ST MICHAEL S CHURCH SCHOOL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY (This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Peterborough City Council Health and Safety Management in School s Publication) Purpose of the Policy This document provides a framework for the creation of a safe environment in which to work and learn. It is written for the benefit of all members of the school community, to allow each to understand the policy of the school and their own responsibilities within this. General Principles The school should be a safe place for all those associated with using it: pupils, staff and visitors The overall responsibility of ensuring a safe environment rests with the Headteacher although it is the duty of all those who work in school to ensure the safety of themselves and others and to report any possible health and safety issues Responsibilities It is the responsibility of all members of the school community (staff, parents, pupils and governors) to work towards the school's aims by Being aware of their own responsibilities for maintaining a safe and healthy environment Being familiar with all instructions and guidance on safety within the school Using common sense at all times to take reasonable care for their safety and that of others Reporting any identified hazards to the Headteacher without delay It is the responsibility of the Governing Body to work towards the school's aims by Recognising their corporate responsibility for ensuring that the Health and Safety Policy of the Department of Education is implemented within the school Ensuring that safe working practices and procedures are applied within the school Ensuring that all members of the school community are aware of their own responsibilities Taking responsibility for devising and overseeing a school Health and Safety policy Monitoring and reviewing this policy and ensuring that necessary revisions are undertaken Ensuring that all staff are familiar with the health and safety policy of the school and of the L.E.A. and any other relevant codes of practice Enabling staff to undergo safety training It is the responsibility of the headteacher to work towards the school's aims by Taking responsibility for the day to day operation of the Health and Safety Policy Making termly inspections to ensure that a safe and healthy environment is maintained Establishing a system for the reporting, recording and investigation of accidents and ensuring that this is applied rigorously Taking active steps to ensure that equipment, buildings and grounds are safe, secure and wellmaintained and that any damage is quickly rectified Ensuring that there are arrangements for the speedy evacuation of the buildings in case of fire or other emergency and that fire equipment is available and maintained Ensuring that there is close liaison with any trade union appointed safety representative and with the school nurse and doctor
It is the responsibility of staff to work towards the school's aims by Encouraging children to become safety conscious and take responsibility for their own safety and that of others Being good role models - vigilant and careful Taking quick and firm action to ensure that children are not allowed to jeopardise their own safety or that of others Providing opportunities for children to discuss appropriate health and safety issues It is the responsibility of parents to work towards the schools aims by Ensuring that the children attend school in good health Providing prompt notes/telephone calls to explain all absences Providing support for the discipline within the school and for the teachers' role Ensuring early contact with school to discuss matters concerning the health and safety of their children or of others Allowing children to take increasing personal and social responsibility as they progress throughout the school Accepting responsibility for the conduct of their children at all times Ensuring that the school has up-to-date contact addresses and telephone numbers It is the responsibility of pupils to work towards the school's aims by Developing a growing understanding of health and safety issues Contributing towards the development of classroom and school safety codes Conducting themselves in an orderly manner in line with these codes Taking growing responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy environment and for their own safe conduct within it Accident Prevention, Reporting and Investigation All staff and children are expected to be vigilant in spotting potential caused of accidents and to take action to prevent these wherever possible Potential hazards should be promptly reported to the Headteacher The headteacher will respond immediately to investigate and rectify the hazard All accidents are reported to the headteacher and recorded on accident report forms provided by the Local Authority Parents are notified as soon as possible in the case of accidents to children. For this purpose an up-to-date contact list is maintained Prompt investigation of all accidents is undertaken by the headteacher in order to establish cause and adopt remedial measures Teaching Areas, Hall, Corridors and Administrative Areas The safety of pupils is the responsibility of the adult leading the activity. These should be arranged in such a way that there are no trip hazards, obstructions to doorways or furniture placed where it could result in accidents or collisions. Glass objects should be kept away from where they can be knocked or broken
Tools for Design technology should be stored safely and only used under supervision. Pupils should be taught the correct and safe way to use tools. A firm appointed by the Property Management Team inspects all PE equipment annually Cooking Equipment (Curriculum) The cookery equipment is kept in the Food Technology room. It should only be used under the supervision of an adult. It is the responsibility of the Design Technology Co-ordinator to ensure that the equipment is used and maintained properly and that suitable cleaning materials etc are available. Staff Room The use of the water heater, dishwasher, microwave is restricted to adults. Hot drinks are mainly consumed in the staff room area but if taken out it is the responsibility of the drink holder to ensure that no accidents occur. Site Manager/Cleaners Store Kitchen This is where cleaning chemicals etc are stored and this store must be kept locked whilst children are on the premises. The door should be labelled with a warning notice Staff using these materials are provided with appropriate protection Children are not allowed in the store The overall responsibility for the equipment is with the school but is maintained at our request by the Local Authority property services The running of the kitchen is the responsibility of the school meals provider The school cook should undertake day-to-day cleaning and ensure a healthy environment. Periodic cleaning of ventilation flues and high-level cleaning will be arranged as appropriate. The Environmental health Officer makes unannounced inspections of the kitchen area. Plant Room - The Local Authority undertakes safety checks at appropriate intervals Medicines There is regular liaison with the school nurse and doctor concerning any children with special medical conditions All staff are informed about any special medical conditions of all children in the school and about what response may be required in an emergency. This information is available on dedicated notice boards in the staff room and the medical room. The only medicines allowed for pupils are asthma inhalers, allergic reaction medicines and long term medicines, which has been agreed between the school, parent and school nurse. No child may bring medicines (including inhalers) to school unless parents have signed consent forms at the school office Unless previously agreed, staff will not administer medicines to children and only if the appropriate form has been signed All medicines brought to school must be in the bottle in which they were dispensed and clearly labelled with the child's name, the dosage and frequency of dosage Inhalers are stored in classrooms/secretary s office and accessible at all times.
