school health and safety bulletin autumn term 2015 · 2015. 10. 9. · 2 key information: latest...
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To access previous editions of the Health and Safety Bulletins, please follow this link: Health and Safety Bulletins
Welcome to Issue Twelve of the Health and Safety Bulletin
The aim of the bulletin is to provide a quick overview of any Health and Safety news relevant to the education sector. The updates include direct links to areas of the Learning Gateway for policies, risk assessments and guidance plus external links to relevant websites which may be of interest to you. The updates will be issued termly by e-mail and your feedback on whether they provide a useful service would be most appreciated. Any queries/feedback should be sent to [email protected]
School Health and Safety Bulletin
Autumn Term 2015
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Key Information:
Latest News and updates
Ongoing reminders
Health and Safety Training Courses and workshops
‘Safer Schools’ update and Crime Prevention advice.
Lessons to be learnt
Latest News
The new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 As you will be aware The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) came into force on 6th April 2015 Please remember the Key changes of the new CDM Regulations 2015 are: 1. All projects must have:
• workers with the right skills, knowledge, training and experience • contractors providing appropriate supervision, instruction and information • a written construction phase plan
2. Project where more than one contractor is involved (domestic or non-domestic) must have items in No.1 above plus:
• principal designer and principal contractor must be appointed • a health and safety file
3. If work is scheduled to: • last longer than 30 working days and • have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project • OR exceeds 500 person days
All of Nos. 1 and.2 above plus • Client must notify project to HSE
Wooden Play Equipment
Following an article concerning a playground accident that left a child fighting for his life caused by rotten piece of wood; we thought it worth highlighting that it is essential to inspect wooden play equipment regularly. Please see http://www.crawleynews.co.uk/Playground-accident-left-child-fighting-life/story-24505075-detail/story.html for article. Although the playground had recently been inspected by RoSPA, the problem was thought to have occurred below ground and therefore was not picked up in the inspection. RoSPA Inspections are non-dismantling and where dismantling work is required, this will be recommended.http://www.rospa.com/play-safety/advice/wooden-play-equipment/
Incident on Tyre Swing
We have recently investigated an incident that occurred on a tyre swing. (Normally 3 Tyres linked by chains Photo 1. Page.3.). The child was swinging on the tyre when the chain came loose from the beam above and the child fell with the tyre to the floor and the chain and bolt fell on top of the child. Luckily only had grazes but potentially could have been a lot worse. Possible underlying causes
1. The lock nut has been undone at some point and the nylon insert was damaged. 2. The wooden beam has contracted during dry weather allowing a small amount of
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movement on the eye bolt which over time with the movement of the children sitting on the tyre had caused the lock nut to work loose.
Summary and Recommendations It was identified that the annual inspection undertaken by an independent RPII Inspector does not cover checking all the fixtures and fixings, this would come under the maintenance regime. Therefore the message we are sending to all schools is: If a maintenance regime is not undertaken by an external competent person then you must organise and implement a regime where a suitable person checks all the fixtures and fittings of the equipment including lock nuts and bolts on a regular basis or at a time period suggested by the supplier/fitter.
Demonstrations in Schools We previously put a message out to Schools to make them aware that if a third party is to carry
out a demonstration at the school, Shropshire Council stipulate they must have Public Liability
insurance of their own.
We can now let you know that the Chain Saw Sculptures demonstrator, a tree surgeon, who
creates sculptures from old tree stumps using a chainsaw to carve the details, does have £5
million public liability insurance, this has been confirmed. Please request a copy and ensure it
is up-to-date.
N.B. In addition Schools must risk assess the activity, and if there are significant risks
demonstrate the control measures that need to be implemented. It is advisable to request a
risk assessment for the activity from the third party so you can check that the control measures
are suitable for your School’s situation.
Shire Services School Bin Provision – Please consider the usage issues for staff when ordering new school
bins. Sometimes bins are so large that cleaning staff are unable to follow the Shire Services
risk assessment to put rubbish in safely i.e., it is a two person task and only one person can fit
in the bin compound.
