COLLEGE POLICIES

HEALTH AND SAFETY
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

General Guidelines

At Fine Arts College we endeavour to create a comfortable, civilised environment while at the same time observing the key elements of Health and Safety.

The college aims to:

1. Establish and maintain a safe environment throughout school premises for pupils, staff and visitors.
2. Establish and maintain safe working procedures among pupils and staff.
3. Maintain a safe and risk free means of access to and egress from school premises.
4. Ensure sufficient information, instruction and supervision is provided for all staff and pupils and to ensure staff and pupils have access to health and safety training as appropriate.
5. Implement necessary accident and emergency procedures including guidelines for the evacuation of school premises.
6. Ensure the safety of staff and pupils in the handling, transport and storage of articles and substances.

 

Responsibilities and duties

Responsibility of the Principals

The Principals have overall responsibility for implementing this policy within the college. In particular they will:

1. Monitor the effectiveness of the college health and safety policy and shall revise and amend it as necessary.
2. Ensure that all employees are aware of the college and departmental health and safety policies and procedures.
3. Ensure that all employees are aware of the accident reporting procedure.
4. implement an emergency evacuation procedure and arrange for periodic practice drills to take place and be recorded.
5. Identify an member of staff having direct responsibility for particular health and safety matters and any member of staff who is specifically delegated to assist the Principals in the management and implementation of health and safety.

Duties of the Person delegated to Assist in the Management of Health and Safety

The delegated person, Georgina Aldworth (College Administrator) shall:

1. Assist the Principals in the implementation, monitoring and development of the health and safety policy.
2. Investigate any specific health and safety problem identified and take recommended action.
3. Assist in carrying out regular safety inspections of the college and make recommendations.
4. Co-ordinate arrangements for the dissemination of information and for the instruction of employees, students, pupils and visitors on health and safety matters.

Staff Towards Pupils

All staff are responsible for the health and safety arrangements for any staff or students under their supervision. In particular they will take all reasonable steps to:

1. Exercise effective supervision over any staff or pupils they are responsible for.
2. Be aware of and implement health and safety practices.
3. Ensure that any equipment used are appropriate to use and meet acceptable health and safety standards.
4. Provide written job instructions, warning notices and signs as appropriate.
5. Provide appropriate protective clothing and safety equipment as necessary and ensure that these are used as required.
6. Investigate any accident and take appropriate action.

Any member of staff that considers action necessary should refer to the Principals.

Employees

All employees have a responsibility to:

1. Make themselves aware of all health and safety rules, procedures and safe working practices.
2. Ensure any tools or equipment are in good condition.
3. Use protective clothing and safety equipment provided and ensure they are kept in good condition.
4. Ensure that offices and general accommodation are kept tidy.
5. Ensure that any accidents and potential hazards are reported to the Principal.

Pupils

All pupils are expected to:

1. Exercise personal responsibility for personal safety.
2. Observe standards of dress consistent wit safety and/or hygiene.
3. Observe all college health and safety rules and in particular the instructions of teaching staff in the event of an emergency.
4. Not misuse, neglect or interfere with equipment provided for health and safety purposes.

Pupils are made aware of responsibilities through direct instructions and notices.

Visitors

Regular visitors and other users of school premises are expected to observe the health and safety rules of the college.

School Security

Fine Arts College recognises its responsibility for the implementation of security measures to ensure the personal safety of pupils, staff and visitors on school premises. The college recognises the benefits of a multi agency approach of those identified as taking a key role in school security including local Police and Fire services.

The college has implemented several effective school security solutions including CCTV and access control systems.

On Site Vehicle Movements

Non-essential vehicle movements are not allowed on site between the hours of 8.30am and 5pm or any time when pupils are present on site. An arrangement has been made with Camomile Restaurant to timetable arrival of deliveries which consider the pupils and staffs safety first. The current arrangement as follows:

Morning deliveries between 11:30am-12:30am
Afternoon deliveries between 3:30pm-4:30pm

In addition, any deliveries outside college hours before 8:30am and after 5:30pm week days and deliveries at any time during the weekend are fine.

Maintenance and Testing of Electrical Equipment

Portable Appliance Testing and fixed wire testing is carried out in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

Risk Assessments

All staff members responsible for risk assessments are made aware of guidance provided by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) Five Steps to Risk Assessment (2006)

Off-site Educational Visits

Please see Policy for Day Visits and Study Trips

Fire and Emergency Evacuation procedures

1. The college evacuation procedures are posted on student and tutors noticeboards and in other obvious areas of the college.
2. These procedures will be updated as appropriate.
3. A logbook for the recording and evaluation of practice and evacuation drills is available.

Fire prevention Equipment

The condition of all fire prevention equipment is regularly monitored; this includes visual inspection of fire extinguishers and the fire alarm system.

First Aid and Accident reporting Procedures

Fine Arts College provides qualified first aid personnel and appropriate equipment and facilities to enable the immediate treatment of casualties with common injuries or illnesses and those arising from specific hazards at school.

1. First aid Equipment and facilities are available in the staff room at Centre Studios, the office at 24 Lambolle Place and in the Photography room at 81b Belsize Park Gardens.
2. Qualified First Aiders are Anita George (Director of GCSE) and Craig Winchcombe (Head of Liberal Arts).
3. The Persons responsible for administering the accident reporting procedure is Georgina Aldworth (College Administrator) and Anita George (Director of GCSE). Accident reporting books can be found in the offices at Centre Studios and 24 Lambolle Place.
4. Arrangements for first aid for sports and educational visits are the responsibility of supervising staff.

Please also refer to First Aid Guide

This policy is reviewed annually and is available for inspection by staff or parents at any time on application to the Principal.