Health and Safety
Responsibilities
It is the duty of the Headteacher, on behalf of the Governing body, to ensure the health and safety of all who work at Honilands. Team Leaders are responsible for ensuring all members of staff are familiar with Health and Safety policy and procedures and instructing new members of their team in health and safety matters.
Each member of staff has a responsibility for health and safety and has clear instructions to report any safety concerns. Updates are posted on the Headteacher?s notice board and attention will be drawn to it at Friday briefings. There is a book in the main office where these concerns are logged. The caretaker has the responsibility of checking these reports and in consultation with the Headteacher, ensuring that they are dealt with appropriately. The appointed Health and Safety Officer for the school is Graham Voight.
Monitoring and Evaluation Health and Safety Programme
It is the duty of the Health and Safety Officer to monitor the implementation of the Health and Safety policy at Honilands. He accompanies the Headteacher/Deputy Headteacher or HS Governor on a termly inspection of the building noting any areas for improvement. It is the Headteacher?s responsbility to act on his suggestions within a set time limit issues are raised at the Friday morning staff briefing following the inspection. The school also uses external agencies to monitor the safety of equipment and resources.
Funding and Resources
The Premises Sub Committee of Governors, Headteacher and Site Manager make decisions on priorities for maintenance and development. Health and safety are high priority issues. Money is made available from the school?s repairs and maintenance budget. Decisions on major health and safety developments are taken as part of the annual budget planning cycle. Emergencies are given due consideration as they occur.
Consultation and Communication
Advice on matters relating to health and safety at work may be obtained by the Headteacher and the Health and Safety Officer from the Education Health and Safety Officers at the Civic Centre. The school?s Health and Safety Officer will consult with the Headteacher.
Information will be displayed on the Headteacher?s notice board. The staff?s attention will be drawn to all new information.
Health and Safety Training
The Health and Safety Officer will attend LEA organised training and in consultation with the Headteacher. All members of staff will be informed of pertinent information. All new members of staff should read the Health and Safety Policy and systems and keep a copy of the summary. They should sign a form to confirm this, which will be kept on file.
Personal Protective Equipment
Plastic aprons, disposable gloves, resuscitation masks are available for the welfare assistant, nursery nurse, site manager and lunchtime supervisors. All staff are instructed that disposable gloves must be used when dealing with body fluids. Fire blankets or extinguishers are located near potential fire risks eg cookers, photocopiers.
Aggression at Work
All staff should take reasonable precautions to ensure that they are not putting themselves or others at risk. During the working day and after school hours admittance to the school is available through the entry system where visitors are screened before being admitted. If working alone in the building, staff should not admit visitors without prior appointment. Teachers working alone in isolated areas should make a colleague aware. The Headteacher or Deputy should be notified of any strangers suspiciously on or around the site. Staff should also make the Headteacher or Deputy aware if they are meeting with a parent or other adult.
Stress and Mental Health
The Headteacher, in consultation with any individual felt to be at risk, will be responsible for the initial assessment. All staff must take reasonable precautions to ensure that they do not put themselves at risk. The Occupational Health Service will be called to offer support as necessary.
Health Surveillance
All employees must have undertaken pre-employment screening before taking up their post.
Monitoring of health during employment rests with each individual employee. The Occupational Health Service can be contacted for support and/or information.
Working in/or Visiting Other Premises
Employees should conduct themselves in other premises as they would in their own school. Staff must judge the risk to themselves, based on all information available, before visiting parents at home. They must always be accompanied by a colleague.
Visitors to School
Visitors to the school must report to the main office and sign their name in the visitor?s book. They are issued with a visitor?s badge which they should wear while they are on the premises.
They should conduct themselves in an appropriate manner in order to ensure their safety and the safety of others. Before leaving the premises they must sign out and return the badge.
Contractors Working in or Around the School
The Headteacher is responsible for the contract arrangement, in consultation with the borough architect and premises officer, where appropriate. The Site Manager is responsible for the day to day liaison with contractors. Advice given in the booklet ?Health and Safety in Building Work? will be adhered to when necessary (booklet is kept in the Health and Safety file in the school office).
Cleaning and Maintenance
The school is not responsible for the cleaning contract. This is monitored by the Site Manager. All activities and substances used will comply with the Health and Safety at Work regulations and COSHH. The Site Manager will be responsible for inducting cleaning staff and Assistant Site Manager, including familiarisation with Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
Workplace Hazards and Risk Assessments
Contracts are maintained on the fire alarm system, burglar alarm, audio visual equipment and playground equipment. Advice will be taken from the Education Health and Safety Officer on hazards associated with new equipment and chemicals not previously used. Chemicals will be locked away when not in actual use and manufacturer?s directions adhered to at all times. The school follows the information and advice set out in the LEA Primary Risk Assessment handbook.
Risk assessments for out of school visits are undertaken and reviewed.
Fire Prevention and Emergency Evacuation
It is the duty of the Health and Safety Officer to ensure the fire evacuation notices are clearly displayed in all rooms. Fire exits are clearly marked and kept free from obstruction. An evacuation practice is held each term. The alarm system is tested and maintained annually.
Electrical Safety
The LEA is responsible for inspecting the electrical installation and equipment. The Headteacher is responsible for the maintenance of the equipment.
There is an RCD protection fitted to the school?s electrical circuits as identified in survey.
Power breakers are fitted to all equipment.
All staff should take care that there are no trailing leads which would cause accident. The use of extension leads should be limited and purely as a temporary short-term measure.
The Site Manager is competent to fit plug tops and change fuses.
Any faults and defects should be reported immediately to the Site Manager, who will consult with the Headteacher.