Health and Safety Policy

Policy Statement of Safety, Health & Welfare

The Board of Management of Laragh 2 N.S. recognises and affirms its obligations towards its employees and others as set out in the Safety, Health & Welfare Act 2005. It is the position of the Management Committee that workplace safety is the responsibility of both employer and employee, and that the highest standards are attained when both parties accept their legal and moral responsibilities to promote the safety, health and welfare of every person who has occasion to visit the school or work there.

  • Accordingly, the Management Committee asserts that workplace safety is a priority and commits itself to maintaining the highest possible standards of safety in and about its premises.
  • This document will be subject to review and up – dating when necessary on an on – going basis.

Responsibility for Safety, Health & Welfare

The overall responsibility for Safety, Health & Welfare rests with the Board of Management Committee of the school. The executive responsibility rests with the Principal.

  • The Principal is responsible for overseeing workplace safety and creating and maintaining a safe work environment by means of ensuring the creation of a safe place of work, a safe system of work, safe equipment and competent staff. It is the responsibility of the Principal to ensure that proper procedures for emergencies are in place such as evacuation, maintenance of emergency equipment and maintenance of alarm systems. In the areas of health and welfare, it is the responsibility of the Principal to ensure that provision is made for hygiene in toilets and washrooms, cleanliness in the staff room, properly stocked first aid boxes, appropriate safety equipment and information and training for staff on the safe use of the schools equipment.
  • It is the responsibility of the Principal to ensure that machines are serviced by qualified personnel at the specified intervals, that equipment that is defective is removed and serviced and that fire extinguishers and first aid equipment are serviced as required.
  • The Designated Safety Officer is Ann Farrelly. Duties include:
    • To guide and advise on all health, safety and welfare matters.
    • To ensure that the school fulfils all statutory requirements in respect of the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 1989.
    • 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.
    • All accidents will be investigated by and recorded by the teacher on the yard at that time. All accidents shall be reported to the class teacher. When deemed appropriate, these accidents shall also be reported to the Principal and Safety Officer. Any accident involving an adult shall be reported to the Safety Officer and Principal without unreasonable delay. The Principal and Safety Officer shall investigate “as best they can” any such accidents.

Management Structure

The Management Structure of the school is as follows:

Board of Management

Principal

Teachers

Secretary

Ancillary Staff

Each person within this structure has responsibility for ensuring his/her own safety, health and welfare within the workplace. Those who have directorial or supervisory responsibilities are further responsible for ensuring the safety, health and welfare of those whom they supervise or direct.

  • All persons using the school have a responsibility to work in a way that does not endanger the health, safety or welfare of others. Thus all persons using the school have a duty as set out in the Safety, Welfare and Health Act 1989.
    • To take reasonable care of their own safety health and welfare and also that of any other person who may be affected by them.
    • To co-operate with the Principal and any other so as to allow statutory provisions in this area to be compiled with.
    • To use any protective devices or clothing provided for Health and Safety.
    • To report to the Principal or secretary without unreasonable delay any defects in plant equipment, place of work or system of work which might endanger safety, health or welfare of which he/she becomes aware.

It is the responsibility of all persons working in the school to co-operate in the creation of a work place that is as safe as it can be reasonably be made.

Identification of Hazards & Assessments of Risks

Hazards are classified under headings of physical, chemical and fire.

Physical Hazards:

  • Slipping and tripping hazards

The risk exists in all areas but is controlled by good housekeeping and maintenance of the floor coverings (There are no stairs or steps in the school building)

The school has hard floor throughout. Slipping risks are minimised in the non-carpeted areas by means of regular mopping of wet areas and good housekeeping generally.

  • Electrical Hazards:

The main risks in this area are shock and fire. These are minimised or avoided entirely as follows:

  • All cables are conduited.
  • Equipment is serviced regularly by appropriate personnel.
  • Leads are kept in good repair and replaced as necessary.
  • Plugs and sockets are in good repair and replaced as necessary.
  • Temporary and/or makeshift repairs to leads/sockets/plug tops are not allowed.
  • Fire extinguishers of a type suitable for electrical fires are provided at strategic locations.
  • Burn risks from the kettle are minimised by ensuring that kettle is of standard domestic design and access to the staff room is limited to authorised persons.