Photo 1
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Hep-B immunisation for school staff re Diabetes care A query came through regarding whether staff that assist pupils with hands on care
should have Hep-B immunisation?
The message that we have received from Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust Infection
Prevention and Control Team with regard to this matter is:
School staff assisting children in school with their blood glucose tests or giving insulin
injections should be advised to get the Hep-B vaccination via their Occupational Health Team
or GP (N.B. there may be a charge).
Amanda Stephenson, Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse, Shropshire Community
Health NHS Trust has confirmed that the Diabetes Team will now routinely advise staff in
schools about this matter whenever they deliver training.
If you have any concerns with this matter speak directly with your Paediatric Diabetes
Specialist Nurse, go to their website. Web: www.shropscommunityhealth.nhs.uk or Tel:
01743 277693 for further advice.
Defective magnetic lock We have been advised about a near miss report from a Junior School, which involved a metal retaining plate falling from a door fitted with a magnetic lock – not the automatic type. The metal block fell off when the retaining pin sheared off, however, whilst this incident may well be a “one off” the metal blocks are substantial and have the potential to cause serious injury, therefore wherever this type of magnetic lock is fitted it is
advisable for them to be checked for security of fixing on a regular basis. This picture shows an example of a magnetic lock.
Ongoing reminders
School Holiday Construction Works The Health & Safety Team undertook several site based visits to monitor the management of
the various construction activities common place in schools over the Summer period. The main
themes were:
School and Site Security – Security relating to the schools themselves was often poor, with
numerous doors and gates typically open or unlocked, leaving the building and equipment
vulnerable to theft etc. Work areas (e.g. access scaffold to roof) were generally securely
fenced with Heras fencing to prevent unauthorised access. It is important that schools have
adequate control on all visitors to the school or site during holiday periods. Access should be
physically restricted to areas where works are being undertaken and should be under the
control of a contractor/principal contractor. Often temporary advisory signage can assist
visitors.
Asbestos Register – This was not consistently available or signed by all contractors working
on schools. This is a vital management tool for schools in managing the risk of disturbance of
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asbestos containing materials either by contractors or site staff and must be an integral part of
allowing any works to be undertaken at school. Where refurbishment projects were visited, it
was good to see that the required and additional refurbishment and demolition asbestos
survey had taken place in the schools observed.
Identification of Principal Contractor (PC)and Cooperation/Coordination – PCs were not
always appointed for works. Sometimes there were separate works going on in the school that
had been commissioned by the school directly in addition to work managed by premises
services. The new Construction, Design & Management Regulations 2015 (CDM) require that
where a client engages more than one contractor on a project then a principal must be
appointed. There was little evidence of cooperation/coordination between these parties. If the
client does not formally appoint such then the client will assume the role and responsibilities.
Similarly, a client must appoint a Principal Designer where there is more than one contractor
engaged.
Work at Height – On numerous roofing projects, skylights (fragile surfaces) were not
protected and there were some occasions where edge protection provided by scaffold was
inadequate. SEE Court case page 11.
Cold Weather Advice
Although a little early and hopefully we still have some milder weather to come, just a gentle
reminder that if the weather does change the cold weather advice from the council can be
found on the Shropshire Learning Gateway.
Please ensure that you are aware of your legal obligations regarding gritting the school site
and ensure that your risk assessments are suitable and up-to-date. The arrangements should
include the use of any equipment used such as grit spreaders, the need to transport the grit to
areas of the site and the physical capabilities of the individuals gritting/clearing the site.
Suitable training must be identified to enable the individual to undertake the tasks safely e.g.
manual handling and the wearing of suitable personal protective equipment.
N.B. If only parts of the site are to be cleared then clear signage and communication of the areas that are safe to use must be made to users of the site. For further cold weather advice and assistance please follow the links provided: https://www.shropshirelg.net/services/occupational-health-and-safety/a-z-of-arrangements/ Gritting in Icy Conditions Risk Assessment http://www.hse.gov.uk/logistics/slips-trips-bad-weather.htm An updated Winter Policy is planned to be released at the beginning of November.
