CREATING A MODEL SCHOOL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
Summary
In community schools, community special schools, voluntary controlled schools, maintained
nursery schools and pupil referral units the employer is the Local Authority (LA).
In foundation schools, foundation special schools and voluntary-aided schools, the employer is
usually the governing body.
Legislation requires that every employer who employs five or more people writes a health and
safety policy and ensures that it is brought to the attention of all their employees. All schools are
required to produce a local Health and Safety Policy that takes account of and is consistent with
the Central Bedfordshire Council’s policies. This Policy will be specific to the school as it will
contain information on who will do things and how.
The following is an example of a model policy which schools can customise to fit their own
situation.
The policy will address three main areas:
Section A
Section B
Section C
Statement of Intent
Means of organisation
Procedures and arrangements for implementing the policy
Headteachers should ensure the Policy is ratified by the Governing Body and implemented within
the school. It is recommended the Statement is included in the school prospectus. Once
completed the Policy should be communicated to all staff in the school.
As employers the LA will monitor the effectiveness of school local policies to ensure they are
adequate. It is recommended that where the Governing Body is the employer policies are
monitored for their effectiveness.
Useful links
Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 website www.hse.gov.uk
HSG65 (ISBN 0717612767)
www.hsebooks.com.books.gov.uk/pubns
Guide to measuring health and safety performance
www.hse.gov.uk.opsuit/perfmeas.pdf
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HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
STATEMENT OF INTENT
SCHOOL NAME
INTRODUCTION
The Governing Body believes that ensuring the health and safety of staff, pupils and
visitors is essential to the success of the school.
We are committed to:
a. Preventing accidents and work related ill health.
b. Compliance with statutory requirements as a minimum.
c. Assessing and controlling risks from curriculum and non-curriculum work
activities.
d. Providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment.
e. Ensuring safe working methods and providing safe working equipment.
f. Providing effective information, instruction and training.
g. Consulting with employees and their representatives on health and safety
matters.
h. Monitoring and reviewing our systems and prevention measures to ensure they
are effective.
i. Setting targets and objectives to develop a culture of continuous improvement.
j. Ensuring adequate welfare facilities exist throughout the school.
k. Ensuring adequate resources are made available for health and safety issues,
so far as is reasonably practicable.
l. Trade Union Safety Representatives play a valuable role and the Governing
Body recognises the mutual benefits that will arise from supporting their work.
A Health and Safety Management System will be created to ensure the above
commitments can be met. All Governors, staff and pupils will play their part in its
implementation.
Name ____________________ Signature ____________________ Date: _______
(Chair of Governors)
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ORGANISATION
INTRODUCTION
In order to achieve compliance with the Governing Body’s Statement of Intent the
school’s management team will have additional responsibilities assigned to them as
detailed in this part of the Policy.
An organisational chart for H&S Management is attached at Appendix 1.
THE GOVERNING BODY
The Governing Body has the responsibility to ensure that:
a) A clear written policy statement is created which promotes the correct attitude
towards safety in staff and pupils.
b) Responsibilities for health, safety and welfare are allocated to specific people and
that these persons are informed of these responsibilities.
c) Persons have sufficient experience, knowledge and training to perform the tasks
required of them.
d) Clear procedures are created which assess the risk from hazards and produce
safe systems of work.
e) Sufficient funds and resources are set aside with which to operate safe systems of
work.
f) Health and safety performance is measured both actively and reactively.
g) The school’s health and safety policy and performance is reviewed annually.
THE HEADTEACHER
The Headteacher supports the Governing Body by ensuring that:
a) This Policy is communicated adequately to all relevant persons.
b) Appropriate information on significant risks is given to visitors and contractors
c) Appropriate consultation arrangements are in place for staff and their Trade Union
representatives.
d) All staff are provided with adequate information, instruction and training on health
and safety issues.
e) Risk assessments of the premises and working practices are undertaken.
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f) Safe systems of work are in place as identified from risk assessments.
g) Ensure appropriate health and safety notices displayed as identified.
h) Emergency procedures are in place.
i) Machinery and equipment is inspected and tested to ensure it remains in a safe
condition.
j) Records are kept of all relevant health and safety activities e.g. assessments,
inspections, accidents, etc.
k) Arrangements are in place to monitor premises and performance.
l) Accidents are investigated and any remedial actions required are taken or
requested.
m) A report to the Governing Body on the health and safety performance of the
school is completed annually.
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THE SCHOOL HEALTH AND SAFETY CO-ORDINATOR IS….............................................
