencies. Any accident, near miss or communicable disease that comes under the reportable list as defined by RIDDOR and the health protection authority, to any member of staff, child or visitor, will be reported to the appropriate body and investigated as required by all current health and safety legislation. All corrective action will be taken, monitored and recorded. We meet our legal requirements for the safety of our employees, parents, volunteers or visitors by complying with RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injury, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations). We report to the local office of the Health and Safety Executive: Address: Telephone: Under new guidelines, from September 2016 Sunbeams will administer Calpol to children in an emergency situation where a child s temperature exceeds 38 ºC. The parent will be

8 contacted and told the situation prior to the Calpol being administered. All parents will be asked to sign an agreement to this procedure on induction. It is the parent s responsibility to inform staff if any medication has been given to their child prior to arriving at Sunbeams. The only other circumstances under which staff will administer medication is where prescribed emergency medication is necessary, such as asthma inhalers, piriton, insulin etc. These will be given only to those children for whom they are prescribed. Children's prescribed drugs are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children. If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided for the relevant member of staff by a health professional. For example, Epi-Pen or insulin. This will always be done by a trained first aider. Parents give prior written permission for the administration of medication. The administration is recorded accurately and parents sign the record book to acknowledge the administration of a medicine. Safety of adults and children Adults are provided with guidance about the safe storage, movement, lifting and erection of large pieces of equipment. Adults are provided with guidance about the safe lifting of children. When adults need to reach up to store equipment or to change light bulbs they are provided with safe equipment to do so. All warning signs are clear and in appropriate languages. Adults who remain in the building out of normal working hours will follow the lone working procedures. The sickness of staff and their involvement in accidents is recorded. The records are reviewed termly to identify any issues which need to be addressed. We have signs for no smoking. We do not keep any alcohol on the premises. If we suspected staff or parents were under the influence of alcohol or drugs we would follow disciplinary and child protection procedures. If a staff member is on long term medication then a letter is needed from their doctor saying that they are fit to remain working with children. If a child has ongoing medication then systems would be put in place to support the individual, a care plan would be written and undertaken as appropriate. Cause for concern, existing injury and accidents forms are reviewed termly. Records In accordance with the EYFS, we keep records of: Adults authorised to collect children from Pre-school; The names, addresses and telephone numbers of emergency contacts in case of children's illness or accident; The allergies, dietary requirements and illnesses of individual children; The times of attendance of children, staff, volunteers and visitors;

9 Accidents; and Incidents. The chairperson is kept informed of any recordable accidents or incidents. In addition, the following policies and documentation in relation to health and safety are in place. Risk assessment. Record of visitors. Fire safety procedures. Fire safety records and certificates. Operational procedures for outings. Administration of medication. Prior parental consent to administer medicine. Record of the administration of medicines. Prior parental consent for emergency treatment. Accident record. Sick children. No smoking. Stress at Work Introduction This policy has been compiled to support the setting s ongoing commitment to health and safety and to formally recognise assessment and management of stress at work. Stress definition Every job brings its own set of responsibilities and problems and the pressures and demands these place upon staff are an unavoidable part of working life. Employees are paid to work hard and accept responsibilities. Some pressure can be beneficial. The tasks and challenges faced at work provide the structure to the working day, maintain motivation and are the way to a sense of achievement and job satisfaction. However people s ability to deal with pressure is not limitless. Excessive workplace and /or personal stress to which this pressure can lead, can be harmful. Stress is the reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand upon them. It arises when they worry that they can t cope. Stress can involve: Physical effects, such as raised heart rate, increased sweating, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, aching neck and shoulders, skin rashes and a lowering of resistance to infection.

