Safety Statement

Scoil Mochua

An tAbhallort

SAFETY STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION

The Board of Management of Scoil Mochua brings to the attention of its staff the following arrangements for safeguarding the safety, health and welfare of those employed and working in the school and the children attending the school.

This policy requires the cooperation of all employees.  It shall be reviewed regularly, in the 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. 

AIMS

This safety statement aims to create a safe and healthy working environment.  It aims to protect employees and the children in our care from workplace accidents and ill health at work.  It aims, so far as is reasonably practicable, to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation in following the Safety, Health and Welfare Work Act 2005 to include the following areas:

• Provision of a safe workplace.

• Provision of a safe school for children.

• Safe access and egress routes.

• Safe equipment including maintenance and use of appropriate guards.

• Provision of appropriate personal protective equipment.

DUTIES OF EMPLOYER

THE Board of Management of Scoil Mochua, Oulart, Gorey, Co. Wexford wishes to ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable:

• Work activities will be managed and conducted to ensure the school is safe and healthy.

• 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, maintained and revised so as to be safe and without risk to health.

• Staff shall be instructed and supervised in so far as is reasonably practicable so as to ensure the health and safety at work of its employees.

• Protective clothing or equivalent shall be provided as necessary to ensure the health and safety at work of its employees.

• Plans for emergencies shall be complied with and revised as necessary.

• Appropriate risk assessments will be carried out, revised and reviewed when appropriate.

• Employees shall be consulted on matters of health and safety.

• Provision shall be made for the election by the employees of a safety representative.

• Improper conduct or behaviour will be prevented in so far as possible.

• School activities will be managed and conducted to ensure that persons who are not employees of the school are not exposed to risks to their safety, health and welfare.

The Board of Management of Scoil Mochua 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 Mochua undertakes to ensure that the provisions of the Safety, Health and Welfare Work Act 2005 are adhered to:

DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES

It is the duty of every employee while at work:

• To comply with the relevant safety and health legislation and to take reasonable care for his/her own safety and welfare, and that of any person who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions while at work.

• To ensure that he or she is not under the influence of any intoxicant to the extent that this might endanger his or her safety and health or of any other person.

• To co-operate with his/her employer and other person to such extent as will enable his/her employer or the other person to comply with any of the relevant statutory provisions.

• Not to engage in improper conduct or behaviour.

• To use in such a manner as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or thing provided (whether for his/her own use or for use by him/her in common with others for securing his/her safety, health or welfare at work.

• To report to the Board of Management without unreasonable delay, any defects in plant, equipment, place of work, or system of work, which might endanger safety, health or welfare of which he/she becomes aware.

Employees using available facilities and equipment provided should ensure that work practices are performed in the safest manner possible.

DUTIES OF PUPILS AND OTHERS.

No persons will intentionally, recklessly or without reasonable cause interfere with or misuse any appliance, protective clothing, convenience or other means or thing provided in pursuance or any of the relevant statutory provisions or otherwise, for securing safety, health or welfare or persons arising out of work activities nor will any person place at risk the safety, health or welfare of persons connected with work activities.

CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION

It is the policy of Scoil Mochua to consult with staff in preparation and completion of hazard control forms, to give a copy of the safety statement to all present and future staff, and to convey any additional information or instructions regarding safety, health, and welfare at work to all staff as it becomes available.  Safety, health and welfare at work will be considered in any future staff training and development plans.

HAZARDS

Hazards shall be divided into two categories.  Those, which 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 will allow.

FIRE:

It is the policy of Scoil Mochua that:

• The Board of Management will ensure that an adequate supply of fire extinguishers, suitable for the type of fire 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 displayed on it. Training in use of extinguishers will take place every two years.

• The Staff Safety Officer will ensure that regular fire drills will take place at least once a term.

• Fire alarms shall be clearly marked. (Responsibility of The Board of Management Safety Officer).

• Signs shall be clearly visible to ensure that visitors are aware of exit doors and routes. (Staff Safety Officer)

• 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 his/her classroom must ensure that it is kept clear

  • Main door – deputy principal will see that it is free from obstruction.

  • Assembly areas at the far side(ditch) of the school yard are designated outside the building, and the locations specified.

• All electrical equipment shall be left unplugged when unattended for lengthy periods and when the building is empty.  Teacher is responsible for his/her own classroom.  The secretary/Principal, as appropriate, has responsibility for the office.  Staff Room is every staff member’s responsibility.  Cleaner to check when cleaning.  

