GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY 2017-18 GENERAL STATEMENT OF INTENT Moreton Hall is committed to ensuring the health and well being of its students, staff and visitors, so far as is reasonably practicable. It will take steps to ensure that it meets its statutory duty at all times. Each student, member of staff and visitor will be given such information, instruction and training as is necessary to enable the safe performance of work, learning or other activities. It is the duty of all Managers and Heads of Department to ensure that all processes, teaching and systems of work are designed and maintained to take into account Health and Safety and are appropriately supervised at all times. OVERVIEW OF HOW MORETON HALL DEALS WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS Opportunities will be available to enable staff, students, parents or visitors and their representatives to raise issues of Health and Safety. A Health and Safety Officer (currently Ian Davies Financial Controller) is available and any matters or issues which arise should be reported to him or to his Assistant (currently Phil Mason). The Health and Safety Committee will meet at least once every term to review any issues of Health and Safety which are brought to its attention. In the event of a serious occurrence which requires immediate attention, the matter should be reported at once to the Principal, Health and Safety Officer, Facilities Manager, Head of Senior School or Vice Principal so that urgent action can be taken. Competent people will be appointed to assist the School in meeting its statutory duties including, where appropriate, consultants from outside the School. Each student and member of staff must co-operate with the School to ensure compliance with all statutory duties. The successful implementation of this policy requires total commitment from all staff and students. Each member of staff has a legal obligation to take reasonable care for his or her own Health and Safety and for the safety of other people who may be affected by his or her acts and/or omissions. This policy and all policies with a Health and Safety element will be regularly monitored to ensure that the objectives are achieved. They will be reviewed and, if necessary, revised in the light of legislative or organisational changes or as otherwise deemed necessary. They are available for staff to view on Firefly (Staff - Policies). Where deemed appropriate, policies with health and safety elements which need to be accessed by students, parents, contractors and visitors will be available to view on their accessible parts of Firefly or the Moreton Hall website or copies can be provided in other formats.
MORETON HALL HEALTH AND SAFETY - STAFF AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES OVERVIEW Day-to-day responsibility for the operation of health and safety at the school is vested with the Principal. However, as governors, we have specified that the school should adopt the following framework for managing health and safety: The governor overseeing health and safety is invited to the termly meetings of the school s health and safety committee and receives copies of all relevant paperwork. A report on health and safety covering: statistics on accidents to pupils, staff and visitors, staff training, fire drills and all new or revised policies and procedures is tabled at each term s meeting. The minutes of the Committee s discussion on health and safety are tabled at each meeting of the full Governing Board together with any other issues on health and safety that the committee chairman wishes to bring to the Board s attention. The external fabric of the school, its plant, equipment and systems of work are surveyed and inspected regularly by competent professionals. These reports (as per point above) are considered by the Estates Manager and its recommendations (together with other defects) form the basis of the school s routine maintenance programmes. The school s adherence to health and safety in catering and cleaning of the food preparation and eating areas is subject to external inspection by the Environmental Health Office (EHO). In addition, the catering manager arranges for a safety audit of food storage, meal preparation and food serving areas three times a year, together with regular deep cleaning and external pest control services. The Financial Controller reports on all these aspects to the committee. The school has fire risk assessments, carried out by a competent person which are reviewed every year for progress on completion of items in the action plan and updated every three years, more frequently if significant changes are made to the interior of buildings or new buildings are brought or added. The health and safety committee should review this risk assessment every time it is amended and submit a report to the governor overseeing health and safety. An external health and safety consultant carries out regular health and safety audits including fire safety, the general state of the school and reports on actions required with recommended timescales. The progress of implementation should be monitored by the committee. The school has a competent person undertake a risk assessment for legionella, every two years and a quarterly water sampling and testing regime in place.
