Health and Safety Responsibility in Schools The ultimate responsibility for health and safety within a school setting rests with the employer, which could vary from local authorities to boards of governors, depending on the school’s structure. Nonetheless, the day-to-day responsibility for staff and pupils’ well-being often falls to the headteacher and the school management team, who play a pivotal role in ensuring on-site risks are managed efficiently.
Effective health and safety management is a collective effort requiring each management team member to handle risks responsibly and with proper proportion. Effective communication is essential to this process.
Employee health and safety representatives or safety committees can be instrumental in fostering a positive health and safety culture.
Health and Safety Roles for Key School Staff:
The Employer The employer is tasked with managing risks, especially those to staff and pupils, to a reasonable level. Though certain tasks may be delegated, legal accountability for health and safety cannot be transferred and remains with the employer. In Scottish state schools, the local authority assumes both the employer’s role and governance responsibilities.
Actions for the Employer:
- Implement practical health and safety approaches, prioritising real risks and avoiding unnecessary documentation.
- Inform and train employees to handle everyday risks competently, with access to expert health and safety advice.
- Regularly verify that control measures are effective, even in schools with delegated funding.
The Governing Body The governing body’s role in England and Wales is to ensure the school’s vision, ethos, and strategic direction. They work alongside headteachers and senior management, supporting effective health and safety management.
Actions for the Governing Body:
- Ensure adherence to the employer’s health and safety policies and regular staff training.
- Utilise expert advice for a reasonable approach to health and safety.
The Headteacher Headteachers should exercise their autonomy in line with their employer’s policies and maintain effective communication with all parties involved in the school’s operation.
Actions for the Headteacher:
- Follow the employer’s health and safety policy and ensure the school has effective risk management arrangements.
- Provide clear information and training regarding significant risks and ensure staff are equipped to manage these risks.
Other School Leaders Business managers or bursars might lead health and safety on-site, focusing on purchasing, contracting, overseeing contractors, and ensuring everyone is aware of on-site procedures and precautions.
Department heads or curriculum leaders, with their expertise, should advise on managing risks in their specific areas.
Nominated health and safety leads should:
- Possess adequate authority, time, resources, and competence to lead health and safety efforts.
Every Member of Staff All school staff are key to a sensible approach to health and safety management, contributing to safer workplaces and focusing on real risks rather than excessive caution.
Actions for Staff Members:
- Take care of your own health and safety and that of others.
- Cooperate with all parties to maintain a safe workplace.
- Communicate any health and safety concerns through the proper channels.
Focusing on Floor Safety with Entrance Mats A crucial aspect of managing slip and trip hazards in schools is the strategic use of floor mats. High-quality entrance matting can significantly reduce the amount of water and debris tracked into the building, thereby lowering the risk of slip and trip accidents. These mats should be properly sized and placed in alignment with actual traffic patterns to maximise their effectiveness.
By integrating entrance mats into the health and safety strategy, school leaders can take a proactive step towards safeguarding the well-being of staff, pupils, and visitors, ensuring that floor safety is a priority within the school’s overall health and safety framework.