• All recommendations made by a fire Officer in addition to these provisions shall be implemented.

FIRE ROUTINE PROCEDURE

Aim

To prevent panic and ensure the safe, orderly and efficient evacuation of all the occupants of the school using all the exit facilities available and to train the mind to react rationally when confronted with a fire or other emergency at school or elsewhere. (Appendix A)

Sequence:

1. Alarm

2. Evacuation

3. Call the fire brigade

4. Assembly

5. Roll Call

1. Alarm

Anyone (child or staff) who discovers an outbreak of fire should raise the alarm at once by pushing the button on the emergency fire alarm warning system.  The function of the fire alarm signal is to warn every person in the building that a state of emergency has arisen and that the drill procedure should be put into operation at once.

2. Evacuation:

• When the fire bell is sounded the children should stand up, push in their chairs and make sure that the passageways are free of school bags.

• Teacher should collect his/her roll call list of names.

• Children should walk in an orderly manner to the exit door they use to come into the building in the morning.

Children must not run nor stop in any circumstances.  Children must not laugh, talk or make unnecessary noise.  They must not attempt to pass others.

• Teachers/SNAs to check that no children are in the toilets.

• Teacher to close the classroom door when the last child has left.

• Children in the Support Rooms are to be brought to the designated Fire assembly Point by the relevant Support Teacher.

• Children who are on messages are to exit the building at their nearest point and then join their class at the designated Fire Assembly Point.

• Children to walk to the Designated Fire assembly Point by the most direct route away from the fire

• When lined up at the designated Fire Assembly Point the teacher will call the roll to ensure that each child marked present for that day is accounted for.

• Teachers will then inform Safety Officer

• If a child is missing, the Safety Officer is to inform the principal immediately.

• Teachers and children are to return to class only when the fire alarm has stopped and the building is safe.

• Ancillary staff to exit the building through the door closest to them.

• Class teachers responsible for ensuring additional staff such as SNA’s, students on work experience, helpers etc. are recorded as present at the fire assembly points.

With the exception of a search for missing persons, no one will be allowed to re-enter the building to retrieve their clothing, books etc until permission is given by the Fire Brigade or in the case of a drill, by the principal teacher.

The officer in charge of the Fire Brigade should be met on arrival and immediately informed whether or not all persons have been safely evacuated.

3. Calling Fire Brigade

All outbreaks will dictate whether fire-fighting operations should be attempted.

The important thing to be remembered is that fire fighting must always be secondary to life safety.  While small fires can often be dealt with summarily, in the case of a sizable fire, safe evacuation will be the primary concern.

4. Designated Fire Assembly Point: 

 Far side of school yard away from school building classes spaced out from each other.

 Each class lines up at the classes’ designated marked dots

Cars should leave a space near exit steps onto Staff Car Park free for ease of egress for pupils.

MAIN HAZARDS AND RISKS

The following hazards (insofar 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.

• Slippery surfaces: Wet Corridors – especially on wet days, icy surfaces on a cold day, mats in corridors, leaves on pathways, manhole covers.

• Trailing Leads, Computers, Guillotine, Projectors, Portable Electrical Equipment, Fuse Board, Electric Kettles, Boiler House, Ladders, Protruding Units and fittings, Windows opening out.

• Manual lifting.

• Work / Stress.

• Bringing home work.

• Pregnancy / Maternity.

• Lone Working.

• Out of hours (School clubs, Parents Council, Homework Supervision, After school clubs)

• Goal Posts / basketball Uprights (Goal posts are painted white, basketball uprights are covered with removable padding)

• School tours, visits to the church, visits to the local swimming pool, Halloween walk.  (The school has a written school tour policy).  Risk assessments are carried out for all trips outside the school and are stored in the School Tour Folder until approved by BOM.

• Bullying – The school has a written Anti-Bullying Policy.

• Play yards – The school has a written supervision policy.

• Accidents in school – see written Emergency Accident & Illness Procedure.  Classes are allocated designated play areas.

• Rooftop access.

