Safety Statement

Introduction

The Board of Management of Scoil Naomh Buithe recognises the importance of the legislation enacted in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.

This Safety Statement sets out the Safety Policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Naomh Buithe and the means to achieve that policy. The Board of

Management’s objectives are to endeavour to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all our employees and pupils and to meet our duties to members of the public with whom we come in contact.

This policy requires the cooperation of all employees.

It is our intention to undertake regular reviews of the statement in the light of experience, changes in legal requirements and operational changes.

The Board of Management will undertake to carry out a safety audit annually and report to staff. This inspection/safety audit will be carried out more frequently if requested by either staff or Board of Management. Health and Safety will be an item on every BoM meeting agenda.

All records of accidents or ill health will be monitored to ensure that any safety measures required can be put in place, wherever possible, to minimise the recurrence of such accidents and ill health.

Statement of general policy

The Board of Management will ensure that, in so far as it is reasonably practicable, the highest standards of safety shall prevail and that, at a minimum, the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 are applied.

Specifically, the Board of Management is committed to providing all information, instruction, training, supervision and other resources necessary to provide:

• A safe place of work
• Safe plant and machinery
• Safe systems at work
• Safe access and egress

It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Naomh Buithe to:

• Appoint only competent people to work in the school.
• Consult with staff in the preparation and completion of the Health and Safety Statement and provide for the selection of a Staff Safety Representative.
• Review the training requirements of staff in relation to Health, Safety and Welfare at work.
• Give a copy of the Safety Statement to all present and future staff and bring relevant sections to the attention of other persons who may be exposed to specific risks, e.g. contractors carrying out work in the school.
• Make available the Safety Statement to all students, parents/guardians and visitors to the school.
• Make available any additional information or instructions that become available regarding Health, Safety and Welfare at work not contained in this document.

The Safety Statement should be read in conjunction with other school policies,

including the school’s Code of Behaviour, Child Safeguarding Statement, Anti-Bullying policy, Critical Incident policy, Accident/Injury policy and the Administration of Medicines policy.

Key Responsibilities:

A safety committee has been formed, and includes the following:

First Aid supplies in the three First Aid kits are monitored regularly by Cassie Brady, and are replenished as necessary. Accident/incident records are kept on file in the main office, and these are monitored regularly by Peter Woods and the principal Anne Phillips. Most staff have attended a basic first aid course in March 2019, and a record is kept in the main office. Some staff have attended Fetac approved occupational First Aid training. Many staff have also attended defibrillator training.

Employee assistance & well being programme

Freephone Helpline 1800 411 057

For Teachers and Special Needs Assistants.

EAP Consultants (branded as Inspire Wellbeing) are the current providers of the Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Services which includes a free confidential service accessible by means of a free phone telephone helpline available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing counselling on a range of personal health and wellbeing issues given by qualified clinicians. Up to 6 face-to-face counselling sessions are available to provide supportive and solution-focused care based on an individual’s clinical needs.

The telephone service also provides specialist information, support and advice in relation to family, financial, legal, work-related and consumer information services as well as providing management support.

