WATERSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY Policy Completed by: Mrs Joanne Knowles(Headteacher) Ratified by Governing Body: 6 th October 2016 Date for Review: September 2018 ( Annual if required)
Waterside Primary School General Statement: Safety, Health and Well-being are embedded in our school ethos of a caring community and are essential to our achievement. No one should be harmed or made unwell by any internal or external activities undertaken by the school or its stakeholders. The school Governors and the leadership team are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all its children, staff and stakeholders. We work in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, ensuring the premises are safe and systems of work exist and maintained. Health & Safety Organisation. In order to ensure that Health and Safety issues are dealt with in accordance with this establishment safety policy, the following organisational structure has been accepted by Governing Body. Duties and responsibilities have been assigned to Staff and Governors as laid out below. The Governing Body Chairperson: Mr Richard Webb The Governing Body is ultimately responsible for the Health and Safety matters at a local level. They accept that the delegation of funds to them from the Education Department carries with it some power of control and hence increased accountability. Where the Governing Body controls the spending decisions they will accept a share of the responsibility for the way in which Health and Safety issues are addressed. The Governors appreciate that they can only work within their allocation of the total education budget determined by Stoke-on-Trent Council and that they will only be accountable for deciding how the budget within their control is to be spent. Health and Safety Governors The Governing body has nominated members who focus on Health and Safety issues. The governors with this responsibility should report to the Governing Body each term. Governors nominated are Mrs Sally Vaughan, Mrs Knowles, Mr Richard Webb, Ms Jane Gaskell, Ms N Craggs.
Health and Safety Committee The Committee is made up of the following people. The Staff representatives are the Senior Leadership Team. The Governors representatives are Mrs S Vaughan, Mr Richard Webb and Ms N Craggs. The H & S Manager and Office Manager Mrs C Alcock. Other members of staff may be asked to contribute as required. The committee will meet termly or as required to discuss Health and Safety related issues and carry an audit of both policies and premises. They will make recommendations and assist the Head teacher in Managing Health and Safety for the school. The Head teacher: Mrs Joanne Knowles Overall responsibilities for the day to day management of Health and Safety in the school rests with the Head teacher. As manager of the establishment and of all the activities carried on within it the Head will advise Governors of the areas of Health and Safety concern which may need to be addressed by the allocation of funds. Matters requiring particular consideration by the Head teacher will include: 1. Adequate staffing levels for safe supervision, 2. The delegated responsibility for maintenance of the premises; 3. The purchase of equipment that meets appropriate safety standards, 4. The repair, maintenance and testing of school equipment; 5. The provisions of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing where necessary; 6. The purchase and maintenance of first aid materials and firefighting appliances, 7. The arrangements for securing Health and Safety assistance from a competent source when necessary 8. Liaison with the full time safety team of the Stoke-on-Trent City Council Education department 9. Liaison with the Health and Safety Committee for the school The Head teacher may choose to delegate to the other members of staff any or all of the duties associated with the above matters. It must be clearly understood by everyone concerned that the delegation of certain duties will not relieve the Head teacher from the overall day to day responsibilities for Health and Safety within the establishment. The Head teacher will take on the following responsibilities or co-ordinate them to the Health & Safety Officer, Site Supervisor and the Business Manager. 1. Review this policy statement as necessary and ensure that the appropriate amendments are made as and when circumstances change 2. Ensure that the correct procedure is followed for the reporting, recording investigation and follow-up of accidents on the premises 3. Formulate and review the arrangements for the action to be taken in an emergency and ensure that all involved are informed of the arrangements