SPECIFIC ISSUES & IDENTIFIED SOLUTIONS

1. Pencils with rubbers on the end / Pencils sharpened at both ends.

(Solution: it is a rule in the school that pencils are not sharpened at both ends.  Teachers remind their pupils of this each month when they complete their quarterly Health & Safety Checklist)

2. Vehicles parking at the school gates. Staff Parking

(Solution:  operate a policy of reverse parking into parking spaces)  

3. Large numbers of pupils entering and exiting the building at the same time 

(Solution: Classes enter and exit school via specifically allocated entry doors

Supervision of corridors remains the responsibility of the class teacher who leads the class out, as the presence of the class teacher eliminates any in the corridor.  The SEN teachers check the bus pupils onto the bus and the senior teachers supervise each gate exit.  Should the SEN teacher be absent then the other SEN or secretary  will cover.

4. Children run when they hear the bell;

(Solution: children are reminded not to run when they hear the bell but walk immediately to their class line.  Children are told not to continue to play and then race back to the class line. Use of 3 entry doors for entry/exit.

5. Visitors to the school enter the building unannounced and end up in corridors unsupervised

Buzzer must be used, CCTV used to show who is in the  porch. Secretary monitors the door. If a staff member meets an unknown person , they check it out. Parents are  reminded they must check in. Notice on entry doors

6. Contagious diseases such as COVID 19 Scabies, Scarlet fever, Chicken Pox, Ringworm, etc

Isolate the child 2m away from other children, if any symptoms notify parents  suggest  to get it checked out and inform us, so with their permission we can notify other parents in class. Adhere to most up to date guidance from HSE and Department of Education and Skills.

7. Glass containers

(Solution: It is a rule in the school that glass containers are not used.  This is noted in the Health & Safety Checklist)

8. Access by pupils to classrooms during play breaks

(Solution: Children must ask teachers in the yard to use the bathroom, must go into their own class toilets. They are reminded to tell the teacher on return. Junior Seniors / 2 children go together 

9. Allergies to peanuts/cashews nuts;

Peanuts, peanut butter and cashew nuts are not allowed in school. Parents must notify class teachers or school staff of allergies as soon as they become known to them.

To minimise dangers the following safety /protective measures must be adhered to: 

• Access to and operation of equipment is restricted to qualified members of the staff, whose function is that of running, maintaining, cleaning and monitoring particular items of equipment in the course of their normal duties.

• In addition all such equipment is to be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.

• When applicable, the Board of Management will ensure that members of staff will have been instructed in the correct use of equipment as appropriate.

• All machinery and electrical equipment are fitted with adequate safeguards.

• Precautionary notices, in respect of safety matters are displayed at relevant points.

• Ladders must be used with another person’s assistance to access items on high shelves. Heaviest items store on lower shelves

• Glass containers will not be used by pupils in the school.  Remove broken glass immediately on discovery.

• Board of Management will check that floors are clean, even, non-slip and splinter proof.

• Teacher in charge of PE equipment will check that PE equipment is stacked securely and positioned so as not to cause a hazard and check that all PE and other mats are in good condition.   

• An annual routine for inspecting furniture, floors, apparatus, equipment and fittings:  Board of Management Safety Officer and Staff Safety Representative.

• Check that wooden beams, benches, decking etc. are free from splinters and generally sound.  Staff Safety Representative

• Check that there are no uneven/broken/cracked paving slabs.  Staff Safety Representative 

• Check that roofs, guttering, drain pipes etc. are as far as can be seen, sound and well maintained.  Staff Safety Representative 

• Teachers check that manholes are safe when supervising the yard.

• Teachers check that all play areas are kept clean and free from glass before use.

• Check that outside lighting works and is sufficient. Board of Management.

• Check that all builders’ materials, caretakers’, maintenance equipment, external stores etc. are stored securely. Staff Safety Representative and Board of Management Safety Officer.

• Check that refuse is removed from the building each day and is carefully stored outside.  Cleaner/Principal.

• VDU’s shall be placed in relation to normal and restful adjustable height.

• Pencils with rubbers on the end are forbidden and pupils are not permitted to sharpen both ends of pencil.

CONSTANT HAZARDS

Machinery / Kitchen Equipment / Electrical Appliances.

It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Mochua that machinery, kitchen equipment and electrical appliances are only to be used by competent and authorised persons.  Such appliances and equipment will be subject to regular maintenance checks.

Electrical Equipment

Arrangements will be made for all electrical 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 fitted and in working order.

• Power supply cables/leads are intact and free of cuts and abrasions.

• Unplug leads of appliances when not in use.

