Care & Safety of Pupils
In England, your employer, i.e. the governing body or the LEA are legally responsible for the securing of health and safety for both employees and non-employees. The headteacher is normally in charge of its implementation and there usually a nominate health and safety officer found within the school.
It is your responsibility to be aware of the Health and Safety polices found within the school and to draw to the schools attention any short comings or potential risks that arise.
School Policies should include:
- Identity of Health and Safety Officer
- Fire Drill procedures and other emergency procedures
- First Aid / Medical facilities
- Reporting and recording incidents
- Use PE equipment
- Health and safety routines
- Use of equipment and hazardous substances in specialist areas such as science laboratories
- School security
- Intruders
- Abusive and threatening visitors
- School visits
Just remember, that if you were to obstruct a fire door or extinguisher with an elaborate display of pupils work for example, then you are running the risk of creating a reckless interference with safety provisions.
For more information:
www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/
Duty of Care to your Pupils
As outlined above, the LEA and governing body, as employers, have formal legal responsibility for the Health and Safety but teachers have a general duty of care towards their pupils.
Teachers in England have to ensure that pupils are healthy and safe on school premises and during teacher-led activities off school premises such as school excursions or field trips.
It is recognised that accidents do occur but it is your duty of care to take the necessary steps to prevent what might reasonably be foreseen. You should always assess the risks of an activity for pupils, considering such factors as their age, known health problems, skills and level of supervision required.
For more information:
HSE Website
www.hse.gov.uk
HSE Five Steps to Risk Assessment
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf
HSE A Guide to Risk Assessment Requirements
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg218.pdf
