Health & Safety Policy

Named Hazards and Risks: The following hazards (in so much as can be identified) are considered by the Board of Management to be a source of potential danger and are brought to the attention of all concerned.
Controls Required: To minimise these dangers the following safety/ protective measures must be adhered to (see duties of employee pages 1-2 of this document):

Hazard Named Hazard Risk Controls Required No

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St. Mary’s NS, Grace Park Road, Athlone February 2024

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St. Mary’s NS, Grace Park Road, Athlone February 2024

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St. Mary’s NS, Grace Park Road, Athlone February 2024

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17. Trailing leads Injury from ● Cables are ran tight slip/trip/fall to the wall to avoid

trips and falls.

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St. Mary’s NS, Grace Park Road, Athlone February 2024

30. Inclement weather Congestion in ● Staff and class 15 | Page

St. Mary’s NS, Grace Park Road, Athlone February 2024

31. Uneven surface in Injury from ● Supervision of Junior Infant green slip/trip/fall pupils at all times play area.

Furthermore, to minimise dangers in the school, the following safety/ protective measures must be adhered to:

(a) Precautionary notices, in respect of safety matters are displayed at relevant points.

(b) Avoid use of glass bottles where possible by pupils. Remove broken glass immediately on discovery

(c) Board of Management will check that floors are clean, even, non-slip and splinter-proof.

(d) An annual routine for inspecting furniture, floors, apparatus, equipment and fittings. Board of Management Safety Officer and Staff Safety Representative. (e)Check that there are no uneven/broken/cracked paving slabs. Caretaker under

Board of Management.
(f) Check that roofs, guttering, drain pipes etc as far as can be seen are sound and well maintained. Board of Management Safety Officer.
(g) Teachers check that manholes are safe.
(h) Check that all play areas, especially sand pits, are kept clean and free from glass before use.

9. (i)  Check that outside lighting works and is sufficient. Board of Management.

10. (j)  Check that all builder’s materials, caretakers’ maintenance equipment, external

    stores etc are stored securely. Principal and Board of Management Safety Officer.

Constant Hazards

It is the policy of the Board of Management of St Mary’s Primary School that machinery, kitchen equipment and electrical appliances are to be used only by competent and authorised persons. Such appliances and equipment will be subject to regular maintenance checks.

Operation of plant/equipment

(a) Access to and operation of plant/equipment is restricted to qualified members of the staff, whose job function is that of running, maintaining, cleaning and monitoring particular items of plant in the course of their normal duties. Copies of this Safety Statement will be sent to all contractors prior to contract by the Principal/Board of Management. Any other contractors entering the school must be shown a copy of the schools Safety Statement and shall adhere to its provisions.

(b) In addition, all such plant and machinery is to be used in strict accordance with the manufactures instructions and recommendations.

(c) Where applicable Board of Management will ensure that members of the staff will have been instructed in the correct use of plant, machinery and equipment.

(d) All machinery and electrical equipment are fitted with adequate safeguards.

Electrical Appliances

Arrangements will be made for all appliances to be checked on a regular basis at least annually by a competent person (i.e.) maintenance person, the supplier or his agent. Before using any appliance, the user should check that:

• All safety guards which are a normal part of the appliance are in working order

• Power supply cables/leads are in tact and free of cuts or abrasions.

• Unplug leads of appliances when not in use.

• Suitable undamaged fused plug tops are used and fitted with the correct fuse.

• Follow official guidelines issued by the Health and Safety Authority.

  Chemicals

  It is the policy of the Board of Management of St Mary’s Primary School that all chemicals, photocopier toner, detergents etc be stored in clearly identifiable containers bearing instructions and precautions for their use and shall be kept in a locked area, and protection provided to be used when handling them. (Secretary/Cleaner/Principal where appropriate).

  Drugs and Medication

  It is the policy of the Board of Management of St Mary’s Primary School that all drugs, medications, etc be kept in a secure cabinet, locked at all times and the key kept in a separate and secure place and used only by trained and authorised personnel.

  Welfare

  To ensure the continued welfare of the staff and children, toilet and cloakroom areas are provided. A Staffroom separate from the work area is provided, where tea and lunch breaks may be taken. Staff must co-operate in maintaining a high standard of hygiene in this area.

  A high standard of hygiene must be achieved at all times. Adequate facilities for waste disposal must be available. An adequate supply of hot and cold water, towels and soap and sanitary disposal facilities must be available.

Members of staff and students are reminded:

(a) A person who is under medical supervision or on prescribed medication and who has been certified fit for work, should notify the school of any known side effect or temporary physical disabilities which could hinder their work performance and which may be a danger to either themselves or their fellow workers. The school will arrange or assign appropriate tasks for the person to carry out in the Interim.

(b) Staff and students are not allowed to attend the premises or carry out duties whilst under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol. Any person found breaking this rule will be liable to disciplinary action.