He/she is responsible for:
a) Co-ordinating and managing the risk assessment process for the school.
b) Co-ordinating the termly general workplace monitoring inspections and
performance monitoring process.
c) Making provision for the inspection and maintenance of work equipment
throughout the school.
d) Keeping records of all health and safety activities.
e) Advising the Headteacher of situations or activities which are potentially
hazardous to the health and safety of staff, pupils and visitors.
f) Ensuring that staff are adequately instructed in safety and welfare matters in
connection with their specific work place and the school generally.
g) Carrying out any other functions devolved to him/her by the Headteacher or
Governing Body.
h) Unsafe conditions being reported and dealt with to agreed timescales.
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The Health and Safety Co-ordinator must be a senior member of staff. In a small
school the Headteacher will undertake this role.
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TEACHING/NON-TEACHING STAFF HOLDING POSTS/POSITIONS OF SPECIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
This includes Deputy Headteachers, Curriculum Co-ordinators, Heads of Year, Heads of
Departments, Clerical Managers/Supervisors, Technicians and Site
Managers/Agents/Caretakers. They must:
a) Apply the school’s Health and Safety Policy to their own department or area of
work and be directly responsible to the Headteacher for the application of the
health and safety procedures and arrangements.
b) Carry out regular health and safety risk assessments of the activities for which
they are responsible and submit reports to the Headteacher or the School Health
and Safety Co-ordinator.
c) Ensure that all staff under their management are familiar with the health and
safety procedures for their area of work.
d) Resolve health, safety and welfare problems that members of staff refer to them,
or refer to the Headteacher or Manager any problems to which they cannot
achieve a satisfactory solution within the resources available to them.
e) Carry out regular inspections of their areas of responsibility to ensure that
equipment, furniture and activities are safe and record these inspections where
required.
f) Ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the provision of sufficient information,
instruction, training and supervision to enable other employees and pupils to avoid
hazards and contribute positively to their own health and safety.
g) Ensure all accidents are investigated appropriately.
h) Include health and safety in the annual report for the Headteacher.
SPECIAL OBLIGATIONS OF CLASS TEACHERS
Class teachers are expected to:
a) Exercise effective supervision of their pupils and to know the procedures in
respect of fire, first aid and other emergencies, and to carry them out.
b) Follow the health and safety procedures applicable to their area of work.
c) Give clear oral and written health and safety instructions and warnings to pupils as
often as necessary.
d) Ensure the use of personal protective equipment and guards where necessary.
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e) Make recommendations to their Headteacher or Head of Department on health
and safety equipment and on additions or necessary improvements to plant, tools,
equipment or machinery.
f) Integrate all relevant aspects of safety into the teaching process and, where
necessary, give special lessons on health and safety in line with National
Curriculum requirements for safety education.
g) Ensure that personal items of equipment (electrical or mechanical) or proprietary
substances are not brought into the school without prior authorisation.
h) Report all accidents, defects and dangerous occurrences to their Headteacher or
Head of Department.
SCHOOL HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES
The Governing Body and Headteacher recognise the role of Health and Safety
Representatives appointed by a recognised trade union. Health and Safety
Representatives are entitled by law to investigate accidents and potential hazards,
pursue employee complaints and carry out school inspections within directed time
wherever practicable.
They are also entitled to certain information, for example about accidents, and to paid
time off to train for and carry out their health and safety functions. However, they are not
part of the management structure and are not carrying out duties on behalf of the
Headteacher or Governing Body.
Time off for training of safety representatives will be provided in accordance with
negotiated agreements. Representatives will be given full access to the information on
health and safety, which they have a right to have under the Health and Safety at Work
Act 1974. They will also be given appropriate time and facilities to undertake the range
of activities of a Safety Representative in order that they can play an effective role, any
problems that need further action or a review of procedures.
OBLIGATIONS OF ALL EMPLOYEES
Apart from any specific responsibilities which may have been delegated to them, all
employees must:
a) Act in the course of their employment with due care for the health, safety and
welfare of themselves, other employees and other persons.
b) Observe all instructions on health and safety issued by the LA, School or any
other person delegated to be responsible for a relevant aspect of health and
safety.
c) Act in accordance with any specific H&S training received.
d) Report all accidents and near misses in accordance with current procedure.
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e) Co-operate with other persons to enable them to carry out their health and safety
responsibilities.
f) Inform their Line Manager of all potential hazards to health and safety, in
particular those which are of a serious or imminent danger.
g) Inform their Line Manager of any shortcomings they identify in the school’s health
and safety arrangements.
h) Exercise good standards of housekeeping and cleanliness.
i) Know and apply the procedures in respect of fire, first aid and other emergencies.
j) Co-operate with the appointed Trade Union Health and Safety Representative and
the Enforcement Officers of the Health and Safety Executive.
All employees who authorise work to be undertaken or authorise the purchase of
equipment will ensure that the health and safety implications of such work or purchases
are considered.
Employees entrusted with responsibilities for specific aspects of health, safety and
welfare must satisfy themselves that those responsibilities as appropriate are reassigned in their absence. Such re-assignments must be approved by the employee’s
immediate superior.
