Health and safety policy arrangements for Exhall Cedars Infant, Nursery and Pre-School Headteacher s signature: Chair of Governors signature: Date: June 2012 to be reviewed annually or more frequently in line with LA H&S review Name Sharon Hillyard Name Ann Johnson Headteacher Chair of Governors Next review date of arrangements: Sept 2017 Introduction Warwickshire County Council as the school s statutory employer has a written statement of general health and safety policy. The policy details the County Council s statement of intent for health, safety and welfare of all employees, and the specific delegated responsibilities for all levels of managers and staff. This includes headteachers and staff in community and voluntary controlled schools. The school uses the County Council s health and safety policy as the first part of the school health and safety policy. These school health and safety policy arrangements supplement the WCC health and safety policy and relate to local procedures and relevant documents in place that are used in the management of health and safety within the school. This includes school activities on and off the premises. For many areas of health and safety the school refers and adheres to WCC health and safety policies, procedures, advice and guidance; produced by the WCC Corporate Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service. The school also follows and adheres to the requirements contained in the WCC Health and Safety Standards document. All WCC policies and standards referred to in these arrangements are available in the schools health and safety document library at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/schoolhsdocs School specific procedures and documents can be located in the Policy Docs cupboard outside the offices. These policy arrangements and other specific health and safety policies and procedures are communicated to relevant staff upon induction and when work activities change. Where appropriate, consultation with staff and any other persons will also take place. The arrangements will be reviewed on an annual basis or sooner if work activities change. When WCC review and revise their policies the Head Teacher sends these to the H&S Governors who will then disseminate any information to the FGB. The Head Teacher ensures that all staff are familiar with any changes and staff sign to say that they have read and understand their role within the policy. Policies are reviewed at least annually and are included within the school learning improvement plan. H&S Newsfeeds and Safe and Secure documents are forwards to the H&S governor and displayed in the school staff room for all staff to access. The Head Teacher, Caretaker and H&S Gov. carry out termly H&S walkabouts, using the WCC checklist. Action points are then referred to in subsequent walkabouts with any new actions identified. All teaching staff are given a copy of the H&S findings and a copy is also displayed in the staffroom. Class Teachers carry out termly classroom checks using the WCC H&S Classroom checklist. A copy of these are given to the Head Teacher and the Caretaker. Records of all H&S training and updates; external, in-house and on-line are recorded and documented. For further information and advice on any aspect of health and safety in the school, contact the Head Teacher or the Office Manager.
Health and Safety School Statement of Intent Within our school we will meet all of the requirements set out in the Warwickshire County Council health and safety policy. We will demonstrate WCC s commitment to health, safety, welfare and wellbeing by recognising that effective health and safety management is equally as important as our other school objectives. Through this statement of intent and the implementation of our school health and safety arrangements we will ensure that we are meeting the policy aims, objectives and requirements. We will actively strive for continual health and safety improvement by complying with the policy and by working in consultation with managers, employees and other partners. We will achieve this by: Considering health and safety within our school planning activities Establishing a proactive and positive health and safety culture Encouraging ownership and responsibility at all levels Ensuring that WCC policies and standards are complied with by having school, or department specific procedures, documents, safe systems of work and arrangements that ensures the implementation of health and safety locally Assessing and eliminating, reducing or managing the risks that arise out of activities/ processes/ and operations through the risk assessment process Monitoring our school health and safety performance by reviewing arrangements and analysing accident trends to identify areas for improvement Ensuring that health and safety is considered as part of our performance management and employee appraisal and supervision process Ensuring that health and safety is included as a standing agenda item at staff meetings Ensuring that all employees within the school are made aware of this statement of intent and our arrangements Health and Safety