• Suitable undamaged fused plug tops are 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 Mochua that all chemicals, photocopier toner, detergents etc. be stored in clearly identifiable containers bearing instructions and precautions for their use and shall be kept in the locked storage area or in the staff room, and protection provided to be used when handling them.  

Cleaning fluids are stored in the store cleaner’s room and access to this area is forbidden to pupils. (Secretary/Cleaner/Principal where appropriate)

Drugs and Medications.

It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Mochua that all drugs, medications etc., shall be kept in a secure place at all times and only used by trained and authorised personnel.  Only preventative medicines are allowed in school e.g. for asthma.  Other medicines e.g. cough bottles, antibiotics, throat lozenges are not allowed unless written permission is sought by Parent from the BOM, as a temporary measure.

Should children feel sick and are unable to continue work in school then the relevant parent/guardian(s) will be contacted.  Teachers will respond in a caring and professional manner.  Teachers will not drive children who are ill home unless in exceptional circumstances and 2 members of staff will go.  In case of emergency, the school’s Emergency Accident Procedure (Section 10) will be followed.  This Procedure has been given to all members of staff and is on display in the secretary’s office and in the main corridor and principal’s office.

WELFARE.

To ensure the continued welfare of staff and children, toilet and cloakroom areas are provided.  A staff area separate from the work area is provided, where tea and lunch breaks may be taken.  Staff must cooperate 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 will be available.  An adequate supply of water, paper towels and soap and sanitary disposal facilities will be available. Wheelie bins will be stored outside so as to help reduce the risk of being set on fire by vandals.

Members of staff and students are reminded:

• A person, who is under medical supervision or on prescribed medication and has been certified fit for work, should notify the school of any known side effect or temporary disabilities which could hinder their work performance and which may be a danger to themselves or fellow workers.  The school will arrange or assign appropriate tasks for the person to carry out in the interim. 

• Staff and students are not allowed to attend the premises to carry out duties whilst under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol.  Any person found breaking this rule would be liable to disciplinary action.

Highly Polished Floors

It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Mochua that every attempt will be made to avoid the creation of slippery surfaces.  Polish will be removed from floors before new polish is applied.  The washing of floors shall be conducted, as far as 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.  Step edges shall be fitted with clearly marked edges of a non-slip nature wherever practical.

Smoking

In line with current legislation it is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Mochua that the school shall be a non-smoking area to avoid the hazard of staff and pupils of passive smoking. 

Broken Glass

The Board of Management shall, to minimise the danger arising from broken glass, insist that children bring drinks to school in plastic rather than glass containers.  All staff will report broken glass to the principal so that it may be immediately removed.

Visual Display Units

It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Mochua that the advice contained in the Guidelines on the Safe Operation of Visual Display Units, issued by the Health and Safety Authority will be carefully followed.  Any up-to-date information regarding hazards relating to the use of VDU’s will be studied and recommendations implemented.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

It is the policy of the Board of Management of Scoil Mochua 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 principles of cleanliness, hygiene and disinfecting and have provided disposable gloves for use in all First Aid applications, cleaning tasks etc.  Toilets and washrooms shall be provided at all times with an adequate supply of water, soap, towels and a facility for the safe disposal of waste. Sanitiser will be provided for all to minimise risk of spread of infectious diseases.

1. First Aid

Notices are posted in isolation/first aid space detailing:

• Arrangements for giving first aid

• Location of first aid boxes.

• Procedure for calling an ambulance etc.

• Telephone numbers of local doctor, Gardaí, hospital. 

All incidents,  no matter how trivial, whether to employees or to members of the public, must be reported immediately to the person responsible for the hazard identified in the Safety Statement. 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 (Appendix B) is to be maintained for the recording of all accidents by the safety officer. These reports will form part of this safety statement and should be given to the principal as soon as possible after the incident.

The Safety Officer will ensure that there will be maintained in the school a properly equipped First Aid Box in accordance with HSA requirements.

Materials – minimum

First Aid Box

Contents for 26-50 persons

Instant cold packs

3

Adhesive tape

1

Adhesive Plasters

40

Sterile unmedicated  wound dressings Small 10 x 8 

4

Sterile unmedicated dressings 13 by 9 cms

8

Sterile unmedicated dressings extra large dressings

8

Sterile eye water where there is no running water

2 x 500mls

Individually wrapped Triangular Bandages

6

Safety Pins

6

Individually Wrapped Disinfectant Wipes

40

Paramedic Shears

1

Examination Gloves Pairs

10

Pocket Face Mask

1

Crepe Bandage (7cm)

3

Water based burns dressings

1 small 1 large

Disposable gloves must be worn 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 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 other suitable protection.

