GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY for HEALTH and SAFETY and WELFARE

Birchwood Primary School

The governors and headteacher acknowledge that Suffolk County Council has the prime responsibility for health and safety. Health and Safety Governing body and headteacher have specific responsibilities to manage health, safety and welfare at the school level. They also have responsibilities to support the published policies and aims of the LEA in improving the overall health and safety performance of schools.The Headteacher, as Local Health and Safety Coordinator has principal duty in the school for ensuring the local implementation of guidance, codes of practice and other advice from Suffolk County Council. We understand that this duty extends to ensuring that:

working conditions and environment

substances used

equipment provided, and

working methods adopted

do not impair the well-being of any employee, or any other person including clients, contractors, visitors, volunteers and any member of the public who may be affected by the conduct of its work..

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ORGANISATIONThe head teacher has responsibility for day-to-day management of health and safety issues. Further to this all staff should have regard to their own H & S and that of others including pupils, clients, visitors and colleagues. They should communicate any concerns to the appropriate person(s) (see below) so that hazards can be quickly rectified. A record book is kept in the staffroom, for members of staff to log concerns and potential hazards.

Individual members of staff are responsible for the particular areas as follows:

Task Name of person responsible

Job title of person responsible

H&S Policy review S Cloke Headteacher

H&S committee/governor committee P Firman Premises Governor

Communication and information management S Moore SAO

Critical Incident Management S Cloke Headteacher

H&S Induction Training S Cloke Headteacher

Routine updating training S Cloke HeadteacherPersonal safety procedures (also Schoolsafe) S Cloke Headteacher

Planned checks (procedures) R Catton Caretaker

Planned checks (equipment) R Catton/Calbarrie Caretaker/LEA

Planned checks (premises) R Catton Caretaker

Incident reporting/investigation S Cloke HeadteacherCoordination of risk assessment work S Cloke/M Alexander Headteacher/Deputy

HeadteacherFire procedures S Cloke Headteacher

Locally organised building repairs and alterations L Westaway AO

First Aid (training and equipment) S Cloke/L Westaway Headteacher/AOVehicle control and pedestrian safety S Cloke Headteacher

Educational visits coordinator (EVC) M Alexander Deputy Headteacher

Stress and Wellbeing S Cloke Headteacher

Child Protection Co-ordinator S Cloke Headteacher

Supporting pupils with medical needs N Woods SENCO

Premises Security R Catton Caretaker

Contractors on site S Cloke Headteacher

Outside lettings R Catton Caretaker

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Other (specify)

Guidance for the ‘ARRANGEMENTS’ section of the school’s health and safety policy

Health and Safety Policy Review

The school’s health and safety policy is reviewed annually during the summer term

Targets included in the policy document are reflected in the school’s improvement plan and any other prime strategic documents

Communication and Information Management:

The head teacher presents a termly report in the recommended format for health and safety to the whole governing body

The school has systems to ensure relevant health and safety information is passed to on to the relevant people within the school. Records about where curriculum subject specific information is kept is shared with staff, it is normally kept by the subject co-ordinator.

There is a work/life balance notice board in the staffroom; this may display general health and safety information, which any member of staff might refer to at any time.

Items might include:

The schools health and safety policy

A copy of the “Health and Safety Law – What you should know” leaflet. All staff have a copy of this)

Notes from the school’s health and safety committee meetings, stored in a file

Poster displays or other awareness raising, etc. campaigns

The Senior Administrative Officer is responsible for keeping the "Education Health and Safety – Local Management of Schools" manual up to date. This is held in the school office

Critical Incident Management

The county’s guidelines followed and are staff aware of the advice. Refer to "Managing Critical Incidents in Schools"

Health and safety is a termly staff meeting agenda item.

Health and Safety Induction Training

All staff receive induction training including training, which is matched to their specific work and responsibilities. A general checklist for use with employees includes the following, which includes both basic and more specialised criteria.

