Health, Safety and Welfare Policy

This policy, along with its associated documents, includes:

• A general statement of policy
• Who is responsible to do what (delegation of tasks)
• Arrangements to establish, monitor and review measures needed to meet satisfactory health and safety standards.

Legal Status:

• Prepared with regard to Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated amendments and regulations including any relevant supporting documents.
• Prepared with regard to the Equality Act 2010, Race Relations Act 1976, Race Relations Amendment Act 2000, Sex Discrimination Act 1986, Children’s Act 1989 and Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
• DfE Guidance and best practice including ‘Health and Safety: Responsibilities and Powers’ (DfE 0803/2001);
• Schedule 1, Part 3, paragraph 12 “Health and Safety on activities outside school part 3, paragraph 12.” The publication “Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits (HASPEV) -A Good Practice Guide& its supplements” (2001)
• Regulatory Requirements, Part 3 Welfare, Health and Safety of Pupils and Part 5 Premises and Accommodation of the Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010

Applies to:

• Whole College

Related documents:

• Employment Manual
• Equality and Diversity Policy and Procedures
• Safeguarding Children - Child Protection, Safer Recruitment, Anti Bullying Policies
• Behaviour Discipline and Sanctions Policy
• E Safety
• First Aid and Medication Policies
• Health, Safety and Welfare Procedures
• Learning Outside the Classroom - Educational Visits and Off Site Activities
• Risk Assessment Policy
• Prudence Policy
• Safer Recruitment
• General Statement of Health and Safety Policy Summary

Available from:

• College Office and website

Monitoring and Review:

• To be continuously monitored and reviewed by no later than two years from the date shown below.

Signed:          Date: July 14th 2011

Principal and Proprietor

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Introduction

The overall and final responsibility for Health and Safety is that of the Proprietors. The day to day responsibility for ensuring this and other health and safety policies are put into practice is designated to the Principal who is the Health & Safety Manager (HSM). The Principal is also responsible for ensuring that the health and safety organisational chart is kept up to date and posted in appropriate locations around the premises. The Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed every six months and whenever significant changes to the systems and arrangements take place. Where any changes, amendments or additions are made, the revision number will change. Reviews that result in no changes at all will maintain the same revision number.

General Statement of Health and Safety Policy

• The aim of the Proprietors is to provide a safe and healthy working and learning environment for staff, pupils and visitors. We believe that the prevention of accidents, injury or loss is essential to the effective operation of the college and is part of the education of its pupils.
• The Proprietors note the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and in particular the duty of every ‘employer’ to conduct their business in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons who are and also persons who are not in their employment, but who may be affected by it, are not exposed to unacceptable risks to their health and safety. The Proprietors accept that we have a responsibility to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff and others.
• The arrangements outlined in this policy statement and the various other safety provisions made by the Proprietors cannot in themselves prevent accidents or ensure safe and healthy working conditions. This can only be achieved through the adoption of safe methods of work and good practice by every individual. The Proprietors will take all reasonable steps to identify and reduce hazards to a minimum but all staff and pupils must appreciate that their own safety and that of others also depends upon their individual conduct and vigilance while on the college premises, or while taking part in college sponsored activities.
• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces health and safety law relating to the activities of independent schools. Because the Principal is responsible for health and safety in the workplace and on work activities the HSE will normally take action against the Proprietor. However, in some circumstances, for example where an employee failed to take notice of the Principal’s policy or directions in respect of health and safety, the HSE may take action against the employee as well or instead.
• The Proprietors will review this policy statement annually and update, modify or amend it as considered necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff and pupils/students.

Responsibilities/Duties of the Proprietors

The Proprietors are responsible for monitoring compliance with statutory requirements. The Proprietors, in consultation with the Principal will:

1. Identify and evaluate risk control measures in order to provide a safe environment for staff, and pupils to enjoy learning and enable visitors to go about their various activities;
2. Provide adequate welfare facilities;
3. Supervise training and instruction so that all staff and pupils can perform their activities in a safe and healthy manner;
4. Make themselves familiar with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and any other health and safety legislation and codes of practice that are relevant to the work of the college, in particular the Management of Health and Safety and Work Regulations;
5. Adopt and maintain an effective policy, organisation and arrangements for the provision of health and safety throughout the college;
6. Identify and evaluate risk control measures in order to select the most appropriate means of minimising risks to staff, pupils/students and others;
7. Ensure that all our staff have been carefully selected to meet our requirements for the health, safety and security of the children in our care, including compliance with the London Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), Camden Safeguarding Children Board locally agreed inter-agency procedures and Safer Recruitment in Education guidance and HM Government Guidance "Working Together to Safeguard Children" 2010 including any further amendments as they are published, along with the Regulatory Requirements 2010 Part 3(3)(7) of the Education (independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010;
8. Set standards and ensure responsibility is assigned for:
   • Reporting accidents.
   • Recording and investigating accidents and ‘near misses’.
   • Establishing and participating in the college health and safety committee.
   • Undertaking, recording and reviewing risk assessments, especially with regard to:

• Potential accidents.
• Health hazards.
• College sponsored on and off site activities.
• Pupils and their behaviour.

• Monitoring adherence to health and safety standards
• Carrying out inspections.
• Providing health and safety training.
• Providing first-aid.
• Dealing with emergencies.
• Supervising storage facilities.
• Dealing with waste disposal.
• Monitoring housekeeping standards.
• Dealing with complaints on health and safety.
• Purchasing and maintaining equipment.
• Carrying out minor repairs to doors, fences, windows and fabric.
• Organising security and fire protection arrangements.
• Implementing risk control measures.
• Where the Proprietors delegate responsibility for carrying out a particular health and safety function to an employee, they must ensure that the person is aware of the duty, knows how he/she is expected to perform it, and is provided with any necessary information, instruction, training and supervision and resources (including time). In addition suitable measures for monitoring performance standards must be put in place.
• Proprietors are directly responsible for safety management/compliance during lettings and ensuring that premises, equipment and substances are safe and without risk to health.
• To comply with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).
• To take reasonable steps to ensure that staff and pupils are not exposed to risks to their health and safety. This applies to activities on or off the school premises.
• To provide employees with information, instruction, safe working practices, supervision and training to ensure they are competent to carry out their tasks;
• To seek support from and consult with employees on matters concerning their health and safety;
• To provide safe equipment, safe play areas, safe access and egress and maintain them in good order;
• To have a clear understanding on actions to take in the event of any emergencies;
• To train all our staff in the particular health and safety issues that affect children;
• To ensure that activities undertaken by the school both on and away from college site are risk assessed and safely managed;
• To monitor and review this Policy and the various systems procedures;
• To adopt and maintain an effective policy, organisation and arrangements for the provision of health and safety throughout the college;
• To copy this policy to all employees and contractors and to ensure that it is prominently displayed in the workplace.

Responsibilities

The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 places responsibilities on all our staff. A separate organisation chart is kept and maintained in the entrance and reception area to our college. This shows who the members of staff are and what responsibilities each of them have. This will be amended and updated as and when appropriate. We also have a Health and Safety Law Poster in the reception area that summarises our responsibilities as required by law. The reporting lines for health and safety may on occasions differ in some ways from those reporting lines that are applicable for any other issues and concerns, an example of which are the Safeguarding - Child Protection policy and procedures.

Responsibilities of the Principal

• As well as having the general responsibilities/duties of all members of staff, the Principal, as Key Manager, also has responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of all relevant legislation, codes of practice and guidelines are met in full at all times and for the day to day maintenance and development of safe working practices and conditions for teaching staff, support staff, pupils/students, visitors and any other person using the premises or engaged in activities sponsored by the school/college. He/she will take reasonable, practicable steps to achieve this and assign clear safety functions to other members of staff as appropriate.
• In particular, the Principal will, so far as is reasonably practicable:

1. • be the focal point for day-to-day references on safety and give advice or indicate sources of advice.
   • Be aware of and ensure compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and any other health and safety legislation and codes of practice relevant to the work of the school/college.
   • Ensure that statutory health and safety notices are displayed in appropriate locations within the establishment.
   • Implement this policy with regard to himself and others, including the carrying out and documentation of hazard identification, risk assessments and suitable control measures – identified in a suitable health and safety action plan.
   • Ensure that all staff, including those with delegated health and safety responsibilities, understand and fulfil their obligations for the day-to-day implementation of the safety policy, including the carrying out and documentation of hazard identification, risk assessments and suitable control measures.
   • Ensure that adequate provision is made for employee consultation on matters regarding health and safety.
   • Ensure that their decisions reflect the health and safety intentions articulated in the health and safety policy.
   • Ensure, at all times, the health, safety and welfare of staff, pupils/students and others via the provision of safe working conditions, systems of work, practices and procedures.
   • Ensure that all tools, machinery, plant and equipment is fit for purpose, adequately installed, guarded and appropriately used.
   • Ensure that all tools, machinery, plant and equipment receive planned maintenance, that maintenance records are kept, in accordance with statutory legislation where appropriate, and ensure that defective equipment which constitutes a safety hazard is removed from service immediately and clearly labelled as defective.
   • Ensure that all substances provided within the school/college are handled, stored and used in the manner prescribed by the supplier and in accordance with their own or an appropriate hazard identification and risk assessment.
   • Ensure that appropriate protective clothing and equipment is provided and used whenever necessary.
   • Identify the training needs of staff and pupils and make recommendations to the Proprietors on resource implications of meeting such needs.
   • Ensure that all employees are trained and competent to undertake their work safely, are aware of their own limitations and know they must not undertake any task unless they have been trained, are competent and are confident they can carry out the task safely in the conditions that prevail.
   • Ensure that adequate instruction and supervision are provided for pupils as required.
   • Ensure that sufficient first aid cover and facilities are provided.
   • Collate accident information and, when necessary, carry out accident and incident investigations.
   • Ensure that emergency procedures including those for fire are in place, known, tested regularly and that any necessary revisions are made and disseminated.
   • Encourage staff, pupils and others to promote and achieve high standards of health and safety and suggest improvements and ways and means of reducing risks.
   • Monitor the standard of health and safety throughout the school/college, including all school/college based activities by:
     • Ensuring that frequent inspections of the premises are carried out and any deficiencies identified are rectified promptly.
     • Carrying out periodic audit and review of the safety management systems that are in place.
   • Monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of this policy and submit a termly report to the Proprietors on health and safety matters.

Responsibilities/Duties of All Staff

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states:

‘It shall be the duty of every employee while at work:

(a) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of any persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work, and

(b) as regards any duty or requirement imposed ion his Head Master or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to co-operate or complied with.’

The Act also states:

‘No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.’

All staff will make themselves familiar and ensure compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and any other health and safety legislation and codes of practice relevant to the work of the and also the particular area in which they work. They will, so far as is reasonably practicable:

• Be familiar with this health and safety policy and all safety arrangements including those for fire, first aid and other emergencies as laid down by the Proprietors.
• Ensure that health and safety regulations, rules, routines and procedures are being applied effectively.
• Carry out/be aware of hazard identification and risk assessments as appropriate for their area of work.
• Take part in health and safety training as required.
• Inform their line manager if there is any reason they are unable to perform any task without undue risk (e.g. illness, incapacity, etc.).
• Only undertake any task for which they have been trained and are competent or confident of undertaking safely. If they are in any doubt they must seek further advice.
• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of any other persons (staff, pupils, visitors, etc.) who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
• Co-operate fully, as a legal duty, with their employer on health and safety matters, including following safe systems of work and not interfering with or misusing anything provided for their health, safety or welfare.
• Ensure that all tools, plant, machinery and equipment are adequately guarded, are in good and safe working order and are not used by unauthorised persons or in an improper manner.
• Ensure that toxic, hazardous and highly flammable substances are correctly used, stored and labelled in accordance with their written risk assessment.
• Use the correct equipment and tools for the job and any protective equipment, protective clothing or safety devices that may be supplied.
• Report any defects that they observe in the premises, plant, equipment and facilities and take action to ensure no one is put at risk.
• Report all accidents and near misses immediately, whether injury is sustained or not, using the appropriate procedure, and recording these events on an Accident Report form.
• Promote and achieve high standards of health and safety and suggest improvements and ways and means of reducing risks.
• Use and not wilfully misuse, neglect or interfere with things provided for his own safety and/or the safety of others.
• Co-operate with other employees in promoting improved safety measures in their school to co-operate with the appointed safety representative and the enforcement officer of the Health and Safety Executive or the Public Health Authority.

Teaching and Support Staff Holding Posts/Positions of Special Responsibility

These staff:

• have a general responsibility for the application of the Proprietors’ safety policy to their own area of work and are directly responsible to the Principal for the application of existing safety measures and procedures within that area of work;
• follow the advice or instructions given by the Principal including complying to the relevant parts of this statement;
• shall, where necessary, establish and maintain safe working procedures including arrangements for ensuring, as far as is reasonably practicable, safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances, (e.g., chemicals, boiling water, duplicating fluid, guillotines);
• shall resolve any health and safety problem any member of staff may refer to them and refer to the Principal any of these problems for which they cannot achieve a satisfactory solution within the resources available to them;
• shall carry out a regular safety inspection of the activities for which they are responsible and, where necessary submit a report to the Principal;
• shall 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 safety and health at work;
• shall, where appropriate seek the advice and guidance of the Principal or any relevant adviser appointed by the Proprietors;
• shall propose to the Principal requirements for safety equipment and on additions or improvements to plant, tools equipment or machinery which are dangerous or potentially so.