The school has a comprehensive policy in place for the training and induction of new staff in health and safety related issues which should include basic manual handling and working at height training. Health and safety training that is related to an individual member of staff s functions, such as science technician, will be provided in addition to the standard induction training. First aid training and minibus driver training are provided to any member of the teaching staff who is involved with trips and visits and to selected members of the non-teaching staff. All members of staff are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own safety, that of pupils, visitors, temporary staff, volunteers and contractors. They are responsible for cooperating with the head, and other members of the Senior Management Team ( SMT ) in order to enable the governors to comply with health and safety duties. Finally, all members of staff are responsible for reporting any significant risks or issues to the Financial Controller. GOVERNORS: The Board has overall collective responsibility for health and safety within the School. It has a responsibility to ensure that health and safety issues are considered and addressed and that the Policy is implemented throughout the School. They will also make adequate resources available so far as is reasonably practicable, to enable legal obligations in respect of health and safety to be met. Where appropriate, advice from a Competent Person will be sought to advise the School and tasks will be delegated to suitable employees in order to assist the Board in carrying out its duties. PRINCIPAL : Overall responsibility for all aspects of Health and Safety. FINANCIAL CONTROLLER : Responsibility for financial matters regarding Health and Safety. HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER (currently Ian Davies) : Implementation of Health and Safety policy, related policies and risk management within the school in discharge of the management task. FACILITIES MANAGER and FIRE OFFICER (currently Rob Watkinson) : To maintain Moreton Hall and its facilities in a safe condition including, under direction of the Health and Safety Officer, to ensure the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are met. Specifically, fire detection, emergency, evacuation procedures and Fire Risk Assessments; that they are devised and updated at least annually and to attend the Health and Safety meetings. HOUSE MISTRESSES : Ensuring that necessary health and safety measures are applied in Houses. HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS : Ensuring that necessary health and safety measures are applied in their Departments. TEACHING STAFF : Ensuring that health and safety measures are followed by staff and students under their control. ALL SCHOOL STAFF : Personal responsibility for their own well-being and for the health and safety of others who may be affected, directly or indirectly, by their behaviour and actions at work.
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE : The Health and Safety Committee is established to monitor, review and advise on Health and Safety matters and to provide a forum and opportunity for staff at all levels to participate in the process of framing and implementing safety policy. The Health and Safety Committee, comprising one member from each of the major departments concerned, as laid down in paragraph 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Committee instructions, shall meet at regular intervals to discuss relevant matters and propose remedial action required to ensure compliance with the Act. INDIVIDUALS TERMS OF REFERENCE PRINCIPAL The Principal is responsible to the School Governing Council for matters covering Health, Safety and Welfare at the School and specifically for: 1. Provision and maintenance of safe and healthy working conditions, taking account of the Health and Safety at Work Act and other statutory requirements. 2. Monitoring health and safety standards and ensuring that corrective action is taken in the event of unsatisfactory performance. 3. Setting up investigations as required, to deal with specific health and safety at work problem areas. 4. Promotion of a constant and continuing interest in health and safety matters throughout the School. FINANCIAL CONTROLLER The Finance Manager is responsible for financial matters of health and safety policy to ensure compliance with the keeping of staff records, budgeting of costs to meet the needs of Health and Safety at Work Act, associated Regulations, and training requirements. HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER The Health and Safety Officer is responsible to the Principal for the implementation of Health and Safety Policy and policies containing a health and safety element within the School. Duties include: 1. To advise on the practical application of the Health and Safety at Work Act and other legislation. 2. To advise on the policies of the School Governing Council to the Principal, House Mistresses, Heads of Departments and other School Staff and ensure that these policies are understood and implemented effectively. 3. To edit, update and publicise the Health and Safety Policy and policies containing a health and safety element. 4. Chair the Health and Safety Committee. 5. Make periodic inspections of Domestic, Catering, Health Centre, Sporting, Classroom, Laboratory, Office and Workshop accommodation and the operating methods therein to ensure the provision of a safe working environment and to advise teaching staff and Heads of Departments of weaknesses in safety arrangements. 6. (Only as directed by the Principal) to liaise, as necessary, with the School s Medical Officer on occupational health matters and with external agencies on provision of monitoring equipment or attendance of Health and Safety specialists. 7. To investigate accidents or dangerous occurrences, independently or jointly with House Mistresses or Heads of Departments, as directed by the Principal.