PUPILS
Pupils, in accordance with their age and aptitude, are expected to:
a) Exercise personal responsibility for the health and safety of themselves and
others.
b) Observe standards of dress consistent with safety and/or hygiene.
c) Observe all the health and safety rules of the school and in particular the
instructions of staff given in an emergency.
d) Use and not wilfully misuse, neglect or interfere with things provided for their
health and safety.
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This page is for guidance only and should be removed from the policy
before it is issued
The next five pages list all the health and safety issues that may be applicable in your school.
The comments in italics are helpful hints for you to consider. They also provide signposts to
other guidance and reference material.
You may already have separate documented procedures in place for many items on the list.
These may be in your staff handbook, procedures manuals etc.. If this is the case simply cross
reference to these documents in your policy.
If you do need to write a new procedure, keep it as short and simple as you can. The who, the
where and the how is what is needed.
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PROCEDURES AND ARRANGEMENTS
The following procedures and arrangements have been established within our school to
eliminate or reduce health and safety risks to an acceptable level and to comply with
minimum legal requirements: (Detail all that are applicable)
Accident Reporting, Recording and Investigation
All staff are required to ensure that all accidents, incidents and near misses are reported
to {insert name} the school AssessNET administrator is {insert name}
A accidents report identifying trends in accidents/incidents are provided to Governors on
a termly basis.
(See CBC Health and Safety Guidance: Who should be notified, how reported to LA
(online reporting system), recording of details and who undertakes investigation,
RIDDOR (Reporting of Incidents, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations,
monitoring).
Asbestos
The Headteacher is responsible for the CBC Asbestos Log Book, location of the manual
(i.e. school office), arrangements to ensure contractors have sight of and complete the
log book prior to starting any work on the premises, instructions to staff not to drill or affix
anything to walls, ceilings etc., without first obtaining approval from the
Headteacher/checking manual, how staff should report damage to asbestos materials,
CBC Asbestos Policy..
Audit
Record monitoring and frequency of inspections of school (termly inspections and reports
to committee
Behaviour Management/Bullying
(Policies, arrangements, staff training and updates, support, monitoring)
Catering
(How school meals are provided)
Caretaking and Cleaning
(Arrangements in place, how undertaken, identified staff responsibilities CBC Manual for
Site Agents and Caretakers, training, records)
Contractors
CDM Regulations www.hse.gov.uk/cdm. How contractors are selected, arrangements for
induction of contractors to exchange health and safety information and agree safe
working practices, risk assessments, frequency of liaison meetings, name of person
responsible for monitoring contractors working methods, how staff should report
concerns and who to, liaising with contract supervisor). Record whether buy back or non
buyback.
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Curriculum Safety (including out of school learning activities)
(Requirements for risk assessments to be completed for all school work activities
including those off site, specification of staff qualification requirements to teach certain
activities – refer to CBC guidance Physical Education and Good Practice, Association
for Physical Education – www.afPE.org.uk, CLEAPSS (Science), DCFS, DATA (Design
& Technology).
Display Screen Equipment
(See CBC Health & Safety Guidance work station risk assessments, arrangements for
eyesight testing, how to report health concerns and to whom, advice on maximum time to
be spent on VDU without break). DSE assessments to be completed annually or
following an office move or new equipment.
Educational Visits and Journeys
(Insert Name of educational visits and journeys co-ordinator, requirements for planning a
school trip – refer CBC Educational Visits and Journeys Policy, how to obtain approval
and by whom, emergency arrangements, parental authorisation, supervision
requirements, first aid and medications provision).
Electrical Equipment (fixed and portable)
(Frequency of user checks, inspection and testing of portable electrical equipment by
competent person, who maintains records of inspection and testing, any limitations on
bringing personal items to school. Who undertakes examination of fixed electrical
installation, stage lighting (if any), how to report defective equipment.).
Fire Precautions and Emergency Procedures
(Who is the responsible person, arrangements for undertaking and reviewing the fire risk
assessment, emergency plan, frequency and arrangements for test of fire alarm,
emergency lighting, drills, procedures to be followed, staff with special responsibilities
e.g. fire marshal, assembly points, maintenance of fire exit/escape routes maintenance of
fire extinguishers, staff training, calling emergency services, how to report faults and
hazards, fire signage – refer, Bedfordshire & Luton Fire & Rescue Services website
www.bedsfire.com
First Aid
(Record names and locations of trained first aid staff, location of first aid boxes and who
is responsible for checking and restocking, who summons ambulance, who accompanies
children to hospital, outside school hours, cover in the event of absence, training and
retraining of first aiders.
Grounds Maintenance
(Contractor, arrangements and procedures for grounds maintenance on school site, site
log and record keeping).