Occupational Health
This is a reminder about Shropshire Council’s Occupational Health Service. Their aim is to maintain the health and well-being of employees by providing timely, appropriate medical interventions and monitoring employee health through robust health surveillance. Occupational Health Referrals The occupational health referral form should be completed and then sent to the Occupational Health Team at Shirehall via email [email protected]. Alternatively you can call The Occupational Health Team on 01743 252833. Advice on the following work related health issues can be sort: - Sickness absence referral advice Rehabilitation Stress-related issues Musculoskeletal disorders Counselling
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Occupational Health Team contacts details: Tel: 01743 252833 Fax: 01743 252834 Email: [email protected]
Changes to charging arrangements for Counselling Services – As of September 2015 Counselling enables you to explore painful or difficult feelings and conflicts, with the aim of helping you to make positive changes in your life. The counselling service is free of charge to employees. The cost is met by the employer as part of their duty of care to support the health, safety and welfare of their employees. As from September 2015, the charging arrangements are changing as follows: • For NOSS (Network of Staff Supporters) counselling for all staff (including School based staff) there is no change and employing departments will be charged £45.00 for each session (for up to four sessions in the first instance with an extra two sessions being authorised in extreme circumstances.) • For EPS (Educational Psychology Service) counselling (for school based staff only) the charges are higher – the local authority will continue to underwrite the first £48.00 but a top up will be required of £35.00 from the school to meet the cost of £83.00 per session. The school, where the employee works, will be directly invoiced for the additional amount. Anonymity will be secure and the employee’s name will NOT be quoted in the invoice. NB. Academies Only. Academies who buy into the Occupational Health Provision through a contract or SLA will be able to access either NOSS or EPS. As they are the employer, they will be responsible for payment of their employee’s counselling sessions.
Counselling can be accessed through: NOSS can be contacted on 01978 780 479.Or EPS* (School - based staff) via Sheri Wright can be contacted on 01743 258414. If you have any queries, regarding these services, please contact Occupational Health on 01743 252833.
Occupational Health would like to welcome Dr Karen Nightingale back after her maternity leave and congratulate her on the birth of her daughter.
Occupational Health Medical Form (Pre-Employment). As some of you may be aware, the Occupational Health Medical Form has been reviewed and updated and it can now be completed electronically. A couple of reminders to note when completing the form: • Please can the Appointing Officer (Business Manager or Head teacher) complete all sections on the front page before it is given to the applicant to complete. Failure to do so slows up the process as the form may be returned back to the School for completion. • Once the applicant has completed the form, it is medically confidential and should be emailed directly [email protected] or posted to Occupational Health Team at Shirehall and marked confidential. • Once the form has been reviewed by the OH Team, the front page will be scanned and returned to the recruiting team/person and this will be the ‘Fit to Work’ Certificate. In the event of recommendations being made, these will be emailed to the manager. The OH Referral Request Form is currently under review and a revised one will be available towards the end of the year.
Have you completed the Annual Health and Safety Self-Monitoring checklist (SMC)?
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Use of emergency inhalers
Don’t forget that the Emergency volumatic spacers are for single use only and need to
be replaced following individual use. To avoid possible risk of cross-infection, the plastic
spacer should not be reused. It can however be given to the individual to take home for future
personal use and then the School will need to order another one.
Question?
Have you assessed whether the emergency inhaler should be taken on Visits and Journeys? This is showing best practice but is there a second one that can be kept at the School for others to use?
Shropshire Learning Gateway (SLG) https://www.shropshirelg.net/occupationalhealthandsafety/ The health safety website is continually being updated. The information will always be placed in the WHAT’S NEW file initially then moved to the relevant sections or A - Z. If you cannot find what you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact the Health and Safety Team for assistance email [email protected] or contact number 01743 251819.
