TPS Health & Safety Policy

Aims

The Directors of Totnes Progressive School will strive to achieve the highest standards of health, safety and welfare consistent with their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other statutory and Common Law duties.  This Statement sets out how these duties will be conducted, includes a description of arrangements for dealing with different areas of risk, and will be brought to the attention of all members of staff.

Responsibilities of the Headteacher

Overall responsibility for the day to day management of health and safety in the school rests with the Headteacher. The Headteacher may choose to delegate certain tasks to other members of staff, but this will not relieve the head teacher from the overall day to day responsibilities for health and safety in the school.

The Headteacher has responsibility for:

• communicating the policy to all relevant parties
• ensuring there is an adequate system in place for undertaking risk assessments
• the implementation and monitoring of the school’s health and safety arrangements which form part of this policy
• ensuring that all staff are provided with adequate information, instruction and training on health and safety issues
• ensuring that the school has emergency procedures in place
• reporting to the directors any hazards which cannot be rectified within the school’s budget
• ensuring there is no misuse of spaces, resources or equipment

• ensuring that spaces, resources and equipment are maintained

• the provision of appropriate health and safety information to Directors

• carrying out regular inspections of their areas of responsibility to ensure that equipment, furniture and activities are safe, and recording these inspections where required

• ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the provision of sufficient information, instruction,

training and supervision to enable other employees and students to avoid hazards and contribute positively to their own health and safety

• ensuring that all accidents (including near misses) are promptly reported and investigated using the appropriate forms

• arranging for the repair, replacement or removal of any item of furniture or equipment which has been identified as unsafe

Responsibilities of employees

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974 all employees have general health and safety responsibilities. Staff must be aware that they are obliged to take care of their own health and safety whilst at work along with that of others who may be affected by their actions.

All employees of Totnes Progressive School have the responsibility to:

• take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others in undertaking their work
• comply with the school's health and safety policy and procedures at all times
• report all accidents and incidents in line with the reporting procedure
• report all defects in condition of premises or equipment and any health and safety concerns immediately to the head teacher

• ensure that they only use equipment or machinery that they are competent to use or have been trained to use

• make use of all necessary control measures and personal protective equipment provided for safety or health reasons

Electrical safety

Electrical installation - The fixed electrical installation is tested by maintenance contractors every 5 years as required by the Electricity at Work legislation.  Following this check a certificate is issued to confirm the electrical installation is safe.  The certificate is kept by the Administrative Secretary.

Portable appliances – School property, and personal items deemed necessary, will be subject to annual Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).  All tests will be logged in a log book.  Students who bring electrical items to school should arrange to have them inspected or tested as soon as possible. Cables should be managed so as to prevent slips, trips and falls and damage to equipment etc.  The site manager will arrange this annual testing.

All staff should monitor the condition of plugs, cables and electrical equipment prior to use.  All portable items of electrical equipment will be subject to PAT (portable appliance testing) annually, conducted by a qualified electrician.  Major fixed wiring circuits will be checked at least once every five years.

Fire and Other Emergency Arrangements

The Headteacher is responsible for ensuring the fire risk assessment is undertaken, implemented, and reviewed on an annual basis.

The Fire and Emergency Evacuation Procedure is communicated to all staff and reviewed annually by the Headteacher.

Fire instructions

Emergency exits, fire alarm call points and assembly points are clearly identified by safety signs and notices.  

Fire drills

Fire drills will be undertaken every two terms (Term 2, 4 and 6), and a record kept in the Fire Log Book.

Fire fighting

During a staff meeting at the start of each school year, staff will be made aware of the type and location of portable fire fighting equipment and receive from the head teacher basic instruction in its correct use. The safe evacuation of persons is an absolute priority. Staff may only attempt to deal with small fires if it is safe to do so without putting themselves at risk, using portable fire fighting equipment.

Emergency lighting systems

These systems will be checked annually by a qualified electrician or through the local fire service.

Means of escape 

The Health & Safety Officer will carry out regular checks for any obstructions on exit routes and ensure that all final exit doors are fully operational.  At the end of every day, the Headteacher will ensure that all windows and fire doors are closed, and that all external doors are accessible.

