HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

This document has been prepared in compliance with Section 39 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. It is a legal requirement under this Act for every employer, in conjunction with employees, to prepare a Health & Safety Policy.  It represents the Board of Management’s commitment to Safety and Health, and specifies the manner, the organisation and the resources necessary for maintaining and reviewing Safety & Health standards.

The Board will make this Policy available to all employees, outside Service Providers, and Inspectors of the Health & Safety Authority.

The Board of Management recognizes and accepts not only its statutory responsibilities but also its obligations as an employer to direct, manage and achieve the Safety at Work of every employee, student and visitor alike.

The board of Management believes that each employee accepts his or her legal and moral responsibilities for improving and maintaining Safety, Health and Welfare in the workplace, and for behaviour which does notjeopardise the individual’s personal safety, Health and Welfare, or that of others.

Aims

With this Policy St Joseph’s N S hopes:

• To create a healthy and safe school environment by identifying, preventing and tackling hazards and their accompanying risks
• To ensure understanding of he school’s Duty of Care towards pupils
• To protect the school community from workplace accidents and ill health at work
• To outline procedures and practices in place to ensure safe systems of work
• To comply with all relevant Health & Safety legislation which includes:
• Provision of a safe workplace
• Ensurance of competent employees who will carry out safe work practices
• Safe access routes
• Safe handling and use of hazardous substances and equipment
• Provision of safe equipment.

Safety Organisation

Safety is a Line Management responsibility.  Teachers are responsible for safety in their own areas, and for the implementation of relevant safety procedures.  The Safety Representative shall monitor safety generally, and the operation of safety procedures.  The Principal shall ensure that each employee shall obtain a copy of the Health & Safety Policy and shall be familiar with its contents.  It shall also be made available to parents in our school handbook.

All records of accidents and ill-health will be monitored in order to ensure that any safety measures required can be put in place to minimize the recurrence of such accidents and ill-health.

Duties of Employees

It is the duty of every employee while at work:

• To take reasonable care for his/her own safety, health and welfare, and that of any person who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions while at work
• To co-operate with his/her employer and any other person to such extent as will enable the employer or other person to comply with any of the relevant statutory provisions
• To use in such manner so as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or thing provided (whether for his/her lone use or for use by him/her in common with others) for securing his/her health, safety and welfare at work.
• To report to the Board of Management without unreasonable delay, any defects in plant, equipment, place of work, which might endanger safety, health or welfare, of which he/she becomes aware.

No person will intentionally or recklessly interfere with, or misuse, any appliance, protective clothing, convenience or other means or thing provided in pursuance of the relevant statutory provisions or otherwise, for securing safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work activities.

Employees using available facilities and equipment provided should ensure that work practices are provided in the safest manner possible.

Other employee responsibilities include:

§  Not to be under the influence of any toxicant to the extent that you endanger your own or other persons’ safety; to submit to tests for intoxicants as and when regulations specifying test procedures are adopted

§  To co-operate with an employer or other people to ensure that Health & Safety law is implemented

§  Not to engage in improper conduct that will endanger you or anyone else

§  To attend Health & Safety training, and correctly use any equipment at work

§  To report any dangerous practices or situations that you are aware of to an appropriate person

§  If you are suffering from a disease or illness that adds to risks, to tell your employer.

Safety Representative

The Principal shall be for overseeing the safety provisions on behalf of the school, and is also the Safety Representative.  She/He should be consulted if any of the employees have queries regarding any of the safety provisions mentioned in this Statement.  The main duties and responsibilities include:

• To guide and advise on all Health, Safety and Welfare matters
• To ensure that the school fulfils all statutory requirements
• To ensure that the appropriate safety education and training are co-ordinated and carried out using both in-house and external resources
• To undertake regular and appropriate revision and auditing of the school safety procedures and methods of operation to ensure that they are kept up to date
• To ensure that adequate fire protection and prevention measures are provided
• The Safety Representative shall investigate all accidents and dangerous occurrences and shall ensure that appropriate statutory notifications are properly completed.

Particular attention will also be paid by the Safety representative to the following potential hazards:

§  Access – floors, steps, ladders

§  Lighting and ventilation

§  Heat and humidity

§  Electrical – sockets, plugs, framed wiring

§  VDU usage and workstations

§  Fire risk, emergency evacuation procedures, fire drills

§  Light machinery safety: photocopier, PCs, calculators (staff should treat said equipment with care, and report any faults to the relevant personnel who will arrange for the repair/replacement of the equipment

§  Yard surfaces, coverings, etc.