Overview of the school’s health and safety policy and organisational structure

Tour of the premises

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Current health and safety priorities for the school – policy targets

Communication and relationships with other schools and Suffolk County Council (the LEA)

General health and safety advice, including the schools own guidance and that from the LEA

Where appropriate, curriculum specific guidance and arrangements for working with the county subject advisers

Introduction to recognised unions and the local representatives

Employee problems and concerns Specific duties and responsibilities

Grievance procedures

Information on hazards specific to the school, and established controls or precautions

Use of equipment and/or tools

Materials and substances in use – handling and labelling systems/warning signs. COSHH requirements, risk assessments and health and safety data sheets

Use and care of PPE (personal protective equipment)

Housekeeping procedures for policy documents and local rules

Legal responsibilities and rights

Work permit systems (for example, arrangements for visits and trips)

Physical examinations in pursuit of statutory maintenance requirements eg. Electrical equipment, fume cupboards and other exhaust ventilation equipment, lifts, hoists and lifting equipment, pressurised systems such as autoclaves and air compressors

Trained first aid personnel and first-aid facilities

Fire evacuation and emergency procedures

Fire extinguishers – location and use

Access to well being advice, counselling and other staff support schemes

Security

Restricted areas and equipment

One-on-one instruction and supervision of young and inexperienced workers (and work experience students)

Manual lifting and handling – general advice and risk assessment

Safe stacking of materials

Defective or inappropriate tools

Correct use of guards

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Safe procedures for machines, including design technology equipment

General housekeeping and maintenance of access

Smoking restrictions

Reporting of incidents, hazards, work-related injuries and illnesses

What to do in an emergency

Routine Updating Training

Training plans for each individual member of staff are updated annually, they form part of a performance management review.

Personal Safety procedures, Schoolsafe and control of violence

School staff been trained to the Schoolsafe standard. There is a bi-annual refresher course. This training forms part of general induction training.

The school have a written procedure advising how staff should deal with an incident where an adult has displayed aggressive behaviour or any kind of assault (including verbal abuse). There is a clear policy on reporting and investigating such incident. The LEA Incident Report form and Incident follow-up form are used. Refer to "Recording and Reporting Incidents in Schools and other Education Premises" Policy and Guidance 2001

Visitors and people entering the building are monitored. They sign in at reception and are issued with a badge.

Visitors are directed to use the main entrance to the school.

The Senior Admin Officer holds a list of key holders; this is checked annually and revised.

The school considers particular arrangements, which may be needed to ensure the safety of lone workers and outreach staff? Specific risk assessments are carried for these potentially higher risk activities.

Planned Safety ChecksProceduresEquipmentPremises

The school buys into the SAVES electrical checking system. The arrangements for routine maintenance of all electrical equipment are carried out by an external company contracted by the LEA. Equipment checked includes:

I. large (cookers, dishwasher etc.)

II. small (portable electrical appliances, extension cables etc.)

III. Other equipment (fixed, design technology, and ICT, drama, cleaning contractor/staff)

Staff are informed to bring to the attention of the Headteacher or SAO the deteriorating condition of any plugs, sockets and mains leads. This is dealt with immediately.

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All equipment (not otherwise covered under other headings) is subjected to an annual maintenance check

All indoor and outdoor sports and play equipment ( LEA contract REJB)

The schools water system(s)- hygiene, temperature and legionnaires disease checks (Guardian Water/Caretaker)

Mechanical equipment used in Design Technology ( DT Co-ordinator)

Catering equipment, including ventilators- LEA Catering Service

Ladders, stepladders and mobile scaffold/access equipment- Caretaker, annual H+S audit

Door closers, running gear and catches- termly H+S inspection by Governors H+S committee

Printing and reprographics machines- regular service by NCS Photocopiers

The whole school inspected once a term by a member of the school’s management team, and a delegated member of staff or the governing body committee

Incident Reporting/Investigation

The new double sided Incident Report form is used

The school’s ID (2924) number is recorded on every form

All staff briefed on when and how to use the form

Every incident is subject to investigation as appropriate with a view to preventing recurrence

The school’s health and safety committee periodically review the incident history for the school and plan actions to reduce the likelihood of future incidents

Coordination of Risk Assessment Work

Risk assessments may be required under many circumstances, but in general they will only need to be completed in school when published guidance or recommended practice is not followed, is not completely relevant to the activity considered, or does not exist.

