Health and Safety Policy

GENERAL INFORMATION

Every individual needs to take personal responsibility for their own and their colleagues’ safety and health, being aware of potential dangers and acting to ensure they are eliminated, managed or avoided.

The Health and Safety Policy gives you all the essential guidance you need. Many of the actions recommended are required by law and must be observed, but in any case, they are mostly common sense.

Whilst at work, health and safety precautions must be observed by everyone; not only does this make good common sense, but, in many instances, these responsibilities are legal requirements. Ensuring the health and safety of others at work is just as important as the avoidance of being injured oneself. No one who works in the school has any right to endanger others, whether they are staff, students or visitors, and academic staff have a particular responsibility to set a good example.

The school welcomes constructive suggestions where any part of the Policy might be improved, to further the aim of creating a healthy and safe working environment.

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc., Act, 1974, it is the policy of the school to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety while at work of all employees and students and the safety of authorised visitors and members of the public entering the precincts of the school. The successful implementation of this policy requires the full support and active co-operation of all employees and students of the school.

It is the duty of all employees and students to observe the Health and Safety Policy, and to take account of information given in there.

STATEMENT

It is the school’s Policy, so far as is reasonably practicable:

• to provide and maintain buildings and equipment and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health;
• to provide information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the health and safety at work of employees and students and visitors;
• to maintain any place of work under the school’s control in a condition that is safe and without risks to health and to provide and maintain means of access to and egress from it that are safe and without such risks;
• to provide and maintain a working environment for employees and students that is safe and without risks to health and is adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work;
• to encourage staff to set high standards of health and safety by personal example, in order that students leaving the School should take with them an attitude of mind which accepts good health and safety practice as normal;
• to keep the school’s Health and Safety Policy under regular review and to duly publish any amendments.

ACCESS TO SCHOOOL BUILDING

Unless specified differently by the Head of School working hours will be considered as:

Weekdays from 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM

Weekends: school is closed

Only under exceptional circumstances may persons using school premises bring young children into the buildings, especially outside normal working hours. However, if this is unavoidable, it is absolutely essential to provide strict and close supervision at all times.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The buildings are not accessible to people with disabilities due to their age and layout.

VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL AND OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS

All visitors and outside contractors to the school must follow the school’s health and safety procedures.

QUIRIES AND PROBLEMS

An employee or student with a health and safety problem or any query about health and safety should initially refer the matter to reception. If satisfaction is not achieved at that level, the matter should be raised with the Director.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

The Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act, does not in any way alter the general position regarding civil liability. Employer’s liability insurance covers the school for its legal liability to employees for death, injury or disease arising out of the normal business of the school. Public liability insurance covers the school for its legal liability for damages in respect of accidental injury, and loss or damage to material property, happening in connection with the normal business of the school.

It is not possible to insure against criminal liability arising under the Health and Safety at

Work, etc., Act;

FIRE SAFETY

GENERAL FIRE PREVENTION

Regular fire prevention routines are one of the simplest and most efficient means of preventing fire. The value of the nightly routine of switching off and unplugging electrical equipment (unless the equipment concerned is designed to run continuously), and closing the doors to all rooms and staircase enclosures, cannot be over-stressed.

FIRE PROCEDURES

Members of staff are responsible for the safety of the individuals in their care, and for their own safety. On hearing the fire alarm during lessons or activities, students should be directed by members of staff to the appropriate fire exit and thence to the assembly area. Staff responsible for clearing rooms must then ensure that there are no individuals in the appropriate areas.

Teachers must also ensure that registers are taken out of the building and all students accounted for once out of the school.

No students should be allowed to return to the building until the management have announced the all clear.

We must assume that any continuous sounding of the bell lasting for more than fifteen seconds is a potential fire and act accordingly.

Fire and Evacuation:

1. Fire alarms will be used whenever the school is to be evacuated.
2. Whenever a fire alarm is heard the situation must be treated as an emergency except at the time of a pre-announced alarm tests.
3. An evacuation alarm will be the continuous sounding of the alarm.
4. Alarm tests will normally be an alarm sounded for 10-15 seconds only.
5. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TEACHERS TO ENSURE THE EVACUATION OF THEIR CLASSROOMS.

When the alarm sounds:

When the alarm is heard in the school, the building is to be evacuated. Everybody must leave the building by the nearest exit or sign posted escape route. You must:

• NOT delay to collect personal belongings.
• WALK NOT RUN
• GET WELL CLEAR OF BUILDINGS AND ACCESS ROUTES.
• Not go back into the building until the fire alarm has stopped and you have confirmed that it is safe with the management.
• Advise the management or a firefighter if you have reason to believe that anyone has remained in the building.

On discovering a fire:

1. Anyone who discovers a fire must sound the alarm at the nearest fire alarm point, shutting all doors through which they pass.
2. They must then find a telephone and dial 999, and inform the emergency services.
3. At no time must teachers put themselves at risk in tackling a fire.

Assembly point:

The assembly points for all students and staff are:

• 94 Church Road: the area of pavement in Fourth Avenue opposite the school next to the Cooperative shop,
• 40 Church Road:
  • in the event of evacuation through the front door: the area of pavement at the top of Grand Avenue
  • in the event of evacuation through the rear of the building: the alley behind the school

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

There is one or where necessary, two visibly placed extinguishers for each floor. The school has two types of fire extinguishers which are clearly labelled: FOAM fire extinguisher, suitable for liquid fires, but not suitable for electrical or metal fires, and CARBON DIOXIDE which is suitable for liquid and electrical fires, but not suitable for flammable metal fires.

The majority of staff are trained in using fire extinguishers and have fire certificates of basic training.

