Health and Safety

October2004

Purpose

To ensure the health and safety of employees, students and others, including visitors and parents at Warrington School through compliance with the current Health and Safety Code of Practice for State Primary, Composite and Secondary Schools (the Code) as produced by the Ministry for Education.

Procedures

Warrington School will comply with the Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice concerning Health and Safety in Schools. These are identified in section 37 of the Code. It is required that Warrington School meet all current and future legislation relating to Health and Safety and that the Board of Trustees be aware of their responsibilities under this code.

Warrington School will also maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with relation to student safety.

Policy Review

1. The Board of Trustees will review this policy in accordance with its self-review timetable.
2. Both the current version of the policy and any proposed revisions to this policy will be made available to staff, parents or other interested parties, for comment and review.

Date: Amended:

Another copy of a Health and safety Policy-

ACTION

1. To provide a safe, clean work environment.
2. To establish safe methods and safe practices and to educate staff and children about these methods and practices.
3. To comply with legislative requirements.

GUIDELINES

• General

1. Employees will be provided with basic health and safety rules.
2. Advise employees of hazards in their work and how to avoid or deal with these hazards.
3. Provide employees with information on the safe storage and handling of chemicals.
4. Record and investigate all injuries occurring in the workplace.
5. Provide an effective emergency evacuation procedure to cope with all likely emergencies.
6. Carry out regular inspections to identify potential health hazards and take all reasonable steps to remove or reduce them. Include in the Hazard Register.
7. Staff are not to wash or clean up soiled children. Parents/caregivers will be notified and asked to come to the school to clean them up or take them home to do so. If this is a regular occurrence (more than once a week) then parents/caregivers, along with the support of the Public Health Nurse, will be asked to keep their child at home until the child is consistently dry and clean. The school will offer support through the Guidance and Support Unit if parents/caregivers wish to receive this. It is imperative that teachers keep a record of such occurrences. (Also refer to Medical issues Policy)
8. Provide sufficient training in the use of equipment or machinery.
9. An accident register will be maintained detailing accidents to both staff and students.
10. The principal will report to the Board any accident involving serious injury which occurs in the school or during an off-site school activity.
11. All staff are to abide by any and all child custodial issues, with no children being removed from the school by any non custodian. Parents/Caregivers are expected to keep the school informed of any changes to any custodial rights. It is imperative that all staff remain familiar with the routines for children leaving the school grounds as detailed at length in the A-Z Management Handbook.

1. Staff to report any hazards to the Principal.
2. Safe Practices
3. The safe use by children of equipment both within the school and in the school grounds will be promoted through both instruction and example.
4. The Principal and Property Manager will carry out regular inspection and maintenance of buildings, equipment and grounds.
5. Any deficiencies, which could constitute a potential hazard, will be dealt with promptly, and if maintained, included within the Hazard Register.
6. Hazardous chemicals, equipment and machinery will be stored and used in such a way to minimize danger. Their use during school hours will be discouraged. Disposal of rubbish will be carried out in a safe manner.
7. Use of litterbins and collection facilities within the school and the grounds are to be encouraged for reasons of health and to develop a responsibility and respect for the environment.
8. Emergency and evacuation routines will be instructed and practised once per term.
9. It will be a requirement for all permanent teaching staff and school support staff to hold a current First Aid Certificate. The school will cover the cost of the course.
10. A teacher on duty will control before and after school road crossings.
11. All children crossing Carrington Rd after school will wait together and be led by the co-ordinator of Zippy School Bus and Road Patrols to reduce possible risks after school.
12. All Parents who volunteer as walking school bus drivers and conductors will be trained and attend a review meeting at least once a year.
13. The pedestrian crossing outside Room One will be maintained so that children think carefully before crossing at the top of the drive and drivers become aware that there is a risk by the fact of the existence of the crossing.
14. Road markings will be maintained in the car parks.
15. The swimming pool will be fenced and locked at all times.
16. No child will retrieve a ball from a neighbouring property. The child will report the loss to the office who will action the retrieval via the Property Manager.
17. No child will leave the school grounds during the school day without permission from the Principal.