Duties of employees

1. It is the duty of every employee while at work to:
   • Take reasonable care for his/her safety, health and welfare and that of any person who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions while at work and not to be under the influence of any intoxicant to the extent that they endanger their own or others health and safety.
   • Cooperate with his/her employer and any other person to such an extent as will enable his/her employer or the other person to comply with any of the relevant statutory provisions.
   • Use in such a manner so as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or anything provided (whether for his/her use alone or for use by him/her in common with others) for securing his/her safety, health and welfare while at work.
   • Report to the Board of Management, through the Principal, without unreasonable delay any defects in plant, equipment, place of work, or system of work which might endanger safety, health, or welfare of which he/she becomes aware. If it’s a simple matter like a spillage that cleaners or caretakers can remedy immediately then the matter can be reported directly to them without the need for further reporting.
2. As well as familiarising themselves with the Safety Statement, staff should:
   • Not attempt to lift or move, without adequate assistance, heavy articles or materials likely to cause injury.
   • Not attempt to reach items on high shelves unless using steps or a properly designated hop-up and not to improvise or climb.
   • It is school policy that all of its workplaces are smoke-free and that all employees have a right to work in a smoke-free environment. Smoking is prohibited throughout the entire workplace with no exceptions. This policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors and visitors.
   • Warn other employees of known hazards.
   • Know and comply with the school’s Safety Statement with regard to visitors.
   • Advise the Principal as soon as is practical when they become aware of any issue, medical or otherwise, that might be relevant to or impact on their work.
3. In carrying out their duties, staff should:
   • Ensure adequate supervision of pupils at all times. Report promptly for yard duty, as per the rota for lunch and break times supervision, and take all reasonable steps to ensure that play and activity is within school rules. At break/lunch time pupils all go out together as close to the bell as possible, and no children remain inside in the lobby other than those with a written note for medical reasons, or those who have been assigned detention as per the school’s Code of Behaviour.
   • Record anything other than a minor incident on an Accident/Incident Form, and return to the Principal before the end of the day.

Accidents/Injuries in the yard

Minor Accident/Injury

The injured party is initially looked after by the teacher on yard duty, with the help of other adults present in the yard. If deemed necessary, the class teacher will be called. No medicines are administered, but cuts are cleaned with antiseptic wipes and/or water, and bandages/plasters are applied if deemed appropriate. The use of plastic gloves is advised at all times. Ice packs are also used, as appropriate. Parents are notified if considered necessary. Parents are always notified about a bump on the head no matter how minor.

If for any reason parents/guardians do not wish their child to be treated for minor accidents/injuries, they should inform the school in writing of same. In that event they will be contacted at home or at work and asked to attend to their child should the need arise.

More Serious Accidents/Injuries

Parents are kept informed of a developing situation.

If considered safe to do so, the injured party is taken inside. Parents/guardians are immediately informed, particularly if there is a suspicion of broken bones, or head or eye injuries. The child is kept under intense observation until parents /guardians arrive, with the emphasis on making the child as comfortable and as settled as possible. Parents are kept informed of a developing situation.

Very Serious Injuries

In the event of a very serious injury, parents/guardians are immediately contacted. If the considered opinion of the staff is that immediate professional help is required, an ambulance is called. Parents are kept informed of developing situations.

Accident reporting

When staff (or members of the public on school property) are involved in anything other than a minor accident/incident, an Accident/Incident Report Form should be completed before the end of the day and returned to the Principal. (See appendices 1, 2 and 3). A log will be kept of all accidents, and this will be examined regularly by the Staff Safety Representative and the Principal to see if there are any trends.

A report must be made to the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) in respect of the following types of incident (IR1 and IR3 forms available at www.hsa.ie):

• An accident causing loss of life to any employed or self-employed person if sustained in the course of their employment.
• An accident sustained in the course of their employment which prevents any employed or self-employed person from performing the normal duties of their employment for more than 3 calendar days not including the date of the accident.
• An accident to any person not at work caused by a work activity which causes loss of life or requires medical treatment.
• N.B. If a student is injured in the school or during any school-related activity and requires medical treatment by a registered medical practitioner this is reportable.
• Records of all accidents which occur will be retained for a period of 10 years.

Hazards

All staff will be asked to complete a Hazard Control Form annually to be returned to the Safety Representative/Officer or the Principal. (See appendix 4). Some hazards can be rectified but others remain constant.

Hazards that can be rectified or minimised will be dealt with as a matter of urgency. Those that cannot will be clearly indicated and appropriate procedures listed beside them.

The Board of Management in consultation with the employees will review and make recommendations on the elimination of hazards.