8. To ensure that Safety Audits and Risk Assessments are conducted at appropriate intervals and to the prescribed format. 9. To receive and disseminate safety information, literature and publicity material and take all other steps necessary to promote an active interest in health and safety matters throughout the School. 10. To act as Educational Visits Co-ordinator (EVC) and provide advice for staff organising off site trips and update generic documents and policies. HOUSE MISTRESSES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENT House Mistresses and Heads of Department are responsible for the health and safety and welfare at work of staff and students under their control. They may also be required to take part in investigations of specific hazards and accidents, as directed by the Principal. In particular they are to ensure that: 1. Staff and students are adequately supervised. 2. Staff and students are adequately trained and briefed on safety precautions to be observed in the House or Department concerned - inclusive of the emergency evacuation procedures. 3. Information on possible hazards and safety precautions to be observed is readily available, with warning notices displayed where necessary. 4. Safety procedures and safety devices are adequate to protect staff, students and external visitors from known hazards. 5. Where appropriate, supplies of protective clothing or equipment are available and are utilised. 6. Provide, hold and update risk assessments for the hazards in their area. 7. Ensure new staff are given an induction at the start of their employment which shall include health and safety matters including but not limited to evacuation procedures, hazards in their area, maintaining their emergency exits. 8. Ensure school policies for off site trips are followed. TEACHING STAFF The Teaching Staff are to see that the necessary health and safety measures are applied. In this respect they are to: 1. Instruct students, as necessary, in avoidance of hazards and the safe performance of their work. 2. Ensure that, where appropriate, Health and Safety Regulations are observed (e.g. use of guards and other safety equipment, wearing of protective clothing, handling of dangerous substances or seek safer alternatives and avoidance of unsafe practices generally). 3. Recommend improvements or changes required to eliminate hazards and remove the cause of accidents and potential accidents. 4. Continually stimulate interest and awareness in health and safety discussions with students. 5. Be aware of and comply with the emergency evacuation procedures as they apply to themselves and the students. 6. Ensure school policies for off site trips are followed.
FACILITIES MANAGER Is to: 1. Be aware of health and safety legislation relevant to his/her area of responsibility. 2. Ensure staff, in his/her Department, receive suitable and relevant training in health and safety matters relevant to their work. 3. Ensure Contractors working on site on work initiated by him/her do so in a safe manner meeting the relevant legislation and provide protection for staff, students and visitors. 4. Ensure staff in his/her department follow the School Health and Safety Policy and all policies and other practices containing a health and safety element. MAINTENANCE STAFF The Maintenance Staff have a special responsibility for identifying and reporting potentially dangerous faults, deficiencies and defects which they may encounter in the course of their duties and bring these to the attention of the Facilities Manager. They must obey health and safety procedures and work systems, especially concerning the use of machinery, guards, protective clothing, handling potentially dangerous substances and work on electrical and gas apparatus and equipment, and asbestos regulations. ALL SCHOOL STAFF Individual School employees have a duty to ensure their own well-being, health and safety but are equally responsible for the health and safety of others who may be affected, directly or indirectly, by their behaviour and conduct at work. All members of staff have the following specific duties: 1. To carry out their work safely in the interests of other employees, the students and themselves. 2. To obey health and safety procedures and work systems, especially those concerning the use of machinery, guards, protective clothing, handling of potentially dangerous substances and work on electrical apparatus and equipment. 3. To report unsafe conditions to the Health and Safety Officer, Heads of Departments or House Mistresses as appropriate, in order that remedial actions can be taken. 4. To assist, directly or indirectly, in the work of the Health and Safety Committee. 5. To complete a Risk Assessment form for any activity they are leading which is not covered by any pre-existing Risk Assessment or which involves additional risk beyond that already identified and provide a copy to the Health and Safety Officer before any such activity goes ahead. HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE The Health and Safety Committee is established to monitor, review and advise on health and safety matters and to provide a forum and opportunity for staff at all levels to participate in the process of framing and implementing health and safety policy. The Committee shall meet at regular intervals - preferably each term. The Committee is to be concerned with the following: 1. Co-ordination of all health and safety matters at Moreton Hall, including the examination and analysis of safety records and review of accident reports. 2. Fostering an interest in safety matters, accident prevention and occupational health amongst School staff. 3. Framing of instructions covering safe working procedures and safety rules.
