Scoil Naomh Anna

Health and Safety Policy

1.The Board of Management as employers are committed to securing a work place that is a safe and healthy as possible.

2.A written copy of this Safety Statement will be provided for the Safety Representative and all members of teaching, SNA, cleaning and maintenance staff and any other individuals involved in voluntary work in the school, recognised by the Board of Management. A further copy of same will be available on file in both the Principal’s Office and Staff Room.

3.The general duties of the B.O.M. as employers are to ensue, as far as is reasonably practicable: -
(a)A safe place to work;
(b)Safe means of access and egress;
(c)Provisions of appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision;
(d)Preparation and revision of emergency plans e.g. fire drill; prevention of risk to health from any article of substance e.g. cleaning fluids;
(e)Provision and maintenance of welfare facilities e.g. First Aid Box;
(f)Provision, where necessary, of a competent person to advise and assist in securing the safety, health and welfare of employees.

Hazards
In attempting to secure points (a) to (g) above, the following hazards should, if possible, be eliminated: -
(a)Areas where slipping, tripping or falling may occur, (e.g. playground, indoor steps, outdoor steps) should be kept clean and tidy – free of obstacles. Spills, glass breakages, excess of stones in yard etc., should be tidied away when not in use. Due care should be taken when using boiling water and scientific equipment. No child is ever asked to carry or handle hot water or vessels containing hot liquids. Adequate lighting, both inside and out, will be provided as far as is practicable. Tool Shed and Boiler House should be kept locked, other than for access by authorised adults. All appliances will be checked regularly.

(b)Adequate ‘Exit’ signs will be displayed throughout the school. There are seven (7) exists to the school, all of which should be kept clear at all times.

(c)Secretarial, maintenance and teaching staff will be informed as to the location and safe means of operation and storage or relevant equipment in the school e.g. polishers, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers etc. Sufficient fire hydrants and equipment for cleaning spillages will be provided and their location and usage will be explained to all members of staff.
(d)Regular fire drills will be held in the school at intervals to ensure that all employees are trained in fire drill procedure – following procedures must be followed in the event of a fire or fire drill:
Fire alarm sounded,
All work stops immediately,
Each teacher takes roll - book,
Children leave the classroom first, followed by the teacher who will have checked the toilets;
Each class goes out the nearest exit to pre-arranged location in yard area;
The same procedure with regard to leaving the school should be followed by all other employees,
A head count and roll call are then performed,
The Principal will then hold a head count of all teaching, cleaning secretarial and maintenance staff.

(e)All staff will be informed as to the location, safe usage and storage of potentially toxic substances, e.g. cleaning fluids, petrol for lawn mower, etc. Rubber gloves, goggles and dust masks will be made available for caretaker or cleaners and should be worn when tasks warrant.

(f)Telephone numbers of local doctor, fire brigade, Gardaí and Ambulance will be displayed beside the telephone. A First Aid Box with basic equipment will be provided, along with surgical gloves.

(g)At times deemed appropriate by the B.O.M., outside safety experts (e.g. fire officers, members of Order of Malta and Gardaí) will be invited to address the staff and advise them on safety, health and welfare. All pupils will be instructed in the “Safe Cross Code” and all senior children will be invited to participate in a Cycle Training Course. SPHE/RSE will be taught in all classes from school year 1999 / 2000.

If a hazard is identified, the risk element will be assessed and necessary arrangements will be made to protect safety and health. Control measures and safeguards will be put into effect. Co-operation of staff will be required to enable the employer to comply with the law. Employees are required to report to either the Safety Representative or the employer (B.O.M.), any defects in plant, equipment, place or system of work, which might endanger health and safety.

Safety Rules For Pupils
Pupils are instructed:
1.Never to run in school building.
2.To walk on the right hand side of the corridor
3.To open doors for adults and those carrying or moving heavy objects.
4.Never to enter the school building before 8.50 a.m., after school hours or during break times, without the express permission of Teacher in charge or the Principal.
5.All pupils must walk through the school grounds on arrival and departure.
6.Cyclists must dismount and walk their cycles to and from entry gates.
7.Pupils must use pedestrian gate only and never cross the Car Park or use Car Park gates.
8.Long hair should be tied back for P.E. / Sports’ activities.
9.Only stud earrings should be worn.

