Section 1 Knockanore National School is located in Co. Waterford. Currently it has a staff of 4 permanent teachers, 1 temporary teacher, 1 Special Needs Assistant (SNA), 1 Caretaker and 1 Secretary). At present there are 86 pupils enrolled in the school. On an on-going basis, the Parish Priest, parents, various volunteer helpers, coaches, guest speakers, specialist teachers, service providers and others, who have occasion, visit the school premises. The school, at different times throughout the year, also has a number of adults, college and secondary school students carrying out work experience with the staff.
This Safety Statement has been compiled by Catherine Baldwin, Health & Safety Co-ordinator in Knockanore N.S., with the assistance of the Principal, the Safety Representative, the staff and the Board of Management of the school. This revision has been written in compliance with the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, the General Application Regulations, 2007 and all other relevant safety legislation applicable to its operations. As such the Health and Safety Statement applies to the welfare and safety at work of employees and the pupils under the management of the Board of Management.
This Safety Statement is intended to assist in reducing the possibility of accidents and ill health by bringing to the attention of the management and staff identified hazards and associated risk levels.
The Board of Management of Knockanore National School aims to ensure a safe working environment at all times for both staff and pupils and to improve our safety standards, where possible. This can only be accomplished by the persistent efforts of all of us. Responsibility for health and safety rests with all staff at all levels. The Safety Statement will be revised on an ongoing basis by the Health and Safety Co-ordinator in order to achieve our overall objective, improve safety awareness and reduce accidents and ill health within the school.
CIRCULAION LIST The following people will be issued with a controlled copy of the Safety Statement and the Health & Safety Representative will supply any changes or upgrades to the document to each person on this list. The holder of the copy is then obliged to remove and destroy the original pages
Copy No. Name of Recipient Title
1 Eleanor Ronayne Principal
2 Fr. Patrick Condon Chairperson of the B.O.M.
3 Liam Kavanagh H & S Representative
4 Catherine Baldwin H & S Co-ordinator on the B.O.M.
The Knockanore National School working copy of the Safety Statement is located on file in the principal’s office and on the school website at www.knockanorens.scoilnet.ie. It will be available for viewing by any employee. A copy of the Safety Statement will also be left in the Staff Room. SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 requires employers, their representative management, and employees alike to consider safety as a joint responsibility. The safety and health of all Knockanore School employees and pupils is an important objective of the school. Each of us, at all levels of the school, must co-operate to ensure that safe working becomes an instinctive habit.
We will achieve and maintain the highest standards of occupational health and safety, reasonably practicable, in compliance with the requirements of all Irish and European legislation as it pertains to our activities. The Safety Statement specifies the manner in which the safety and health of persons employed by the school will be addressed. Please feel free to discuss the contents of this document and/or any ideas you may have to improve safety at any time. If a safety concern is not being properly addressed, you are asked to bring it to the personal attention of the Health & Safety Representative: Liam Kavanagh.
As well as periodic safety inspections, the Health & Safety Representative, with the assistance of the members of staff, will complete a thorough safety Inspection of the school area on at least an annual basis. This will provide an ongoing upgrade of safety awareness within the school and provide the information necessary to upgrade and maintain the Safety Statement. It is recognised that the writing of a Safety Statement in itself will not increase safety awareness or improve safety standards. It does, however, provide a base line for management to build on. In order to increase safety awareness it is necessary for management and staff to have ‘hands on’ involvement in support of the Safety Statement. Knockanore National School will do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure a safe working environment for staff, contractors and visitors at all times.
In particular, the Knockanore National School Board of Management will: · Provide a team structure that will value the health and safety of all personnel. · Lead by example and respond to all reasonable health and safety concerns. · Provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, in accordance with all statutory requirements.
Provide employees with information that is appropriate and easily understood.
· Maintain a constant and continuing interest in health and safety matters pertinent to all the Schools activities. · Regularly review this Safety Statement and any other safety related documents. · Carry out ongoing assessments of our operations through the medium of audits and inspections. · Identify hazards, carry out risk assessments and implement controls to ensure a safe system of work.
Each of us are reminded that every employee has a legal duty under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 to take reasonable care of the safety, health and welfare of ourselves and of others who may be affected by our acts and omissions at work. It is also the specific duty of any employee to report to the Safety Representative, Liam Kavanagh, any defects in the procedures, systems of work, structure or equipment which might endanger the safety, health or welfare of anyone on site and give the management a reasonable opportunity to correct the situation.