3.Behaviour Management Programme

1. This programme is detailed within the A-Z Management Handbook.
2. The behaviour management programme will be discussed, developed and documented according to the needs of each class. The classroom rules, rewards and consequences will be established and displayed in each room. This is in addition to the school wide “Code of Conduct” as displayed in every room.
3. Playground behaviour will be monitored.
4. Senior teachers will be informed of any children with behaviour difficulties.
5. Parents/caregivers, if necessary, will be involved when a child’s behaviour is causing concern to enable their cooperation.
6. Behavioural plans and procedures will be followed when dealing with behaviour causing concern.
7. Referrals to other agencies will be made for children with severe problems.

4.Guide for Contractors

1. This full policy will be given to contractors upon their “signing in” at the reception.
2. Health & Safety Officer is the Executive Officer, Judith Howe, located in the administration block. If unavailable refer to the Principal or Deputy Principal.
3. Hazards at Gladstone School – a list of identified hazards in the school grounds will be given to all contractors upon arrival at the school for the first time.
4. Accident – In the event of an accident or an emergency please report to the Health & Safety Officer.

If First Aid is required, assistance is available at the medical room which is situated in the Admin block.

1. Safety for Children and Staff – notification must be made to the school if there will be any dangers arising from the work being undertaken. Necessary precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of the children and staff. This includes the parking of vehicles.
2. Appropriate conduct is expected at all times by contractors when in the school grounds. The Non- Smoking policy must be respected and polite language used.

Health and Safety Procedures October 2004

Sickness and Accidents

1. Current Workplace First Aid Certificate held by one member of staff.

Current First Aid Certificates held by at least two members of staff with the Board meeting the cost of obtaining the certificates.

1. Duty teachers are responsible for ensuring that all injury accidents occurring in the playground are attended to promptly and a trained staff member consulted when necessary.
2. A medical profile and home and emergency numbers of each child are kept and are accessible to all staff.
3. The Principal ensures that specialist emergency aid is obtained when required. In cases of doubt, every effort is made to seek proper advice.
4. All accidents and injuries are recorded in the accident book and parents are notified of the occurrence and the action taken.
5. All first aid supplies are safely stored, checked and restocked when required. By the end of September each year all First Aid Kits will be fully restocked. Prescribed medication requires a signed form from the parent. Medication should be kept and administered by the teacher in charge and recorded in the medical book housed in the office.
6. Class teachers notify the school secretary of any child who is sick during teaching time. As there is no suitable place to put a child who is ill every effort will be made to contact parents who will be asked to collect the child if they are not fit to be in class. If no immediate contact can be made the child will remain in the care of support staff until home arrangements can be made.

Absences from school

1. Parents notify the school before 9 a.m. if their child is not attending that day. 2. Planned absences are notified in advance. 3. The school follows up daily-unexplained absences from school by 9:30am.

Class Outings

1. The principal gives prior approval for all class outings after considering safety, mode of transport, cost, supervision and relevance to the curriculum. 2. Parents are notified of all planned excursions and permission slips requested. 3. Transport requests and replies require - i. A driver with a current driver’s licence. ii. A vehicle which has current registration and Warrant of Fitness. iii. Seatbelts for each child. iv. Compliance with the schools non smoking policies

4 Adequate supervision is obtained for all outings.1 adult to 6 children in general situations. 1 adult to 4 children near water, on mountains or where significant risk is identified.

5. Excursions requiring overnight stays require prior Board approval and risk management plan presented.

Road Safety 1. The school consults with the Police Education Officer when developing bicycle and pedestrian safety programmes. 2. The school makes all reasonable efforts to ensure the safety of children crossing outside the main school gate at 3 p.m.

Shady School 1. Children are taught about the need to be aware and take responsible action to protect against the dangers of exposure to the sun. (e.g. wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen at high risk times) The wearing of school sunhats is compulsory in summer terms. The children have their own numbered hat which is always accessible. 2. The school is working towards a safe environment, which provides shady places for children, staff and visitors.

Evacuation Drills

1. Fire/earthquake drills are held each term. 2. Children know the evacuation drill and the plan is displayed in the school. 3. The Fire Warden (principal) is responsible for the safety of everyone in the school.