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 have an up to date written statement of health and safety, this general policy must be complemented by a school policy statement.
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 safety 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 healthy and safe 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 small establishments and primary schools) where such a committee exists, then briefly describe its constitution and functions within the policy.
It is recommended that Health and Safety is included as a standing agenda item at relevant staff/team meetings. This enables you to demonstrate communication lines are in place enabling staff to participate in health and safety.
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, depending on the nature of the risks not all may be relevant.
DfE Health and Safety: advice for schools provides further information on areas for inclusion in a school health and safety policy.
Governors are required to take 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).
Establishments will need to review and amend where necessary their Health and Safety policy from time to time. It is recommended that a review be carried out annually. (The legislation requires this is done no longer than every 2 years)
Once completed the policy should be communicated to all staff (teaching and support staff) and be linked to the induction of all new staff.