Hazardous areas

Pupils will be denied access to areas of potential risk (e.g. hazardous storage, boiler rooms, roofs, gas and electrical installations, construction sites) by means of briefing, signs and physical barriers as necessary.  The risk assessment for each area, building or activity will specify appropriate control measures and these will be reviewed as necessary.

Development of Science Laboratory

The science laboratory is currently under development and has basic equipment. There are currently no plans to include gas or a fume cupboard, and so consequently the laboratory will have only basic chemicals (i.e. household type chemicals). However, the lab has been fully Risk Assessed using the Children’s Education Service form for all hazards in a standard school laboratory. We have secure chemical storage and are following SYC (Secure Your Chemicals) guidance, issued by the government for our COSHH (Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health). The school is a member of both ASE (Association for Science Education) and CLEAPSS (Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services), which keeps the school up to date with the most recent health & safety laws.

The Health & Safety Officer and Head of Science have customised the CLEAPSS Risk Assessments for laboratory activities relevant to the school. Furthermore, daily, weekly, and half-termly checks are carried out by the science teacher and reported to the Health & Safety Officer.

Protective clothing and equipment (aprons and safety spectacles) are provided for all staff and students and checked after each use. Chemicals are stored in a secure, ventilated cupboard with a full inventory and full COSHH paperwork, and monitored using the SYC Self-Assessment Tool.

A separate Science Department Health & Safety Policy will be prepared by the Head of Science as the Science Laboratory and Department develops.

First Aid and medication

See our separate first aid policy.

Transport to hospital

        If the first aider or head teacher considers it necessary, an injured person will be sent directly to hospital (normally by ambulance).  Parents will also be informed.  No casualty should be allowed to travel to hospital unaccompanied, and an accompanying adult will be designated in situations where the parents cannot be contacted.  A record of the accident or injury will be made in the incident book, which is kept in the office.

Administration of medicines

No member of staff should administer any medicines unless a consent form has been completed by the parent or guardian. The only medication kept and administered within school are those prescribed specifically for a student at the request of the parent or guardian and with the consent of the head teacher. Paracetamol is kept on site however this is only administered with consent and parents are notified when this happens. Records of administration will be kept by the on-site first aiders.

All medications kept in school are securely stored, with access strictly controlled.  Where children need to have access to medication (for example, asthma sufferers), it will be kept in a secure cupboard, and clearly labelled.

Accident reporting procedure

Serious work-related injuries to a member of staff or a child must be reported. The employer is responsible for this, but staff may be asked to prepare the report.  Employers must report:

• deaths
• major injuries
• over-3-day injuries – where an employee is away from work or unable to perform their normal work duties for more than 3 consecutive days
• where there is an accident connected to the work activity which causes injury to pupils, members of the public or other people not at work and they are taken from the scene of an accident to hospital
• specified dangerous occurrences – where something happens that does not result in an injury, but could have done.
• All other accidents, minor or otherwise
• Violent incidents and verbal abuse

An accident book (located in the office cupboard) is used to record all incidents.  Incident reports will be monitored for trends and a report made to the Directors, as necessary.

Incidents which are serious enough to qualify for RIDDOR reporting will be reported within 3 days using the required government processes.

The Headteacher will investigate accidents and take remedial steps to avoid similar instances recurring.  Faulty equipment, fittings etc, must be reported to Nick Trussler, the Health & Safety Officer, and attended to immediately.

Health and Safety training

The Headteacher is responsible for ensuring that all staff are provided with adequate information, instruction and training and identifying the health and safety training needs of staff.  Employees will be provided with:

• induction training in the requirements of this policy
• training in response to any significant change
• training in specific skills needed for certain activities

Training records are held by the Directors, who are responsible for co-ordinating health and safety training needs. The Headteacher will be responsible for assessing the effectiveness of training received.

Each member of staff is also responsible for drawing the attention to their own personal needs for training, and for not undertaking duties unless they are confident that they have the necessary competence.

Equipment

All staff are required to report to the Headteacher any problems found with equipment, damaged electrical apparatus or wiring, including portable equipment and permanent wiring. Defective equipment must be clearly marked as such and taken out of service by storing in a secure location pending repair or disposal.

