Oakworth Primary School

Health and Safety Policy

1. General

1.1 Oakworth Primary School recognises its duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Section 2(1) of the act States; I shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the Health Safety and Welfare at work of all its employees.

Section 2(3) of the act makes provision in relation to Health and Safety Policies. Except in such cases as may be prescribed, it shall be the duty of every employer to prepare and as often as may be appropriate revise written statement of its general policy with respect to the health and safety at work of its employees and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out that policy and to bring the statement and any revision of it to all his employees.

Oakworth Primary School has prepared a written statement of intent, and brings the contents of the document to the attention of its employees by way of training sessions. The document is available on the school web site, and is included within staff induction packs and site inductions packs distributed to contractors and other authorised visitors to our premises.

Health and Safety Policy Statement of Intent

As Head Teacher of Oakworth Primary School, I recognise the duties and obligations imposed upon me under the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974, to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and Safety of :-

1 All employees of Oakworth Primary School

2 The pupils, parents, visitors and contractors who may be exposed to risk to health and safety arising out of the activities of the school.

In order to fulfil, these duties and obligations, it is necessary for me to rely upon the full co-operation and support of all employees and the Governors. I have adopted this written health and safety policy as the overall statement of our duties and obligations.

I have set out in this policy the duties and obligations that apply throughout the School and all school activities, so each individual are aware of their own roles and responsibilities. I will set in place systems and procedures to monitor the Schools Health and Safety performance.

Employees of the school must read this document along with all associated policy documents and procedures, conjunction with our statement of intent.

Signed Head Teacher …………………………………

Date ………………………………….

Signed Chair of Governors ……………………………

Date …………………………………

Date of review December 2009

This policy shall be reviewed every 12 months

2. Arrangements for Health and Safety.

Within Oakworth Primary School the arrangements for assessing heath and safety performance, controlling and where possible, eliminating hazards and risks to health, is devolved by the Governors to the Head Teacher and Senior Management Team. All Health and safety policy documents and procedures are formally accepted by the governing body. All policy documents will be reviewed by the relevant staff member and submitted to the governors for approval, at least once every three years, or when changes to legislation, or procedures within the school require the policy document to be reviewed.

For each of the headings below for full details of the schools procedures please consult the relevant policy documents and procedures.

Audits, Surveys and Inspections

Audits, surveys and inspections will be carried out by the Head Teacher, Senior Management Team, Governors and where required external consultants to ensure compliance with the agreed policies.

Reports will be prepared and circulated to all relevant managers and staff. The findings of the reports will be acted upon and actions taken recorded in the survey register.

Risk Assessments

Risk Assessments are a legal requirement, the Head Teacher will ensure that risk assessments prepared for the normal safe occupation of the school are prepared and maintained.

The Head Teacher will ensure that risk assessments are carried out by staff in their areas of responsibility, and for all activities outside the normal daily school activities activity specific risk assessment shall be prepared prior to that activity taking place

Results of risk assessments will be brought to the attention of those affected. Where necessary those persons will be given appropriate training, or instruction, or method statements to enable them to carry out and comply with the control measures identified. Risk Assessments will be available for inspection by visiting enforcement inspectors, or union/staff appointed Safety Representatives.

The assessments will be reviewed annually, or when any changes in the work or premises gives rise to significant hazards. Such reviews will be recorded on the documents the risk assessment register and filed in the risk assessment file. Safety working procedures will always be in accordance with current legislation, best practice and the current Risk Assessment control measure.

Accident and Dangerous Occurrence Investigation.

Staff are responsible for ensuring that all accidents near misses and dangerous occurrences and reported to the Head Teacher and recorded in the Accident Book. The Head Teacher is responsible for ensuring that the incident is fully investigated, this may be done by senior staff, or governors, or external investigators, and that all recommendations to prevent re-occurrence are acted upon.