4. Arrange for termly evacuation drills and weekly fire alarm tests etc. 5. Advise the Director of Property Services or other appropriate body of any defect to the building or it surrounds, which has been identified as being unsafe. Take whatever local action necessary to minimise the risk until repairs can be arranged 6. Check weekly the Health and Safety defects book and arrange the repair, replacement or removal of any item of furniture or equipment which has been identified as unsafe 7. Co-ordinate the termly Health and Safety audit, ensuring all areas of the establishment and all activities are covered 8. Report to the Stoke-on-Trent Council any situation which is unsafe or hazardous to health and which cannot be remedied from the resources available. 9. Liaise with and monitor as far as is reasonably practicable, the activities of contractors including catering and cleaning staff, visitors and others on the site. Ensure that any risks to the Health and Safety of staff, pupils and others are kept to a minimum; 10. Ensure that the teachers are kept informed of the names and details of those persons appointed to provide competent Health and Safety assistance. All Teaching Staff Teaching staff are responsible for the Health and Safety of all pupils under their control whilst involved in organised work activities both on and off site. Class teachers shall: 1. Ensure effective supervision by only permitting practical work to be carried out by pupils after carrying out a risk assessment. The class size, the abilities of the pupils involved, the activities to be undertaken etc. will all need to be considered 2. Be aware of the schools Health and Safety policy and local rules and arrangements which may apply specifically; 3. Ensure that safety instruction is given to all pupils prior to commencing practical sessions 4. Be aware of the Guidelines for Health and Safety in the school and follow the advice given. 5. Know the location of the nearest firefighting equipment and first aid box, and know the emergency procedures in respect of fire/first aid/bomb scare etc. 6. Ensure that pupils follow school safety rules and that protective equipment is worn where appropriate 7. Ensure that all personal protective equipment is suitable and in good condition prior to issue 8. Ensure safety devices are in good condition and are used 9. Report any defective equipment in the Health and Safety defects book. If urgent report directly to the Head teacher 10. Investigate all accidents (in conjunction with Head) which occur through activities organised or supervised 11. Propose for consideration by the Health & Safety Committee any improvements, which you consider would improve health or safety standards within school 12. Ensure that an agreed adequate level of supervision is available and that appropriate Health and Safety arrangements exist prior to taking school parties off site on educational visits. 13. Co-operate fully with the Health and Safety Committee on their termly audit.
Health & Safety Officer: Responsible for: 1. Ensuring that other site staff are adequately supervised when undertaking work 2. Identifying any particular Health and Safety training requirement for themselves and others 3. Ensuring that they or other staff are not involved in activities outside their limitations, 4. Ensuring that any personal protective equipment issued is suitable for the task and used also that training is provided in the correct use of equipment 5. Ensuring that all staff work in accordance with safe working practices issued by the school, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council etc. Site Supervisor: The Site Supervisor is responsible to the Head teacher and Health & Safety Officer and duties include 1. Arranging for the removal from service of any items of furniture, apparatus or equipment which has been identified unsafe 2.Ensuring safe access and egress to the premises and walkways at all times 3. Checking daily the Health and Safety defects book and discussing with the Health & Safety Officer the remedial action 4. Taking appropriate action necessary to prevent injury to others on the site that might otherwise be exposed to unnecessary dangers, e.g. erect barriers around open manholes, taping around current maintenance work etc. 5. Participating in the termly Health and Safety audit paying particular attention to the building structure, services, access and egress from the school, main circulation areas etc. All Employees: All employees have general Health and Safety responsibilities both under criminal and civil law. Staff must be aware that they are obliged to take care of their own Health and Safety whilst at work along with that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must also co-operate with the Governing Body and Senior Management of the school so that they may fulfil any legal requirements placed on them as employers as persons in control of premises. All employees are required: 1. To report all defects in the conditions of the premises or equipment to which they become aware in the Health and Safety defects book or directly to the Health & Safety Officer. 2. To report all accidents according to the accident reporting procedure in Part 3 of this document 3. Be familiar with the procedure to be followed in the event of a fire or other serious emergency by following the procedure in Part 3 of this document 4. To make use of all necessary protective equipment provided for safety or health reasons
