Book Tour

Health and Safety Policy

 

Rationale

Our school is the working environment for many groups of individuals and plays host to many others. It is important, therefore, that a safe environment is established in which children and adults can work together with confidence. It is the responsibility of the senior management team and governing body to ensure this is the case.

In order to promote this we must all take responsibility for being vigilant and be aware of possible risks. Children and adults should be encouraged to keep themselves and one another safe and share any concerns they may have swiftly and appropriately.

We must also, however, be aware of the need to keep a balance between security and safety and the maintenance of a comfortable, welcoming learning environment. This policy aims to address and provide guidance on this balance, identifying individual and group responsibilities.

 

Aims

•       To provide a safe, secure and healthy working environment for staff and children 
•       To encourage everyone to take responsibility for being vigilant and to be aware of possible risks whilst also feeling confident and comfortable within their environment

 

Objectives

•       Be vigilant around the school premises for intruders finding a balance between challenge and confrontational behaviour
•       Ensure there is sufficient information, instruction and supervision to enable all people and pupils to avoid hazards and to contribute to their own safety and health at work
•       Maintain electrical equipment to an appropriate standard and ensure a safe environment for handling, storing and transporting items
•       Administer appropriate procedures according to fire regulations
•       Have procedures in place for the safe administration of medicines and for dealing with accidents and illness
•       Have  a procedure in place for reporting faulty equipment and near misses
•       Maintain regular checks of the building and safety and security
•       Be aware of the pressures on teaching staff and the possible effects which stress may have
•       Give guidance on lone working and personal safety 
•       Give guidance on the use of images
•       Inform about what should be done in a case of emergency

 

Informing people of this policy

New members of staff receive health and safety information as part of the induction policy.

 

Responsibilities of individual class teachers

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires governors and employees, according to their particular roles, to take the initiative on certain matters. The following list is a guide to the particular responsibilities that individuals have.

1. Know the safety measures and arrangements to be adopted in their own working areas and ensure that they are applied
2. Observe standards of dress consistent with safety and/ or hygiene
3. Keep good standards of hygiene and cleanliness
4. Know and apply the procedures in respect of emergencies
5. Co-operate with other employees and the safety representative  in promoting  health and safety measures
6. Report any hazard or breakage
7. Follow health and safety instructions and use appropriate safety equipment and protective clothing
8. Maintain safely tools and equipment
9. Report any incidents, assaults or ‘near misses’
10. Set a good example to the children in their care
11. Supervise pupils and ensure that they know about emergency procedures and safety measures
12. Ensure that pupils’ bags, coats and belongings are safely stowed away
13. Include all relevant aspects of safety in the curriculum  according to the science and PHSE and C curriculum.
14. Make parents/ volunteers aware of safety procedures in the classroom/ work area
15. Give clear instruction and warning as often as necessary
16. Ensure that relevant risk assessments are completed and followed
17. Ensure that pupils are made aware of existing and new health and safety information.

 

Responsibilities of visitors 

Regular visitors and other users of the school will be required to observe the safety rules of the school.  The Head teacher will ensure that visitors are informed of health and safety matters which may affect them during their visit.

Parents helping out in school will be made aware of the health and safety arrangements by the teacher who they are working with. 

 

Staff should be vigilant for:

•       Damage to plugs and switches
•       Damage to leads
•       Correctly fitted connectors
•       Coloured insulation of the internal wires not showing at plug or appliance
•       Damage to outer case of equipment
•       Signs of overheating
•       Signs of liquid spillage or entry of foreign materials, ventilation ports not blocked
•       The appliance being used for the purpose it was designed for 

Pupils in years 5/6 are allowed to connect/ disconnect electrical equipment (under supervision),

 

Students in School

We accept students who are training to become teachers and teaching assistants. In order to make sure that their experience is beneficial it is important to:

- ensure an appropriate match between the student and the activity

- ensure appropriate supervision at all times

Teaching students are co-ordinated by the Assistant Head teacher. Their school based mentor and class teacher are responsible for ensuring their induction and mentoring them whilst on site. Teaching assistant students are co-ordinated by a qualified teaching assistant who ensures their induction. Day to day management lies with the teachers and teaching assistants in the placement year groups.

 

PE equipment

The PE equipment is inspected annually. The PE co-ordinator is responsible for overseeing this inspection and for keeping a regular check of whether equipment is fit for purpose. Any significant findings must be reported to the site manager.

The PE policy outlines procedures for safe use of equipment. Careful consideration should be given to the use of apparatus. Staff should be particularly alert to the use of equipment with children with behavioural needs or disabilities. It may be necessary for additional TA support to be given where there are concerns. Risk assessments are carried out for all areas used for P.E.

 

Responsibilities during fire drill

 

Responsibilities for class teachers (or teaching assistant/ mid-day supervisor if class teacher not onsite)

During the first day of school all class teachers should explain to children what the procedure is should the fire bell sound. This should include information about:

•       Fire exit to be used
•       Assembly point
•       Action on discovering a fire
•       Keeping gangways clear

 

Fire exit to be used – is the nearest available exit. Please also make note of alternative exits should this one be blocked.

Assembly point – is on the front playground standing in registration groups. Where children have been in sets or working in other groups, they should return to their registration group for roll call.

Action on discovering a fire – children inform someone immediately and should never try to put a fire out themselves.

Keeping gangways clear – children should be reminded about hanging coats and bags out of the way

Reporting – registers will be taken out on to the playground by office staff and handed over to class teachers. Once the register has been checked teachers should let the head teacher know that the class are all present. 

The same procedure will be used in the event of any other emergency where evacuation of the school building is needed. For further information see ‘Emergency procedure’ document. This also provides information about the notification of staff, parents and LA in the event of school closure.

 

Tests and checks

 

Staff working alone in the building

If you are working alone in the building or in an isolated situation, take the following precautions:

•       Tell somebody where you are and what time you will be home
•       Ensure that entrances are secure – ensure that the main entrance is bolted and that you can get out of another door in case of an emergency without using a key
•       If you are the last member of staff to leave ensure that the door through which you leave locks behind you
•       If anyone suspicious attempts to enter the building or you see or hear anything suspicious contact the police using the telephone in the headteacher’s room, main office or mobile phone
•       Always be alert when leaving the building

 

Leaving an empty building

•       Carry out locking up and security checks from the inside of the building wherever possible
•       Start the locking up process while there is still staff inside the building
•       Set all alarms
•       Always be on the alert when leaving an empty building in case someone is waiting for you to do so