Highly Polished Floors

It is the policy of the Board of Management of St Mary’s Primary School that every attempt will be made to avoid the creation of slippery surfaces. The washing of floors shall be conducted, as far as is possible, after school hours to eliminate as far as possible, the danger of slipping. Where floors are wet, warning signs regarding wet floors shall be used. Attention is drawn to the possibility of outside floors and surfaces being affected by frost in cold weather, and staff and pupils shall be told to use handrails when going up or down stairs. Step edges shall be fitted with clearly marked edges of a non-slip nature wherever practical.

Smoking

It is the policy of the Board of Management of St Mary’s Primary School that the school shall be a non-smoking area to avoid hazard to staff and pupils of passive smoking. The school also has a no vaping policy.

Broken Glass

The Board of Management shall minimise the danger arising from broken glass. Staffs are asked to report broken glass to the Principal so that it may be immediately removed.

Visual Display Units

It is the policy of the Board of Management of St Mary’s Primary School that the advice contained in the guidelines on the safe operation of visual display units, issued by the Health and Safety Authority be carefully followed. Any up-to-date information regarding hazards relating to the use of VDU’s will be studied and recommendations and directives implement

Infectious Diseases

It is the policy of the Board of Management of St Mary’s Primary School that all infectious diseases shall be notified and steps taken to ensure the safety of staff and students against all such diseases. The Board of Management will endeavour to minimise the risk by adherence to sound principals of cleanliness, hygiene and disinfection and have provided disposable gloves for use in all First Aid applications, cleaning tasks, etc. Toilets and washrooms shall be provided at all times with an adequate supply of water, soap, towels and a facility for the safe disposal of waste.

First Aid

It is the policy of the Board of Management of St Mary’s Primary School that a member of staff shall be trained to provide First Aid to staff and pupils.

(1)Notices are posted in office detailing:

•  arrangements for giving first aid,

• location of first aid boxes,

• Procedure of calling ambulances etc….,

• Telephone numbers of local Doctor, Gardaí, and Hospital.

  (2) All incidents, no matter how trivial and whether to employees or to students or to members of the public must be reported immediately to the person responsible for the hazard identified in the Statement or in the event that the accident/incident occurs in any other place to which that paragraph dealing with hazards does not relate to the Safety Officer. This is necessary to monitor the progress of safety standards and to ensure that the proper medical attention is given where required. An Accident Report File is to be maintained for the recording of all accidents and incidents by the Safety Officer.

  Safety Officer will see that there will be maintained in the school a properly equipped First Aid Box available to staff at all times containing:

• sticking plasters

• Anti-histamine for Stings, etc.

• Tape

• Disinfectant (e.g.) Savlon

• Eye lotion (e.g.) Optrex

• Antiseptic cream

• Cotton Bandage

• Cream for First Aid treatment of Burns

• Antiseptic Wipes

• Scissors

• First Aid Chart

  Disposable gloves must be used at all times in administering First Aid

  Access to School

  In as much as is compatible with the practical layout of the school premises, anyone entering the school premises shall be required to identify themselves to the Principal or the Secretary as relevant before gaining admittance to the school. Any contractor must make direct contact with the Principal before initiating any work on the premises and shall be shown a copy of the safety statement applying to the school and shall agree to its provisions.

  While work is in progress, any noise shall be avoided wherever possible during school hours and shall at all times be reduced to the minimum necessary. The contractor and his workmen shall not create any hazard, permanent or temporary, without informing the principal or his nominated agent and shall mark such hazard with warning signs or other suitable protection.

(1) All parent/guardians/carers in the interest of safety must obey all signs upon entering the school grounds.

(2) Parents must contact school office in first instance and not go directly to classroom

(3) Cars are not permitted to drive into the school grounds when collecting children.

(4) Those parking outside the school grounds are advised to accompany children to and from the school premises.

SAFETY REPRESENRATIVE

A safety representative may:
1. Make representations to an employer on any aspect of safety, health and welfare at the place of work.

2. Make oral or written representation to inspectors on matters of safety, health and welfare to work.

3. Receive advice and information from inspectors on matters of safety, health and welfare at work.

4. Attend in service courses to keep abreast of change.

Note: It shall be the duty of every employer to inform a Safety Representative when an inspector enters a place of work for the purpose of making a tour of inspection.

The inspector referred to above, is from the Health and Safety Authority, Pearse St., Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Revision of This Safety Statement

This statement shall be regularly revised by the Board of Management of St Mary’s Primary School in accordance with experience and the requirements of the Health and Safety Act and the Health and Safety Authority.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Management:
Chairman: ________________________ Date:__________
Principal: ________________________ Date:___________
Safety Officer: ____________________ Date:________Nominee of BOM Safety Officer: ____________________ Date:________Nominee of staff

Policy statement in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989

Safety Officer: Ailish Mc Manus

Staff Nominee: Mark Lennon

Prepared by representatives of the Board of Management, in consultation with parents and teachers in accordance with the safety, Health and Welfare Act at Work Act 2005