4. Establish safe environmental conditions such as lighting, ventilation, access, fire prevention, tidiness etc. 5. Consideration of safety suggestions made by School employees. 6. Publicity and safety education and training arrangements, teaching aids, posters, films, booklets, etc. 7. Use of protective clothing and equipment, machinery guarding etc. The Committee activities must not supplant or bypass normal Management channels. Health and Safety matters should be dealt with immediately and not left for a Committee meeting. EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT The Health and Safety at Work Act places a number of legal responsibilities on employers. Breaches of the Act may constitute criminal offences. Moreton Hall will: A. Allocate adequate resources to provide and maintain conditions and places of work that are, so far as are reasonably practicable, safe and without risk to health. B. Provide instruction, training, retraining and supervision in health and safety as is appropriate to ensure that adequate publicity is given to health and safety matters. Records shall be kept of all training by the Health and Safety Officer. C. Ensure that all premises, plant, equipment and processes are designed, constructed, maintained and used (so far as is reasonably practicable) with due regard to health and safety. D. Provide protective clothing and equipment appropriate to all circumstances of work, teaching activities and support services. E. Provide appropriate fire prevention and detection services and ensure that all persons are informed of the action to be taken in the event of fire. F. Provide facilities for the treatment of injury and illness at work in compliance with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and provide First Aid training for employees to meet the requirements of the Regulations. G. Ensure that the Accident Books are placed at convenient locations and be available at all reasonable times for inspection by those having the need to do so. To this end, Accident Books are kept in the Bursary, Health Centre and at various points around the School. H. All members of staff shall be made aware of this Policy and given access to an electronic copy or a paper copy of this Policy and undergo an induction at the start of their employment which shall include Health and Safety matters. STAFF INVOLVEMENT The Health and Safety at Work Act stipulates that all Employees must co-operate fully with Management in the implementation of Health and Safety matters. A breach the Act may be a criminal offence and not a civil matter. Each member of staff will: A. Take reasonable care for both personal health and safety and for that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. B. Report all accidents, potential hazards, dangerous incidents or near misses to their Supervisor or Head of Department and the Health and Safety Officer.
C. Record all such accidents etc. which results in personal injury, however minor, in the accident book and take part in an open and honest manner in any subsequent investigation. D. Ensure that tools and equipment used are in good and safe condition and operate any such tools and equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and any approved training which they may have received. E. Learn and observe all relevant Safety Rules, Procedures or Codes of Practice. F. Always use protective clothing or protective equipment required for the job in hand. G. Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant Statutory provisions, including fire extinguishers. VISITORS, CONTRACTORS AND SELF EMPLOYED INVOLVEMENT All Visitors, Contractors, their Sub-Contractors and self employed shall: A. Be responsible for ensuring that visits to or work carried out on Moreton Hall sites or contracts are carried out in a safe manner and in accordance with all relevant legislation. B. Any contract issued by Moreton Hall for work or services shall include reference to health and safety responsibilities of the contractor. C. Ensure that the safety of Moreton Hall staff, students, visitors or other members of the public are not put at risk by their actions. D. Ensure that all relevant Health and Safety legislation is complied with. E. Sign in and sign out at an official Reception point when entering or leaving Moreton Hall and shall wear an identification badge (issued by the Reception point) at all times when on site. F. Obey the Visitor Code of Conduct as displayed at the Reception point. G. Notify any Supervisor and Moreton Hall Reception staff of their location and movements around the site. H. Acquaint themselves with the location and procedures for health and safety matters and check and sign the Asbestos Register - copy held at the Reception points in Bursary and Trevor s Cabin. I. Report all accidents, however minor, occurring in the process of carrying out work covered by the Contract and take part in an open and honest manner with any subsequent investigation. J. Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety, or welfare in pursuance of any of the Statutory provisions. ACCIDENT REPORTING Certain accidents at work are reportable to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 2013 (RIDDOR). Moreover, although less serious accidents may not be reportable to the HSE, it is the School policy that all incidents resulting in injury that require medical attention should be recorded and fully investigated. Similarly, anything deemed to be a near miss or dangerous incident should also be reported so as to try to ensure that remedial action is taken to prevent a recurrence or more serious incident.
