MEREWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

JANUARY 1995

STATEMENT OF INTENT. ( TO BE INCLUDED IN SCHOOL PROSPECTUS)

The Governing body of Mereway Middle School is committed to providing a caring environment where staff and pupils have access to the full range of educational opportunities available, and where high standards of health and safety are maintained.

The school's Health and Safety Policy has been drawn up with reference to guidelines laid down by Northamptonshire County Council, by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and by the 1993 European Community Directive.

The Governors seek to raise awareness of health and safety matters among staff and pupils alike, and they will monitor and review health and safety practice in the school systematically and on a regular basis.

HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT WITHIN SCHOOL.

The Governors and Headteacher are responsible to the Director of Education for ensuring that the policies on Health and Safety are implemented. The Headteacher is responsible for all issues to do with Health and Safety on a day-to-day basis. In order to allow effective procedures to operate within school the following duties have been designated as below : (see Appendix 1).

Deputy Headteacher - oversees Curriculum with the appropriate Curriculum Co-ordinators and support staff establishing the necessary procedures for their area.

Campus Supervisor - oversees Premises, Fire Precautions and Security matters.

Administrative Manager - oversees First Aid, Reporting Procedures and working conditions.

for administrative staff.

The above personnel along with a representative of the governing body make up the party that look at and report on Health and Safety issues within school. - (see Appendix 2).

ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN SCHOOL.

Mereway Middle School believes that the Health and Safety of all its staff and pupils is paramount and encourages all members of the school to be actively aware of their 'Duty to Care'.

Mereway Middle School endeavours to comply with the requirements of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act, the 1993 European Community Directives and the Safety Policy of Northamptonshire County Council Education and Libraries. In addition there are established procedures within school which are listed below. Copies of all the documentation is available on request.


Accident Book - An Accident book is kept in reception and completed in line with county guidelines.

Accident Reporting - There is an established procedure for the recording and reporting of all accidents within school which is detailed in the staff handbook.

Collecting of Children - In the event of a child needing to go home due to illness, a parent/ guardian will be contacted who will have to make arrangements for their child to be collected. Children will not be allowed to leave the premises during the school day unaccompanied. If a parent/guardian wishes a child to leave school unaccompanied this must be confirmed in writing.

Contractors - All contractors employed to carry out work within the school or its grounds are approved by the L.E.A. and their work must meet all the legal requirements.

Data Protection - All personal information is protected by the eight principles of the 1984 Data Protection Act.

Design and Technology - Mereway Middle School provides Health and Safety training for all relevant staff on the equipment in the Design Studio.

Display Screen Equipment at Work - Mereway Middle School recognises the rights of those staff employed in an administrative role that use V.D.U's under the Health and Safety Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992. Defined Users will be informed of their rights.

Educational Visits - There are established procedures and documented guidelines for the organisation of day and residential visits. Mereway Middle School has also decided that any transport used for visits must have seatbelts for all passengers.

Electrical Equipment - All electrical equipment is tested annually by approved electricians as required by the L.E.A.

Emergency Procedures - There are established procedures in case of any emergency and a record of contact telephone numbers is regularly updated.

Environmental Control - The school adheres to health and safety legislation with regard to the heating of the building.

Fire Extinguishers - are checked and maintained annually by approved contractors.

Fire Precautions - In the event of a fire all staff and pupils are aware of the procedure for evacuating the building as recorded in the Fire Precautions Log and staff handbook. Fire drill procedures are practised and timed in accordance with county guidelines.

First Aid - There is an established procedure for First Aid which is detailed in the staff handbook. First Aid boxes are located in all areas of the school and regularly checked.

Medication - The administrative staff will oversee the administration of medicines to pupils provided it has been prescribed by a doctor, it is in the container in which it was dispensed and that it is accompanied by a letter from the parents stating the dosage required and at what time. All medication is kept secured in the Administrative Office.

P.E. - Mereway Middle School has established and documented guidelines for safety in Physical Education.

Risk Assessment - Mereway Middle School recognises the need for a procedure to carry out 'Risk Assessment'. In the event of an assessment being required a numerical rating system will be used. (see appendix 3).

Science - Mereway Middle School follows the Safety Policy for issued by NIAS.

Shoes - All children must wear a pair of 'indoor' shoes whilst in school.

Smoking - No smoking is allowed in any part of Mereway Middle School at any time.

Storage of Chemicals - All potentialy hazardous chemicals are kept within locked cupboards and children do not have unsupervised access.

Use of Middle School Car Park - The middle school car park is for the use of staff and visitors to the school. It is unsuitable for parents bringing or collecting children by car and should not be used for this purpose. Parents should use the additional Upper school car park provided for this purpose.


MONITORING

To ensure that the Health and Safety policy for the school is being implemented the Senior Management of the school, with the co-operation of the health and safety working party, will carry out a review twice a year - at the end of the Autumn and Spring terms and report their findings to the Governing body. Once a year the governors will carry out an assessment of the overall management of the Health and Safety Policy. This will take place during the summer term so that any necessary revisions to the policy can be implemented for the new academic year. Any health and safety hazards should be reported to the appropriate person (see delegation of duties diagram). Once reported it is the responsibility of the named person to address any problems having completed a risk assessment.



This policy was approved at the Governors Meeting held on Wednesday 25th January 1995.

signed :

On behalf of the Governing Body of Mereway Middle School.

Appendix 2.

MEREWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL

HEALTH AND SAFETY WORKING PARTY

JANUARY 1995


MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY

NAME - POSITION - AREA(s) REVIEWED

Claire Trott - Deputy Head Teacher - Educational Visits

Elaine Faller - Admin. Manager - First Aid

Use of Solvents

Graham Baker - Campus Supervisor - Fire Precautions

Use/storage of chemicals

Premises

Chris. Robinson - P.E. Co-ordinator - Safety in P.E.

Jackie Goodyear - Technician - Safety in Science and Technology

Graeme Cozens - Governor - Statement of Intent

Access


AVAILABLE DOCUMENTATION

Appendix 3

RISK ASSESSMENT - NUMERICAL RATING SYSTEM

The following rating system can be used to assess the 'risk' element of an activity or potential hazard. This assessment should be conducted by the person with responsibility for Health and Safety and the results recorded.

LIKELY SEVERITY OF CONSEQUENCE
Slight (no significant injury, minor property damage)

1
Serious (first aid needed, significant property damage)

2
Major (absence from school, major property damage)

3
LikelihoodFrequently 3
3
6
9
ofSometimes 2
2
4
6
occurrenceSeldom 1
1
2
3

1 = Insignificant Risk

9 = Extremely High Risk

RECORD OF RISK ASSESSMENT

Nature of Activity / Hazard
Score
Suggested Action

DATE ASSESSMENT MADE : NAME OF ASSESSOR :

Date
ACTION TAKEN

The above activity / hazard has been assessed and the recommended action taken.

signed :