Collecting Children:

All parents/guardians/carers in the interest of safety must obey all signs upon entering the school grounds.

Those parking outside the school grounds are advised to accompany young children to and from the school premises.

School arrangements for parking are reviewed on a regular basis, in conjunction with Wexford County Council and An Garda Síochána, and appropriate arrangements for enforcement are in place (Principal & BOM).

QUARTERLY SAFETY CHECKLIST (Appendix C)

To help identify any potential hazards staff members are asked to complete a Safety Checklist and return it to the school’s safety officer.  The Board of Management will act upon the recommendations of staff in this regard.

Teachers will also complete a Quarterly Checklist for Pupil Behaviour to make children aware of the potential dangers in the school.  The school’s safety officer will complete a Safety Checklist for the exterior of the school and the Board will also act upon the recommendations made.

ACCESS TO THE INTERNET

The school has a written Acceptable User Policy regarding the Internet.  This policy has been circulated to all parents and staff.  The school has Firewall and Content Filter Software installed to help minimise the risk of children encountering inappropriate content whilst on the Internet.

ACCIDENT PROCEDURES

In the event of a child having an accident during playtime, the teachers on yard duty will attend to the child in a caring manner.  Should the wound be superficial the supervising teacher will use gloves, mask and clean the wound and cover it with suitable dressing from the first aid bag. The supervising teacher will wear disposable gloves.  

First Aid Kits are to be brought to the yard, and resources available in the Secretary’s Office, the Staff Room and the Infant Unit and the first aid bags.  

Should the child have received a blow to the head, the child will be sent in to the secretary for ice. If needed a ‘Bumped Head Note’(Appendix D) will be sent by the Supervising teacher to the child’s parents informing them of the same and asking them to keep a watchful eye on the child for any unusual symptoms in the child’s subsequent behaviour. 

If children need to be seen inside , during yard times, they will be sat on chairs, physically distanced,  along a corridor or in the  first aid room . A note of any accident is made in the yard book by supervising teacher  or on Aladdin system by class teacher 

An Accident Report Sheet (Appendix B) will be written up by the teachers on supervision duty or the class teacher and filed in the child’s school records, if they believe the injury is of a serious nature.  

Should an accident be more serious, then the parent will be contacted immediately and if necessary the Emergency Accident Procedures followed.

1. Ring ambulance if deemed necessary (Most Senior Staff member)

or

2. Injured child is brought to the Accident and Emergency Department or the doctor’s surgery (if applicable) as soon as possible by the two most senior staff members ,who must wear masks , or by any member of staff if looking for a particular person would cause a delay. Dr Forde’s Surgery is selected as there are three doctors in the surgery. Next most senior member of staff informs parents of the injured child by telephone.

3. The class teacher will immediately investigate to find out if the child was injured or suffering from illness and this information will be given as soon as possible to the doctor by telephone by the next most senior member of staff.

4. Teachers accompanying injured children to doctor’s surgery or hospital should remain there at least until parents arrive.

5. Teachers accompanying injured children to surgery or hospital should report back to the school as soon as is practicable.

6. Follow-up contact will be made by the principal to ascertain the degree of the injury.

7. Principal will visit the child (either in hospital or at home) to maintain contact with the family.

8. No member of staff discusses legal liability with other parties.

9. No member of staff will disclose information to third parties.

10. It is not always possible to assess whether children not injured or directly involved in the incident have been traumatised or whether other members of staff in the school have been affected.  In some cases reactions do not surface immediately.  The school will contact the NEPS team of the Department of Education and Skills to seek professional advice on how to help individuals and the school as a whole cope with the effects of a major incident if necessary.  

SUPERVISION POLICY

The school has a written policy on the supervision of pupils with clear written procedures for the supervision, collection and release of children.

ENROLMENT OF PUPILS

Parents seeking to enrol their children in Scoil Mochua are requested to return a completed Admissions and participation Form (available in the office) to the school by the end of each year.  The school notifies parents/guardians of enrolment time through the parish newsletter, website and through notification sent to the current parents of children in the school.  The admissions application form provides a section allowing parents to identify any allergies/ illnesses pupils may have.