Epipens are stored under agreement with the school nurse, parent and school and available to trained staff at all times. When pupils go on trips etc the appropriate medicines must be taken under the responsibility of the trip leader First Aid First Aid boxes are kept in the First Aid Room. It is the responsibility of the School Secretary to ensure that supplies are kept up to date. The school will ensure that there will be a number of staff within the school who are qualified in administrating First aid in school. Where necessary, any responsible adult will summon an ambulance. If the school is unable to contact a parent (or an alternative, nominated responsible person) a member of staff will accompany a child to hospital Electrical Equipment Electrical Safety All equipment is carefully sited to avoid trailing leads or other hazards Portable electrical equipment will be tested annually. Equipment bought as new need not be tested until the annual check takes place. Staff should not bring their own equipment into school unless it has been tested and approved. Electrical Installations Fire Drills These are the responsibility of the Local Authority and it is the duty of the Property Manager to arrange inspections. Emergency Lighting and Fire Alarms are tested regularly. The school Site Manager undertakes weekly checks and maintenance of fire alarms and fire fighting equipment Fire drills will take place on a regular basis but at least once a term. Staff and pupils will be made aware of the procedures to follow and the escape routes to be followed. It is the responsibility of the school Office Manager to ring for the Fire Brigade if necessary. Playground Safety There is conscientious supervision of playgrounds School rules about behaviour are designed to maximise playground safety Children are taught to dispose of rubbish appropriately and any litter is promptly and regularly collected by the Site Manager. Outside Areas There is a no smoking policy in all areas of the school buildings and grounds The Site Manager is responsible for the general cleaning and maintenance of the hard areas around the building. Concerns about the state of paths etc should be expressed to the Headteacher On icy/snowy mornings salt etc should be used to ensure that those coming onto the school premises have a safe path to follow.
Workmen / women on site Work should only be undertaken during school hours if it is urgent, or can be carried out without disturbing the pupils learning. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that any tools etc are kept safely and cannot be access by the children or cause a possible fire or trip hazard. Risk assessment Risk assessments are carried out as required by the appropriate person for each area or activity. The stages of risk assessment and risk management in school: 1. Consider all tasks, activities and situations. 2. Identify the hazards that are, or may be, involved. 3. Identify those who may be exposed to the hazards, including those particularly at risk. 4. Analyse the severity and likelihood of exposure and loss from hazards. 5. Determine whether existing measures adequately control the hazard. 6. Assess the risks and device on the risk levels. 7. Consider appropriate and suitable measures that may eliminate or reduce risk in line with the basic principles of risk control. 8. Implement the risk control measures. 9. Ensure control measures are communicated fully to staff. 10. Monitor the measures for suitability and effectiveness. 11. Review and introduce any corrective actions. 12. The completed forms are filed in the office in the risk assessment file. On educational visits the LA Educational Visits guidance is followed (see policy). Prior to each visit a risk assessment is made. Previous risk assessments are filed in the PPA room & HT office in the risk assessment files. In Conclusion The Head & Governors have overall responsibility for all Health and safety matters within school. Everyone within the school has joint responsibility for ensuring that the school is a safe place for all concerned. No person should put themselves in a situation where they might be risk of injury Date agreed & signed: Date for review: Signed: (Head) (Chair of Governors)