Health and safety policy
Overarching HCC policy as the employer
Model health and safety statement for schools
This document provides a customisable template to assist schools in producing a written health and safety policy.
The model policy is based upon Hertfordshire County Council’s criteria for schools where it is the employer, it’s for the Governing Body / Board of Trustees of Foundation, VA and Academy schools to determine whether to adopt such arrangements.
Schools should ensure the policy is customised to fit their individual circumstances.
Significant customisation will be required for those schools where the Local Authority (LA) is not the employer (VA, Foundation, Academy etc.)
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, it is the duty of an employer to maintain an up-to-date written statement of health and safety, this general policy must be complemented by a local H&S policy that reflects the school’s arrangements and risks.
Adapting the model policy is the best way of complying with the LA’s Health and Safety Policy, demonstrating compliance with statutory duties could be difficult in the absence of a school policy.
The H&S policy should be signed and dated by the head teacher / chair of governors.
The main points required in a Health and Safety Policy Statement are:
Part 1 Statement of Intent
Outlining your commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for all users of the establishment: - staff, pupils, visitors and contractors.
Part 2 Organisation (roles and responsibilities)
The organisation section should describe the roles and responsibilities of key personnel, for example:
- Governors
- Headteacher
- those with responsibility for specific areas or activities which may have been delegated to them e.g. Heads of Department, Deputy Heads, School Business Managers, Site Managers, Caretakers etc.
- other employees (both teaching and non-teaching) and any volunteers
The procedures for joint management / employee consultation should be detailed. It should be decided whether you require a safety committee (this is unlikely to be the case in smaller establishments) Where a committee exists, its purpose, membership and functions should be briefly outlined.
It is recommended that Health and Safety is included as a standing agenda item at relevant staff, leadership or team meetings, to ensure effective communication and staff involvement.
Part 3 Arrangements
The arrangements section details the school’s local procedures for controlling significant risks and makes clear any specific roles and responsibilities in managing these.
The model policy details as appendices some of the key areas for which local arrangements may be required and these should be adapted to reflect local circumstances and risk profiles.
DfE Health and Safety: advice for schools provides further information on areas for inclusion in a school health and safety policy.
Governors should take reasonable steps to ensure that they are kept informed of the County Council's advice and guidance on health and safety matters.
It is recommended that Health and Safety is a regular item on the agenda of either a full meeting of the governing/senior management body or an appropriate sub-committee of governors (e.g. Premises, Resources etc).
Schools will need to review and amend where necessary their Health and Safety policy and best practice is for this to be carried out annually (in line with HSE and DfE best practice).
Once completed the policy should be communicated to all staff (teaching and support staff) and be linked to the induction of all new staff.