School of Education Safety Policy

1. School of Education Safety Policy Statement
2. Policy Principles
3. Organisation for carrying out the policy
4. Emergency Procedures
5. Shared Occupancy
6. Risk Assessment
7. Electrical Safety
8. Visual Display Units
9. Smoking Policy
10.Children and Visitors
11.Purchasing Policy -Health and Safety Issues
12.Health and Safety Training 13.Health and Safety -Student Placements 14.Lone Working
15.Violence at Work 16. Stress at Work
17.Health and Safety for Visiting Lecturers and Researchers
18.Monitoring the School's Health and Safety Policy
19.Further Information
20.Appendices

1. School of Education Safety Policy Statement

The School of Education is primarily concerned with research in Education and Sport, the initial and in ¬service professional training of teachers, and the teaching of academic sport programmes. The School's facilities, including the science and sport laboratories are, therefore, typical in terms of potential safety issues of those found in schools or in commercial and public sports facilities. These present, therefore, not just the hazards typically associated with other research and teaching areas of the University, but also health and safety issues in the context of professional activities within the community. This Policy, and the Health and Safety measures taken by the School, recognises this distinctive set of operational circumstances.

It is the policy of the School of Education to comply with the requirements of the University Health and Safety Policy and related documentation, and to strive for continuous improvement in standards of health and safety. To this end, I as the Head of the School of Education and my management team will ensure that;

adequate resources are made available to staff and students to ensure they can discharge their duties thereby ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all members of the School and others who may be affected by our activities,
there is regular, effective communication to inform staff, students and other stakeholders of health and safety matters, and effective mechanisms that allow for the reporting to managers of any concerns relating to health, safety and welfare issues,
Staff and students are given the necessary information, training and supervision to both inform them of their duties and responsibilities and also to enable them to discharge their duties safely and without risk to health.

To ensure health and safety in the School everyone must play their part by discharging their responsibilities and co-operating fully with others who have health and safety duties placed on them. To assist me and my management team in implementing this policy, I have appointed Mark Powell as the School of Education Safety Officer.

Health and safety documentation is made readily available to all who need it, as follows;

A copy of this Policy will be given to all members of staff (electronically), and be made available to all students. The Policy will be kept up to date to take account of changes in School activities, and the Policy, and the way in which it is operated, will be reviewed every year by the Head of School and the School's Health and Safety Committee
A full set of health and safety documentation is kept as controlled documentation by the School’s Safety Officer,
A full set of health and safety documentation is available on the web in SUSSED
Local, specific health and safety documentation is kept at the workplace to which it relates.

In addition to the information given to staff and students, all contractors and visitors will be made aware of the general policy at the earliest opportunity, and will be informed of any specific requirements before commencing activities.

This policy will be kept up to date to take account of changes. To ensure this, the policy and the way that it has been implemented will be reviewed every year.

2) POLICY PRICIPLES.

Concern for health and safety is an integral part of the School of Education's organisation. This policy statement indicates the organisation, systems and procedures by which the School will implement the requirements of the University Safety Policy, and includes the School of Education's Rules and Codes of Practice.

3) ORGANISATION FOR CARRYING OUT THE POLICY

Specific health and safety responsibilities are as follows;

The SSO for the School of Education is Mark Powell,

Duties Organising fire drills, Electrical safety testing (with assistance from other technical staff)

It is the responsibility of the SSO to assist managers by co-ordinating health and safety related activities and monitoring safety performance. The nature and extent of the assistance provided will vary with the nature of the activities carried out within the School or Professional Service. However these should include, as a minimum: -

assisting with the development and management of safety documentation;
advising on the content and structure of the annual report and action plan;
co-ordinating active and reactive monitoring;
co-ordinating risk assessment processes, including general risk Assessment, COSHH, and manual handling risk assessments;
co-ordinating the development of the emergency response manual, liaising with co-occupier SSOs, where necessary; and,
Monitoring the effectiveness of corrective action.

Specific health and safety training

TRAINING: Line Managers with the assistance of the School Safety Officer.

The record of Safety training is compiled and kept by the School Manager

ORGANISING INSPECTIONS: School Safety Officer

ELECTRICAL TESTING: Safety Officer and all current Technicians.

PURCHASING: Head of School, Deputy Head of School and the School Manager.