Signed: Catherine Baldwin Health & Safety Co-ordinator (Board of Management).
Signed: Fr. Patrick Condon Chairperson, Board of Management
Date: 12/02/13
Role of Board of Management Safety begins at management level and so the overall responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of an effective policy for Safety, Health and Welfare at work rests with the Board of Management of the school. The members of the Board of Management will be supported by management and all other staff within the School. They will meet on a periodic basis to discuss health and safety issues within the School. Specifically they will: · Appoint a Health and Safety Officer, if suitably qualified, from within the Board of Management. · If this is not possible, appoint a Health and Safety Co-ordinator from within the Board of Management. · Arrange for the appointment of a Health and Safety Representative from within the staff. · Support the Principal in her role as the ‘day-to-day manager’ of the school. · Take a direct interest in health and safety to ensure compliance with all statutory requirements. · Support the Health and Safety Co-ordinator, Principal, Deputy Principal and all members of staff. · Ensure that the safety rules and procedures are adequately communicated to staff. · Ensure that all equipment in their area of responsibility is properly maintained and safe to use. · Endeavour to provide sufficient funds and facilities to ensure implementation of the Safety Statement.
Role of Health and Safety Co-ordinator on the Board of Management, Principal/Deputy Principal The Health and Safety Co-ordinator on the Board of Management (B.O.M.) shall keep the B.O.M. informed of concerns and updates to the Health and Safety policy. The Health and Safety Co-ordinator, via the Principal as the ‘day-to-day manager’ of the school shall: · Ensure all staff are fully aware of all hazards, in their job, to themselves and others. · Arrange to annually appraise the effectiveness of the statement. · Ensure that the responsibility is properly assigned, understood and accepted at all levels. · Ensure that appropriate fire fighting equipment is available, tested on an annual basis and replaced when used or defective. · Ensure that a Fire Warden (Liam Kavanagh) and First Aid Officer (Emmet Cronin) have been appointed from among the staff. · Bring Safety Statement to employees’ attention on commencement of employment and annually and have the safety statement, or a relevant extract, available in the staffroom.
Require employers, from whom the School contracts services, to have an up-to-date safety statement, where practically possible.
· Procure advice and assistance, wherever necessary, from the Health and Safety Authority. · Ensure that Health and Safety concerns, brought to the attention of the Board of Management, are resolved.
Role of Teachers All Teachers are responsible for creating a genuine Safety Culture within the School. Specifically they will: · Take a direct interest in Health and Safety. · Ensure that the safety rules and procedures are adequately communicated and fully understood by all staff and pupils · Ensure that all activities are planned so that they may be carried out in a safe manner. · Ensure that all equipment in their area of responsibility is properly maintained and safe to use. · Regularly inspect their areas ‘in a walk through’ inspection to ensure compliance with the Safety Statement.
Role of Health & Safety Representative The Health & Safety Representative is responsible for coordinating, in the school, the Safety, Health and Welfare issues, outlined in the Safety Statement. He will: · Complete a safety inspection of the school premises on an annual basis · Organise a fire drill each term. · Ensure that the First Aid Officer, Emmet Cronin, has adequate First Aid provisions and arrangements in place · Ensure that all accidents involving employees and pupils are recorded and, where necessary, fully investigated and remedial action taken. He will support all staff in this function. · Ensure that where an accident removes a person from his/her place of work for 3 consecutive days or more after the day of the accident, the Health and Safety Authority are informed on the appropriate IR1 form (completed on line @ www.hsa.ie) · Review Risk Assessment and Safety Statement if there has been a significant change, or if no longer valid, and amend accordingly. · Report, without delay, any Health and Safety issues or concerns to the Principal or Health and Safety Co-ordinator on the Board of Management. Spot it, Sort it, Can’t Sort it? Report it.
Role of All Employees (Teachers/SNA/Caretaking/Secretarial Staff etc) It is the responsibility of all School employees to co-operate with management in the implementation of the objectives of the Safety Statement within their areas of influence. Safety must be seen by all employees as a teamwork strategy. Employees have a specific statutory responsibility under Section 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, for their own safety. They are expected to discharge their work in a safe manner, so as to avoid injury to the pupils, themselves or other employees and avoid damage to school equipment and property. Management must make themselves aware of these requirements, lead by example and inform employees of this legal duty. All employees must co-operate fully with all the provisions taken by Knockanore National School in ensuring the safety, health and welfare of all its employees and others. Each employee will immediately report all accidents, dangerous occurrences, unsafe conditions and unsafe acts to the Health and Safety Representative on staff.