Under Section 25 of Safety Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005, the Safety Representative has the right to:

• Represent the employees at the place of work, in consultation with the employer on matters in relation to Health & Safety
• Inspect the place of work on a schedule agreed with the employer; or immediately in the event of an accident, out dangerous occurrence or imminent danger or risk to safety, health or welfare of any person
• Receive appropriate training
• Investigate accidents and dangerous occurrences
• Investigate complaints made by employees
• Accompany an inspector carrying out an inspection on the workplace
• Make representations to the employer on matters relating to safety, health and welfare
• Make representations to, and receive information from an inspector
• Consult and liaise with other safety representatives in the same undertaking.

Carrying out a Risk Assessment

The Board of Management should carry out a Risk Assessment annually.  This should involve identifying hazards, assessing risk and specifying the action required to eliminate or minimize them.  Hazards may include physical, health, biological, chemical and human hazards.  A blank HAS format is included in the Appendix of this Statement and should assist the recording of this process.

Reporting Accident and Hazards

Causes of accidents shall be investigated and corrective action shall be initiated to prevent a recurrence.

Staff should report without delay:

• any area which may be reasonably considered a serious and immediate danger to health and safety
• any matter which may reasonably be considered a shortcoming in Health & Safety arrangements.

The Board of Management of Killasser N S wishes to ensure that as far as is reasonably practical:

• The design, provision and maintenance of all places in the school shall be safe and without risk to health.
• There shall be safe access to and from places of work for staff, pupils and visitors.
• Plant and machinery may be operated safely insofar as possible.
• Work systems shall be planned, organized, performed and maintained so as to be safe and without risk to health.
• Staff shall be instructed and supervised insofar as is reasonably possible so as to ensure the health and safety at work of its employees and pupils.
• Plans for emergencies will be complied with, and revised as necessary.

Hazards

The following hazards (inasmuch as can be identified) are considered by the school to be a source of potential danger, and are brought to the attention of all concerned:

-   Main Fuse / Switch Board: No persons other than those qualified will be permitted to work on or repair the main electrical switch board or fuses.

-   Boiler House: Only authorized personnel will be allowed into the Boiler House.  The boiler House will be kept clean and tidy at all times.

-   Classrooms: Classrooms should be kept tidy.

-   Yard Gate: The gate will be monitored by the supervising teacher at yard time.   It will be open in the morning and at collection times.  At all other times it will remain closed.

-   School Shed: Access to the school shed is controlled by staff and the key is kept in their control.

-   Kitchen and Staffroom: Care must be taken at all times when using kettles and all other kitchen equipment.  All persons using the photocopier will be made aware of particular hazards with chemicals relating to this equipment.  The areas should be kept tidy at all times.

-   Portable Equipment: Portable equipment will be inspected on an annual basis.  Faulty equipment should be isolated and removed for repair.  Plugs and flexes should be checked before use.  Trailing leads should be used in such a way so as to not cause a hazard.  All faults should be reported to the Safety Representative.

-   Fire Safety: A school Fire safety Policy has been drawn up and a copy made available to all employees.  Fire extinguishers are provide and maintained on a regular basis.

-   Running in School: Running is strictly forbidden in hallways and classrooms.  Bags and equipment should be stored neatly so as not to cause a ‘tripping hazard’.

-   PE: Teachers should ensure that children wear suitable clothing and not take part in socks.  Also pupils are not permitted to climb on PE equipment unless instructed to do so.

-   Wet Floors: It is the Policy of the Board of Management that every attempt will be made to avoid the creation of slippery surfaces.  The washing of floors shall be conducted as far as possible outside school hours.

-   Broken Glass: Staff are asked to report broken glass to the Principal so that it may be immediately removed.

-   Infectious Diseases: It is the Policy of the Board of Management that all infectious diseases shall be notified and steps taken ensure the staff and students against all such diseases.

Office Machinery

This includes photocopying machines, guillotines and binding machines.  Children may not use any machinery unless given permission and under supervision.

The manufacturer’s manual will be available at the location of each machine.  Minor repairs, eg paper jam, may be carried out by staff when it does not represent any hazard.

