Health & Safety (and Emergency Planning) Service
The function of this service is to assist Head Teachers in their compliance with health and safety legislation and best practice, and provide support and assistance to the school or academy in the event of an emergency.
The Annual Package
Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which states that employers must have access to competent help in applying the provisions of health and safety law.
As part of the school or academy safeguarding function, management must ensure that the academy is a safe environment in which children can learn and develop. It should also be noted that there are several national examples of Head Teachers being prosecuted for failures to manage health and safety.
Health and Safety Management
o Access to the Schools and Academies Health & Safety Guidance Manual
o Providing updates to schools of Health & Safety legislation and guidance
o Providing generic risk assessments for selected areas or activities
o Developing model policies, procedures and toolkits
o Support for those schools and academies using compliance management systems (e.g. Every)
o Creation of school compliance logbooks (e.g. asbestos management and fire)
Advice
o Providing health and safety advice via a telephone helpline
o Assisting with the site's policies, procedures and risk assessments
o Subscription to the CLEAPSS school science service, and radiation protection service where appropriate
Representation
o Assisting the school or academy during any Health and Safety Executive investigations
o Working with Trade Union safety representatives
o Liaising with external agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Services, Health and Safety Executive, other representative bodies on behalf of the school
Audits and Site Visits
o Support will be given to new substantive and acting Head Teachers including site visits and a full health and safety audit (on request)
o Further audits will be undertaken on a periodic basis or at the request of a Head Teacher or Business Manager
o Site visits at the request of the school to look at particular issues
o Annual Health and Safety inspections (on request)
Monitoring and Investigation
o Use of Nottingham City Council's online accident and violent incident database
o Undertaking investigations of serious incidents (on request)
Training
A number of health and safety awareness courses specifically designed for schools and academies are available
o H&S Awareness for Caretakers and Site Managers
o H&S Responsibilities of Head Teachers and Business Managers
o H&S Awareness for Governors
o Asbestos Management
o Emergency Planning
o Legionella Management
o Fire Warden
Access to online training presentation packages developed specifically for Senior Management to deliver during staff meetings.
In-house training at Inset days and staff meetings such as fire, emergency planning and general Health and Safety in Schools
Emergency Planning
The dedicated emergency planning function for schools and academies includes:
o Access to model emergency plans
o Emergency support from a Duty Officer during potentially challenging situations e.g. arson, break-ins, extreme weather, infectious diseases. A duty officer is available on standby and contactable 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
o The Duty Officer's role is to proactively support and assist the school in remaining operational, manage public relations and escalate issues to ensure that the school/academy remains open and is safe for staff and pupils where possible
Contact Detail
schoolsafety@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
David Thompson
Schools Health and Safety Manager
Schools Health and Safety Team
Tel: 0115 876 4608
Email: David.Thompson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Alison Sheldon
Schools Health and Safety Advisor
Schools Health and Safety Team
Email: alison.sheldon@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