Under Section 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, the statutory responsibilities of every employee are as follows: It shall be the duty of every employee while at work to: · Take reasonable care for his/her own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person, who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions while at work. Spot it, Sort it, Can’t Sort it? Report it. · Co-operate with his/her employer and any other person to such extent as will enable his/her employer or other person to comply with any of the relevant statutory provisions. · Use in such a manner, so as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or other means or thing provided (whether for his /her use alone or for use by him/her in common with others) for securing his/her safety, health and welfare while at work. · Report to the Principal, without unreasonable delay any defects in plant, equipment, place of work or system of work which might endanger safety, health and welfare of which he/she becomes aware. · Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse any appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or other means or thing provided in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions or otherwise for securing the safety, health and welfare of persons arising out of work activities. · Ensure that he/she is not under the influence of a toxicant. · Attend such training as may be reasonably required by employer · Inform Principal, if suffering from a disease or illness which may increase risk to health and safety. Resources & Welfare Facilities Provision · Knockanore National School will provide each new employee, on commencement of employment, with the necessary information and guidelines on the basic safety knowledge they require before they begin work. · A staff member is trained in ‘First Aid’. (Appendix B) · A fully stocked First Aid kit, for use in any accidents on site, is located in the staff room. · Smoking is prohibited on the grounds of the school i.e. within the boundary fence of the school. · Fire fighting equipment has been positioned throughout the school. This equipment has been chosen and sited applicable to the fire risk. · Various signs are in place, throughout the school and external areas, identifying emergency exits, fire fighting equipment and hazards.
Welfare facilities are controlled by the following personnel: · Provision of First Aid boxes and the filling of same. o Responsible person is: Emmet Cronin · Liaison with insurance companies o Responsible person is: Eleanor Ronayne · Notification of reportable accidents to the Health & Safety Authority o Responsible person is: Liam Kavanagh · Provision and testing of fire fighting equipment/maintenance of Fire Register: o Responsible person is: Eleanor Ronayne · Investigation and management of any alleged incidents of harassment or bullying in the workplace o Responsible person is: Eleanor Ronayne, or Chairperson B.O.M. only if allegation is against the Principal · Provision of adequate & suitable personal protective equipment (e.g. for Caretaking Staff) o Responsible person is: the Caretaker – Teresa O’Neill.
Health & Safety Training See Appendix B
Emergency Evacuation Policy An ‘Evacuation Procedure in case of fire’ has been drawn up to ensure a co-ordinated response to any on site fire or other emergencies.
All staff are instructed in and should make themselves aware of the location of all fire points and how to initiate the alarm. They must ensure that they are capable of a controlled evacuation in the event of an emergency. Practical training has been provided on the use of fire extinguishers. All fire points are wall mounted, indicated with fire point signs and kept clear of obstructions at all times. Emergency evacuation drills are carried out once per term. Records of all drills are maintained by the Health and Safety Representative. (Appendix F).
The Emergency Site Controller will be the Principal and she will assume overall responsibility for the management and control of any emergency situation, on site, until the arrival of the emergency services.
If the alarm sounds the teaching staff will knock on all doors in their areas of responsibility on the way out of the building. They will call class” rollas” at the assembly points and await direction from the Principal.
Statutory Testing of Fire/Evacuation Equipment In accordance with the statutory requirements, certain examinations, testing and inspections are as follows: Test/Inspection/ExaminationFrequencyInspector Fire Fighting Equipment 12 Monthly External – Contractor Records of these are filed with this Safety Statement. (Appendix E) These statutory tests will be co-ordinated by the Health & Safety Representative. Emergency Evacuation Procedure Prompt action in the first few minutes of a fire can determine the eventual outcome of that fire. Nothing listed below takes priority over the safety of the employees and pupils, ensuring their continued personal safety.