LIASING WITH ESTATES AND FACILITIES AND CONTRACTORS: School Safety Officer

FIRST AID. Judy Orsmond. Dr John Woollard. Dr Ros Foskett, Susie Fawcett and James Wright

First aiders must have completed a first aid at work provided by an HSE approved training organisation.

Duties

To take charge when someone is injured or ill, including calling an ambulance if required
Look after the first aid equipment, e.g. restocking the first aid box

FIRE WARDENS

Chris Beddoe, Ian Galloway, Mark Powell, Jan Richards, Colin Riley, Peter Sillence, Karen Tucker, Sue Veck and James Wright.

DUTIES:-

Fire Wardens are not expected to put themselves at additional risk in carrying out their duties.

In an emergency a Fire Wardens duty is to check their designated area and report to the assembly area. High visibility jackets should be worn

Liaise with Senior Fire Wardens. Security and Emergency Services to ensure a safe evacuation and return to the building.

Routine Duties

To carry out systematic monthly Fire Safety checks of their designated area to ensure that all fire equipment, exit signs etc. are in place and in good working order,
To submit `Fire Wardens' Monthly Check-sheets' (Annex 1) to the School/Professional Service Safety Officer for any necessary action and filing for reference,

To bring to the attention of the School/Professional Service Safety Officer in writing particular causes for concern.

To always ensure that a trained deputy is available to cover during absence.

SUBSTANCES/ Microbiology Peter Sillence / Marcus Grace

DUTIES To monitor and control the use of substances and keep the CLEAPSE record

ADVICE ON USE OF LASERS Ian Galloway

DUTIES To control sources and maintain contact with the Universities Laser Advisor. John Hawkes

RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE Ian Galloway

DUTIES To monitor and control sources and liaise with the Universities Radioactitivity Advisor, Rosemary Bell

The following act as Safety Representatives for the individual buildings in which the School is located:

Building 34 Mark Powell;

Building 29 Science Learning Centre. Ian Galloway; Peter Sillence

Building 32 Judy Orsmond, Sue Veck

Human Performance Laboratory James Wright

Duties: To liaise with the SSO and the H&S committee and relay information to staff and students

The following individuals are responsible for safety in the laboratory areas:

Human Performance Laboratory: James Wright,

Science Laboratories Peter Sillence, Ian Galloway

All members of the School have a responsibility to co-operate with their colleagues to achieve a healthy and safe workplace, and to take reasonable care of themselves and others. They are required to work in accordance with these local arrangements. Anyone noticing a health and safety problem that they are not able to correct should immediately report the problem to their manager or someone else in authority

4) Emergency Procedures

a. Action in the Event of a Fire

The following notice is posted in every room: Action in the event of a fire

If you notice a fire you should immediately raise the alarm by breaking the glass of the nearest manual fire alarm call point. This can be done using your elbow or shoe. The alarm is a continuous bell. On hearing this, you should immediately leave the building by the quickest route, closing doors as you leave. On leaving the building, you should assemble at:

Building 34 The flagpole outside building 14.
Building 32 Outside Building
Building 29 Outside building 26, Library side
Building 54 By Turner Sims Reception.

A fire Tag System is in operation in Building 34 . The system relies on members of staff present in the building act as fire wardens for different floors. Tags are placed in good view around the building:-

Level 1 , 2 , 3 , 4, 5 and the Lecture theatre, The first member of staff to reach a fire tag will check the area specified on the tag and return it to a designated Fire Warden or a member of the security staff for checking.

Fire extinguishing equipment is provided in the School but should only be used: (i) by those trained in its use (ii) if the fire is small (iii) if by so doing you do not place yourself in any danger (iv) after raising the alarm and ensuring that the fire brigade have been called.

Fire Precautions

The corridors and staircases in a building form the escape route and must be kept clear of obstructions. They should not contain anything that could itself be the source of fire, or which is flammable. This is especially important in the case of staircases. Doors fitted at staircase landings and across corridors are fitted with self closing devices so that they are able to restrict the spread of smoke and fire. It is therefore important that they are not wedged open.

Calling the Fire Brigade

The person raising the alarm should ensure that the Fire Brigade are summoned by either reporting to someone in authority and asking them to do so, or by dialling 91-999 from a telephone remote from where the alarms are sounding. Following this, the University Maintenance Control Centre (MCC) should be alerted by dialling22811.

c. Action in the Event of an Accident -First Aid Procedures

In the event of an accident causing injury, the nearest qualified first aider (see Section 4) should be contacted. The first aider will decide on appropriate treatment and further action, if necessary. Following treatment, the accident should be reported to the appropriate supervisor or manager and to the University Safety Office.