Break Times
Pupils play in Junior and Senior Yards during break times (weather permitting) unless they are involved in some supervised extra curricular activity, during such times in school building. One teacher and one classroom assistant will be on duty in each yard during break times. When break ends – bell is rung and pupils line up in an orderly fashion until their teacher comes to collect them.

Wet Day Arrangements
Pupils will remain inside their classes during lunchtime on wet days and should be instructed to spend their time usefully – reading, board games, schoolwork etc. They should remain seated and reasonably quiet. An extra teacher (3 in total and 2 classroom assistants will be on duty on such days.

Pupils should never be asked to leave school grounds to undertake messages for Teachers. They will not be allowed to leave school grounds before school closing time without request from Parents or Guardians.

In the case of an Accident
An Incident Book is available in the Staff Room, into which all relevant details of any accident or incident, which causes concern, will be entered and signed by teacher in charge and Principal. A well stocked First Aid Box and a simple First Aid Book will be available in the Secretary's Office. In the event of a serious injury, the pupil will be made as comfortable as possible, parents will be informed, the injured person will be taken to St. Columcille's Hospital if removal there is deemed necessary and will be conveyed there b Ambulance if that seems appropriate.

Electrical and Motorised Equipment
All equipment will be inspected regularly and plugs examined. Pupils will not be allowed to handle mechanical or electrical equipment without prior approval and permission. The foregoing applies to the use of projectors, tape-recorders, photocopiers etc.

Lifting
To avoid accidents all pupils and employees will be reminded: -
(a) That the correct way to lift and carry is to lift with the legs and not the back,
(b) That if an object is too heavy, they must seek assistance before lifting,
(c) To remove obstructions before lifting, and clear a space where the load is to be set down,
(d) To bend knees to a crouching position with the back straight but not necessarily vertical,
(e) To use a firm grip with the palm of the hand and the roots of the fingers using the fingertips means more effort and more chance of dropping the object,
(f) To keep the arms close to the body so that the body takes the weight rather than the fingers, wrist or arm,
(g) To use gloves when handling sharp or slippery objects,
(h) To use mechanical aids if they are available and suitable.

Ladders
Ladders are the cause of many accidents. Caretakers and maintenance staff should note that:
(a) Straight ladders longer than 10 ft. should be secured at the top or secured at the base
(b) Faulty ladders should be removed from service immediately and repaired or replaced

Cookery Classes
Cookery classes will be supervised. The dangers of electricity will be emphasised.

Floors
(a) Floors will only be treated with non-slip emulsion polish.
(b) Mats will be placed permanently in immediate vicinity of potential wet areas i.e. at doors leading to play yards etc., 'Danger Wet Floor' signs should be displayed when floors are being mopped.

Doors
All exit doors, corridor doors and toilet doors are fitted with 'Non Slam' devices and security bars where deemed necessary.

Playgrounds
Playgrounds should be sound and level construction, without potholes or other tripping hazards.

Grassed Play Area
Grassed Play Areas should be free from protruding tree roots, rubbish i.e. Glass or large stones. Playing pitches should be safe and relatively level.

Shores etc.
Shores, drains, culverts, man-holes fire hydrants should not project above the level of the surrounding ground and should be securely covered and protected.

P.E. Equipment
P.E. Equipment should be checked regularly to ensure that it is safe. Defective equipment should be removed immediately and repaired or replaced.

Pond
Pond and rough area should be fenced off. Pupils will be instructed that these areas are out of bounds. Teachers may take their classes to visit the pond area on supervised visits.

Boiler House
Boiler house and Electrical rooms will be permanently locked. Pupils will be instructed not to enter them.

Desks etc.
Desks, chairs, fittings, furniture and other equipment shall be checked regularly to ensure that they are safe. Defective items should be removed immediately and repaired.

Staff
Each member of the Board of Management, teachers and all employees should be encouraged to consider themselves in the role of a Safety Officer.

It is the responsibility of the Safety Representative to ensure that this Safety Statement is:
1)Circulated
2)Understood
3)Implemented
4)Adhered to.

Revision
This Safety Statement will be reviewed and if necessary updated yearly. A copy will be provided to each member of staff at beginning of each school year.

Head Lice

Where headlice is detected in any classroom, a standard note is circulated to parents / guardians of all children in the class informing them of the problem.

The note outlines procedures to be followed in an effort to prevent the spread of the headlice and ultimately to eradicate the problem.