Health and Safety Training
Have your staff had the appropriate information, instruction and training to enable them to carry out their duties safely? Under health and safety legislation it is a legal requirement to assess this and review on a regular basis. Please note that it is mandatory for Headteachers or persons in control of a premise to have Asbestos Awareness and Fire risk assessment training. There is a new course ‘Health and Safety for Premise Managers’ which is available on the following two dates 15 December 2015 and 14 April 2016.
It does not matter what time of year you undertake this self-audit but it must be undertaken every year. We will be sending out reminders to individual schools who have not sent the SMC in for several years. N.B. If we do not receive a response it is more than likely that it could lead to a visit. If you require assistance in completing this document please contact us for advice either by phone 01743 252819 or email [email protected] Thank you.
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So please take advantage of the Health and Safety Training which is available to you. If you have a Service Level Agreement with the Health and Safety Team, the training in most cases is free and can be delivered on site if there are sufficient numbers of people. All course bookings should be made via Katie Dawson, Health and Safety Support Assistant, Occupational Health and Safety Team, who will be able to provide you with any further information you require about the courses Tel: 01743 252819 or email requests for training via: [email protected] Full listings of courses available, can also be found on the Shropshire Learning Gateway https://www.shropshirelg.net/services/occupational-health-and-safety/training/ Dave Mann (Health and Safety Trainer) can provide information on specific school training sessions that take place on site, either PD days or twilight.
First aid Courses are available via Occupational Health. The 2015 and the new 2016 first
aid course information can be found on the Shropshire Learning Gateway using the following link: https://www.shropshirelg.net/services/occupational-health-and-safety/training/ Please contact Occupational Health on Tel: 01743 252832 to book a course.
Look out for the 2016 Workshops
We are hoping you can provide some suggestions for future workshops? Please contact Katie Dawson with your ideas. Thank you. Normal content of workshop:
Topical issues, COSHH, Fire Risk Assessments,
Incidents, findings and recommendations.
Legislation updates
Court cases
The next workshop to be held at Shirehall will be advertised shortly:
Safer Schools’ update and Crime Prevention advice
Do not forget to review your Safer Schools initiative on an annual basis. ‘Safer Schools’ update and Crime Prevention advice.
As mentioned in the previous Crime Prevention article of the Health and Safety Bulletin, this
Autumn bulletin includes receiving visitors. In the Spring 2015 bulletin visitor badges were
covered and the following is part one of receiving visitors, specifically covering the different
options for visitors signing in.
Traditionally pen and paper has been used in schools for recording visitors to the school.
However, in this increasingly futurist world, other methods are available. Schools have been
asking for guidance and the following is a guide, including opinions, advantages /
disadvantages.
Traditional Pen and paper signing-in and traditional school visitor badges (possibly your current system) –
generally no issues and it is simple and quick, everybody is familiar with the process and the
school is in total control of the system. If there are a couple of small concerns; you can’t
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always read peoples’ handwriting and all visitors can view who has signed-in – can be an issue
in some cases. Under Safeguarding, there is a template recording sheet on the Shropshire
Learning Gateway.
Visitor Management System A disposable proprietary system of combined visitor badge and visitor book, titled for individual
schools. This system appears professional, badges include a school’s health and safety
information and visitors can’t view who has already signed in. Disadvantages include the
expense of re-ordering new badges. Badges can be bland so badges of different schools can
appear the same so not ideal. Quite a few schools in Shropshire use this type of system or
have in the past.
Modern/traditional Some schools combine electronic signing-in i.e. iPad/tablet with traditional visitor badges. This
seems a good combination and the use of the iPad/tablet does appear professional. Also, if
you are a return visitor, it does recognise you on your return. An advantage is that visitors can’t
view other signed-in visitors. With modern technology, it is not as user friendly as traditional
signing-in with pen and paper. The iPad/tablet option is fairly tried and tested in Shropshire.