The names of first aiders are displayed on notices throughout the department, and a full list is published in the internal telephone directory

Less serious accidents, and any other incident that might in slightly different circumstances have caused an injury, should also be reported to the appropriate supervisor or manager .

All accidents and near misses will be investigated by the appropriate supervisor or manager. The results of the investigation will be reported to the Head of School. All serious notifiable accidents must be reported promptly to the Head of School who will notify the University Safety Office, using the approved accident report form, and the Dean.

5)Shared occupancy

An Emergency response group is to be finalised for building 32 in accordance with HSP14

See Fire Wardens School of Education

There is also liaison with Adrian Pickering (ISS) and Paul Collins(Security) for building 32 and Dave Kinnison for building 29.

6) Risk Assessment

All School activities must be assessed for hazard and evaluated for risk. An assessment that identifies a significant hazard should be recorded in writing, and the measures needed to control the risk to health and safety should be listed, and kept by the S.S.O. The Science Laboratory Representatives keep COSH assessments.

For on-going activities the risk assessment should be reviewed if the circumstances that surround that activity change. The following sporadic activities require individual risk assessment to be undertaken:

a. Any activity involving overseas travel
b. Any activity involving research activity off -campus, whether undertaken by staff or students
c. Activities within the Human Performance Laboratory.

The risk assessment must be submitted to, in the case of students, the tutor responsible for their supervision, who will forward it to the Head of School for consideration, or, in the case of staff, to the Programme Director or Research Group Head, who will forward it to Head of School for consideration. No activity should be undertaken without a risk assessment being undertaken and Head of School agreeing to the activity

All staff are required to undertake training in risk assessment, which is organised from time to time through the University Safety Office.

7) Electrical Safety

The following arrangements for electrical safety apply to all electrical equipment in use in the School, including personal items.

a. Only electrical equipment that is properly installed and maintained should be used in the School. The indication that equipment has been properly maintained is that a label is attached to each item bearing a date after which it should no longer be used. Items not bearing such a label, or where the date on the label has been passed, should be withdrawn from use and given to the appropriate supervisor or manager.
b. All portable appliances will be regularly inspected and, where necessary, subject to electrical test. All members of the School should routinely check that their electrical appliances are not damaged and that there are no obvious signs of misuses such as damaged or disco loured plug tops and worn cables.
c. Any item that becomes faulty should be taken out of service and either discarded or sent to a member of the technical staff.
d. Equipment and furniture should be sited so as to avoid the need for leads and to trail across floors. Where these cannot be avoided, proprietary rubber strips should be used to reduce the risk of tripping. These can be bought from the University Safety Office.
e. Socket adapters should not be used. Only those with their own fused plug and cable (4-way trailing sockets) are permitted. Safety information may be found in Appendix SP13 of the University Safety Manual, which includes a checklist for office safety A copy of the checklist is attached to this policy (Appendix 1), and individuals should use this to check the safety of their own office accommodation. Problems identified should be reported to the School Safety Officer.

8) Visual Display Units

All School of Education Staff must attend a VDU Workstation Course organised by the University Safety Office. Subsequent to attendance at this course staff will be required to self assess their own workstation and report any deficiencies via their line manager.

The correct procedures for installing and using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) are listed in Appendix SG3 of the University Safety Manual, and these will be followed within the School. A properly designed workstation, coupled with regular breaks from keyboard work, should prevent any ill health. Appendix 2 contains a diagram showing some of the points associated with good workstation design, and also a checklist, which can server as a guide for individual workstations. Individuals should assess their own workstations using this checklist, and report 'any defects to the School Safety Officer.

9) Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted inside School of Education buildings.

10) Children and Visitors

The School of Education welcomes visitors in support of its research, teaching and enterprise activities.. The School also recognises that children may sometimes be in the School of Education buildings, either as part of research and teaching or because of parental responsibilities of staff or students.

The School of Education authorises the following, with the condition that all visitors must be supervised by their host, and children must be attended by an adult, at all times, and that these rules are strictly observed.

a. Children of staff are permitted inside the School of Education buildings.
b. Students attending courses may bring their children into the School of Education buildings only when there is no alternative and only with specific permission from their tutor.
c. Authorisation must be obtained from the Head of School for visitors/children attending unofficial events run by members of staff.
d. No School of Education equipment may be used by unauthorised persons or by children.
f. The School of Education cannot be responsible for persons or children attending courses or events held within its buildings organised outside the School, e.g. Open Day events, Continuing Education courses, non-School of Education bookings, etc.

