HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

The Health & Safety of all employees and all other persons who use the school premises is a major concern for the school.  The Board of Governors recognises that achieving and maintaining high standards of safety requires that the school’s management, staff, pupils, visitors and contractors are aware of and discharge their respective responsibilities.  The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires all staff including supply staff and contractors working on the school premises, to conduct themselves is a manner in which they pose no risk to their own or any other person’s Health and Safety.  ‘Other persons’ includes staff pupils and visitors to the school.

The School’s Health and Safety Policy should accompany and compliment that of the C.C.M.S. and the S.E.E.L.B.  These policies should be included as part of the School’s Health and Safety Policy forming.  In considering these various policies, it should be recognised that as a Maintained School , the C.C.M.S. is the employer of the school’s staff and retains overall responsibility for Health & Safety.

The school will:

·                    Provide a safe and healthy working/teaching/learning environment in compliance with, or improving upon statutory requirement;

·                    Maintain the cleanliness and state of repair of the building;

·                    Provide safe systems of working to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of all staff/pupils;

·                    Provide safe plant and equipment;

·                    Manage and maintain the use of personal protective equipment;

·                    Provide adequate information and training on Health and Safety at work and fire prevention and ensure that all employees, pupils, contractors, visitors and others follow the school safety procedures e.g. Health and Safety notices will be displayed at the following points within the school:

……………………………..  ……………………………..

………………………….….  ……………………………..

……………………………    ………………………….….

·                    Provide safe storage for dangerous materials and substances

(COSHH regulations).

·                    Provide adequate statutory first aid facilities;

·                    Establish, practice and maintain effective emergency evacuation procedures;

·                    Provide consultative measures to monitor and review the effectiveness of Health and Safety measures.

·                    Carry out detailed reporting and investigation of all accidents and dangerous occurrences to persons and/or property to prevent a recurrence.

·                    Liaise with all other relevant bodies with the aim of improving all aspects of health and safety at work.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

a.                   The Board of Governors is responsible for ensuring that information is disseminated and monitoring and reviewing the School’s Health and Safety Policy.  The Board of Governors acknowledges its legal duty to notify all relevant bodies in the event of a major accident or dangerous occurrence.

b.                  The Principal is responsible for instigating an investigation and where appropriate, authorising remedial work or action and reporting on an annual basis to the Board of Governors.  The Principal still retains an overall responsibility for the implementation of the School’s Health and Safety Policy but has appointed Mr. Brendan Allsopp as the School’s Health and Safety Co-ordinator.

c.                   The Health and Safety Co-ordinator is responsible for the day to day co-ordination of the School’s Health and Safety Policy to include:

·                    regular inspections and risk assessments;

·                    liaising with contractors;

·                    initiating action on reported hazards and accidents;

·                    fire and emergency evacution procedures;

·                    maintaining an accurate record of completed training on Health and Safety issues for current staff.  Temporary part-time and supply staff must be informed of their responsibilities and the school’s agreed policy prior to the commencement of their duties.

d.                  The School’s First Aid Cover is provided by Mr. Brendan Allsopp.  Up to date records kept on all members of staff with relevant training.

  e.                   Staff having curriculum responsibilities.  They will draw up a Health and Safety Policy which:

·                    requires planning and risk assessment before on lesson starts;

·                    controls Health and Safety by regular checks;

·                    monitors and reviews Health and Safety e.g. procedures for reviewing risk assessment and safety;

·                    is reviewed annually;

·                    arranges for staff to receive information and training.

See Appendix 1 “Safety in Science” for a detailed exemplar policy.

            Specific Areas                                   Persons Responsible

            Science                                                Mr. Charlie Mooney

            Technology & Design                         Mr. Martin Moreland

            Art                                                         Mr. Conor Corbett

            P.E.                                                      Mr. Michael Darragh

            Home Economics                               Mrs. Cecilia Crudden

f.                    All staff have a responsibility to:

·                    Check that areas and equipment are safe before commencing activity;

·                    Ensure safe procedures are followed and use protective equipment as required;

·                    Report hazards to Health and Safety Co-ordinator;

·                    Encourage pupils and visitors to comply with Health and Safety Policy.

2.                  RISK ASSESSMENT:

There are several aspects to risk assessment:

·                    Annual Health and Safety Audit to be undertaken by Principal and Health and Safety Co-ordinator;

·                    Termly Health and Safety inspection of School premises to be undertaken by Health and Safety Co-ordinator;

·                    Continuous identification of hazards and risks on a daily basis;

·                    Assessment of any substance or material introduced into the School and school site to ensure compliance with COSHH regulations;

·                    Assessment of any new activity or procedure introduced into the School.  Testing of electrical equipment will take place annually or as appropriate.