5. To make use of all control measures made available to them, e.g. fume cupboards etc. 6. Follow all relevant codes of safe working practice and local rules 7. Report any unsafe working practices to the Head teacher 8. To be aware and follow safety procedures as described in Part 3 of this document Pupils: All pupils must be encouraged to follow all safe-working practices and observe all school safety rules. All pupils will: 1. Follow all instructions issued by any member of staff in the case of an emergency 2. Ensure that they do not intentionally or recklessly interfere with equipment provided for safety purposes e.g. fire extinguishers etc. 3. Inform any member of staff of any situation that may affect their safety (Note: This part of the policy statement should be brought to the attention of all pupils and parents) Trade Union Representative : Health and Safety at work law provides for the appointment of trade union appointed safety representatives from amongst the employees. Where the Governing Body is notified in writing of such appointment, the safety representative shall have the following functions: 1. To investigate potential hazards and to examine the causes of accidents in the workplace 2. To investigate complaints by any employee he represents relating to those employees Health and Safety or welfare at work 3. To make representations to the Head teacher on general matters affecting the health, safety and welfare of employees 4. To carry out workplace health, safety and welfare inspections 5. To attend any safety committee meetings 6. To co-operate with his employers in promoting Health and Safety at work. None of the above functions given to a safety representative impose any legal duty or liability whatsoever on that person. A safety representative is no way obliged to carry out any or all of the above functions
STOKE-ON-TRENT CITY COUNCIL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Waterside Primary School Health and Safety Arrangements: The following procedures and arrangements exist within the school: Fire and/or Emergency: 1. Fire evacuation procedure - Fire evacuation arrangements are made visible in all rooms 2. Staff are responsible for checking their own classrooms or rooms in which they are working. 3. Assembly points - The assembly points are the playground and the staff car park 4. Fire Exits - Fire exits are clearly marked. 5. Fire Drill Arrangements - There is a fire drill each term. 6. Fire Alarm Tests - The Site Supervisor tests Alarms each week and a record is kept. Each alarm point should be tested by weekly rotation, with every break glass being tested with 1 school year. 7. Inspection of firefighting appliances - The inspection of all firefighting appliances takes place each year by a contracted company. A label fitted to each extinguisher should show the last inspection date First Aid: The following staff are trained in Emergency First Aid.:- Stephanie Boone. Petula Ahmed. Emma Buckley. Julie Chan. Steve Hughes. Jane Barker. Aliyyah Karim. Laura Brindley. The following staff are trained in Level 3 First Aid at Work: Lynne Lawton. Sally Vaughan. Helen Foster The following staff are trained in Paediatric First Aid: Kelly Gardiner. Lucy Newbon. Jill Acar. Michelle Webb. Hannah Clarke. Sarah Middleton. Sam Fraser. Hollie Davies. Sam James. Evelyn Goodwin.
Location of First Aid boxes First Aid boxes are located : Downstairs: Medical Room/KS1 Exit doors. Upstairs: Cookery Area./Resource Area. Playground during Break times. Restocking of first aid supplies The restocking of First Aid boxes is the responsibility of : Health & Safety Officer. Training/retraining of First Aiders : The training and retraining of First Aiders is the responsibility of the Head teacher and takes place when required. First aid cover in the event of absence - In the absence of First Aid cover all staff are trained in emergency aid Accidents Reporting Staff Major injuries - Major injuries are recorded in the Accident Book found in the first Aid room and an Accident Form (held in School Office) filled in and sent to the Health and Safety officer at Stoke-on- Trent Council Education Department Minor injuries - Minor injuries are recorded in the Accident Book found in each First aid Box. Accidents Reporting Pupils: Major injuries - Major injuries are recorded in the Accident Book and an Accident Form (held in School Office) filled in and sent to the Health and Safety officer at Stoke-on-Trent Council Education Department. Parents of the pupil must be informed immediately. Minor injuries to pupils are recorded in the Accident Book and the parents of the child must be informed by a note home at end of day. Dangerous Occurrences : All dangerous occurrences must be reported to the Head teacher Termly Safety Audits : The Health and Safety Committee undertake a termly safety audit Routine Inspections and Tests: Portable electrical equipment - Portable electrical equipment is tested every year by contractors
Security Procedure for Visitors and Contractors There is a set procedure for visitors and contractors Smoking Policy The school has a no smoking policy