Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile

SAFETY STATEMENT - SHANBALLY N.S.


The Board of Management brings to the attention of its staff the following arrangements for safeguarding the safety, health and welfare of the pupils and those employed and working in the school.
This policy requires the co-operation of all employees. It shall be reviewed annually or more frequently if necessary, in light of experience, changes in legal requirements and operational changes. A safety audit shall be carried out annually by the Board of Management Safety Officers and a report made to staff. All records of accidents and ill- health will be monitored in order to ensure that any safety measures required, can be put in place to minimise the recurrence of such accidents and ill - health.

• The Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile, Corcaigh, wishes to ensure that as far as is reasonably practical:
• The design, provision and maintenance of all places in the school shall be safe and without risk to health
• There shall be safe access to and from places of work.
• Work systems shall be planned, organised, performed and maintained so as to be safe and without risk to health.
• Staff shall be instructed and supervised in so far as is reasonably possible so as to ensure the health and safety at work of its employees
• Protective clothing or equivalent shall be provided as is necessary to ensure the safety and health at work of its employees.
• Plans for emergencies shall be complied with and revised as necessary.
• The Board of Management will continually revise this statement as necessity arises, and shall be re-examined by The Board on at least an annual basis.
• Employees shall be consulted on matters of health and safety.
• The employees shall make provisions for the election of a Safety Officer.

The Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile recognises that its statutory obligations under legislation extend to employees, students, to any person legitimately conducting school business, and to the public.
The Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile undertakes to ensure that the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 are adhered to:
Duties of Employees
It is the duty of every employee while at work

• 1. To take reasonable care for his/her safety, health and welfare, and that of any persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions while at work
• 2. To co-operate with his/her employer and any other person to such extent as will enable his/her employer or other person to comply with any of the relevant statutory provisions.
• 3. To use in such manner so as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or thing provided (whether for his/her lone use or for use by him/her in common with others) for securing his/her safety, health or welfare at work.
• 4. To report to the Board Of Management without unreasonable delay, any defects in plant, equipment, place or work, or system of work, which might endanger safety, health of welfare of which he/ she becomes aware.

No person will intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse any appliance, protective clothing, convenience or other means or thing provided in pursuance or any relevant statutory provisions or other wise, for securing safety, health of welfare or persons arising out of work activities
Employees using available facilities and equipment provided, should ensure that work practices are performed in the safest manner possible (see section 9 of safety, health and wealth at Work Act 1989)
Consultation and information
It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile to give a copy of the safety statement to all present and future staff, and to convey any additional information or instructions regarding health, safety and welfare at work to all staff as it becomes available. Health, safety and welfare at work will be considered in any future staff training and development plans.
Hazards
Hazards shall be divided into two categories. Those that can be rectified will be dealt with as a matter of urgency. Those that cannot will be clearly indicated and appropriate procedures listed beside them. All hazards shall be eliminated in so far as resources and circumstances allow.
Fire
It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile that:
1. The Board of Management will ensure that an adequate supply of fire extinguishers, suitable for the type of fires likely to occur in each area, is available, identified and regularly serviced by authorised and qualified persons. Each Fire Extinguisher shall have instructions for its use.
2. The principal will ensure that fire drills shall take place once a term.
3. Fire alarms shall be clearly marked. (Responsibility of Board of Management Safety Officer)
4. Signs shall be clearly visible to ensure that visitors are aware of exit doors and routes ( Staff Safety Officer)
5. All doors, corridors, and entries shall be kept clear of obstruction and shall be able to be opened at all times from within the building. Each teacher who has an exit in her classroom must ensure it is kept clear. Hall and main door - Principal will see they are free of obstruction.
6. A plan of the school shows assembly points outside the school. (Class Lines)
7. Assembly areas are designated outside each building, and the locations specified.
8. Exit signs shall be clearly marked.
9. Principal shall be responsible for fire drills and evacuation procedures.
10. All recommendation made by a Fire Officer in addition to these provisions shall be implemented.


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.
1. Wet Corridors
2. Trailing leads
3. Computers / Shredders/ Laminators
4. Guillotine
5. Projectors
6. Fuse Board
7. Electric Kettles
8. Boiler house
9. Ladders
10. Man hole and drain covers
11. Protruding units and fittings
12. Flat roof of hall and flat roof of school
13. External store to be kept locked
14. Lawnmower
15. Garden Stores
16. Icy surfaces on a cold day
17. Mats in hall
18. Windows opening out
19. Playground Equipment
20. Pathways around the portacabins

To minimise these dangers the following safety/ protective measures must be adhered to (see duties of employee pages 1-2 of this document):
a) Access to and operation of/ equipment is restricted to qualified members of the staff.
b) All machinery and electrical equipment are fitted with adequate safeguards.
c) Precautionary notices, in respect of safety matters are displayed at relevant points.
d) Ladders must be used with another person's assistance.
e) Avoid use of glass bottles where possible by pupils. Remove broken glass immediately on discovery.
f) Board of Management will check that floors are clean, even non-slip and splinter- proof.
g) Principal will check that P.E. equipment is stacked securely and is positioned so as not to cause a hazard.
h) Check that all P.E. and other mats are in good condition
i) An annual routine for inspecting furniture, floors, apparatus, equipment and fittings. Board of Management Safety Officer and Staff Safety Representative.
j) Check that wooden beams ,benches etc. are free from splinters and generally sound (Vice Principal)
k) Check that there are no uneven / broken/ cracked areas on the paths / yard. Caretaker under Board of Management
l) Will check that roofs, guttering, drain pipes etc as far as can be seen are sound and well maintained. Board of Management safety Officer.
m) Check that all play areas, especially Playground are maintained (Safety Officer)
n) Check that outside lighting works and is sufficient. Board of Management.
o) Check that all builder's material, caretakers' maintenance equipment, external stores etc are stored securely. Principal and Board of Management Safety Officer.
p) Check that refuse is removed from building each day and is carefully stored outside, Caretaker.

Constant Hazards
Machinery, Kitchen equipment, Electrical appliances.
It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile 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.
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 intact and free of cuts or abrasions.
• Leads of appliances are unplugged 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile that all chemicals, photocopier toner, detergents etc be stored in clearly identifiable container 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).

Drug and Medication
It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile that all 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 and a staffroom, 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.

Highly Polished Floors
It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile 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 steps.

Smoking
It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile that the school grounds shall be a non - smoking area to avoid hazard to staff and pupils of passive smoking.
Broken Glass
The Board of Management shall minimise the danger arising from broken glass. Staff are asked to report broken glass to the Principal so that it may be immediately removed.

Infectious Diseases
It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile 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 time 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile 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 for calling ambulances etc…
" Telephone numbers of local Doctor, Gardaí, 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.

The Principal 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
" Tape
" Gauze squares
" Cotton Bandage /slings
" Antiseptic Wipes
" Scissors
" First Aid Chart
" Disposable Gloves
" Selection of Sterile Dressings
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 suitable protection.

Collecting Children
1) All parent/ guardians / carers in the interest of safety must obey all signs upon entering the school grounds
2) Cars are advised to drive slowly near school ground when collecting / dropping children
3) Those parking outside the school are advised to accompany children to and from the school premises
Revision of this Safety Statement
This Statement shall be regularly revised by the Board of Management of Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile in accordance with experience and the requirements of the Health and Safety Act and the Health and Safety Authority.