10 Behavioural effects such as increased anxiety and irritability, a tendency to drink more alcohol and smoke more, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration and an inability to deal calmly with everyday tasks and situations. These effects are usually short lived and do not generally produce lasting harm. When the pressures recede, there is usually a return to normal. Stress is not therefore the same as ill health. But in some cases, particularly where pressures are intense and continue for some time, the effects of stress can be more sustained and far more damaging, leading to longer term psychological problems and physical ill health. Causes of stress Harmful levels of stress are more likely to occur where: Pressures pile on top of each other or are prolonged. People feel trapped or are unable to exert any control over demands placed upon them. People are confused by conflicting demands. People feel a high degree of uncertainty about their work, their objectives or their career or job prospects. Work load is over demanding or inflexible. There is prolonged conflict between individuals, possibly including racial or sexual harassment, bullying or where staff are treated with contempt or indifference. There is a lack of leadership and understanding from managers and supervisors. Problems and difficulties occur in their personal lives outside the workplace. Legislation Sunbeams Pre-school, (Radford Semele), has a general duty under the health and safety at work act 1974 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable that work places are safe and healthy, and that appropriate welfare arrangements are made. Under the Management of Health and safety regulations 1993 management are required to assess the nature and scales of risks to health in the workplace, and devise appropriate control and monitoring measures. Policy The Committee and Pre-school Leader will comply, so far as is reasonably practicable, with legislation identified in section 4. They will endeavour to identify sources of stress in the workplace using stress auditing and subsequently address areas of concern with the prime purpose of achieving a healthy workforce. The following objectives will therefore be pursued: Minimising stress by seeking to reduce hazards to health and safety and unreasonable pressures to which employees are exposed.

11 Management recognition and appropriate timely reaction to deal with stress as it arises. Rehabilitation by offering enhanced support, including counselling, to help staff cope with and recover from stress related conditions which already exist. The Pre-school is therefore committed to identifying the causes of stress, raising awareness and providing appropriate training for staff, who will be encouraged to participate. Stress Audit: In order to objectively assess current levels of stress among staff and devise strategies for improving and monitoring levels, an audit will be undertaken. Means of stress auditing can include: Absence monitoring. Time logs, (recording of sessions worked). Staff appraisals and open door policy for all staff. Strategy for reducing stress The Pre-school Leader and the Committee will endeavour to reduce or remove unnecessary stress to all staff by: Ensuring good communications. Promoting confidence and competence. Flexibility without being unfair to other individuals. Providing scope for improving working conditions and for people to influence the way their jobs are done, thereby increasing interest and a sense of ownership. Planning work to avoid unreasonable deadlines. Promoting an open attitude by managers and colleagues to what people say about stresses associated with their jobs. Encouraging and promoting collaboration rather than unhealthy competition. Endeavouring to ensure fair treatment, and actively discouraging bullying and harassment. Endeavouring to provide appropriate skills, training and resources needed to do their jobs properly. Endeavouring to minimise the number of staff on temporary (bank contracts). Implementation of the above in conjunction with the results obtained from the audit should promote a positive culture for stress management. Monitoring The monitoring techniques used include:

12 An overview of staff absences including reports on levels of staff absence due to stress. This will include references to staff members working hours, sessions worked and staff appraisals, and this scheme provides an opportunity to discuss potential causes of stress. Committee and Management response to incidents of excessive stress Discussion about the causes, with another employee or a friend present if the employee wishes. Careful re-introduction to work following absence. Commitment to seek longer term investigation of problems identified, where necessary. Where the Pre-school Leader is suffering excessive stress, appropriate support will be made available by the Committee and the Senior Practitioners. This Policy is to be used in conjunction with the following policies: Equal opportunities, Whistle blowing, Child Protection, Health and Safety Professional abuse, This policy was adopted at a meeting of Sunbeams Pre-school, Radford Semele Held on (date): 13 September 2017 Signed on behalf of Sunbeams Pre-school Review Date: July 2018 Version Number: 12.

13 The legal framework for all our policies are: Children Act 1989, 2004 and 2006 Childcare Act 2006 Child Protection Record Keeping Guidance (WCC Education Safeguarding Service) County Terrorism and Security Act 2015 Data Protection Act 1994 and 1998 Education Act 2011 Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 Equality Act 2010 Every Child Matters Freedom of Information Act 2000 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Human Rights Act 1998 Keeping Children safe in Education 2016 Protection of Children Act 1999 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and 1986 Special Education Needs and Disability Act 2001 Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2017 The Early Years Foundation Stage The Employment Equality (age) Regulations 2006 The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 WSCB Inter-agency Safeguarding Procedures Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 All other relevant health and safety legislation British Standards Health Protection Agency guidelines EU Directives Approved Codes of Practice and HSE Guidance Documentation COSHH