Hirers, Contractors and Others

• When the premises are used for purposes not under the direction of the Principal then, subject to the explicit agreement of the Proprietors, the principal person in charge of the activities for which the premises are in use will have responsibility for safe practices as indicated in the Responsibilities/Duties of the Principal.
• The Proprietors notes its residual responsibility for the control of premises and will take all reasonable steps to ensure that such persons detailed above comply with the terms of this Policy.
• The Principal/Proprietors or their designated representative will seek to ensure that hirers, contractors and others who use the school/college premises conduct themselves and carry out their operation in such a manner that all statutory and advisory safety requirements are met at all times.
• When the premises or facilities are being used out of normal school/college hours for an activity then, for the purposes of this policy, the organiser of that activity, even if an employee, will be treated as a hirer and comply with the requirements of this section.
• When the premises are hired to persons outside the ‘employ’ of the Proprietors, it will be a condition for all hirers and others using the premises or facilities, that they are familiar with this policy, that they comply with all safety directives of the Proprietors and that they do not, without the prior consent of the Proprietors:

1. • Introduce equipment for use on the school/college premises
   • Alter fixed installations
   • Remove fire and safety notices or equipment
   • Take any action that may create hazards for any persons using the premises

Hirers must:

1. • comply with all college policies as described in the letting agreement (e.g. in relation to smoking, substance abuse, alcohol, and so on.);
   • adhere to the capacity figures detailed on any lettings documentation.

• All contractors who work on the premises are required to ensure safe working practices by their own employees under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and must pay due regard to the safety of all persons using the premises in the accordance with this Act.
• In instances where the contractor creates hazardous conditions and refuses to eliminate them or to take action to make them safe, the Principal or their representative will take such actions as are necessary to prevent persons in his or her care from a risk or injury.
• The Proprietors will draw the attention of all users of the premises (including hirers and contractors) to Section 8 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which states that no person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with, or misuse, anything which is provided in the interest of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.

Risk Assessment

• As Key Manager, the Principal will ensure that regular written risk assessments are undertaken of premises, methods of work and all school/college sponsored activities. These must be reviewed following changes in circumstances or personnel or in accordance with agreed timetables. The Local Authority requires a regular programme of planned assessments to be completed. In high-risk areas such as laboratories, workshops, gymnasiums, etc., risk assessments should be reviewed termly. In other activity areas, establishments should review risk assessments on a bi- annual basis.
• Written risk assessments will identify all defects and deficiencies together with the necessary remedial action or risk control measures.
• The results of all risk assessments will be reported to the Proprietors who will prioritise issues and assign resources to undertake remedial/control measures where required.

The College Curriculum

We teach the pupils about health and safety in order to equip them with the skills, knowledge and understanding to enable them to live positive, successful and healthy lives. Teachers take every opportunity to educate pupils in this regard in the normal college curriculum.

Child protection

If any teacher suspects that a child in their class may be the victim of abuse, they should immediately inform the Principal about their concerns.

Learning Outside the Classroom including Educational Visits and Off-Site Activities

The College has established policies for Educational Visits and Off-Site Activities, Learning Outside the Classroom, Behaviour Management on Outdoor and Off-Site Activities, and Action to be taken by the Group Leader in the event of a serious accident.

College Security

While it is difficult to make the college site totally secure, we will do all we can to ensure the college is a safe environment for all who work or learn here. We require all adult visitors to the college who arrive in normal college hours to sign the visitors’ book in the reception area, and to wear an identification badge at all times whilst on the college premises. We provide all adult visitors to the college with a Health and Safety Leaflet. Staff must report to the college office immediately any visitor who is not identified with a college badge. If any adult working in the college has suspicions that a person may be trespassing on the college site, they must inform the Principal immediately. The Principal will direct any intruder that they must leave the college site straight away. If this does not occur the Principal will contact the police immediately.