If you come across a Fire; · Ensure the alarm is raised. Obtain assistance if required. · Provided you have been trained and it is safe to do so, attempt to extinguish or contain the fire using the appropriate extinguishers and hoses etc. DO NOT PUT YOURSELF AT RISK. · Always ensure your safe exit is available when tackling a fire; never let the fire get between you and the exit. · Evacuate the building and move towards the Assembly Point. · Call the Fire Brigade. If you hear the Fire alarm;
Evacuate the building using the nearest escape routes. Class teachers bring Roll Books with them. WALK QUICKLY but CALMLY and QUIETLY. NO OVERTAKING.
DO NOT RETURN for anything you have forgotten.
If Time Permits (small fire), close door and windows of room.
Move to the Assembly Points located in the school yard, as per evacuation plan.
Accident Reporting Policy All accidents (staff/pupil/contractor/visitor), however slight, must be reported to the Health & Safety Representative who will record the incident and where necessary complete an Accident Report form ( Appendix D). The Principal will be informed of all accidents within 24 hours. Where possible all other accident reporting will be completed before the end of the day in which the accident occurs. All notification of accidents or dangerous occurrences to the Health and Safety Authority will be completed by the Health and Safety Representative/Principal on Form IR1 or IR3 (www.hsa.ie). Note: This must be completed if a person is away from their place of work for 3 consecutive days or more after the day of an accident.
Storage & Administering of Medication Parents are asked to inform the school in writing if their child suffers from any allergies, long term or short term illness and if their child is on medication. No teacher can be required to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil. A teacher, who, with the consent of the B.O.M,. does take on the responsibility for administering medicines takes on a heavy duty of care. Parents of pupils who are on medication or inhalers are asked to fill in a form (available from the school office) for school records. Necessary medication will be stored in an appropriate storage facility in the Staffroom.
Anti-bullying & Anti-harassment Policy
Knockanore National School safeguards pupils’ rights through the implementation of its Anti-bulllying, Child Protection, Code of Behaviour and Enrolment Policies. (See documents attached) It is also committed to providing a working environment free from harassment of any kind and to protecting the dignity of each staff member at work. It is recognized that conflict may occur between staff, between staff and contractors (or between staff), and can include behaviour that is offensive to the recipients such as: · Physical threats and assault · Non-violent threats or implied threats · Verbal harassment/ abuse of a person · Unfair selection of tasks · Sexist comments or other unwarranted conduct of a sexual nature · Exclusion/Unfavorable treatment
Any source of harassment, whether it be physical, verbal, non-verbal, racist, or sexist, is unacceptable. Such practices and behaviours should be brought to the attention of the Principal/ Deputy Principal, INTO Representative or B.O.M. Representative. He/she will
act responsibly to have the matter resolved. Knockanore National School will ensure that complaints are properly and fairly investigated, that any harassment is dealt with in an appropriate and measured way under the disciplinary procedures and that the person bringing the allegation can resume work without fear.
In the event of a complaint, appropriate attempts will be made to resolve the matter informally. Otherwise, a formal complaints procedure shall be applied incorporating the following steps: 1. A written report to the Board of Management should be made by the complainant or an authorised person to whom the complaint is being made and signed by the complainant. 2. The complaint will be investigated, with minimum delay, as confidentially as possible by two individuals named by the Board of Management, one of whom shall be the same sex as the complainant and the alleged perpetrator. 3. Both parties may be accompanied/represented at all interviews/meetings held and these shall be recorded. 4. Where a complaint is found to be substantiated, the extent and the nature of the harassment will determine the form of action to be taken. These actions may include a verbal warning, a written warning, suspension from duties with or without pay, suspension from full duties with or without pay or dismissal. Progress with regard to specific complaints will only be made with the approval of the complainant. No record of any complaint will be registered on an employee’s file unless the formal procedure outlined above has been invoked. No victimisation of any individual should take place as a result of reporting such instances if they are found to be substantiated. Retaliation against someone who complains about harassment is s serious disciplinary offence. If, however, it is found that a complaint was brought maliciously, disciplinary proceedings against the complainant will be considered.
Stress at Work Policy Knockanore National School adheres to all aspects of the 2005 Safety, Health and Welfare at work Act which obliges employers to identify and safeguard against all risks to the health and safety of its staff, including workplace stress. Workplace stress arises when the demands of the job and the working environment exceed their capacity to meet them. Causes of stress in the workplace can result from · Faulty work organisation · Poor working relationships · Poor communication at work · Ill-identified work roles · Highly demanding tasks Knockanore National School will utilise the following methods for eliminating stress: · Management will have regular consultation and communication with all staff. · If an employee feels stressed due to work related issues he/she should immediately bring the matter to the attention of the Principal. · Complaints related to stress will be listened to in a confidential manner, documented and appropriate measures taken immediately.