Any member of the School Staff injured in, or witnessing an accident or incident in which personal injury or damage to property is caused or which they consider constitutes a near miss or dangerous incident, is required to report the circumstances to the Health and Safety Officer direct or through the appropriate Head of Department, Housemistress or Health Centre Sister/School Nurse without delay. The Health and Safety Officer will consult with the Principal regarding investigations of incidents. The Health and Safety Officer will compile and submit reports to external agencies as necessary. REPORTING PROCEDURE Any accident, incident, near miss or dangerous incident which occurs is to be reported to the Health and Safety Officer. Full Accident Reporting Guidance is available via Staff Firefly - Policies. If the accident involves a student, this should be recorded on a pro-forma and a copy kept in the House. All accidents must be recorded on the Accident Form within the Accident Book and the original form passed to the Health and Safety Officer. Any accident that is reportable under RIDDOR will be reported by the Health and Safety Officer, who will keep the records and report on as required by law. Any serious accident must be reported to the Principal as soon as possible. Any dangerous incident or near miss must be reported to the Health and Safety Officer and Facilities Manager as soon as possible. Hazards which may cause an accident must be reported in writing to the Facilities Manager. GENERAL GUIDELINES - A QUICK REMINDER Suggestions, comments and reports on Health and Safety matters are to be brought to the attention of the Health and Safety Officer or a Health and Safety Committee member. Machinery is to be adequately guarded and maintained. Electrical equipment is to be regularly maintained and all portable electrical equipment is to be inspected and tested on a regular basis. Only suitable qualified electrical persons will work on the relevant parts of the electrical circuits and equipment. All staircases, passages etc., must be kept clear of obstructions and adequately lit. First Aid Kits must be replenished from the Health Centre and maintained in a satisfactory condition to meet any case of emergency. Suitable warning notices are to be used to indicate a potential hazard. Staff are to familiarise themselves with relevant legislation applicable to their activities and work to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act. Risk Assessments will be prepared for all activities where hazards are perceived. These will be checked and copies kept by the Health and Safety Officer. The responsibility for preparation of Risk Assessments lies with the member of staff who is leading the trip etc. Following checking, approval or amendment by the Health and Safety Officer, the responsibility for further checking and applying the control measures remains with the member of staff who is leading the trip. Health and safety and other policies which may have health and safety implications are available for staff to consult on Firefly (Staff - Policies). These should be consulted as necessary. The responsibility for checking remains with the member of staff. All Fire Alarms will be checked at regular intervals.
All emergency lights will be checked at regular intervals by competent persons and records kept. All substances hazardous to health (COSHH) will be recorded and managed in accordance with the COSHH regulations. IF IN DOUBT SEEK ADVICE. Any staff, students, parents, visitors, contractors are encouraged to seek advice on issues of health and safety from their Heads of Department, House Mistresses, Health and Safety Officer (currently Ian Davies), his Assistant (currently Phil Mason), the Facilities Manager (currently Rob Watkinson). Every effort will be made to assist. If any issues arise, please notify the Health and Safety Officer, his Assistant or the Facilities Manager. We take it seriously and would rather know about a potential problem before it becomes a real one. Prevention is better than cure. If you are still not satisfied, please report the matter to the Principal, the Head of Senior School, the Vice-Principal or the Health and Safety Committee. J. France-Hayhurst: Date: Chair of Governors