An overview of the school premises and activities assists with the general risk assessment and indicates the areas for more detailed risk assessment and control work. It requires longer term planning for adequate remedies to be provided.

Areas for risk assessment development

the school has limited space for pedestrians and vehicle access, creating a serious incident risk directly outside the school

the school grounds are used outside normal school hours by local youths – they may leave litter, bottles, or more dangerous articles such as needles and other paraphernalia. All staff and children are instructed

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to inform the Headteacher about items they have found. A sharps box is kept in the caretaker’s room.

Risk assessments, which are required due to the need for specific locally arranged precautions, are: First aid arrangements, (numbers of trained staff, level of training and

equipment) Lone working situations Hinge protectors for doors Visits and trips Tree maintenance Display screen equipment/workstations Manual handling New and expectant mothers Level of supervision in playgrounds and for play equipment Working at height Clinical waste Swimming pool supervision School fetes, drama productions, fireworks displays etc.

Fire Procedures

An annual fire risk assessment is completed. This is incorporated into the general risk assessment mention in the preceding section.

There is a planned evacuation procedure The notices detailing the evacuation procedures are displayed in every

classroom and teaching space. There is a termly schedule for routine practices of the drill There is a check to ensure all fire extinguishers have been tested during

annual inspection and are staff adequately trained to enable escape in an emergency

The Senior Administrative Officer carries out the weekly fire alarm test. The details of the tests are recorded in the Fire Drill Log

The fire safety arrangements are checked with the fire service

Locally Organised Building Repairs and Alterations

Procedures are in place to ensure the Form 13 procedure is followed

The relevant staff (senior administrative officer, caretaker/custodian, Headteacher, etc) and governors know the asbestos procedures. They have been advised about the asbestos survey report.

First Aid – Training and equipment

First aid equipment is appropriately located throughout the school. Individual kits are located close to teaching areas.

First aid kits are monitored termly by Ronnie Leader, a MDSA

The above named person manages maintenance and replenishment.

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There are procedures for the disposal of clinical waste, including incontinence and sanitary waste.

Records are kept of who is trained, and when their certificates expire by SAO.

All injuries are logged in a record book held in the office. The Headteacher monitors this and follows up any incidents that require further investigation or checking. Parents are informed via a note home about a head injury.

Staff have access to health centre / GP telephone numbers. THE SAO maintains these records list of staff.

In an emergency a parent is contacted immediately. However, in extreme cases an ambulance would be called first

First aid arrangements for visits and trips for part of the organising teacher’s risk assessment.

Vehicle Control and Pedestrian Safety

Staff, delivery and contractors vehicles are permitted to enter and/or park on site. Parents with a disability may use the staff car park with prior agreement with the Headteacher. No vehicles are allowed to drive on to the site during playtimes or before or after school.

Education Visits Coordinator (EVC)

The current county council advice being followed.

Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs

The latest county council and DfES guidelines followed.

Premises Security

The current county council guidance is followed.

Contractors on Site

Contractors should always report to reception.

The Headteacher of SAO briefs them about fire procedures, smoking restrictions, local management arrangements, vehicle movement restrictions etc.

No vehicles are driven on to the site during playtimes or before or after school.

All staff (including cleaners etc who may be on site earlier and later than teaching, etc.) is informed of areas to avoid for the duration of the work.

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Outside Lettings

The school hall rooms is available for lettings

The office and reception area is not accessible from the school hall. There is a phone in the staff room.

Information is provided to inform people who are booking the premises about any necessary health, safety or security information relating to the premises and any equipment which may be used (Please refer to outside lettings policy)

1st February 2011

S Cloke

Headteacher

 

 

 

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