The Head Teacher is responsible for recording all accidents and dangerous occurrences. When required they are required to make the required reports under RIDDOR to the HSE and provide follow up reports and investigations to the Enforcing Authority.

Accident and Injury Analysis

Statistical data arising out of accident analysis will be prepared by the Head Teacher, and presented to governors, the Local Authority and where required Enforcing Authority at periodic intervals.

Safety Training

Safety forms an integral part of in service training within the school, all staff and trainees will receive the necessary levels of health and safety to enable them to work safely and without risk to others. Requirements for health and safety training will be assessed as part of normal staff assessments.

The health and safety of staff in new situations will be taken into account, for example the introduction of new technology, school trips, or changes in the existing patterns of work.

Any new significant risks will be assessed and recorded in the risk register and the results made known to the employees.

Fire, Bomb Threat and other Emergency Evacuation Procedures.

The Head Teacher and Relevant Managers have responsibility for managing emergency evacuation of the buildings in accordance the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) (RRO(FS)). The means of escape, fire alarm systems and fire fighting equipment will be fully maintained at all times.

Periodic evacuation drills will be carried out. The findings of these will be recorded in the fire register, and will be available for inspection on the premises.

The designated Responsible Person (Head Teacher) will be responsible for reviewing and updating the Fire and Evacuation Risk Assessments.

Training in Fire Prevention Control

Training sessions will be arranged for staff and trainees in fire prevention control.

First Aid

Oakworth Primary School will provide services and facilities to at least the minimum standard required by the First Aid at Work Regulations 1981 and the requirements of the education regulations. Named 1st Aiders will be displayed in prominent locations throughout the premises.

First aid training will be arranged, maintained and recorded for relevant staff in accordance with the legislation.

Information and Specific Hazards

Information on specific hazards or current risk assessment to enable you to work safely is available in the schools health and safety policy documents. It essential that all staff read and follow the procedures relating to their place of work.

Help and Advice

All staff have a duty to ensure that they work safely, help and advice on all aspects of occupational health and safety can be obtained from the Head Teacher, the schools Health and safety Consultants, of Bradford Councils Health and Safety Unit.

Hirers, Contractors and Others

Oakworth Primary School recognises its Duties under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare of persons not in its employment but who may be affected by its activities are nor exposed to risks to their health and safety.

Oakworth Primary School accepts that it has responsibility to take all reasonably practical steps to secure the health, safety and welfare of pupils, staff and others using the school premises or grounds or participating in school activities. Oakworth Primary School believes that the prevention of accident, ill health, injury or loss is essential to the efficient operation of the school and its part of the education of its pupils.

The aim of the Governors is to provide a safe healthy working environment for all pupils, staff and visitors

All Contractor’s visits, deliveries etc will be arranged with the Site Manager or Head Teacher, who will provide site induction training sessions, outlining procedures, parking, welfare, etc. including times when vehicle movement or work will be prohibited.

Contractors will not be permitted to bring on to the premises and use any plant or equipment, or carry out any works which may prejudice the requirements of this policy document or the otherwise safe functioning of the school.

Contractors will not be permitted to use any item of plant, tools or equipment belonging to Oakworth Primary School. All mains electrical equipment to be used by contactors shall be low voltage (110v) , in a safe conditions and suitable for the purpose to which it is to be used with evidence of the latest test/examination date.

Management of Contractor on the School Premises

Note: Contractor this includes organisations hiring or being permitted to use parts of the school buildings or grounds for non school activities.

All managers, Governors or teachers wishing to appoint contractor’s to work on / in the premises or ground must ensure the contractors’ competency to carry out the appointed task has been checked. The governors can advise on this matter.

All contractors will be required to carry out Risk Assessments of any significant hazards identified; the results of which will be subject to pre-contract liaison.

Management will inform the contactor of any known health hazards and safety risks which they might encounter during the course of their work, along with the arrangements in force to reduce / manage the risks, e.g. fire procedures for the building.