Hazardous Substances
(See CBC Health & Safety Guidance; Manual for Site Agents and Caretakers - Section
T, for selection and use of substances, hazard data sheets, risk assessments, staff
training in use, selection and use of protective equipment, storage arrangements. In
Science and Design and Technology CLEAPSS guidance will be applicable.
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Inclusion
(Planning and assessment for SEN pupils, making reasonable adjustments in respect of
access under DDA) where access required. Insert name of SENCO Ensure staff are
suitably informed and trained to be able to support include pupils safely and effectively.
Lettings/shared use of premises/use of Premises Outside School Hours
(Agreements, procedures and arrangements for lettings, staffing requirements, first aid
provision, fire and emergency arrangements, any restriction on use of equipment,
licencing, insurance, PTA, responsibilities).
Lone Working
(Safe working practices/rules for staff who work alone, contact/emergency arrangements,
risk assessment).
Managing Medicines & Drugs
(Specific staff training and retraining requirements, storage/disposal arrangements,
parental requests for medicine administration, recording keeping, school policy should
also be included in school prospectus - Refer CBC Health & Safety Guidance –
Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings.)Insert name of Managing
meds co-ordinator
Maintenance and Inspection of Equipment
(Details of arrangements in place for the periodic inspection, examination and testing of
plant and equipment, who undertakes these checks and what records must be kept. See
CBC Health and Safety Guidance.)
Manual Handling and Lifting
(Arrangements for identifying all activities involving lifting/handling, risk assessments to
identify precautions to minimise manual handling tasks, staff training in manual handling,
school guidelines for specific tasks, use of lifting aids/equipment. (See CBC Health &
Safety Guidance.)
Outdoor Play Equipment
(Arrangements and procedures for use (including risk assessment), supervision, user
checks, periodic inspections, approved contractor inspections (consult Education
Consultant for PE & Sport – (01234 836137), repair and maintenance procedures,
systems for reporting hazards,).
PE Equipment
(Staff responsibilities, risk assessment, instruction and training for staff/pupils, user
checks, reporting of faults, accidents, procedures for inspection, repair and
maintenance, approved contractor inspections (consult Education Consultant for PE &
Sport) record keeping).
PPE
(Risk assessment, arrangements for supply and maintenance of equipment required).
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Risk Assessments
(Who is responsible for ensuring RA’s are undertaken, arrangements for undertaking
specific RA’s (i.e. staff who are pregnant or who have health problems, pupils where
appropriate), arrangements for periodic reviews of RA’s).
Safety Committee
(Where a Safety Committee exists, briefly describe constitution and functions.)
School Transport
(Licence requirements, authorised drivers, name of person responsible for undertaking
checks on minibuses, pupil supervision arrangements, driver medical arrangements,
insurance).
Security/Violence
(Arrangements in place for securing school site, contacts, identified staff responsible for
securing school site, school opening times).
Site Maintenance
(Arrangements and responsibilities in place for upkeep and maintenance of school
buildings, equipment and site, safety signage, reporting of hazards).
Smoking
(School policy – CBC policy)
Staff Training & Development
(How new and existing staff are to be briefed about health and safety arrangements and
by whom, specific training for certain roles i.e. site agent/caretaker, health and safety coordinator, first aid, fire safety, training updates, competencies for certain activities e.g.
hazardous substances, working at height, first aid, managing medicines).
Stress
(CBC Personnel Handbook).
Swimming
(CBC Health & Safety Guidance,, Association for Physical Education, details of
arrangements in place for use of pool, risk assessment, supervision, first aid, pool-side
attendance, PTA, maintenance of swimming pool – named Appointed Swimming Pool
Operator, training for pool operator, lifeguard/resuscitation, staff training updates,, testing
and inspection of plant, equipment, water).
Visitors
(Information, emergencies, fire, contractors, Reception, arrangements for visitors to
school i.e. parking, disabled facilities, updates, recording visitor information).
Work Experience
(Risk assessments, induction and training, monitoring and supervision, Staff Handbook).
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Working at Height
(Risk assessments, guidance and procedures in place, staff training and updates, access
equipment, CBC requirements and standards, user checks for ladders, tower scaffolds,
contractors.)
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Appendix 1
ORGANISATIONAL CHART – LARGE SCHOOL
Governing Body
LA
Headteacher
School H&S coordinator
Senior Management
Team
Heads of
Departments
Bursar
Site Manager
Curriculum Co-ord
(Senior Teacher)
Admin Staff
Caretakers/
Cleaners
Teachers
Teaching Assts
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ORGANISATIONAL CHART – SMALL SCHOOL
Governing Body
LA
Headteacher
School Secretary
Deputy Head
Curriculum Co-ord
(Senior Teacher)
Caretaker
Cleaners
Teachers
Teaching Assts
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