11) Purchasing Policy- Health and Safety Issues

All materials and equipment acquired by the School, or by individuals for use at work, must comply with the standards, codes and regulations prescribed by law and/or by University requirements. Only those that can be safely accommodated and used within the School may be obtained. An individual wishing to acquire such materials or equipment should obtain all necessary information and undertake a risk assessment in order to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. This risk assessment should accompany the order and should be checked by the School Manager or Head of School.

To monitor that the requirements of the purchasing policy are being followed, all equipment acquisitions must be approved by the School Safety Officer.

12. Health and Safety Training

Training and instruction in routine matters will be given, as required, by the appropriate supervisor or manager. In particular, the School Safety Officer or the School Manager will inform new members of staff on their first day of joining about:

a. action in the event of fire
b. action in the event of accident
c. their individual responsibility for following School procedures, including their responsibility for reporting health and safety problems and how this should be done d. any specific responsibilities they have in relation to health and safety.

The School Manager or School Safety Officer will also give a copy of this Policy to new members of staff on their first day and ask them to read it.

New students will be informed about the same matters as part of their introduction to the School, given by the Programme Director at the beginning of each academic year This will include a verbal briefing and guidance notes regarding Health and Safety (see Appendix 3). Students will be asked to indicate by signature that they have both heard and read the instructions on Health and Safety given to them. Programme Directors are required to make arrangements for late registering students, or off-site students, to have an equivalent briefing and to sign to indicate that this has occurred. All programmes address relevant health and safety issues: for example, the teaching programme in science education contains explicit reference to safety matters in school practical and laboratory work.

Students on placement will be informed about the Health and Safety requirements in their placement location as part of their preparation for placement.

The need for other specialist training should be identified by individual members of staff, and should be directed to the School Safety Officer through line managers.

Members of the School will not be expected to undertake any procedure for which they have not been adequately trained.

13. Health and Safety -Student Placements

The School places a strong emphasis on health and safety in its partnership organisations including schools, health and leisure organisations. Partnership organisations are expected to conform to national standards of health and safety , and students and staff are expected to report any concerns about partner organisations to the relevant Programme Director.

14. Lone Working -Out of Hours Working Policy

Guidance notes about lone working can be found in Appendix 4 A copy of the OUT-OF-HOURS WORKING POLICY can be found in appendix 4a.

15. Violence at Work.

Guidance notes about Violence at Work can be found in Appendix 5

16. Stress at Work

Stress has increasingly become acknowledged as being a significant health issue at work. It is generally accepted that the higher education system presents an increasingly pressured environment in which to work. Whilst most staff might be expected to absorb a certain amount of pressure, it can rise to a level where it constitutes a risk to health. The Head of School advises any member of staff who feels under an unacceptable amount of pressure to raise the issues and concerns with him /her in complete confidence, so that if possible some early action may be taken. University-provided staff development training is available in the recognition and control of stress at work. Counselling services are also available for those in stressful situations.

17. Health and Safety for Visiting Lecturers and Researchers

A statement including safety advice and information while in School of Education buildings will be given to all Visiting Lecturers or Researchers by the member of academic staff who is their host. A copy of this statement is attached as Appendix 6.

18. Monitoring the School' Health and Safety Policy The Policy is monitored by:-

A. The School of Education Health and Safety Committee, which provides reports to each meeting of School Board. The School of Education Health and Safety Committee membership is as follows:

Head of School (Chair)
School Safety Officer
School Manager
Two members of academic staff
Science Technician
Sport Technician
One member of support staff other than technicians
(In attendance) University Area Safety Officer

The Committee meets formally at least twice a year. The Committee's terms of reference are:¬

"To undertake:

19. Further Information

b. All electrical equipment brought into the School by students or staff must be safety tested by the technical staff prior to use.
c. Everyone connected with the School of Education has some responsibility for health and safety. If any procedure or situation gives any cause for concern please report to the School Safety Officer, Mr M Powell

20. Further Information

Appendix 1 General Office Checklist
Appendix 2 Display Screen Equipment Checklist
Appendix 3 Guidance Notes for Students on School Placements
Appendix 4 Duties of Employees
Appendix 5 10 Steps for Preventing Violence in the Workplace

Please note, for further appendices and relevant forms, please see reception.