Adult/ Student Work Experience Policy Included in this group are students on teaching practice, adults ‘shadowing’ teachers, students of Speech/Occupational Therapy and Transition Year/ Secondary students from the local Secondary schools. The Principal decides on behalf of the Board of Management the personnel allowed on work experience/work placement in the school.
The Principal will inform the Health and Safety Representative of all adults/students on Work Experience or Work Placement Programmes in the school. The Health and Safety Representative, Liam Kavanagh, will then supply them with a short document containing a synopsis of pertinent issues in the Health and Safety Statement. This document will include expected behaviour/ code of conduct, fire drill policy, contact person in case of issues, accident reporting etc.
Manual Handling Policy No person will be expected to lift a load that would be likely to cause him / her injury. Consideration must be given to the load and whether or not help is necessary. Training in correct Manual Handling techniques was provided in October 2012. (Appendix B) Every employee must be familiar with the correct lifting techniques. These may be summarised as follows: · Check for sharp edges, splinters or nails · Lift in easy stages – floor to knee then from knee to carrying position. · Hold weights close to body · Don’t jerk, shove or twist body · Grip load with palms – not fingertips · Don’t let the load obstruct your view. This is particularly important when carrying loads up and down step · Always consider whether help is necessary to lift an awkward or heavy load.
Food Safety Policy The staff room will be equipped and maintained by the Board of Management. Staff members are expected to keep the staff room clean and tidy and leave the room as they would like to find it.
If staff members use the fridge, they are expected, in order to maintain hygiene, to take any food not eaten away on Friday of each week. The staff room does not have the facilities to store the food of all staff members on a long-term basis. Emmet Cronin has responsibility in this area.
Dealing with Infectious Diseases Policy It is the policy of Knockanore National School that all infectious diseases shall be notified and steps taken to ensure the safety of staff and students against all such diseases. The school will endeavour to minimise the risks by adherence to sound principles of cleanliness, hygiene and disinfection by providing disposable gloves for use in all First Aid applications, cleaning tasks, etc. Toilets and washrooms shall be provided at all times with an adequate supply of water, soap, paper towels and a facility for the safe disposal of waste. In the event of an outbreak of headlice the Principal shall notify all parents and advise on appropriate measures. Electrical Appliances Safety Policy Arrangements will be made for all appliances to be checked on a regular basis, at least annually, by the Health and Safety Representative. Before using any appliance the user should check that: · All safety guards which are a normal part of the appliance are in working order · Power supply cables/leads are intact and free of cuts or abrasions. · Unplug leads of appliances (e.g. interactive whiteboards, internet cables, microwave, heater) every evening if practicable. · Turn off microwave, at socket, when not in use · Suitable undamaged fused plug tops are used and fitted with the correct fuse. · Instructions for use of interactive whiteboards are given to each teacher
Chemical/Cleaning Products Safety Policy It is the policy of Knockanore National School that all chemicals, photocopier toner, detergents etc be stored in clearly identifiable containers bearing instructions and precautions for their use. If deemed necessary products, including cleaning products, shall be kept under lock and key in the Caretaker’s room. Keys will be kept by the Caretaker and the Principal, Mrs. Ronayne. Protection for users of the said products shall be provided, as required.
Appendix A
Responsible Persons
Health and Safety Co-0rdinator. Brings H&S issues to the attention of the B.O.M. Catherine Baldwin
Principal: Employed as the “day-to-day manager” of the school. Brings H&S concerns to attention of the H&S Co-ordinator. Takes on responsibilities as listed herein. Eleanor Ronayne
Health and Safety Representative (Staff Representative). Brings H&S concerns to the attention of the Principal. Takes on responsibilities as listed herein. Liam Kavanagh
Spot it, Sort it, Can’t sort it? Report it. Follow procedures herein. All staff
Appendix B H&S Training Records
Course Code Course Staff who have attended course or are expected to attend course
SC 1 Induction Training by Health & Safety Rep. All new Staff
SC 2 Manual Handling Staff
SC 3 Awareness and use of Fire Extinguishers Selected Staff
SC 4 Emergency Evacuation Training (Fire Drill) All staff