Specific Hazards

FIRE

It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Naomh Buithe that:

• A Fire register is maintained.
• The supply of fire extinguishers complies with fire regulations and staff are instructed in their use.
• All fire equipment and alarms are clearly identified, unobstructed and regularly serviced.
• Fire drills take place regularly, at least twice a year.
• All staff are made aware of evacuation plans and these are posted in each room.
• Exit signs are clearly visible and assembly areas are designated and clearly signed outside the building.
• Where practical, electrical equipment is unplugged or turned off outside school hours.
• There is a sign-in and sign-out system in place in the school for all adults (staff and visitors). Those leaving the school should let the office know and sign out.
• Pupils must be signed out by parents if leaving during the school day.
• Teachers to mark attendance daily on a laminated sheet (in addition to Aladdin) and to bring that sheet out when evacuating their class.
• If a teacher is absent and a class is split for the day, attendance for the split class will be taken by the secretary and recorded on a laminated sheet to be taken outside in the event of a fire/fire drill.
• Safest thing is to always presume the fire alarm is for real and evacuate the building. Remain outside until you are told by the Principal to return inside.
• If the alarm goes off at lunchtime the teachers on supervision evacuate the classrooms for which they are responsible. The supervising teachers should pick up the laminated roll call sheet in each class and bring it with them. Teachers in the staffroom should exit the building by the front door and proceed to the assembly point.
• Special Education Teachers should exit the building by their nearest exit. If they have children in their rooms these children must be brought to their own class line up.
• People who are checking the assembled class lists do so as a roll call.
• Checklist for Adult Assembly is to be brought out by school secretary Dorothy.

OTHER HAZARDS

CAR PARK

• Motorists are asked to drive slowly and with due care.
• No pedestrians are allowed enter through car park gate.
• Extreme care is urged in the vicinity of the electric gates.

CORRIDORS/WALKWAYS

• All corridors and walkways are kept clear of obstructions and are adequately lit.
• Spills are cleaned up immediately.
• Because of the danger of scalds, spills and slippages, under no circumstances can drinks be taken out of the staff room unless a travel mug with a proper lid is used.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

• Electrical equipment is only to be used by adults, or under adult supervision, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and safety procedures. (Kettles should only be used by adults).
• Extreme caution is to be exercised if there are trailing cables. Leads are to be kept tidy and checked regularly and all equipment is to be stored securely.

CHEMICALS

• All chemicals, detergents etc., are stored in clearly identifiable containers, bearing instructions and precautions for their use, and these are kept in a locked cleaner’s press in Room 13 or a locked shed at the back of the school.
• Protection is provided to be used when handling dangerous chemicals, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Under no circumstance will non-prescribed medicines be either stored or administered in the school.
• Prescribed medications will only be administered to pupils on receipt of a written request by parents and with Board of Management approval.
• Parents are responsible for the provision of medication and notification of change of dosage.
• With the exception of medication held for emergency situations, medicines are generally not stored on the school premises overnight. However, a small quantity of prescription drugs will be stored in the main office if a child requires self-administering on a daily basis and parents have requested storage facilities.
• If a pupil suffers from acute asthma, parents will be asked to ensure that the child understands fully how to operate an inhaler (a spare if needed to be given to the teacher).
• Where applicable, the Anapen is to be administered as per instructions should the need arise. It should not be kept by the pupil, but in the teacher’s press out of reach of all pupils.
• See Administration of Medicines policy.

STRESS

• Every effort will be made to reduce work related stress by making sure there are positive relations at work and all employees are aware that adult bullying / harassment is not acceptable and, should it occur, INTO/CPSMA guidelines for dealing with it will be followed. Disciplinary procedures are outlined in DES Circular 60/2009.
• If any employee feels at risk from, or threatened by, a particular person on

school property, this must be drawn to the Board of Management’s attention. The Board of Management will undertake to ensure that, in such circumstances, all appropriate measures will be taken to protect employees.

• An Employee Assistance Service (EAS) is provided for teachers and their immediate family members with access to confidential counselling to assist in coping with personal and/or work issues. Freephone Helpline 1800 411 057

Ratification, communication, monitoring and review

This policy was ratified at a BOM meeting on 25^th March 2019. It will be communicated to staff by email, and also saved on the staff server, and it will be available to parents and the school community on the school website. It will be reviewed annually.

Signed by: Chairperson BOM