Advice Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, the County Council as the school s statutory employer have appointed the WCC Corporate Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service to provide competent health and safety assistance. Tel 01926 476803/418070 email healthandsafety@warwickshire.gov.uk Where the school obtains sources of health and safety advice and guidance from bodies other than the WCC Corporate Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service, e.g. when purchasing services from their delegated budgets; the school will ensure that any other providers used are competent. The school will continue to ensure that they adhere to all relevant County Council health and safety policies and standards, as well as take direction and advice given by the WCC Corporate Health, Safety and Wellbeing Service. 2
Arrangements- specific to Exhall Cedars Infant, Nursery & Pre-school The arrangements and procedures laid down have been devised in order to assist those responsible to meet their duties as laid down in the preceding section The Health and Safety Manual contains details of other arrangements and is an extension to this part of our policy document. 3.1 Health and safety defects reporting procedure The governing body will ensure that regular reports of accidents and dangerous occurrences are provided by the head teacher and that any necessary alterations to working practices and procedures are implemented. The arrangements for reporting defects on a day-to-day basis are set out in this section. 3.1.1 Any member of the school staff who discovers any defect should inform the caretaker and enter the defect in the blue book which is kept on the signing in table in the reception area. If possible defective items should be taken out of use. 3.1.2 The book will be regularly checked and all faults reported to Hotline or the appropriate services by the Caretaker. 3.1.3 Once the work has been completed the work will be signed off by the Caretaker. 3.1.4 The Caretaker will take the necessary steps to: a) have the defect rectified, within a reasonable period of time, and record the details on the defect Report Form and file it in the health and safety file; b) remove the hazard or reduce the risk of injury to an acceptable level, pending corrective action including if necessary informing staff and pupils of the hazard and / or taking the equipment / area concerned out of use. 3.1.5 If the defect is likely to affect the normal running of the school the Head Teacher / Office Manager shall inform the LA and governing body. 3.1.6 Once the defect has been repaired / item taken back into use, the date that this occurs shall be entered in the Blue Book and on the Report Form. 3.1.7 In order to monitor the action that has been taken and / or any delays in work being carried out, the book shall be checked weekly by the Office Manager and a report produced at termly intervals at the governors meeting / management committee, at which recent defects should be identified and outstanding works discussed. 3
3.2 Monitoring arrangements 3.2.1 The governing body recognise the importance of monitoring health and safety matters. Monitoring will be carried out in a number of ways: (a) (b) The governors will call for annual reports on: - accidents/incidents; - results of internal or external health and safety inspections; - maintenance reports; - complaints, hazards and defects reports; and - reviews of any procedures carried out by the head teacher /caretaker The LA s health and safety officer or his / her representative shall inspect the site on a regular basis and report back any issues, as may other LA officers. 3.2.2 To help this process, the governors and head teacher will ensure that all reasonable inspection facilities and information are provided on request to officers of the LA, inspectors of the health and safety executive (HSE) and any other bona fide health and safety officials. 3.3 Health and safety information dissemination procedure Information and instructions on health and safety matters are available / given to teachers / non-teaching staff / pupils, governors and visitors as follows: 3.3.1 Employees (a) (b) Staff members have been given access to all of the existing information held on the site and have signed to indicate that they have received and read those documents which relate to themselves and their work. All documentation referred to in (a) above is kept in or with the health and safety folders which are located in the cupboard outside the main office; these folders are readily available for staff for reference purposes at any time. The only exception to this is where information is better kept at a site / subject area level. In this case staff involved shall be informed of its location and the information shall be kept on annex files. The master file will include a note on the content and location of annex files. (c) New documentation arriving will be copied. The original will be held on file and the copy circulated to appropriate staff. Staff will be required to sign a form to indicate that they have read the document concerned. After circulation the document will be put in the health and safety folders referred to in (b) above. The circulation form will be kept on file with the document. 3.3.2 Pupils It will be the responsibility of teachers to ensure that pupils are made aware of existing and new health and safety information. 4
