Blackpool Aspire Academy Safety Policy

Blackpool Aspire Academy Safety Policy

Policy Written by: Blackpool Council Policy Operational from: immediately Reviewed: Annually Last Review Date: Sept 2014 Review Date: Review Date: Review Date:

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The Governors of Blackpool Aspire Academy are fully committed to the establishment and maintenance of appropriate health and safety standards which will protect the staff and the pupils in their charge whilst at school.

The Governors recognise that the need to identify and control work-related risks is important to safeguard all persons on the school premises.

To this end particular attention will be paid to meeting statutory requirements in respect of – (i)

The safety of plant equipment, buildings and safe systems of work;

(ii)

A safe workplace and safe access and egress;

(iii)

Procedures for fire evacuation, first aid cover and other emergency situations;

(iv)

A healthy working environment

(v)

Safe arrangements for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;

(vi)

Appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to assist all employees, pupils and visitors to avoid hazards and contribute positively to their own health and safety whilst on school premises;

(vii)

Adequate welfare facilities and suitable protective clothing and equipment;

(viii)

Arrangements for the safe introduction of new plant, machinery, substances and procedures.

No policy can be completely effective without the full co-operation of all concerned with the safe operation of Blackpool Aspire Academy - . The Governing Body will therefore strive to gain this degree of commitment from the staff through participation encouragement and support.

Signed

Signed

_________________________________________Date__________________ Chair of Governors ___________________________________Date__________________ Principal

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RESPONSIBILITIES The ultimate responsibility for health and safety performance in each school rests with the LA. Although the requirement to carry out certain functions may be delegated to Principals and their staff the duty to achieve compliance with statutory requirements remains firmly with the LA. The purpose of this section of the school safety policy is to define exactly what the delegated duties and responsibilities of Governors and staff, are and that all understand what is expected of them.

Each significant category has been considered and the key responsibilities and duties described. Categories are –

1.The Governors will ensure that 1. The Local Authority’s Safety Policy and Codes of Practice are fully implemented 2. The Blackpool Aspire Academy policy is produced to supplement the LA policy, is reviewed regularly and brought to the attention of all employees.

3. The schools staffing structure appropriate reflects the delegated responsibilities for carrying out the arrangements for health and safety.

4. A Health and Safety Committee is established if required or asked for, comprising representatives from the Governing Body, School management staff and TU safety representative 5. The school has examined it responsibilities for health and safety and has made the necessary provisions in terms of resources for meeting these obligations.

6. Regular health and safety reports including the results of accident investigations and statistical analysis are provided by the Principal as part of an ongoing monitoring system.

7. Staff training in Health and Safety subjects is accorded a high priority and will include induction, role related and specific topic training as necessary.

8. Full use is made of the specialist services provided by the Blackpool Borough Council in the form of the Occupational Health Unit and the Health and Safety Section o f the Chief Executives Department.

2.

The Prinicpal

The ultimate responsibility for all school safety organisation and activity rests with the Principal.

1. Shall appoint an officer to be the focal point for day-to-day references on safety and give advice or indicate sources of advice; 2. shall ensure that the approved safety procedures are implemented in school;

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3. shall ensure that all known hazards are reported immediately to the Authority and that any unsafe practices or the use of any plant, tools, equipment, machinery etc. he/she considers to be unsafe are stopped until satisfied as to their safety; 4.

Shall make recommendations to the Authority for additions to or improvement to buildings and plant, tools, equipment, machinery etc. which are dangerous or potentially so; (where there is no estimate provision for this expenditure)

5. Shall ensure arrangements are made for inspection of premises, places of work and working practices on a regular basis and ensure that he is kept informed of accidents and hazardous situations; 6. review from time to time (a) the provision of first aid in the school; (b) the emergency regulations and make recommendations for improving the procedures laid down and for the training of personnel; 7. Shall ensure that safety information is disseminated regularly to Governors and Staff; 8. Shall recommend necessary changes and improvements in welfare facilities; 9. Shall report on safety matters to the Governors/Director of Education.

3. Head of Estates 1. be the focal point for day-to-day references on safety and give advice or indicate sources of advice; 2. co-ordinate the implementation of the approved safety procedures in the school; 3. maintain contact with outside agencies able to offer expert advice; 4. report all known hazards immediately to the Authority and stop any practices or the use of any plant, tools, equipment, machinery etc. he/she considers to be unsafe until satisfied as to their safety; 5. make or arrange for inspection of premises, places of work and working practices on a regular basis and ensure that he/she is kept informed of accidents and hazardous situations; 6. review from time to time e.g. annually: (a) the provision of first aid in the school; (b) the emergency regulations and make recommendations for improving the procedures laid down and for the training of personnel; 7. review regularly the dissemination of safety information concerning the school;

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Educational Visits Coordinator

The EVC should:  Be involved in the planning of all visits  Liaise with the LEA to meet guidelines and policies  Support/supply information to Governors and Principal  Assess competence of leaders and accompanying adults  Ensure contingency plan(s) in place  Ensure a deputy Group Leader is nominated  Ensure appropriate first aid cover is available for the visit  Ensure accident procedures known by all group members  Ensure adequate child protection procedures are in place  Check appropriate risk assessments have been completed  Organise Group Leader training when necessary  Ensure CRB clearance is received for all adults  Liaise with the Group Leader to keep parents informed  Keep records of visits – undertaken and forthcoming  Review and monitor visits  Ensure parental consent forms have been received by the Group Leader for all participants - for B & Cs these forms should be received at least 14days prior to visit

