Tda_2.10_Health_and_Safety

Risk Assessment – suitable and sufficient risk assessments carried out to identify hazards Tackling Risks at Source – accidents and work related health 1.1 Describe how current health and safety legislation, policies and procedures are implemented in the setting. Health and Safety policy COSHH 2002 E-safety Policy Risk Assessment Fire Policy (Fire Risk Assessment) Health and safety at Work Act 1974 Managing Accidents in School Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 defines fundamental structure and authority for the enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare within the UK. Is primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in UK. The hse/local authorities responsible for enforcing the act relevant to the working environment. All people legal right to be protected at work. Key requirements General Duty of Care – duty to ensure health and safety of employees Health and Safety Management System – must take and give adequate arrangements and planning, control, monitoring, review of protective measures Safety Policy Statement – written policy statement must be prepared (5 or more persons) covering organisation and arrangements in force for ensuring health and safety Competent Persons – adequate numbers of competent persons appointed, time and resources at disposal to assist employees to comply with legal duties damage prevented tackling risks at source Info – instruction, training, supervision – employees given co-operation, coordination – employers must do this with each other Hazardous Agents – exposure to these must be adequately controlled Health Surveillance – arrangements made for any necessary surveillance of employees and records kept Work Equipment – all work equipment meet safety requirements Personal Protective Equipment Articles and Substances – safe and properly used Special Precautions – taken against entry to confined spaces and working at height etc Emergency Arrangements – must be placed under control of competent persons Fire – adequate precautions taken against fire Workplace Requirements – essential requirements should be ensured Reporting and Recording – accidental injuries, dangerous occurrences and notifiable diseases reported and records kept Safety Reps, Committee and Consultations – must consult workforce on safety matters Insurance – employees must have specific insurance Employer must – it is the duty of each employer to ensure so far as is reasonably practical the health, safety and welfare of its employees. Employees must – every employee must take reasonable care of themselves and others who are affected by their “acts or omissions”. Management of the Health and Safety at Work Employer must – provide free training, free protection, health checks (if appropriate) Employee must – comply with training instructions and inform of shortcomings and danger, co-operate 1.2 Describe how health and safety is monitored and maintained in the setting Health and Safety is monitored and maintained in school by various means. On a daily basis the head does a walkabout to check for anything and all the staff monitor so that any issues that occur can be reported. Issues are reported to the senior management team Any damage to property is dealt with by the caretaker. Repairs are completed as soon as feasible. The caretaker ensures premises are kept clean and rubbish free Outdoor equipment is inspected once a year by WCC approved contractor Visual checks are formally undertaken by caretaker and informally by staff on duty and any defects reported PE equipment is inspected on an annual basis by approved WCC contractors Equipment is checked regularly by the PE co-ordinator School grounds are maintained by a reputable contractor. Caretaker carries out regular inspections of the grounds. Staff carry out visual checks daily and any issues reported to the senior management team Annual checks are made by WCC approved contractors for electrical (PAT), fire alarm and smoke detection, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers A COSHH file is kept and maintained by the caretaker. All hazardous products are stored in the caretaker's room and access limited to adults only. New products are recorded in line with WCC policy 1.3 Describe how people in the setting are made aware of risks and hazards and encouraged to work safely. Information and instructions on health and safety matters are available / given to teachers / non teaching staff / pupils, governors and visitors as follows: Staff are informed about all existing information held on site by regular updates at staff meetings / induction packs Health and Safety Act on display in staff room Fire drill / evacuation procedure on display around school Use of white board in the staff room Texts – messaging eg for snow days, emergency closure The Health and Safety Policy is signed by staff Deputy updates staff handbook annually and staff provided with regular updates re: health and safety Health and safety monthly item on the staff meeting agenda Visitors and contractors are informed of any health and safety arrangements which may affect them It is the responsibility of the teachers to ensure that pupils are aware of existing and new health and safety information via PSHC, class/whole school assemblies, verbal instruction, demonstrations on use of equipment, class rules/behaviour protocol, sign-age eg do not run, yellow hazard cones Fire Risk Assessment can be found in the deputy head's office 1.4 Identify the lines of responsibility and reporting for health and safety in the setting Headteacher has overall responsibility for the school. Caretaker has site responsibility – keeping clean and tidy Health and Safety Officer is the deputy head. Medication is administered by office staff / assigned person. Designated First Aid Area is by the main office, during play /lunchtime also First Aid Area in Year 4; First Aid boxes situated all round the school. Play Equipment – visual inspection made formally by caretaker and informally by staff on duty at lunch /playtime. PE co-ordinator checks equipment regularly, she follows current policy and practice. ICT technician – this is outsourced and someone approved comes in to deal with any faults. Six of the school's fire doors are automatic and close when the alarm sounds, these doors are clearly labelled. All other fire doors are labelled and kept closed. Fire alarm tested regularly – caretaker inspects / maintains fire exits and routes. 3.1 Outline the importance of taking a balanced approach to risk management. It is important to have a balanced approach to risk assessments. We must always ensure that children are not at any risk, but sometimes we might give them freedom t do things knowing that they won't get hurt, they will learn from that. Children need to explore their own levels of risk taking in safe environments. If we overprotect them/prevent them taking any risks they may seek their own risk taking without the presence of an adult. Health and safety of staff, pupils and visitors while on school premises or whilst on organised events eg trips, home visits must be protected as far as reasonably practical. Our main concern is to keep children safe from harm, however this can be tricky as we also need to encourage them to experience risk and challenge. If we try to remove all risk, we could find it detrimental to their learning experiences. Some risks obviously need to be avoided and we would be irresponsible professionals if we didn't protect children from these dangers. Faulty equipment and poisonous substances are just two examples of what is dangerous. Climbing and jumping on chairs / furniture in busy classroom is very risky. Climbing stairs, using play / PE equipment, visiting the park, using scissors / tools shouldn't be discouraged just because they carry a risk; they are experiences where assessing risk levels are important – as experiences like these can extend children's knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. It is important to teach children skills to help them manage danger and risk for themselves, helps them to develop confidence and make risk taking decisions responsibly. Any activity carries some degree of risk and we must consider age, needs, ability etc of each individual. If well planned and organised the chances of an accident are minimised. When planning and providing activities, don't eliminate risk but weigh up the benefits and risks and find a balance. Focus on controlling real risks and securing benefits and recognise that risk may form part of the activity. The purpose of risk control is not to eliminate all risks. Through risk taking children build capabilities, explore emotions, expand horizons and test boundaries; this is at the heart of children's play and activities. The setting has a copy of and has to adhere to the Warwickshire County Council Health and Safety Risk Assessment Policy. Policy produced in accordance with County Council's Health and Safety Policy – ensure all health and safety issues relating to Risk Assessment managed and controlled. It is County Council's Risk Assessment Policy to ensure that: i) Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are undertaken, documented and circulated in compliance with statutory requirements ii) Adequate control measures are in place to prevent / reduce accidents, injuries and ill health iii) All persons undertaking risk assessments possess the appropriate level of competence to perform the task iv) All relevant statutory requirements and where reasonably practical best practice guidance is adhered to v) Risk assessments are only undertaken and documented where significant risks have been identified