3.3.3 Visitors / contractors The head teacher / administrative staff / caretaker shall ensure that visitors and contractors are informed of any health and safety arrangements which may affect them during their visit (including any Asbestos on site). All contractors and visitors are given a H&S leaflet on arrival. It is the duty of the head teacher / administrative staff / caretaker to safely manage and monitor contractors during their time at the school. 3.3.4 Governors The Head teacher shall ensure that the H&S Governors are informed of any existing and new health and safety information they will then share this with the FGB. 3.4 Accident reporting and monitoring procedures All serious accidents that occur on the site will be recorded on a County Council accident form and the details forwarded immediately or as soon as is possible following the instructions on the accident form. All minor accidents should be recorded in the day-to-day accident book. Where necessary, parents / guardians or other persons should be notified of the accident. If the accident is serious, senior management will be made aware and immediate action taken to ensure the location of the accident is still safe to use. Necessary action should be taken and where possible details recorded for an accident investigation. If members of the public are involved, names and addresses will be taken (including any witnesses). For each individual arrangement you should consider: The people involved. If risk assessments are to be carried out. Any tests / inspections required. Pre-use visual checks required. Any particular procedures that should be adhered to. Any documentation required. Any training required. Any policies / professional body s guidelines that should be referred to. Competence of people involved. Any other relevant information. 5
3.5 First aid (see WCC First Aid Policy for additional detail) Paediatric first aid can be administered by Pre-school staff, Sharon Hillyard, Shelley Iley, Carole Jackson, Liz Roe, Sherbanu Khan, Jo-Anne Maries and Jane Lloyd. Sharon Hillyard, Rebecca Richards. Steve Austin and Leigh Hiscox are trained in Emergency First Aid at Work. The first aid kits are kept in the Nursery kitchen, the School Hall, KS1 entrance and Reception cloakroom area, in clearly labelled containers. Additional 1 st Aid Bum Bags are used on the playground / outdoor learning areas in order for 1 st Aid to administered on the spot Mrs Shelley Iley will check and replenish stock on a weekly basis, or sooner if informed of low stock. 1 st Aid kits are always taken in their entirety when the children are off-site, even if only locally. 3.6 Medication (see WCC Medication Administration Policy for additional detail) Class teachers/teaching assistants can support children with asthma inhalers. All other medication can only be administered by the Head Teacher, AHT, Office Manager or a named member of staff, with previous consent of the HT. Training is provided as and when is necessary, eg Epi-Pen. All medication (except for inhalers) is kept in the Stock Cupboard in order for the medication to be administered in the office area. Those children with special requirements will be known by the class teacher/ admin, teaching assistants and the Head Teacher. All medication must be documented by parents prior to administration. The members of staff administering any medicine will sign to say they have administered, along with a witness. Inhalers are kept securely in the child s classroom for ease of administration. 3.7 Smoking Exhall Cedars Infant School is a NO SMOKING SCHOOL. 3.8 Welfare SEE WCC NEW AND EXPECTANT MOTHERS AT WORK FEB 2005 LOCATED IN THE FOLDER OUTSIDE THE MAIN OFFICE. 3.9 Stress Refer to WCC stress policy. 6
3.10 Fire precautions In an emergency the fire alarm will be sounded by breaking the nearest fire glass. The office staff or head teacher will use the fire panel code for practice procedures. In the event of a real fire staff should activate their nearest fire call point. The emergency evacuation point is on the main school playground, clearly marked for each class and visitors. Class teachers/ admin staff should do a quick headcount of children/ adults when they reach the playground and then check in the register which will be handed to them by the administrative assistant. If all children/ visitors are present the adult responsible for the class/ office will hold up a green circle. If they have concerns that a pupil/ visitor is missing they will hold up a red circle. The Head teacher or member of the SMT will give assistance. The Head Teacher will deputise for the admin assistant if she is absent. Tests / servicing that is required, will be carried out as required by fire and safety regulations.