Safety Statement

Board of Management Philosophy 

The Board of Management recognises and accepts not only its statutory responsibilities, but also its obligations as an employer to direct, manage, and achieve, in so far as is reasonable and practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of every employee, pupil and visitor to the school.

The Board of Management believes that each employee accepts his or her legal and moral responsibilities for improving and maintaining safety, health and welfare in the workplace and for personal safety, health and welfare or that of others.

SAFETY ORGANISATION

Staff are responsible for safety in their own area and the implementation of relevant safety procedures. The safety officer shall monitor safety generally and the operation of safety procedures. The safety officer will carry out a health and safety audit in all areas of the school. The principal will ensure that each employee will obtain a copy of the safety statement and will be familiar with its contents.

SAFETY OFFICER (EMMA HORAN)

The Safety Officer will be responsible for overseeing the safety provisions on behalf of the school. They should be consulted if any of the employees have queries regarding any of the safety provisions mentioned in this statement.

The Safety Officer shall make the Board of Management aware of their duties with regard to the following:

  1. To guide and advise on all health, safety and welfare matters.
  2. To ensure that the school fulfils all statutory requirements in respect of the safety, health and welfare at work Act 1989.
  3. To ensure that the appropriate safety education and training are co-ordinated and carried out using both in house and external resources.
  4. To undertake regular and appropriate revision and auditing of the school safety procedures and methods of operation, to ensure that they are kept up to date.
  5. To ensure that adequate fire protection and prevention measures are provided.

The Safety Officer will investigate all accidents and dangerous occurrences and will ensure that appropriate statutory notification procedures are properly completed. Causes of accidents will be determined as far as is practicable and where appropriate, remedial action will be specified.

SAFETY TRAINING

Relevant employees will be:

  1. Instructed in lifting and handling methods, where necessary.
  2. Aware of safety equipment and when/where it must be worn.
  3. Advised of the nature and location of fire equipment and how it is safely operated.
  4. Trained in the use of a defibrillator (some permanent teachers, SNAs and administrative staff). A list of all staff trained in the use of the defibrillator will be on the wall beside the defibrillator cabinet.
  5. Notified of any change in safety procedures.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Arrangements will be made for all electrical appliances to be checked regularly by a competent person. Before using any appliances, the user should check that:

  1. All safety guards, which are a normal part of the appliance, are fitted and in working order.
  2. Power supply/cable leads are intact and free of cuts and abrasions.
  3. Suitable undamaged fused plug tops are used and fitted with the correct fuse.
  4. Children will be made aware of the dangers of tampering with electrical equipment, sockets etc.
  5. Children are never to connect or disconnect electrical appliances.

CHEMICALS, SOLVENTS, DETERGENTS.

Safety data sheets are supplied with all such materials. Members of staff using these materials should familiarise themselves with the hazards associated with the materials and precautions to be taken in the event of spillage, splashes, etc.

WELFARE

To ensure the continued welfare of employees and children, toilet and kitchen areas are provided. Staff must co-operate in maintaining a high standard of hygiene in these areas.

FIRE PROTECTION

  1. Fire extinguishers are provided and sited to meet statutory and insurance requirements.
  2. All fire-fighting equipment is regularly tested and serviced by specialised contractors. Relevant employees will be trained in the use of fire safety equipment.
  3. All fire exits and emergency paths of egress are identified and kept clear at all times.
  4. Analysis of potential fire hazards are regularly carried out by the safety officer.
  5. Liaison with regular authorities takes place as is necessary.
  6. An evacuation procedure has been prepared as per Fire Services Act 1981 and is displayed in each room in the school. Evacuation drills will take place once per term or more often if required.
  7. Employees are reminded to familiarise themselves with the premises to be aware of locations of nearest fire alarm and know which emergency evacuation door applies to your classroom.

SMOKING

Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the school and school grounds, including yards, carpark and walkways.

DOGS

Dogs are prohibited from entering the school grounds under any circumstances.

Guide dogs and Therapy dogs are an exception to this rule.

DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES

It is the duty of every employee at work to:

  1. To take reasonable care for his/her own safety, health and welfare and that of any person who may be affected by his/her omissions 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 and so as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, equipment or other means provided for his/her safety while at work.
  4. To report to the principal or safety officer without unreasonable delay, any defects in equipment or place of work which might endanger safety.
  5. Inform Martha/Emma if stocks are low in First Aid kits around the school.

ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTING

All potentially serious accidents, whether involving staff, children or members of the public must be reported immediately to the principal and recorded in the accident book. This is necessary to monitor the progress of safety standards and to ensure that proper medical attention is given where required.

GENERAL SAFETY

The aim of the Board of Management is to provide a healthy and safe working environment. This can be achieved with the help and assistance of all staff by:

  1. Observing the general rules of safety
  2. Using all equipment in a safe and proper manner
  3. Employing all proper procedures when carrying out tasks and ensuring that no practices are used which may act as a source of danger to themselves and others.
  4. Keeping work areas and classrooms clean and tidy at all times.
  5. Make sure all corridors and passageways, particularly those leading to escape routes are kept free from obstruction at all times.
  6. Taking care that fire points are not blocked or covered up in any way and they are ready for use in the need arises.

SECURITY – ACCESS/SCHOOL DOORS

Parents must be informed of the importance of not exiting school by the front door and allowing others in.

FIRST AID

There are four First Aid kits, located at both yard doors and outside the Principal’s office and one in the unit kitchen. It is the responsibility of each teacher/SNA to ensure the first aid kit is locked after use.

If the First Aid kit requires re-stocking, please inform Martha/Emma. We will order/replace supplies as necessary.

DRUG ADMINISTRATION

Please refer to policy attached.

ASSAULT/CHALLENGING BEHAVIOURS

Please refer to policy attached.

CONCLUDING COMMENTS

This safety statement may be altered, revised or updated at a future date so as to comply with any changes to the school. This policy is in keeping with our Child Protection and Code of Behaviour policies. This policy will be reviewed annually. If new buildings are erected or internal structural changes are carried out, the policy will be reviewed in light of these changes and any necessary changes will be ratified at the following Board of Management meeting.

Fire Drill Procedure

Emergency evacuation of the school

Person responsible for organising fire drill evacuation: Ms E. Horan

Each class teacher is responsible for instructing pupils on fire evacuation drill

 

Raising the alarm

Should an emergency occur the class teacher shall raise the alarm located nearest to their classroom.

On hearing the fire alarm:

  1. Take the attendance clipboard hanging on the wall.
  2. Line the children up in single file.
  3. Ensure there are no children in toilets.
  4. Instruct children on which door to exit.
  5. Teacher STANDS at classroom door until last child has exit the classroom.
  6. Children line up outside on their own yard line.
  7. Teacher will do a headcount, and then call the Rolla.
  8. Teachers and classes stay outside in their lines and await direction from the Principal.

 

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANYONE RE-ENTER THE BUILDING UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY THE PRINCIPAL