3.                  PUPIL SUPERVISION:

a.         Duty Supervision:

·                    One member of staff (S.M.T.) will be on duty in Assembly Hall and Lecture Theatre each morning from 8.50am ;

·                    At break-time one of the four break duty teams will be on duty;

·                    Lunch-time supervision is managed by the Principal;

·                    Year Heads will be on duty at the school doors at the end of the school day.

b.                  Pupils taking medicines:-

the guidance provided by CCMS and the SEELB will be followed.

c.                   Areas of Special Risk:

The school will follow any guidance issued by the CCMS and SEELB in relation to the use of equipment or substances or the performance of activities recognised as being of special risk.  The need for training in the use of equipment perceived to constitute a risk and the need for regular servicing and maintenance is acknowledged.  The following areas/ activities are recognised as potentially requiring additional attention in relation to management of health and safety and should all have their own safety codes:

·                    Science            -             See Appendix 2 for a detailed exemplar

    ‘safety code’ for science;

·                    Technology and Design

·                    Home Economics

·                    Art

·                    P.E.

·                    Drama

d.                  Illness:

In the case of pupils, parents will be asked to provide an emergency contact number and to alert the School of any known health problems e.g. diabetes, asthma etc.  This record will be kept centrally in the office.  In the event of serious illness an ambulance will be called, parents contacted and asked to accompany their child to the hospital.

e.                   School visits and ‘off site’ activities:

The Board of Governors will comply with the guidance as issued by CCMS and SEELB on such matters as:

·                    conduct of outdoor pursuits;

·                    the use of mini-buses and coaches

·                    residentials and trips abroad.

Any member of staff wishing to conduct ‘off site’ activities will submit a report to the Principal who will pass this information on to the Board of Governors regarding the management of Health and Safety, welfare of pupils and types of activities taking place.

Reports with detail:

·                    the transport arrangements;

·                    the arrangements for supervision of pupils (including the staff/adult : pupil ratio)

·                    the arrangements for first aid cover;

·                    the level of qualified instruction and supervision that will be available for activities of special risk.

4.                  Reporting, Monitoring and Reviewing Safety.

Any person on these premises has a duty to report, in the agreed manner, to the Health and Safety Co-ordinator any item of concern relating to Health and Safety.  The Board of Governors will review this Policy Statement on an annual basis or more frequently should the need arise e.g. on the publication of new regulations or on the receipt of new documentation from CCMS or SEELB.

5.                  Environmental Protection Act:

Schools must comply with the Environmental Act 1990 and the associated Code of Practice.

ST. COLM’S HIGH SCHOOL

Health & Safety

Administering Medicines/Asthma Policy:

Aim:     To consider medical advice on best procedures to support asthmatic children in school and to enable them to take part as fully and safely as possible in all school activities.

1.                  Copies of the child’s specific medical needs (as advised by parents) will be kept in the school office.  Teachers will be provided with an information sheet detailing specific pupils on an annual basis (can and will be revised at any time in light of new information).

2.                  Children with inhalers will be responsible for their own inhaler so that they always have immediate access to it.  If necessary, this includes being taken out of school for games/swimming or other off site activities.

3.                  It is important that all adults involved with children in school or school associated activities should receive advice on practical asthma management. 

4.                  Information for each child will be updated and appropriate and at least at the beginning of each school year.

Emergency Evacuation Policy

Aim: -        To ensure the safety of all within the site.

-                     To ensure evacuation procedures are well known.

-                     To ensure all staff with specific responsibilities is fully aware of those responsibilities.

Emergency Evacuation Drill

1.                  Bell will ring continuously.  This is the signal to evacuate the premises.

2.                  Nearest exit point is: 

Alternative Exits:

Main Route                                         Secondary Routes

Main Entrance                                   Sports Hall

World of Work                                      Beside Small Dining Hall

Facing Arc Suite                                  Technology Store

Beside P.E. Office                               World of Work (Single Door)

Beside Art Rooms

3.                  Assembly Point

Tennis Court beyond Science.  (Pupils line up in form class groupings).

Alternative Assembly Point:-

4.                  Pupils line up in Form Groups;

5.                  Form Tutor mark register;

6.                  Inform Year Head of any pupils unaccounted for;

7.                  Subject teachers will escort pupils back to class only when instructed to do so by Principal/Vice Principal.   

NB:  (Pupils must walk in an orderly fashion at all times).

Who should go where?

In the event of an emergency evacuation the following should exit (or seek the nearest safe alternative) via:-

Main Entrance:

Room 1 - Mr. Campbell, Room 2 - Mrs. Campbell, Room 3 - Mrs. Walshe;

Music Room 1 & 2; Language Room 1 - Mrs. Murphy, Room 2 - Mrs Sweeney;

Mrs. McGrath’s Room; Mr. Conway’s Room; P.E. Room, Unit.