Safety of Pupils

• It is the responsibility of teachers, and support staff including volunteers to ensure that all curriculum activities are safe.
• If any staff member does have any concerns about pupil safety, they should draw them to the attention of the Principal before the activity takes place.
• We do not take any child off the school site without the prior permission of the parent.
• If an accident does happen, resulting in an injury to a child, staff will do all they can to aid the child concerned.
• There will always be at least two members of staff present at all times who are trained in first aid.
• We have a medical room and First Aid boxes at specific points within the school. All staff are required to complete both First Aid Training. Designated members of staff have completed First Aid at Work Training. The level of training completed by staff and their renewal dates are stated in the First Aid Policy.
• Fire marshals have been appointed and are named in the Fire Safety Policy. We comply with the national and local fire regulations for schools including regular fire drills, planned and unplanned, which are logged.
• The Principal has been appointed Health & Safety Manager (HSM)
• The Joint Proprietor is the designated person for Child Protection.
• Should any incident involving injury to a child take place, one of the above-mentioned members of staff will be called to assist. If necessary, the school secretary will telephone for emergency assistance.
• We log all incidents involving injury in the school, and we inform parents in all cases.
• Head injuries will always be reported to parents and carefully monitored.
• It is important that parents ensure they provide us with up-to-date contact details.

Seat belts

We only use coaches and mini-buses where seat belts are provided. We instruct the pupils to use seat belts at all times when the bus is moving.

Theft or other criminal acts

The Principal will investigate any incidents of theft involving pupils. If there are serious incidents of theft from the college site, the Principal will inform the police and record the incident in the incident book. Should any incident involving physical violence against a teacher occur, this must be reported to the Principal immediately.

Non-Smoking

• Our college in compliance with the law is a non-smoking establishment. We do not allow smoking on the college premises, as we do not want to present smoking as acceptable. Nor do we wish to present adult smokers as role models.
• Any member of staff wishing to smoke must leave the college premises out of view from the children, in their own time and not in the employer’s time.
• Should we find any member of staff smoking at college, we would consider this a serious breach of the terms of employment.
• We strongly discourage our children from smoking. We aim to help children know and understand the dangers of smoking and the harmful effects that smoking can have on their bodies.
• We provide children with the knowledge and information necessary for them to make responsible choices in relation to smoking.
• We equip children with the social skills that help them to resist the pressure to smoke, either from their peer group, or from society in general.

Medication

If a pupil requires medication whilst in the care of the college, the parent should notify the college and ask permission for the medication to be brought in. The safekeeping and administration of medication is in accordance with the college policy as stated by the Principal.

First Aid

• The arrangements for first-aid provision will be adequate to cope with all foreseeable incidents.
• The number of designated first-aiders will not, at any time, be less than the number required by law. This is determined by risk assessment (See Local Authority guidance).
• Designated staff will be given such training in first-aid techniques as is required to give them an appropriate level of competence.
• First Aid kits are kept in Reception, the Kitchen, and in Room 7.
• The Principal is responsible for ensuring that a sufficient back-up stock is held on site.
• Notices will be displayed in prominent locations throughout the establishment identifying how to summon first aid in an emergency, who the first aiders are and their contact and location details. All first-aid signs and containers must be identified by a white cross on a green background.
• A written record will be kept of all first aid administered either on the college premises or as part of a college/college related activity.
• First Aid Box Contents:
• There is no mandatory list of items that should be included in a first aid container. The Principal should decide what to include in the first-aid containers from information gathered during their assessment of first-aid needs. As a guide, where no special risk arises in the workplace, the HSE recommend a minimum stock of first-aid items would normally be:

1. • A leaflet giving general guidance on first aid (for example HSE leaflet ‘Basic Advice on First Aid at Work)
   • 20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes) appropriate to the type of work (dressings may need to be of a detectable type for food handlers);
   • Two sterile eye pads
   • Four individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile);
   • Six safety pins
   • Six medium sized individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings - approximately 12 cm x 12 cm
   • Two large sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings - approximately 18 cm x 18 cm
   • One pair of disposable gloves
   • One pair blunt ended scissors
   • Where mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, at least a litre of sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed, disposable containers should be provided. Once the seal has been broken, the containers should not be kept for reuse.

This is only a suggested contents list. It is likely that greater quantities of the above will be required in a college environment to reduce the risk of not re-stocking quickly enough.

The assessment may conclude that there is a need for additional materials and equipment, for example a blanket, adhesive tape, disposable aprons, individually wrapped moist wipes. These should be kept in the first aid container if there is room, but may be stored separately (in the first aid room?) as long as they are available for use if required.

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