Health & Safety Policy

 "Achieving our best together"

CLARIFICATION OF POLICY This policy is intended to supplement, not replace, the guidance set out in the Bath & North East Somerset Corporate Health, Safety and Welfare Policy and the Education Service Health, Safety and Welfare Policy. For the purpose of this policy staff is defined as any persons working in the school, whether contracted, voluntary or employed by an outside agency. COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY The Governing Body and Headteacher regard the health and safety of all staff, pupils and any other person using the school of paramount importance. The Governing Body, Headteacher and members of staff are committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all employees, pupils and visitors. The Governing Body recognise the constraints of the school’s per-first world war buildings and temporary structures and will work with any agency to achieve the goal of creating an environment where there is no impediment to the work of the staff and the educational development of the children. The Governing Body and Headteacher will ensure that all required risk assessment and monitoring of Health and Safety are undertaken.  These duties are delegated in the following areas: Art, Craft and Pottery                                                    Mrs Jameson Buildings                                                                        Mrs Tibbatts Contractors on school premises                                 Mrs Tibbatts Design Technology                                                      Miss Love Food Technology                                                          Miss Love Fire precautions                                                            Mrs Tibbatts Office safety                                                                   Mrs Saunders Science                                                                          Miss Love Sport and PE                                                                 Mr Godwin The Governing Body shall endeavour to comply with all regulations set out in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Act (COSHH).  The school COSHH Co-ordinator is Mr J Joyner. DUTIES The Governing Body has overall responsibility for health and safety within the school.   It will ensure that all reasonable steps have been taken to fulfil the school’s Health & Safety Policy and to reduce the possibility of accident or injury to staff, pupils or visitors. It is a duty of all staff and governors to familiarise themselves with this policy and always act within adopted recommended procedures.  All procedures are to be published in the School Policy folder, copies of which are to be found in the staff room and in the Headteacher’s office. Under the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974, all employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and for the safety of others, be affected by their acts or omissions at work which my be foreseeable. There is also a duty to co-operate with the school management in all measures taken to fulfil statutory health and safety duties and to protect the safety of staff, pupils and visitors. Staff shall ensure that the school policy on external visits is followed at all times.  They are responsible for supervising pupil groups whilst they are from school on external visits and for ensuring that pupils are aware of their responsibility to act with due consideration for their own safety and that of others when on such visits. LIABILITY  Individual Governors through the corporate status of Governing Bodies cannot be held to be personally liable, when they have acted on collective decisions, taken in good faith, provided that the Governing Boyd adheres to its own policies.  Therefore, health and safety will be a standing item on all full meetings of the Governing Body. HEALTH AND SAFETY TEAM The Health and Safety Team will present this policy annually to the Governing Body for review.  The Health and Safety Team will inspect the building once a term and report on any health and safety concerns to the Governing Body.  All procedures are to be annually assessed by the Health and Safety Team. The Health & Safety Team comprises: Mrs Tibbatts                               Headteacher Mr. B Houghton                         Governor with Health and Safety responsibility Vacant                                        Staff Health and Safety Representative     The team will assist and work with all staff with Health and Safety responsibilities and the School Safety Committee on behalf of the Governing Body. The names of the team must be displayed in the staff room and all new members of staff should be introduced to their Health and Safety Representative.  The Staff Representative will be allocated notice board space, a lockable cupboard and such resources, as they require for their Health and Safety duties. The Health and Safety team can seek advice from the LEA, the Education Safety Officers and Specialist Advisers. The Headteacher should consult with other staff with health and safety responsibilities and it is strongly recommended that a School Safety Committee be established.            RECORDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES All test certificates and alarm monitoring sheets are to be kept in the Headteacher’s office in one clearly marked folder. All incidents and concerns should be reported to the Staff Health and Safety Representative, who will consult with the Headteacher.  It is the duty of all staff to ensure that all incidents are recorded in the appropriate record book.  