Modern Electronic signing-in and badges. Advantages include a professional appearance that is
flexible, allowing staff to sign-in and visitors can’t view other signed-in visitors. Main concern is
that the electronic paper badges don’t tend to be as distinctive as school made badges,
especially the badges without colour. Where this is the case, schools can compensate with
distinctive school lanyards. Some systems include colour badges and this helps but the aim
should be distinctive badges for your particular school, badges that can be recognised down
the school corridor or across the playground. A further concern is that the badges display more
information about the visitor i.e. photograph and there is a risk of data protection for the visitor
when they leave the school premises. These badges need to be shredded if not being reused.
Saved badges should be securely stored and managed. As with the iPad/tablet option, not
always user friendly and it can be quite a slow process to sign-in.
To conclude The simplicity of the traditional method suggests little need to change however, the iPad/tablet
option is simple and a good option.
If you have any queries on Security and/or Crime Prevention you can contact Ian Bartlett
Crime Prevention Officer directly via email [email protected] or contact the
Health and Safety Team 01743 252819.
Lessons to be learnt
Court Cases
County Council in court after schoolboy severs finger in class Date: 13 July 2015 North Yorkshire County Council has been prosecuted after a 14-year-old boy needed a finger amputated after it got tangled in a lathe during a lesson at Knaresborough’s King James’ School. The pupil, from Knaresborough, was using a polishing cloth by hand on a work piece as it rotated on a manual metal lathe during a design and technology class when the incident
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happened on 19 November 2013. The boy’s right hand became entangled around the work piece and severed part of his index finger. There were six other mini lathes in use by pupils in the same class. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated and brought the prosecution after finding the Council had failed to identify that the practice of hand-polishing on metal lathes was unsafe despite it being used for years at the 1,700-pupil school. Leeds Crown Court heard today (13 July) that after the incident, HSE served a prohibition notice on the Council, halting any use of hand-held polishing cloths on the lathes at King James’ school and advising the authority to take action to ensure similar practices were not underway at other schools under its control. North Yorkshire County Council was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £28,287 in costs after admitting a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. “The risk of amputation from using hand-held polishing cloths on metal working lathes is well known and HSE has had a guidance note on this since 1993. Alternative machines or tools can easily be used to carry out polishing of work pieces, significantly reducing the risks of entanglement, a system now in place at the school involved.” The guidance note from HSE can be accessed on HSE’s website http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/eis2.pdf
Please beware and make sure that this practice is not going on in your School.
Sentences after tree-felling incident leaves worker in wheelchair 5 June 2015. A school operator and a cleaning contractor have both been fined, after a man sustained permanent spinal injuries while felling a tree on school grounds in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The 59 year-old from Gerrard’s Cross, was using a chainsaw to fell a mature sycamore tree at Bassetsbury Manor on 22 April 2013. He was helping one of the defendants, Paolo Mule, of P&X Complete Cleaning Services, to clear the site to make way for building work. They had been contracted by Alpha Schools Limited to carry out the work. Aylesbury Crown Court heard today (5 June) a large partially cut branch swung down and hit the ladder the worker was standing on, throwing him to the ground where he landed on his back, sustaining permanent spinal injuries. He is now unable to walk and will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Alpha Schools Limited failed to engage competent contractors to undertake the arboriculture work. The investigation also found that Mr Mule failed to undertake a risk assessment for the work. There was no safe system of work in place, with no ropes being used and the ladder was not secured. The work was not adequately segregated and there were members of the public nearby. Alpha Schools Limited, of London Road, High Wycombe was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay £25,000 costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It also agreed to pay an ex gratia payment of £50,000 to the injured worker. Paolo Mule, 33, trading as P&X Complete Cleaning Services, of Pinions Road, High Wycombe, was given an 18 months prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay £2,000 costs after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
This case highlights the importance of contractors undertaking a risk assessment for the work and having a safe system of work in place.
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Accessing stage lighting Does your school use a Tallescope (a telescopic aluminium manually operated work platform, used for one-person spot access) to access stage lighting? Then read on……….
