HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

Part 1

Statement of intent

It is our policy to carry out our activities in such a way as to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of our employees and all persons likely to be affected by our activities including the general public where appropriate.  We will co-operate and co-ordinate with partners, contractors, sub-contractors, employers, Hampshire County Council departments, and the occupiers and owners of premises and land where we are commissioned to work in order to pursue our Health and Safety Policy aims.

Our aims are to:

• Maintain control of health and safety risks arising from our activities
• Consult with all staff on matters affecting their health, safety & welfare
• Provide and maintain safe plant and equipment
• Ensure safe handling, storage and use of substances
• Provide appropriate information, instruction and supervision for staff/pupils/visitors
• Ensure staff are suitably trained and competent to do their work safely
• Continually develop a safety culture to remove or reduce the possibility of accidents, injuries and ill health
• Maintain a safe and healthy working environment ensuring the welfare of all persons
• Assess risks, record significant findings and monitor safety arrangements
• Review and revise safety policies & procedures periodically and when circumstances may introduce a requirement to amend or improve arrangements

Part 2

ORGANISATION

The overall responsibility for health and safety at Tavistock Infants School is held by the Governing body, (not withstanding those responsibilities which lay with Hampshire County Council) who will:

• Ensure that health and safety has a high profile
• Ensure adequate resources for health and safety are made available
• Consult staff regarding suitable health & safety training opportunities
• Monitor and review health and safety arrangements

The Headteacher with the support of the Site manager will:

• Develop a safety culture throughout the unit/centre/school
• Consult staff and provide information, training and instruction so that personnel are able to perform their various tasks safely and effectively
• Assess and control risk as part of the day-to-day management of the school
• Ensure staff are aware of their responsibilities
• Ensure a safe & healthy environment & provide suitable welfare facilities
• Make operational decisions regarding health & safety
• Ensure significant hazards are assessed and suitable arrangements are made to remove or reduce the risks
• Ensure staff are aware of their health & safety responsibilities
• Update governing bodies/partners
• Monitor and review the health and safety policy periodically & as required

All staff have a statutory obligation to co-operate with the requirements of this policy and to take care of their own health & safety and that of others affected by their activities by:

• Supporting the school’s health & safety arrangements
• Taking part in or carrying out risk assessments when necessary for an activity planned by that member of staff and subsequently discussing the assessment with the Head Teacher or trained risk assessor where this is not the Head Teacher.
• Ensuring their own work area remains safe at all times
• Not interfering with health & safety arrangements or misusing equipment
• Complying with safety procedures, whether written or verbally advised for their own protection or the protection of those under their supervision and others who may be affected by their actions
• Reporting safety concerns to their staff representative or other appropriate person
• Reporting any incident that has led, or could have led, to damage or injury
• Assisting in investigations due to accidents, dangerous occurrences or near-misses.

The Governing Body Buildings Committee will:

• Monitor health and safety performance and recommend any action necessary should this performance appear or prove to be unsatisfactory.
• Ensure periodic safety tours and inspections are carried out
• Produce, monitor & review local safety policies & procedures in conjunction with the Head Teacher and Site Manager.
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Part 3

ARRANGEMENTS

Safe Working Procedures:
HT and all teaching and support staff
Site manager and Cleaning staff
Tavistock Association of Families and Friends
Special Needs Co-ordinator
Administrative Officers
First Aid trained staff & Appointed Persons
Fire Safety Co-ordinator/Fire Marshall

The above staff have responsibility for identifying, assessing and controlling risks  within their particular  area of work and must ensure that safe working procedures are developed through:

• Risk assessing the tasks
• Identifying the hazards
• Defining a safe method of work
• Documenting the assessment
• Implementing the safe system of work
• Monitoring the safe system of work
• Reviewing the assessment & method statement

All risk assessments & control measures are to be discussed with the trained risk assessor and approved by the Head Teacher prior to implementation.
Completed risk assessments are to be stored in the Risk Assessment file
Risk assessments are to be reviewed periodically in accordance with the determined plan for risk assessment review which forms part of the annual Governing Body Buildings committee work plan.

Once developed, safe working procedures must be circulated to protect all personnel working within the school from risks to their health and safety. They must familiarise themselves with laid–down procedures and ensure that personnel under their control are fully aware of these procedures.

Specific policy documents.
Any specific policy documents that detail the arrangements for health & safety in the school can be found listed in the appendix A

Specific procedural documents.
Specific hazards and areas of risk have been identified and procedural documents have been written to minimise the risk as far as reasonably possible. These documents are listed in appendix B and can be found in full in the school manual of health and safety and on the school intranet.

Staff training and Induction
The Head Teacher is responsible for communicating the policies, and related procedures to all staff and arranging whatever training deemed necessary and applicable following approval of the annual training budget by the Governing Body.

 

Appendix A Additional Health and Safety Policies
These policies and related procedures can be found in the School Health and Safety Manual and also on the school intranet.

Fire safety Plan,  Policy (and procedures)
Aggressive & Violent Behaviour Safety Policy
Security Policy (and procedures)
Child Protection Policy
Physical Intervention Policy
Administration of Medicines Policy
Smoking

 

Appendix B  Procedural documents based on risk assessments

These  procedures can be found in the School Health and Safety Manual and also on the school intranet.

Accidents & Incidents
First-aid & Emergency Arrangements
Control & Safe Use of Substances
Working at Height
ICT or Display Screen Equipment
Vehicle & Traffic Safety
Lone Working
Contractors on site
Legionella Safety
Safety in PE
Cooking
Playtimes
The pond
The hall
Outdoor play equipment
Materials and Tools
Off site activities.