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Teachers holding a post of responsibility which has within the remit additional responsibilities for health and safety

1. Has a general responsibility for the application of the School’s Safety Policy in his/her own department or area of work and is directly responsible to the Principal for the application of exiting safety measures and procedures within the department etc. Instructions given by the Authority (e.g. the teaching of science in secondary schools) and the Principal including the relevant parts of this statement shall be observed; 2. Shall, where necessary, establish and maintain safe working procedures including arrangements for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, safety and absence of risk health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances (e.g., chemicals, guillotines); 3. Shall ensure members of staff under their review are appraised of departmental, institutional and authority policies on health and safety; 4. Shall review any health and safety problems raised by a member of staff under their purview and refer to the Principal any situation which cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties; 5. Shall, in line with (4) above encourage members of staff to raise concerns regarding matters of health and safety, so that policy and practice are kept under constant review’ 6. Shall report any areas of concern (e.g. level of personnel training, maintenance or equipment to the Principal and health and safety representative/committee; Page 5 of 8

7. Shall, where appropriate, seek the advice and guidance of the relevant officers of the Authority.

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Responsibility of Class/Subject Teachers

The safety of pupils in classrooms, laboratories and workshops is the responsibility of the class/subject teacher; the teacher has traditionally carried responsibility for the safety of pupils/students when they are in his/her charge.

If, for any reason, e.g. the condition or location of equipment, the physical state of the room or the splitting of a class for practical work, a teacher considers he cannot accept this responsibility, he/she should discuss the matter with the Principal before allowing practical work to take place.

A Class teacher is expected: 1. to exercise effective supervision of the pupils and to know the emergency procedures in respect of fire, bomb scare, first aid and to carry them out; 2. to know the special safety measures to be adopted in his/her own special teaching areas and to ensure that they are applied; 3. to give clear instructions and warning as often as necessary (notices, poster, handouts, are not enough); 4. to integrate all relevant aspects of safety into the teaching process and, if necessary, give special lessons on safety; 5. to follow safe working procedures personally; 6. to request for protective clothing, guards, special safe working procedures etc. where necessary; 7. to bring to the attention of the appropriate senior member of staff and health and safety representatives/committees, concerns over matters affecting health and safety.

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Non-teaching, Administrative, Supervisory and Associate Staff 1. have a general responsibility for the application of the Council’s Safety Policy to his/her area of work and is directly responsible to the Principal for the application of existing safety measures and procedures within that area of work; 2. shall, where necessary, establish and maintain safe working procedures including arrangements for ensuring, so 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);

7 Site Supervisors are expected 1. to follow safe working procedures personally; 2. to request for protective clothing, guards, special safe working procedures etc. where necessary; Page 6 of 8

3. to bring to the attention of the appropriate senior member of staff and health and safety representatives/committees, concerns over matters affecting health and safety.

4. shall, where necessary, establish and maintain safe working procedures including arrangements for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, safety and absence of risks to health in connection with their daily duties

Obligations of all Employees The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 section 7 states: “It shall be the duty of every employee while at work: (i)

to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself/herself and of other persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work, and

(ii)

to co-operate with the employer and others to enable them to fulfil their legal obligations.

The Act also states in section 8: “No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.”

In order that the law be observed and responsibilities to pupils and other visitors to the school are carried out, all employees – APT&C staff, caretakers, cleaners, GTAs, cook/kitchen staff, welfare assistants – are expected: 1. to know the special safety measures and arrangements to be adopted in his/her own working area and to ensure they are applied; 2. to observe standards of dress consistent with safety and/or hygiene; 3. to promote good standards of housekeeping and cleanliness; 4. to know and apply emergency procedures in respect of fire and first aid; 5. to use and not wilfully misuse, neglect or interfere with things provided for his/her own safety and/or safety of others; 6. to co-operate with other employees in promoting improved safety measures in their school; 7. to co-operate with the appointed safety representative and the enforcement officer of the Health and Safety Executive or the Public Health Authority.

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MONITORING, AUDIT AND REVIEW It is the responsibility of the Principal to ensure that the policies and procedures referred to in this document are monitored, audited and reviewed on an annual basis.

This section aims to identify and establish the methods, frequency and responsibilities for the monitoring, audit, and review process.

The Governors shall:  Appoint a representative onto the school Health and Safety Committee if required.  Delegate to the Buildings Committee responsibility for the management of Health and Safety.  Include as a standing agenda item a Health and Safety update/report from the designated governor representative.

The Principal shall:  Undertake an annual review of the Health and Safety Policy to ensure it remains current and accurate.  Review, annually, each of the policies and procedures listed in the Annex to the policy to ensure that they are current and remain relevant.  Ensure that the policy and or the annexes to the policy is/are amended as and when either legislation or changes in school activities so warrant.

The Health and Safety Committee shall ensure that: (Membership of the Committee should be compatible with the need to represent the interests of all employees and should include members from SLT, teaching and associate staff, union representatives and a member of the governing body).  Annual risk assessments are carried out recorded, analysed and acted upon where necessary.  Regular simulated fire emergencies are carried out, recorded, results analysed and remedial action taken if necessary.  All Accidents and Incidents reported are investigated, recorded and statistics analysed.  They undertake termly site inspections, record results and ensure remedial action is taken as appropriate.  They undertake spot checks on specific locations activities and or substances to ensure adherence to agreed procedures.

KJD/PMF/safety policy

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