HSE Update Lisa Skinner HM Inspector of Health and Safety Executive HSE Update   Lisa Skinner HM Inspector of Health and Safety Public Administration, Education and Volunteers Team

Conkers bonkers

What does health and safety legislation cover? risks to staff, pupils and visitors created by work activities carried out by the school. also applies to the work of contractors in the school

Real health and safety risks in schools typically include: falls from height slips and trips on site transport movements asbestos management construction and maintenance activities manual handling Legionella Stress

Making sensible and proportionate arrangements for Health and Safety Goldilocks Principle Not too much Not too little Just the right balance

Sensible health and safety management the school leadership team understand the safety policy and apply it practically to the real risks in the school key staff have clearly established roles and responsibilities

Sensible health and safety management school leaders consult with staff including employee / trade union safety representatives – looking for practical solutions to health and safety issues

Risk assessment – noun or verb? ‘Assessment of risk’ ‘Risk assessment’ Verb Thinking process Research, conclusions, decisions Record Noun Pile of paper Tick boxes Sums – consequence x likelihood

Employer responsible for making sure that risks, particularly the risks to staff and pupils, are managed so far as is reasonably practicable. employer’s health and safety functions are often delegated to members of staff in the school – often the head teacher overall legal accountability remains the responsibility of the employer.

Failing to reach a sensible balance  

Case Studies Essex school fined after refurbishment disturbs asbestos Brentwood School fined after worker fell from roof Devon School caretaker died after falling from 'stage prop' ladder

Health and safety myths Shredded paper banned in lucky dips School children must wear long sleeves and hats in sun Parents banned from saying goodbye in playground

HSE website links http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/index.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/asbestos.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/index.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/index.htm

More HSE website links http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/index.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/faq-manhand.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/index.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/index.htm

DfE / EFA Information https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-and-safety-advice-for-schools https://www.gov.uk/guidance/essential-school-maintenance-a-guide-for-schools https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asbestos-management-in-schools--2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asbestos-data-collection-in-schools