If the incident or concern is of a serious nature the Headteacher is to inform the Governor with Health and Safety responsibility and the Chair of Governors. The school will always inform staff representatives of Trade Unions of any health and safety issues concerning staff in compliance with the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974. OPERATION OF THIS POLICY RESPONSIBILITY AND DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITY Director of Education The responsibilities of the Director of Education are as outlined in the Bath & North East Somerset Education Services Health and Welfare Policy. The Governing Body The Governing Body has overall responsibility for health and safety and will monitor all delegated duties. Specifically the Governing Body shall: Elect annually from their number the governor with responsibility for health and safety. Set health and safety objectives and performance standards for the school. Determine and implement the strategies required to meet the set objectives and standards. Provide access to adequate training, protective clothing and information to enable all to perform their work safely. Allocate funding for health and safety purposes. Receive and review an annual health and safety audit. Develop and maintain sound safety, health and welfare practices in light of risk assessments. Review this policy annually. THE HEADTEACHER The Headteacher is responsible to the Governing Body for the health, safety and welfare of staff, children and visitors within the school. While some aspects of health and safety are delegated to others, the Headteacher retains overall responsibility and shall be specifically responsible for ensuring that: All members of staff, children and so far as is reasonable, visitors to the school are made aware of their health and safety responsibilities as set out in the policy. The Local Education Authority and Governing Body are kept informed on health and safety performance of the school. The risks to which staff and pupils are exposed at school and outside visits are assessed, recorded and reduced to the lowest level reasonably practicable. Regular inspections of the building, plant, and equipment are undertaken.  Health and safety information, instruction and training are given to all staff. All problems are dealt with promptly and appropriately and, or referred to the Governing Body or the LEA Safety Officer as appropriate. Issue all contractors with the School Outside Contractors Policy and monitor all work of contractors in relation to health and safety of staff, pupils and visitors. Seek appropriate expertise when required. Accidents are reported, recorded and investigated to discover their cause and prevent reoccurrence. Appropriate First Aid facilities and trained staff are available. Appropriate arrangements are made to evacuate the school in an emergency and that regular fire drills and testing of fire system takes place. The appropriate structures exist and operate for consultation with staff and the resolution of health, safety and welfare issues. CO-ORDINATORS Subject and other co-ordinators are responsible to the Headteacher for the day-to-day management of health and safety in their areas of responsibility. They should ensure that: A safe working environment is provided for all taking part in an activity. The Headteacher is informed of any health and safety issues. Safe working arrangements are specified for each work area under their control and that all staff and pupils working there are informed of these and adhere to them. All equipment is selected with regard to working conditions and its suitability both for its use and users. All equipment and tools meet statutory requirements and are properly maintained. The relevant sections of the book ‘Make it Safe’ are referred to in schemes of work as generic risk assessments and these are implemented. APPOINTED FIRST AID PERSONS In the event of an accident one of the appointed First Aid persons is required to take charge of the situation and summon medical assistance if necessary.  They shall assist casualties and keep a record of treatment or advice given and ensure that an accident form has been completed where appropriate.  All Appointed Persons will receive Emergency First Aid training.  It is the duty of all Appointed Persons to ensure that the First Aid Boxes are correctly stocked at all times. There are four Appointed First Aid Persons: Mrs S Brewer Mr A Bartlett Mrs Frost Mr J Godwin COSHH CO-ORDINATOR The COSHH Co-ordinator will: Maintain an inventory of substances covered by the COSHH Regulations. Carry out risk assessment on the use of substances used or generated. Determine control measure required. Notify staff who use or encounter the substances of control measures. Keep the assessments under review. Lodge a copy of inventory and assessment with the Headteacher.  ALL STAFF Whilst recognising the responsibilities of the Governing Body, it is expected that all staff will: Ensure that they and pupils are instructed in safe working practices and any specific risks associated with their particular task. Ensure that they and pupils follow safe procedures. Ensure that protective clothing and equipment is used correctly when needed. Bring health and safety problems to the attention of their representative and/or the Headteacher. Report all accidents and dangerous occurrences. Check that classrooms and work areas are safe. Check that equipment is safe and properly maintained before and after use. Familiarise themselves with emergency evacuation and accident procedures and bring them to the attention of pupils and visitors. PUPILS All pupils are expected to behave at all times in a manner that places neither themselves nor other needlessly at risk.   SIGNED: …………………………………………….. ………………………………. (Chair of Governors) SIGNED: ……………………………………………………………………………… (Headteacher) SIGNED: ……………………………………………………………………………… (Governor for Health & Safety)