Council sentenced after theatre injury. 24 June
2015: Stafford Borough Council was today fined after an incident at a theatre in which a worker suffered fractured bone in his back. Stafford Magistrates’ Court heard two Stafford Gatehouse Theatre employees were using a tallescope (a telescopic aluminium manually operated work platform, used for one-person spot access) to undertake high level work to stage curtains and projector. One of the workers was in the caged working platform at the top of the tallescope, approximately 4.5 metres high, as his colleague manoeuvred it around the stage to relocate it when the apparatus overturned. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), prosecuting, told the court the incident on 16 July 2014 should never have
happened but they had found movement of the tallescope with someone in the cage took place on many occasions before this particular incident. The court heard a suitable risk assessment had not been carried out for the use of the tallescope at the theatre. If it had, the manufacturer’s instructions on a warning label on the apparatus stating it should not be rolled with men or materials on platform should have been highlighted. Stafford Borough Council of Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford, admitted breaching Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Regulation 3(1)(a) and Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 6(3), and were fined £20,000 with full costs of £1,922 and a victim surcharge of £120. For further details of the court case please see Lessons to be Learnt below: The first point to consider is that there are safer alternatives for access. The school must be able to justify the use of a Tallescope instead of safer methods of gaining access to work at height. In working theatres where every day regular access is required to lighting their use may be justified subject to certain strict criteria and conditions. Employers should always refer to the hierarchy for the selection of equipment for work at height outlined in the Work at Height Regulations 2005 before considering means for work at height. It may be there are some circumstances where use of a Tallescope may be appropriate and in these situations it is important that stringent conditions are in place. These conditions are clearly given in the revised (Association of British Theatre Technicians) - ABTT Code of Practice – 2014. For more information see this publication or contact the Health and Safety Team on 01743 252819. The purpose of highlighting this accident is not specifically to draw attention to the Council (which is named in the press release) – rather to promote the failings identified in the case and the need to ensure safe use of equipment for access to work at height, particularly this tallescope type of plant.
Firm and director prosecuted after worker died in fall 16 July 2015: A Yorkshire roofing firm and its director have been prosecuted after a worker fell to his death though a fragile roof-light. A 52 year old self-employed brick-layer, suffered fatal head injuries as a result of the fall whilst
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he was working to refurbish the flat roof of Aspin Park School in Knaresborough. Watershed (Roofing) Ltd a framework contractor for North Yorkshire County Council and one of its Directors, had engaged the bricklayer to carry out necessary brickwork on the roof, as part of a scheme to add insulation and re-felt it. The bricklayer had been kneeling on the roof working when the incident happened on 16th August 2011. When he stood up he fell backwards through a roof-light and into the boys’ toilet two metres below. He was taken to hospital by air ambulance but died later from his injuries. Bradford Crown Court heard that a Health and Safety Executive investigation found Watershed
had prepared a construction phase plan which stated that before work was carried out, the plastic domes of all roof-lights needed to be removed and the apertures boarded over to prevent falls, but when roofers accessed the roof it was found that the domes could not be easily removed. The court also heard Watershed’s Director visited the site on the first day to check it had been set up correctly, and the difficulties with removing the roof-lights were discussed with the workforce. It was decided that works could progress without any covering of
the roof-lights. Watershed (Roofing) Limited of Thornton Road in Bradford pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and were fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £39,381.32 in costs. The Director pleaded guilty in his role as Director of the company to a breach of section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £7000. It is imperative that the workers are protected from falling through the skylights. The method for protection needs to be assessed e.g. cordoned off within a 2 metre zone, boarded over or a mobile platform is placed under the skylight. If work is being done at your School and the Skylights are not protected during roof work then challenge them, contact your Building Surveyor and\or the Health and Safety Team.
For further assistance please contact either:
Shelley Reid Health and Safety Officer Health and Safety Team, 2nd Floor, Shirehall Tel: 01743 252819 [email protected]
Tim Sanderson Health and Safety Support Officer Health and Safety Team, 2nd Floor, Shirehall. Tel: 01743 252819 [email protected]
A Health & Safety Duty Officer from the Team is also available to assist you on 01743 252819 during normal working hours. 8.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.