Flammable and hazardous substances

The science teacher is responsible for the control of substances hazardous to health and ensuring that risk assessments are in place.  Every attempt will be made to avoid, or choose the least harmful of, substances which fall under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, 2004 and following the current CLEAPSS guidelines and updates.

The person responsible for the control of substances hazardous to health shall ensure that:

• an inventory of all hazardous substances used on site is compiled and regularly reviewed
• risk assessments are conducted for the use of hazardous substances
• all chemicals are appropriately and securely stored out of the reach of children
• all chemicals are kept in their original packaging and labelled (no decanting into unmarked containers)
• suitable personal protective equipment has been made available

Please see Appendix A for further information on our code of practise specifically for the Science Laboratory.

Security

All staff have an obligation to remain vigilant at all times.  During term time, all daytime visitors must report to the Reception to sign in and out at the building and receive a Visitor’s badge. Any unusual activity should be reported to the head teacher or, in his absence, the Director of Well-Being.

Parental consent for off-site activities

Separate written consent from parents is not required for pupils to take part in the majority of off-site activities as most of these activities take place during school hours and are a normal part of a child’s education at school.  Upon enrolment all new parents sign a consent form stating ‘I give my general consent for my child to take part in school activities and trips that take place off school premises’.

Written consent is usually only requested for activities that need a higher level of risk management or those that take place outside school hours. These include adventure activities, off-site sporting fixtures outside the school day and residential visits which take place at any time (including during school holidays or at the weekend).  Parents are told in advance of trips and activities that are not part of the normal school week and will be given the opportunity to withdraw their child from any particular school trip or activity.        

Health and safety monitoring and inspection

A general inspection of the school will be conducted termly by the Headteacher, and annually by the Headteacher and one Director.  Responsibility for following up points raised by the inspections will rest with the Headteacher or delegated person.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments for all on and off-site activities will be co-ordinated by the Head teacher.   These risk assessments are available for all staff and parents to view and are held in the office. Risk assessments will be reviewed on an annual basis or when the activity changes, whichever is the soonest, and staff will be made aware of any changes to risk assessments relating to their work.

Totnes Progressive School will revise and review this policy regularly.

Review date:  May 2021

Signed:

Ross Robens, Director                Dale Lockett, Director

APPENDIX A

Science Health and Safety Policy

Science at ToPS is taught by our specialist staff in the science classroom. We are currently developing a fully functional and kitted out laboratory.  This policy also applies to any others who work within the science department, including teaching assistants and other staff and trainees.

The Head of Science is responsible for health and safety within the science department.

1. The role of this policy

This Science Department Health & Safety Policy should be read in conjunction with the employer’s general Health & Safety Policy. The purpose of this document is to record the arrangements made in the science department to implement the policy. This document is maintained by the science department.

A reference copy is kept in the office and made available for consultation by staff and for inspection by visiting HSE inspectors or a representative of the employer.

2. General aims

Science teaching has an excellent health & safety record and this department is keen to promote practical work as an essential component of good science teaching. It is the duty of all staff who work in the department to:

• take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions during work
•  be familiar with this health & safety policy by periodic reference to it
• look out for any revisions, keeping up to date with COSHH and CLEAPSS advice
• follow its provisions
• co-operate with other members of staff in promoting health and safety.

3. Health and safety roles

3.1 Duties, functions and tasks

The head teacher has the ultimate duty to ensure the health and safety of employees and others on the site. Within the science department, this task is further delegated to the Head of Science who has the particular function of maintaining the science classroom and storage area.

3.2 Communications

Communication of health & safety information is of the greatest importance and is the task of the Head of Science. Copies of key documents are kept in the science dept, in the main school office and online in the shared drive.

3.3 Monitoring and checking

The employer expects the science department to monitor the implementation of this policy

4. Training

Science staffs are encouraged to attend annual training and information to keep themselves updated as to school safety guidelines.

5. Risk assessments

There is a general risk assessment which covers the many activities that take place as part of school science and specific risk assessments for high risk procedures and experiments. Copies are held in the science dept and the main school office.

6 Equipment and resources

6.1 Electrical testing

See the general health and safety policy.

Any user who discovers a hazardous defect in an item of equipment must report it to the Head of Department.