 

  • Fire Hazards

Fire is a hazard in all areas of life and the school is no exception. Physical injury may be caused by burning, inhalation of toxic fumes and asphyxiation. In the school the possible sources of fuel are electrical equipment and fittings, furniture and stored paper

The chief sources of ignition for this fuel in the school are:

Electricity;

  • The fire hazard is controlled principally by means of good housekeeping at the school. Paper must not be allowed in a haphazard manner, and must not be stored in proximity to an ignition source. Wrapping and packing material must be promptly disposed of and not allowed to accumulate.
  • Electrical equipment is maintained/serviced by competent personnel. Leads, plugs and sockets are checked regularly and replaced as necessary.
  • Smoking is forbidden in all areas of the school.
  • Fire extinguishers are provided in strategic locations.
  • Emergency exits: There are fire doors exiting four of the main rooms with a fire escape in the new room. There are also fire doors exiting the General Purpose Room.

Chemical Hazards

Relatively few chemicals are used in the school, and these are mainly chemical cleaners in the cleaning storage room which is authorised only for use by staff members. As a general rule, all chemicals are regarded as hazardous, and are kept out of sight in the appropriate storage areas.

Other Possible Hazards

  • Entrance gates
  • All doors into school
  • Parking areas
  • Playing fields
  • PE storage areas
  • Strong room and general storage areas
  • Steps down to ball court
  • Outer wall beside river
  • Oil storage
  • Fencing of ball court
  • General perimeter of school

Health and Welfare

Toilet and washroom facilities are provided for the use of staff and others. Users are asked to co-operate to maintain a high level of hygiene in these areas

Safety Measures

To minimise these dangers, the following safety/protective measures must be adhered to:

  • All exits to be clear of any obstruction at all times.
  • Special care to be taken in carrying any equipment that may be a risk to others (e.g. Glass)
  • On noticing the spillage of any liquid, that member of staff must arrange for it to be cleared up immediately.
  • Any defect in school furnishings, fittings or sanitary ware is to be reported to the principal
  • Nothing is to be fixed to walls or ceilings that is likely to cause harm should it fall
  • No hot liquids to be carried through the school building by children.
  • Cleaning staff to report defects to cleaning equipment to Principal.

In the interest of security all parents and children must enter the school through the main door only. (Possible change here with regard to keypad system) Parents who wish to enter school building must report to reception to secretary/Principal. We ask that parents and guardians at all times wait at the Office to be attended to and at no time approach the classrooms unless accompanied by a staff member.

If a parent or guardian wishes to speak to a teacher regarding his/her child, please telephone or write a note in child’s journal to request an appointment. Please await reply from the teacher to confirm the appointment. Parents are requested not to approach teachers unannounced at the classroom doors or while the children are walking in or out of the class lines. We would ask that parents collect/meet their children after school at the front area of the school or in car park. Infant children are walked down to the church doors where they are met by parents/guardians. At 3:00 p.m. the principal or the vice principal is present at the school gate to ensure the safety of children leaving the school. He/She stays down there until all pupils have left or brings any remaining student back to the school office where a parent is contacted. No pupil may leave their classroom before the bell rings at 3:00 pm.

Accident Reporting and Procedure

In a case of accident with child the parent or guardian will be informed at earliest possible opportunity. Where a parent or guardian cannot bring his/her child to the appropriate medical facilities this will done by member of staff, the guardian will take over as quickly as possible. In minor incidents the parent is required to have arrangements in place to collect the child and mind the child till better.

First Aid

Staff shall administer first aid. First Aid boxes are available from the office. When administering first aid, staff must wear safety gloves provided with the First Aid Box.

Fire Drill

Fire Drills are carried out once a year. When the fire alarm is sounded all staff must observe the Fire Drill Procedure.