Major faults should be immediately reported and the machine switched off.

Welfare

Staff are reminded that:

• Any person who is under medical supervision or on prescribed medication and who has been certified fit for work should notify the Principal of any known side effects which may hinder performance or which may represent a danger to themselves or others.
• Staff are not allowed to attend the premises or carry out duties whilst under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol.  Any person found breaking this rule will be referred to the Board of Management.

First Aid Procedures

The school first Aid box is located in the Staffroom.

• In the case of a minor graze or cut, the wounded part is to be cleaned by a member of staff.  Surgical glove should always be used during treatment.

• In the case of a more serious cut, the wound is to be cleaned and the Principal informed. The parent is called.  If the parent cannot be contacted the child is taken to the doctor or hospital.

• Serious cuts and bumps are to be recorded in the Accident Book by the teacher on 

duty.

• Parents are asked to agree to give permission to the school to have their child taken to hospital if the parent cannot be contacted.  This is part of our Enrolment form.

General Safety

The aim of the Board of Management is to provide a healthy and safe working environment for staff and pupils.  This can be achieved with the help and assistance of all employees and pupils by: 

ü  observing  the general rules of safety – including yard rules – running, cycling, heels etc

ü  using all plant, machinery and equipment in a safe and proper manner

ü  employing the proper procedures when carrying out tasks and ensuring that no practices are used which may act as a source of danger to themselves and/or others

ü  keeping work areas clean and tidy at all times

ü  making sure all corridors and passages, particularly those leading to escape routes, are kept free from obstruction at all times

ü  taking care that fire points are not blocked or covered up in any way and that they are ready for use if the need arises.

Visitors

The school has a legal duty to ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare of all parents / visitors.  Therefore any staff member or employee who receives a parent/visitor is responsible for the parent’s / visitor’s health and safety until they leave the premises.

Access to School

Insofar as it is compatible with the practical layout of the school premises, anyone entering the school premises shall be required to identify themselves to the Principal or the Secretary as relevant before gaining admittance to the school.  Any contractor must make direct contact with the Principal before initiating any work on the premises and shall be shown a copy of the Safety Statement applying to the school and shall agree to its provisions.

While work is in progress, any noise shall be avoided wherever possible during school hours and shall at al times be reduced to the minimum necessary.  The contractor and his workmen shall not create any hazard, permanent or temporary, without informing the Principal or his/her nominated agent, and shall mark such hazards with warning signs or other suitable protection.

The children will be advised of the dangers inherent with any construction work and will be advised by the Class Teachers and the Principal of the need to ‘STAY AWAY’.  The children are forbidden from going near any construction site and from interacting with the workmen/women during the course of their work.

Procedures to Deal with Emergencies

Emergency contact details are updated annually.  They are kept in the strong room and can be accessed by staff.  In case of an emergency, parents/guardians are contacted to collect the children.

• A report must be made to the HAS in respect of the following types of incident:
• an accident causing loss of life to any employed or self-employed person sustained in the course of their employment
• an accident sustained in the course of their employment which prevents any employed or self-employed person from performing the normal duties of their employment for more than 3 calendar days; not including the date of the accident
• an accident to any person not at work caused by a work activity which causes loss of life or requires medical treatment.

• The Critical Incident Policy of the school should also be referred to in case of an incident occurring in the school.

• In relation to the Administration of Medication, a Policy has been drawn up by Killasser N S in accordance with INTO guidelines and CPSMA Management Board Members’ handbook.

• The School Policy on Code of Behaviour should be used in dealing with behaviour which causes a risk to others.

• In the event of allegations or suspicions of Child Abuse, the Child Protection Guidelines should be consulted.  Also refer to the CPSMA Management Members’ Handbook.

• All Staff have Garda Clearance before they are employed.

• School maintenance equipment is stored in a safe area not accessible to children.

• Solvents, chemicals, cleaning agents, etc, are stored on high shelves in Staff bathroom not accessible to children.

Roles and Responsibilities

The following have responsibility for this Policy and its implementation:

• Board of Management
• Safety Representative
• Principal
• Staff

Implementation Date

This Policy takes effect from 1^st September 2009.

Review

This Policy will be reviewed annually, or when changes are made to work practices, personnel; where a practice is no longer valid or under the direction of the HAS Inspector.

This Policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 

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Copies will be made available to the School Community.