ENTRY DOORS

Classes are allocated specific doors from which to enter and to exit the building.  The movement of children around the school is constantly monitored so that class groups will not move in opposite directions.  Play areas are segregated according to class group and children are not allowed to move from their own allocated play area. 

ABSENCES & DIVISION OF CLASSES

All teachers will have fortnightly plans and worksheets prepared and stored in their classrooms to cater for children when they are absent.  These worksheets will be found in their classroom in clearly identifiable boxes.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The school operated an agreed INTO/CPSMA/DES Grievance Procedure and Parental Complaints Procedure, the latter which is circulated annually to Parents.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Our school has a written anti-bullying policy which has been circulated to all parents and staff to show to all children, parents and staff that bullying, either physical or verbal, is not tolerated either in school or on the way to or from school or on school bus.  Moreover, everyone will be expected to ensure that bullying does not happen and will have a responsibility to tell – emphasising that this is not ‘telling tales’

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

As a general rule, teachers will not be involved in the administration of medication to pupils.  In exceptional circumstances, where a teacher agrees to become involved in the administration of medication the following guidelines will be adhered to:

• The parents of the pupil concerned will be asked to write to the Board of Management requesting the Board to authorise a teacher to administer the medication.  

• The request must also contain written instructions of the procedure to be followed in administering the medication.  

• The Board of Management, having considered the matter, may authorise a teacher to administer medication to the pupil.  

• If the teacher/staff member is so authorised she/he will be properly instructed by the Board of Management.  

• A teacher/staff member will not administer medication without the specific authorisation of the Board of Management.  

• In administering the medication to pupils, teachers will exercise the standard of care of a reasonable and prudent parent.  

• The Board of Management will inform the school’s insurers accordingly.  

• The Board of Management will seek an indemnity from the parent/guardian(s) in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of medication.  

• The Board of Management will give consideration to authorising another member of staff (only if the teacher agrees) to administer the medication in the event that the regular teacher is absent from school.  

• The Board of Management will make arrangements for the safe storage of medication.

SUBSTANCE USE

The school has a written policy on substance use, which has been circulated to all parents and staff.

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

The school has a written code of behaviour, which has been circulated to all parents and staff.  The code of Behaviour in the school provides for a level of behaviour to minimise personal risk or stress to any employee.

ACCESS TO EMPLOYEE IS BY CONSENT

When the employee of our school feels at risk from or threatened by a particular person on school property, this will be drawn to the Board of Management’s attention.  The Board of Management will undertake to ensure that in such circumstances all appropriate measures will be taken to protect employees.

REVISION OF THIS SAFETY STATEMENT

This statement shall be regularly revised by the Board of Management of Scoil Mochua in accordance with experience and the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the health and Safety Authority.

Chairperson: ____________________________ Kathryn O’Dowd

Principal: ____________________________ Gráinne Ryan

Safety Officer: ____________________________ Chris O Kane (Nominee of B.O.M.)

Safety Representative:  _____________________ Órfhlaith Ní Chonfhaola (Nominee of Staff.)

APPENDIX A

FIRE DRILL

• Daily register accurately filled out by each teacher each day for their class.

• One fire assembly point for the school, known to everyone.

• When alarm sounds all pupils line up

• , Secretary, safety officer or other pre-determined person to call the fire brigade – from another premises if necessary (caveat: their whereabouts to be known by others)

• Walk, don’t run from the classroom leaving everything behind – don’t go back for anything. Teacher last to leave carrying the roll call and shutting the door behind them.

• Class makes its way to the assembly point and lines up class-wise / teacher-wise as predetermined.

• Class roll called to determine if anyone is absent, then staff roll call plus a roll call for any others who may be on site (e.g. painters, builders, maintenance staff etc.)

• Principal / safety officer to make a list of persons missing and absent from school.

• Any information about the location / type of fire, the school layout and any other relevant information (e.g. builders round the back, painters equipment in classroom etc) to be collated also.

• This information to be presented by the 

• Principal / safety officer to the fire officer (white helmet) when they arrive.

• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANYONE ATTEMPT TO GO BACK INTO THE SCHOOL

• Only when it has been FIRMLY established that there is no fire / further danger should anybody go back into the school.

Remember: GET OUT, GET HELP, STAY OUT!

Scoil Mochua Fire Drill Record

Date___________________

Time___________________

Weather Conditions________________________________________

Time taken for evacuation____________

Difficulties encountered (if any)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Any other relevant information_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signed________________________________.