Concluding Comment

This safety statement has been prepared based on conditions existing in the premises of the school at the time of writing. It may be altered, revised or updated at a future date so as to comply with any changes and conditions.

Community Groups

  • All outside groups shall have insurance to cover their activities. Where possible meetings will take place in the old school building.
  • They shall behave in a responsible manner on the school premises.
  • They shall take responsibility for anybody they bring to the school grounds and school premises. They shall also be responsible for all activities, actions and consequences of such actions of these people.
  • They shall have a safety procedure of their own, pertaining to their own particular activities and needs.
  • Where they notice any matters pertaining to the safety at the school premises or grounds this should be brought immediately to the notice of the Board of Management or school Principal.
  • Any accidents and the nature of those accidents which occur during their activities shall be brought to the notice of the school Principal.

Fire Drill Procedures

Aims:

  • To ensure the safety of all pupils and personnel in the school in the event of a fire.
  • To help management, teachers and staff to carry out a fire safety appraisal.
  • To increase awareness of the dangers of fire and provide information which will help in the prevention and control of fire outbreak.
  • To educate the children for life so that in the event of a fire they act responsibly, therefore avoiding panic and possible hazards to their personal safety.

Responsibility: The school Principal is responsible for the fire prevention arrangements and evacuation procedures.

  1. All escape routes from the school be kept free from obstructions and readily accessible at all times.
  2. When people are in the building escape routes should be always unlocked.
  3. All exit doors should be easily and immediately accessible from the inside.
  4. There is a procedure for inspecting fire equipment and alarm and these are checked regularly.
  5. Fire notices are kept in a legible condition and in accessible positions.
  6. Adequate precautions taken when using paper decorations, posters etc.

 

(A)

Signal – Fire alarm bell

  • Children will proceed calmly and quietly to the nearest exit. Room 1 goes out fire doors in room, rooms 2 and 3 go out the main door with rooms 4 and 5 going out the door by the staffroom.  If way is blocked by fire, teacher leads children out fire escapes in the classroom. (Room 1 go out main door if their route blocked)
  • Teacher will check all toilets. Teacher opens up door for children and guides them to exit before closing door of classroom, being the last to leave.
  • Children line up at designated assembly point in front of old school.
  • In the case of split classes,
  • Teacher checks roll and principal checks roll.
  • No child to re-enter the school until the Principal or deputy Principal gives the all clear.

(B)

Learning Support and Resource Room.

  • Above teachers will leave the school by the nearest exit (main door) with his/her pupils.
  • The teacher will then bring each child to his/her class group and have them checked off.
  • The above teachers will then remain in the yard until the all clear is given.

 

(C)

Ancillary Staff

  • Upon hearing the alarm bell, they shall leave their work area closing the door behind them and then proceed to the assembly point via the nearest exit.

(D)

Principal

  • When informed, the Principal shall trigger the fire alarm if this has not already been done by another staff member.
  • The Principal with help of the school secretary, shall make sure the school has been cleared of all visitors.
  • The Principal will check with staff members that all children are present and safe on the school yard.
  • The Principal will inform the fire authorities of the fire within the school.
  • The Principal may give permission for a staff member to locate a pupil or staff member.

(E)

G.P. Room

  • Leave by the fire doors in the hall.

(F)

Real Fire

  • Procedures as above.

 

Upon confirmation of all children being present in yard, children shall remain under supervision until Fire Brigade Officer either gives the all clear or requires all staff and pupils to depart fully from the grounds.

  • If the latter case, all pupils will be brought to the church car – park.
  • Teachers to stay with the class group until arrangements for all children to be brought home.
  • No cars to be moved in the car park until the all clear is given or if requested to move it for safety reasons i.e. fire access purposes

 

 

 

Our Lady’s Statue

The Statue of Our Lady is a unique feature in the school playground.  Pupils are taught the rules regarding the statue i.e.:

 

(a) They are not permitted to go behind the statue of up in front of it.

(b) They are not allowed up on top of the grass area surrounding the statue.

(c) Pupils are not permitted to go up on the steps leading up to the statue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalised December 2016