Schools are a busy environment to work in. From children running around and playing, to teenagers that don’t always listen - it can be difficult to monitor and maintain Health & Safety.
Failure to do so can mean an employee, or even a pupil, is injured. As a result, you might face legal proceedings and financial damages.
In this guide, we'll outline what your Health & Safety responsibilities are, common hazards in schools, and who should monitor them. Peninsula provides expert Health & Safety support for your education setting, contact us today to see how we can help your business.
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What is Health & Safety in schools?
Schools, like all workplaces, must comply with Health & Safety legislation. This helps to protect employees and students from harm, as well as reduce the risk of public health incidents occurring.
For example, if you fail to implement a Health & Safety policy, the likelihood that you will be able to manage health and safety effectively will be low. As a result, staff or pupils might be seriously injured.
What is the Health & Safety law in schools?
The Health & Safety law schools must comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974). This piece of legislation sets out minimum H&S standards for employers.
The government Health & Safety advice for schools also outlines a common law duty school staff have - which is to take care of each child in the same way a parent would.
What are the responsibilities of schools under the Health & Safety at Work Act?
Under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974), employers have a duty to protect the welfare of:
Teachers and other staff.
Pupils.
Visitors.
Volunteers.
Contractors.
This includes in-school activities and out-of-school activities, such as school trips.
Health & Safety policy & risk assessments
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) requires schools to have a Health & Safety policy in place. This document determines the Health & Safety duties of your staff, as well as detailing arrangements for Health & Safety matters specific to the organisation.
Peninsula's in-house experts created this free Health & Safety policy template to make legal compliance more efficient.
Employers in the education sector are also required to assess the risk of harm occurring in their school by using Health & Safety risk assessments. The content of the assessment will depend on the environment or task you are assessing.
Remember, you must review your risk assessments annually, or whenever there are changes to equipment or work processes.
We have even created a free risk assessment for schools template, for you to download and use when required.
What are some Health & Safety risks in a school setting?
There are several Health & Safety risks a classroom can pose. For example, those studying in science labs are more at risk of being burned when using Bunsen burners.
Let's take a look at some other risks in the classroom:
Equipment
To avoid equipment causing injury, it needs to be ensured that any equipment used is subject to regular formal inspections as well as pre use visual inspections. Staff should be aware of a clear process for reporting faulty equipment and should know to take it out of use.
Slips, trips and falls
One of the most common injuries in any workplace is slips, trips and falls. They can cause minor and major injuries.
Slips and trips at schools could be caused by spillages, loose cables, unsuitable footwear, poor housekeeping or poor lighting.
Asbestos
Asbestos might also be a risk within your school premises. Asbestos is a natural mineral found in old buildings, which might include your school - depending on when it was built. It can cause respiratory issues, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma (a type of lung cancer).
Asbestos is a natural mineral incorporated into building materials, known as Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs). Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, so any building dating from before then may be at risk.
Fire
Another common risk in schools is the risk of fire occurring and spreading. This can be the result of several factors, including:
Faulty electrics
Neglecting upgrades
Heating and cooking systems
It is vital that your premises has a fire risk assessment in place, and that it has been completed by a competent fire risk assessor. Adhering to fire safety and regulations and standards is paramount.
Access to competent Health & Safety advice
All employers are required either have a Health & Safety expert employed - or have a formal arrangement for access to competent Health & Safety advice.
Control measures
Control measures are any action that is taken to either remove a hazard or reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
For example, a control measure for workplace transport is imposing a site speed limit and displaying signage. This does not remove the risk of moving vehicles entirely, but it does reduce the risk of harm by reducing the speed.
Health & Safety training
Health & Safety training is a key requirement of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Provision of training will best equip your employees to help you implement and promote good health and safety practices. This training might include:
First aid
Emergency procedures
Health & Safety awareness
FAQs: What are the key Health & Safety risks in schools?
Who is responsible for Health & Safety in schools?
Overall, the responsibility of managing Health & Safety in schools lies with the employer of school staff. This is usually the governing body or local authority of the area. However, the day-to-day running of health & safety management is typically monitored by the school management team.
However, Health & Safety legislation does not only focus on the employer. Employees have their own responsibilities for the safety of themselves and the people they work with. From your teaching assistants to your department heads - everyone should be well-versed in keeping themselves and others safe.
What are the roles and responsibilities of a Health & Safety officer in schools?
The role and responsibilities of a school Health & Safety officer vary. But mostly, they develop, review, and implement safety procedures related to school safety. This includes the development, implementation and review of:
Health & Safety policy.
Fire safety policy.
Risk assessments.
Does Ofsted look at Health & Safety?
Whilst Ofsted doesn’t specifically carry out Health & Safety checks, they will report schools that don't comply with statutory regulations.
For example, if your school doesn't appear to comply with Health & Safety legislation, they could report you to the Health & Safety Executive - who could investigate the school to ensure you’re fulfilling your legal responsibility.
How Peninsula can help you with Health & Safety in schools
Our Health & Safety experts give you the help and advice you need to pass every school inspection. No matter your concerns, or risks present in your workplace, we can ensure your Health & Safety compliance.
You can speak to a consultant whenever you like, get professional support when performing risk assessments, and enjoy watertight documentation written by a team of experts.
We have even created a risk assessments for schools template, for you to download and use when required.
Get expert advice on Health & Safety in schools from Peninsula
If you work in education, you must ensure your employees and pupils operate in a safe and healthy environment. This means outlining your Health & Safety policy, appointing a competent person, and implementing control measures.
Failure to ensure your own Health & Safety is managed effectively could result in staff and pupils suffering serious injury at school. As a result, you might face legal proceedings and financial costs.
Peninsula offers expert advice on Health & Safety matters in schools. Our teams provide 24/7 Health & Safety advice which is available 365 days a year. We take care of everything when you work with our Health & Safety experts.
Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with a Health & Safety consultant today.
