Health and Safety Policy

NAGs 4 & 5 New Zealand Schools OER Portal/Governance

September 2010

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.

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

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. (still finding out what 'the code' is and if it is still current - Tim) ( June will follow this thru - Aug 10)

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. Record and investigate all injuries occurring in the workplace.
4. Provide an effective emergency evacuation procedure to cope with all likely emergencies.
5. Carry out regular inspections to identify potential health hazards and take all reasonable steps to remove or reduce them. Include in the Hazard Register.

PROCEDURES

1. 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)(What is this policy ? June)
2. Provide sufficient training in the use of equipment or machinery.

  Provide employees with information on the safe storage and handling of chemicals.

1. An accident register will be maintained detailing accidents to both staff and students.
2. The principal will report to the Board of Trustees any accident involving serious injury which occurs in the school or during an off-site school activity.
3. 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. The safe use by children of equipment both within the school and in the school grounds will be promoted through both instruction and example.
3. The Principal and Property Manager will carry out regular inspection and maintenance of buildings, equipment and grounds.
4. Any deficiencies, which could constitute a potential hazard, will be dealt with promptly, and if maintained, included within the Hazard Register.
5. 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.
6. Emergency and evacuation routines will be instructed and practised once per term.
7. 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.

Warrington School Policy 5 – Health and Safety New version via Rachel

Guidelines:

1.Maintaining a safe and healthy environment

• 1.1. Warrington School has documented health and safety management procedures that are actively followed and monitored for compliance.
• 1.2. Warrington School provides a safe and healthy physical and emotional environment for students and staff, both within the school grounds, and when school activities/events are held elsewhere.
• 1.3. The principal ensures that a safety audit of the school’s premises is conducted annually, with the intention of removing or mitigating any safety hazards.
• 1.4. The principal ensures that students and staff are adequately protected against exposure to excessive sunshine at school, and when participating in school activities/events held elsewhere.
• 1.5. The principal ensures that students and staff use information and communications technology appropriately and safely at school, and when participating in school activities/events held elsewhere.
• 1.6. The principal ensures that reasonable measures are taken to ensure the safety of Warrington school children whilst using school buses.
• 1.7. The principal ensures that any motor vehicle access to the school grounds does not compromise the safety of students, staff, or visitors to Warrington School.
• 1.8. Smoking is not permitted within Warrington School buildings or grounds.

2. Managing incidents

• 2.1. Warrington School responds to and investigates all significant health and safety incidents, in order to mitigate the effects and reduce the risk of recurrence.
• 2.2. The principal ensures that teachers recognise and respond to cases of suspected sexual, physical, or psychological child abuse in an appropriate manner.
• 2.3. The principal ensures that a crisis management plan is developed, maintained, and tested, in order to provide appropriate guidance to staff and students for handling a range of emergencies and their immediate aftermath.

3. Student behaviour

• 3.1. Warrington School encourages and maintains behaviour that facilitates students’ own safety and learning, and does not harm other students or act as a barrier to their learning.
• 3.2. Warrington School uses suitable measures to ensure student behaviour is maintained appropriately.
• 3.3. In extreme circumstances, stand-downs and suspensions may be used, in line with the MOE guidelines

Policies and Procedures Related to Health and Safety

• Policies

Crisis management Education outside the classroom (EOTC) ICT

• Procedures

Civil Defence Emergency Plan Emergency Procedures Pandemic Plan Sexual and Physical Abuse Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol in the workplace

REVIEW

1. This policy will be reviewed according to the Board’s self review timetable.
2. All changes can be tracked via this wiki history tab.

Signatures: NathanP 04:04, 15 October 2010 (UTC)