Ringwood Waldorf School HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY INTRODUCTION The Sheiling Trust carries legal responsibility for all the Activities on the estate and this includes the Ringwood Waldorf School. Health and Safety is one such legal responsibility. Governance responsibility is delegated by the Sheiling Trust to the Ringwood Waldorf School Council (The Council) whose responsibility it is to ensure that an effective and appropriate Health and Safety Policy is in place and that it meets the minimum legal requirements of The Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 (The Act) This document is the Health and Safety Policy for the Ringwood Waldorf School. This policy is approved by the Sheiling Trust. This Health and Safety policy aims to ensure that that Ringwood Waldorf School is a safe and healthy place in which to work and study and that it meets the legal requirements as set down in legislation, statutes and codes of practice. The Council will be responsible for reviewing this policy on an annual basis and recommending any changes to the Sheiling Trust and for ensuring the policy is being implemented in an effective manner. This will be achieved through receiving regular reports from the College of Teachers. The management of this policy will be the responsibility of the College of Teachers who may delegate specific tasks to a mandated person or Group. The College of Teachers will be consulted during any review and in addition may recommend changes at any time based on their experience of administering and managing the policy. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to meet the statutory requirements for health and safety and to ensure that Ringwood Waldorf School is a safe environment for all persons engaged in any activity associated with the school. All persons working and studying in the school will be made aware of this policy.
The Health and Safety Policy is a condition of employment and any member of staff knowingly breaking or ignoring this policy will be personally held liable for any consequences. This may involve being accountable to the school's insurers. Any staff member who notices something that may be unsafe should immediately notify the Health and Safety Officer who will carry out a risk assessment. In order to achieve the stated purpose this policy aims to meet the requirements in the following ways. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL COUNCIL As a committee of the Sheiling Trust the School Council will: 1. be familiar with the Act, any statutory requirements and any codes of practice from time to time in place. 2. ensure that a policy is in place that, as a minimum, meets all the set legal requirements. 3. assess the effectiveness of the policy periodically and amend as appropriate. 4. receive regular reports on Health and Safety from the College of Teachers and in particular following emergency practice drills, inspections and audits. 5. The Act requires that the following be included in this policy as a minimum and therefore the school will: ensure that the school is a safe place for staff and pupils to be and work in. This includes entry and egress. ensure that all machinery, plant, equipment, facilities and systems will be safe. give recognition to healthy and safe working conditions, codes of practice and guidelines. provide appropriate and adequate supervision, training, instruction and induction so that all staff are aware of safe practices and are competent. Training will be reviewed and updated regularly. provide and install where required safety and protective equipment or clothing.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COLLEGE OF TEACHERS For the purposes of this policy the College of Teachers will fulfil the role of a Head Teacher or Principal and will therefore be responsible for the implementation of this policy and for the day to day management of it. The College of Teachers will report regularly on the implementation and management of this policy to the Council and will make recommendations for changes arising from any review process. The College of Teachers will take all relevant, appropriate and necessary action to ensure that this Health and Safety Policy is carried out. It may mandate this management responsibility to a College Group at its own discretion. In particular the College of Teachers will: 1. be familiar with the Act, all statutory requirements and codes of practice and ensure that these are being met at all times. 2. appoint a Health and Safety Officer. (see Appendix 1) 3. afford a high priority for the health, safety and welfare of all staff, students and any others authorised to be on the site, the school premises or engaged in school based activities. It will do this by carrying out risk assessments and through having guidelines in place for the management of the following areas. School trips and education outside the classroom. Control of vehicular movement on the site.. Fire prevention, awareness and by having regular practice drills The use of plant, machinery and other equipment so as to ensure that these are used only by trained and experienced people The provision, use and inspection of fume cupboards where needed. The use, storage and transportation of hazardous materials. The use, inspection and maintenance of electrical appliances and equipment. Regular and hygienic cleaning and appropriate waste disposal. This will include recycling where this can be done. Responsive, programmed and preventative maintenance. The supply and use of protective clothing and equipment.
Site security including the monitoring of visitors to the site. This includes adequate and secure boundary fencing. Discipline policies including guidelines for dealing with abusive and/or violent behaviour. The availability of First Aid at all times and appropriately trained persons. This includes guidelines on treatment and procedures. Emergency procedures including a policy on pupil release following an emergency. The maintenance of an accident and first aid treatment register. Training on an ongoing basis will be available and induction processes in Health and Safety for new personnel. Guidelines to be available and published in the Staff Handbook with a copy of these being available for all staff. The proper storage and handling of dangerous and hazardous goods and substances. Carrying out regular inspections and audits of the Health and Safety policy together with the guidelines and reporting the findings to the College of Teachers. Steps will be taken where any hazards are identified to minimise, isolate or remove them. A Pastoral Care policy is in place that attends to the welfare of staff and students and that this is monitored on a regular basis. Student discipline policy to be available that meets the welfare needs of students. The provision of a safe learning environment for all students. The provision of adequate signage and in particular with regard to egress, first aid and traffic management. Guidelines on dealing with infectious diseases in the Infectious Diseases Policy. Guidelines and procedures for child protection in the Safeguarding Policy. The control of environmental pollution with adequate ventilation, forced air fans and protection from tobacco smoke. (see Drug Abuse Policy)
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS It is a condition of employment that all staff familiarise themselves with the Health and Safety Policy and guidelines and abide by them. It is a condition of enrolment that all students will follow the school rules with regard to health and safety. All staff and students will be aware of, follow the guidelines and exercise due diligence and care when carrying out any duty or activity. Any accident that requires attention is to be reported immediately by the person noticing it or nearest to hand. Any defect to plant, equipment or appliances is to be reported immediately and the object not used until it has been inspected and declared safe. Classroom teachers are to inspect their work spaces regularly from a health and safety perspective and in accordance with the guidelines. School facilities, plant and equipment are not to be used for any unauthorised purpose. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONTRACTORS AND OTHERS. In general all hirers, contractors and others will act in a safe manner at all times and abide by any guidelines in effect and in accordance with this policy. Ringwood Waldorf School will make known and make available information on any known hazards or restrictions that apply.. Contractors will carry Contractors All Risk and Public Liability Insurance as a condition of contract. POLICIES LOCATION All relevant school policies and guidelines are held in digital form and in hard copy in the school office.
APPENDIX 1 The current Health and Safety Officer is Mr. Colin Room.