World of Work (Double Doors):

Room 1 - Mrs. Ardis, Room 2 - Mrs Cushnahan; Room 5 - Miss McCarron; Careers Room - Mr. Walsh; History Room 1 - Mrs. McAteer, Room 2 - Mr. Madden; R.E. Room 1 -

Mrs Hynds, Mr Gurnnahan; Maths Rooms 1, 2, 3, & 4 - Mr. Bohill, Miss Daly,

Mrs. Gallagher, Mrs Skelton, Lecture Theatre/Library.

World of Work (Single door):

I.T. Rooms  1, 2, & 3.  Business Studies Room - Mr. Burke

Facing Arc Suite:

All Science Rooms, English rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5, Maths Room 6, Nimbus Suite, Arc Suite, Learning Support Unit, 6th Year Common Room.

Art (Single Door):

Art Rooms 1 & 2, Home Economics Rooms 1 & 2, Technology Rooms 1 & 2, English Room 6.

ROLL OF PUPILS:

·                    Follow-up Teachers Instructions;

·                    Line up quickly and quietly (leave all bags and books)

·                    Leave school building in an orderly fashion

·                    At Assembly point line up in Form Class

·                    Remain in line until told to do otherwise

Do not leave the rest of your class at any time.

(If out of class when alarm is sounded, leave at the nearest exit point and assemble in your form group at the back Tennis Courts).

Role of Subject Teachers/Form Tutors:

Upon hearing the alarm (continuous bell)

·                    Line the class up

·                    Quickly and quietly leave the room and head for the designated exit point (close door behind you, don’t lock);

·                    Assemble class in Back Tennis Courts (in form groups);

·                    Mark the register;

·                    Confirm with Year Head - all present or some pupils missing;

·                    Keep class in line;

·                    Return to subject class when the instruction to do so is given by Principal/

Vice-Principal.

OFFICE STAFF:

·                    Take out and distribute registration books upon hearing the alarm.

·                    Mrs. Willis will carry out a registration check on all ancillary staff.

KITCHEN STAFF (if applicable):

·                     Mr Smyth will inform her staff of emergency evacuation procedures and carry out a head count when and where appropriate.

CLEANING STAFF (if applicable):

·                    Mrs. Mitchell will inform her staff of the emergency evacuation procedures and carry out a head count when and where appropriate.

YEAR HEADS:

·                    To ensure all pupils are lined up in form groups and accounted for.  If pupils are missing they will inform the Vice Principal - Mrs. McMurray.

Mrs McMurray -  VICE PRINCIPAL:

·                    To ensure a headcount on all staff is taken out all accounted for;

·                    To provide Health and Safety Co-ordinator with an updated list each day of absent staff.

  MRS. McMURRAY - VICE PRINCIPAL:

·                    To ensure the collection of information from year heads regarding pupil numbers;

·                    To make sure all pupils are accounted for;

·                    If any pupils are unaccounted for this information should be passed on to the Health and Safety Co-ordinator.

PRINCIPAL:

·                    To ensure the Vice Principals that all pupils and staff are accounted for;

·                    To arrange for the following to be informed of the situation;

·                    S.E.E.L.B.;

Board Headquarters;

C.C.M.S. Diocesan Office;

·                    Give the instruction to return to school.

HEALTH & SAFETY CO-ORDINATOR:

·                    To ensure everyone is well aware of Emergency Evacuation Procedures;

·                    To ensure the smooth running of any evacuation;

·                    To liaise with caretakers and emergency services on specialist in formation:

e.g. details of boiler and associated services;

details of location of chemicals, stored on site and gas tank;

·                    To inform the Principal that it is safe to return to school.

CHECKING THE BUILDING:

Principal/Vice Principal/Health & Safety Co-ordinator + Caretakers - Report to office.

Front of school                           Rear of school

All rooms and toilets                 All rooms and toilets

Language Department             Science Department

R.E. Department                       English Department

Geography Department           Technology Department

History Department                  Art Department

Mathematics Department        Home Economics Department

World of Work                           Lecture Theatre

                                                    Library

                                                    Assembly Hall

                                                    Sports Hall

                                                    Unit

                                                    P.E. Room

                                                    6th Year Common Room

Contact will be maintained throughout by using the walkie-talkie units:

·                    Office staff will take one to the assembly point;

·                    Caretakers will have their walkie-talkie with them at all times;

·                    Principal/Vice Principal will collect will one from the office and keep in contact while checking the school;

·                    Teacher in the unit will take walkie-talkie with him/her.

DEALING WITH ENQUIRIES:

Only the Police can give information to the press in an emergency, especially relating to casualties or deceased.

Information for parents and pupils should be disseminated by the Principal/Vice Principal through radio/TV and local churches.

REVIEW PROCESS:

The Emergency Evacuation Procedures will be reviewed on an annual basis or if and when the needs of the school require.

Any and all members of staff welcome at any stage to highlight any issue that they feel is cause for concern or could simply improve upon existing policy.