(e.g. fire extinguishers / fire alarm / emergency lighting etc) The Head Teacher / Caretaker will be responsible for the Fire Precaution register. The fire alarms are tested on a weekly basis from a different call point by the Caretaker. This is entered in the manual. There are fire notices in each room listing each fire call point. A Fire Drill is held each term, more frequently if concerns are raised. They are usually held at different times of the day. 3.11 Electricity at work All equipment is checked annually by a competent person. The hard wiring is checked regularly by the LA. Staff and donated equipment must be checked before use. All registers are kept in the main office. All defects are removed and are repaired or disposed of. 3.12 COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) All hazardous substances are kept locked away in the caretaker s store room. The COSHH file is maintained by the caretaker and is kept on display in the caretaker s store room. All hazardous substances are clearly labelled and a MSDS (Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet) is filed for all COSHH products. RA are in place for known hazardous substances. 7
Disposal of any hazardous substances are carried out by contacting the safety and premises department. The school has paid a fee for this service. Staff know to inform the Caretaker if they bring COSHH substances from home eg hairspray, adhesives, in order for data sheets to be obtained prior to use within school. 3.13 Access equipment One Stepper is kept in the Stock Cupboard, with a second one in the ICT Suite. The caretaker also has two short stepladders in his store room. The equipment is checked on an annual basis by a competent person. All staff have agreed to use the steppers or a step ladder for working at height eg display work etc Appropriate risk assessments have been carried out see risk assessment folder. 3.14 Risk assessments (see RA Folder for WCC guidance and for specific RA detail) All risk assessments are kept outside the main office, including those for school visits and trips. Staff carry out risk assessments for activities, where there is judged to be some risk to the health and safety of pupils. The head teacher is trained to carry out risk assessments. These are reviewed annually, or more frequently if required. All staff who are expectant mothers will be issued with the guidance as soon as the Head Teacher is informed. Every off-site visit is risk assessed. 3.15 Manual handling See Risk Assessment for Manual Handling is in the folder which is kept outside the head teacher s office. 3.16 Educational visits / off-site activities (see WCC EV Policy for additional details) The Head Teacher is the EVC If necessary the EVC will accompany a trip. As a minimum, two members of staff will be present for a trip to take place. The required number of adults, to fulfil the adult : child ratio will always be adhered to, as a minimum. Staff should carry out a pre visit to carry out an informed risk assessment. The risk assessment will be prepared by the leader (and EVC if required) prior to the trip. Please refer to EV folder to assess the category of the visit. Teachers planning visits will always have a Plan B in place in case the activity cannot be carried out. 8
3.17 Lifting equipment (including lifts and hoists) We have a Pod facility with a shower bed. This is situated in the Foundation Stage reception area. The equipment is checked annually by the LA. It is currently unused. 3.18 Minibuses - N/A 3.19 Work experience pupils (see WCC Work Experience Policy for additional detail) The member of staff who is responsible for the student will carry out the induction. The students will be issued with a work experience policy, along with an Induction Pack of policies and procedures. Copies of these are prepared in advance and kept in the admin office, The member of staff who the student is assigned to will be responsible for supporting the student. The Student coordinator uses the Managers Guide to Work Experience Placements for guidance. 3.20 PE equipment The PE equipment is inspected on an annual basis. Staff receive regular training in the use of the equipment. Staff refer to and implement the AfPE Book 2012 (Safer Practice in PE and School Sport) 3.21 Outdoor play equipment A risk assessment has been carried out. All staff have a copy. Spare copies can be found in the folder outside the head teacher s office. Only members of staff are permitted to take the children on the equipment. The children must be supervised at all times. The caretaker will carry out daily visual examinations and record his findings to inform school staff.. In his absence members of staff should check the equipment before allowing the children to play on it. 3.22 Swimming pools / hydrotherapy pool NOT APPLICABLE 3.23 Swimming lessons - NOT APPLICABLE 3.24 Kiln - NOT APPLICABLE 3.25 Pond (see specific RA for Pond Dipping activity) 9