6.2 Personal protective equipment

The employer accepts the duty to provide eye protection, gloves and laboratory coats for employees and students where the risk assessment requires them (Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations).

6.3 Chemicals

The task of arranging safe storage of chemicals (and, where necessary, disposal), including highly flammable liquids, in accordance with the requirements of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) is given to the Head of Science who will ensure that chemicals are stored securely, the risks of fire, explosion and spillage are minimised, labels are readable and that a spill kit is available and properly replenished. Guidelines from COSHH, CLEAPSS and SYC are followed in this regard.

6.4 Waste disposal

Waste chemicals and equipment are disposed of in an environmentally-responsible manner in accordance with relevant legislation.

7 Activities and procedures

7.1 Security Access to laboratories and preparation rooms will be controlled to comply with the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations.

The Science Lab is to be kept locked at all times except when in use. It is the task of the staff member leaving such a room to see that the room is empty and that the door is locked. No class is allowed to work in a laboratory without supervision by a qualified teacher, familiar with the departmental safety procedures. [Any non-science staff who have to supervise any class in a laboratory will receive brief training in laboratory rules.]

7.2 Concern for others

All science areas are made safe for cleaners or contractors to work in before these persons are allowed to proceed. Any hazardous substances or materials left out are clearly labelled and will be dealt with by the science staff, not cleaning staff.

8. Emergency procedures

8.1 Fire

Science staff will follow the normal school procedures in case of major fires. All science staff are trained to deal with minor bench fires, clothing fires and hair fires. This training is supported by regular drills arranged by the Head teacher.

8.2 Spills

Trivial spills are dealt with using damp cloths or paper towels. Spills of any amount which do not give rise to significant quantities of toxic or highly-flammable fumes (‘minor spills’) are dealt with by teachers or technical staff using a ‘spill kit’ prepared for this purpose. Spill kits are kept in the science lab. Major spills are those involving the escape of toxic gases and vapours or of flammable gases and vapours in significant concentrations. (Small amounts can be ‘major spills’ if spilt in small rooms.) Staff are trained in the appropriate procedures which may involve calling the Fire and Rescue Service. This training is supported by regular drills arranged by the Head.

8.3 Injury

Science staff will follow the normal school procedures in cases that require first aid. Science staff are trained to carry out immediate remedial measures (eg, eye rinsing), while waiting for first aiders, after accidents which occur in science.

8.4 Reporting procedures

Injuries or suspected injuries to a pupil or a member of staff, dangerous occurrences and instances of damage or theft will be reported using the standard school procedures. Following an injury, so that the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013 can be complied with, the accident must be reported to the Headteacher and a report filed in the office as quickly as possible. Dangerous situations and incidents which might have resulted in injury (‘near-misses’) should be reported to the Head of Department to ijnform review of the risk assessment and safety procedure.

9 Laboratory rules for students

The rules for students during science lessons are as follows:

Laboratory Rules

The biggest danger in the lab is YOU! You are at risk when you don’t understand the hazards or you are careless, or both. The person most likely to suffer from your mistakes is YOU! Report any accident or breakage to your teacher.

1. Only enter a lab when told to do so by a teacher. Never rush about or throw things in the lab. Keep your bench and floor area clear, with bags and coats well out of the way.

2. Follow instructions precisely; check bottle labels carefully and keep tops on bottles except when pouring liquids from them; only touch or use equipment and materials when told to do so by a teacher; never remove anything from the lab without permission.

3. Wear eye protection when told to do so and keep it on from the very start until all practical work is finished and cleared away.

4. When using naked flames (eg, Bunsen or spirit burners or candles), make sure that ties, hair, baggy clothing etc are tied back or tucked away.

5. Always stand up when working with hazardous substances or when heating things so you can quickly move out of the way if you need to.

6. Never taste anything or put anything in your mouth in the laboratory. If you get something in your mouth, spit it out at once and wash your mouth out with lots of water. Tell your teacher.

7. Always wash your hands carefully after handling chemicals, microbes or animal and plant material.

8. If you are burnt or a chemical splashes on your skin, wash the affected part at once with lots of water. Tell your teacher.

9. Never put waste solids in the sink. Put them in the bin unless your teacher instructs you otherwise.

10. Wipe up all small spills and report bigger ones to your teacher.