FIRE FIGHTING

In all buildings protection of human life must take priority over fighting fires. The person discovering a fire must promptly initiate the emergency procedures listed above. Delay can be fatal as, once a fire is out of control, it can spread rapidly and cut off escape routes.

If possible, and without endangering personal safety, attempts can be made to contain and control a fire until the Fire & Rescue Service arrives. Make sure that you use the correct type of fire extinguisher. The wrong choice can turn a minor incident into a major event. Always remember to take a position between the fire and the exit so that your escape route cannot be cut off. Be aware of what is happening in the surrounding area and take account of your own limitations. If possible, always make sure that someone else knows that you are tackling the fire.

The greatest hazards to fire fighters are the effects of asphyxiant, irritant and toxic gases, smoke and fumes generated from the combustion of plastics and other materials. Never attempt to fight a fire wearing a respirator or breathing apparatus. Leave this to the Fire & Rescue Service.

AFTER A FIRE

Even if a fire appears to have been successfully extinguished by School staff or students, it will still be necessary to ask the Fire & Rescue Service to check that the fire has not unknowingly spread, and that materials or the building fabric cannot reignite.

Reception staff must ensure that all fires, no matter how small, within the School or building are recorded and reported to the Director

FIRE DRILLS

It is essential that the fire alarm system and a pre-arranged plan specific for the evacuation of each building should be tested regularly. Reception staff must ensure that fire drills are held, at least annually, within each school.

FIRST AID

The guidance given in this section can only be the simplest instruction in First Aid. If you have not learned basic First Aid measures, or have not been trained in First Aid, you must familiarise yourself with the name(s) and location(s) of your nearest qualified First Aider(s). It will be too late to try to find this information once an accident has happened.

Notices giving the names, telephone numbers and locations of persons qualified in First Aid and the location of the nearest First Aid equipment must be prominently displayed in each school building.

First Aid is the skilled provision of treatment for a casualty or any person suddenly taken ill, using the facilities and materials available at the time, to save life and to prevent any deterioration in the condition of that person while awaiting the arrival of qualified medical assistance (usually an ambulance).

First Aid boxes are provided in each school building, at the reception and these boxes are in the care of an Appointed Person who may or may not be a qualified First Aider.

FIRST AID IMMEDIATE ACTION

If an accident occurs, what would you do?

Check your own safety! You are of no use if you become a second casualty. Use protective clothing and equipment where necessary. Casualties should be seated or reclined when being treated, as appropriate.

Keep calm – assess the situation – reassure the casualty

Speaking calmly to the casualty establishes consciousness and may provide useful information about the accident and assist in eliminating continuing danger. If immediate danger threatens, remove the casualty carefully to a safe place without endangering yourself.

If the person’s clothing is on fire, roll the casualty on the ground in a coat or fire blanket, etc.

Get help at once if the injuries appear serious by summoning a qualified First Aider. Delegate a person nearby to call an ambulance, if one is required, by dialling 999.

FIRST AID FIRST PRIORITIES

Breathing

If the casualty is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth respiration at once (see method below).

The first minutes are vital.

Bleeding

If bleeding is severe, apply firm direct pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding, using hands, pads, dressings, etc. Maintain pressure until professional help is available.

If the bleeding is from a limb, elevate it 10″ to 12″ to reduce the blood flow.

Do NOT use a tourniquet.

Trauma or Fluid loss

Keep the casualty quiet, reassured and comfortable.

Keep the casualty warm by a light covering but do not overheat.

Do NOT give anything to eat or drink to the casualty as this may cause complications if medical attention is required.

First Aid Electric Shock

Do not touch the casualty until the current is switched off. If the current cannot be switched off, stand on some dry insulating material and use a wooden or plastic implement to free the casualty from the electrical source. If breathing has stopped, start mouth-to-mouth respiration and continue until the casualty starts to breathe or until medical help arrives.

Mouth-to-Mouth Respiration

Lay the casualty flat if possible.

Ensure no obstructions are in the mouth (remove dentures, etc.).

Ease constrictions at the neck, chest and waist.

Place a rolled jacket or pad under the shoulders to arch the neck.

Pinch the casualty’s nostrils and draw the chin forward to open the mouth.

Take a moderately deep breath and breathe steadily into the casualty’s mouth (chest will rise).

Lift your own head and allow the casualty to exhale (see chest deflate).

Repeat this cycle at a rate of 6 to 8 per minute.

Continue until the casualty resumes breathing unaided or until qualified medical services take over, however long this takes.

If breathing resumes, place the casualty in the Open Airway (Recovery) Position and treat as an unconscious casualty.

FIRST AID AND THE LAW

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations, 1981, place a general duty on the School to make adequate First Aid provision for all employees should they be injured or become ill at work. Each School is required to provide:

One properly stocked First Aid Box appropriate to the risks of accidents or injuries that could arise from school activities and to place these boxes in the care of an Appointed Person or qualified First Aider,

Access to the services of one or more qualified First Aiders as appropriate to the work of the school,

Notices giving the names and locations of the qualified First Aiders, Appointed Persons and the locations of the First Aid Boxes.

FIRST AID STAFF

At the moment there are three first aiders in schools.

The main first aider is Adela Johnston, located at the reception at 94 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2EB

The two other First Aiders are Graham Elton and Roberta Gent, located at 40 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2FN.

GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Every person must find out what to do in case an emergency situation arises in the school, area or building in which he or she works. Each person should determine, before any emergency occurs, the location of the telephones, the fire alarms, the emergency fire exits and the fire fighting equipment, and the location of first aid materials, in the area of the building where he or she normally works.

SMOKING

It is illegal to smoke in the school. “No Smoking” notices are displayed throughout both schools. Wall ashtray is provided outside school at 94 Church Road, and on the terrace at 40 Church Road.