All children will be supervised by at least two members of staff when visiting the pond area. The gate will be kept locked at all times, even when in use, to prevent unsupervised children from entering the area unsupervised. A yellow warning sign is placed on the gate. If the children have cuts/grazes staff will be aware of infections. All children will wash their hands after being in the Wildlife Area. 3.26 Playing fields Newmans are currently responsible for maintaining the area. Visual inspections will be carried out by the caretaker /mid day supervisors and members of staff whenever the field is in use. All necessary precautions are taken to ensure that animals do not soil the field. 3.27 Contractors and visitors (See WCC Visitor Policy for additional detail) All visitors must report to the main entrance. All visitors must sign in. All contractors will be alerted to the asbestos information and asked to sign the register to state that they have seen the documents. All visitors and contractors will be given a Health and Safety Information Leaflet on arrival. All visitors will be given an id badge which carries information about their Fire Assembly point. 3.28 Managing contractors (see WCC Managing Contactors Policy for additional detail) At least two members of staff have been trained in the `Safe Management of Contractors`. 3.29 Display screen equipment (see WCC DSE policy for detail) Refer to separate policy in the policy folder. All admin staff and teaching staff will receive annual updates. Teaching staff will receive this on their induction. 3.30 Asbestos (for further guidance refer to WCC asbestos policy.) The asbestos report and register is sited in the entrance hall by the visitor s book. All contractors must sign to state that they have seen the report. It must be ensured that there is no asbestos in the building structure prior to intrusive work being carried out, i.e. putting up shelving. Relevant staff undertake Site Responsibilities Training. Relevant staff undertake annual Atlas Web asbestos training. 10
3.31 Skips, Trips & Falls (inc Adverse Weather) When pathways are slippery due to ice or snow, a single access track will be cleared, salted and gritted to enable access to the main school entrance, the pre-school, KS1 entrance and Nursery / Reception. Playgrounds will not be cleared or gritted, other than a single pathway to KS1 entrance from the top of the pathway; a dynamic risk assessment will be carried out prior to a playtime and if deemed unsafe to use the children will not be permitted to use the playground area (they may however be allowed to use the field). When fluids are spilt or are noticed on a floor a wet floor sign will immediately be used to prevent anybody slipping. It will then be cleared up. The wet floor signage will remain in situe until the floor is completely clean, dry and free from risk of slipping. 3.32 Driving at Work (inc medical emergencies) (see WCC Policy) All staff are aware that it is their responsibility to have car insurance which covers business use. Without this cover staff are advised that they are not insured when travelling to and from training and that an alternative means of transport should therefore be found. Parents agree to the Head Teacher or Senior member of staff taking their child to hospital in the event of a medical emergency, where an ambulance is not required. Only staff with business cover may take children, parents or other staff members on school-based duties ie: to and from training, on trips and visits, to the hospital for emergency treatment. In the event of an emergency, where no member of staff with business use is available, the most senior member of staff present will make a dynamic risk assessment about using a staff vehicle in order to get a child medical treatment. 3.33 Water Hygiene The Caretaker is the site responsible person and has been trained by WCC to carry out this role. A letter has been issued. The Head Teacher attends a three yearly update for competent person awareness training by WCC. The water hygiene log is kept in the Caretakers store cupboard. Anyone carrying out any work relating to the water system is asked to sign the log as a record of work carried out. 3.34 Accident / Near Miss Reporting All minor accident are initially recorded in a first aid log. More significant accidents which require additional medical treatments, including referral to a GP or hospital will be recorded on a WCC Accident/ Near Miss record which is then sent to the LA. The Head Teacher documents all LA forms within the termly HT report to Governors. Whilst not an exhaustive list, where other separate health and safety procedures and written documents are already in place, these will be used alongside these arrangements. 11
Communicating health and safety information to staff inc. consultation arrangements Implementing relevant WCC health and safety policies and standards Induction and training of staff Carrying out risk assessments Recording/reporting accidents and incidents First aid and supporting medical needs Defect reporting Monitoring health and safety in school inc. workplace inspections Fire safety, inc. testing of alarms and evacuation procedures Dealing with emergencies Using display screen equipment Management of occupational stress and wellbeing Personal safety inc. procedures for physical intervention Manual handling Off-site trips and visits Management of visitors / contractors on site Management of asbestos / water hygiene Working at height Control of substances hazardous to health Maintenance of equipment / equipment safety 12