APPENDIX B

Accident or Incident Record Form Scoil Mochua 

INJURED PARTY DETAILS:    

Surname: __________________________        First Name(s): ____________________________

Address (Home/Company): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D.O.B.:____________________________      Sex: Male/Female: _________________________

Status (Please tick appropriate box)

        Student             Teacher/staff member               Visitor   Contractor 

Other (please specify):

______________________________________________________________________________

Date of Accident/Incident: _______________________________________________________

Date Accident/Incident reported to school management:_______________________________

Where appropriate, more than one box in each section may be ticked.

     Tick TYPE OF ACCIDENT MAIN AGENT WHICH CAUSED ACCIDENT:

•      Injured/damaged by a person _______________________________

•      Struck by/contact with _______________________________

•      Caught in/under _______________________________

•      Slip/trip/fall _______________________________

•      Sharps _______________________________

•      Road Traffic Accident/Crash _______________________________

•      Exposure to substances/environments _______________________________

•      Manual handling _______________________________

•      Property damage _______________________________

Type of injury (Tick) Body part injured

• Fatality ______________________________

• Bruise   ______________________________

• Concussion       ______________________________

• Internal injury      ______________________________

• Abrasion         ______________________________

• Graze         ______________________________

• Fracture ______________________________         

• Sprain     ______________________________ 

• Torn  ligament      ______________________________ 

• Burns     ______________________________        

• Scalds      ______________________________ 

• Frostbite  ______________________________      

• Injury not ascertained   ______________________________    

• Trauma             ______________________________

• Occupational disease ______________________________

• Other  (Please specify) ______________________________

Consequences       Result     Anticipated absence

Fatal Sick Leave 1-4 days

Non-fatal Excused 4-7 days

Light Duty 8-14 days

Medicine More than 14 days

NONE, i.e. no anticipated absence resulting from the accident or incident.

Has the accident been reported to Yes No Not applicable

the Health and Safety Authority?  

(See note below) 

Have you informed your insurance Yes No Not applicable

company?      

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT/INCIDENT

Give a full description of:

• the work/activity being carried out when the accident occurred

• the equipment in use (if any)

• location of accident

Detail how the accident occurred

Attach:

(A) Injured party’s report

(B) Witness list (level of detail required will vary depending on the severity of the accident)

(C) Witness statements (level of detail required will vary depending on the severity of the accident)

(D) Sketch or photograph of the scene, equipment etc. where appropriate

Investigating staff member (BLOCK CAPITALS):___________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________

Date: _______________________________________________

Note 1: Certain accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Authority. Reportable accidents are all workplace fatalities and those accidents where a person is injured in the course of their employment and cannot perform their normal work for more than 3 calendar days, not including the day of the accident. A death, or an injury that requires treatment by a registered medical practitioner, which does not occur while a person is at work, but is related to either a work activity or their place of work is also reportable. Accidents may be reported on the Health and Safety Authority’s Incident Report Form (IR1) or online at www.hsa.ie Further  information can be found in Part 1 of the Guidelines in the FAQ’s on Accident Investigating and Reporting. 

Note 2: Please ensure all information gathered is in accordance with data protection principals outlined by the Data Protection Commissioner. For further information please log onto www.dataprotection.ie

APPENDIX C

Completed Quarterly

(September, December, March and June)

by each teacher.

Report for 

September 

December 

March 

June 

Teacher’s name: ___________________________

Please tick after relevant statements below if item has been covered:

Children have been reminded/shown how to handwash correctly,socially distance and cough    into elbows

1. I have reminded my class that passageways must be left free from schoolbags  ……….

 and clutter.

2. I have reminded my class that they do not have permission to leave their desks

should I have to leave the room for a moment. ……….

3. The class has been told never to throw any object in the 

classroom or corridor. ……….

4. Only children with a note of authorisation, signed and dated from parents were

allowed leave school early and were collected from the classroom. ……….

5. Pupils were regularly reminded not to run in the classroom / corridor. ……….

6. Children have been reminded how to hand scissors to each other. ……….

7. Children have been reminded to keep all four legs Scoil Mochua

Health and safety Checklist

8. of their chair on the floor. ……….

9. It is a rule in the classroom that pencils are sharpened at one end only. ……….

10. No glass containers are ever used in the classroom. ……….

11. pencils with rubbers on top are not used in my classroom. ……….

12. All children wear indoor footwear in the classroom . ……….                                                                                                                            

13. Correcting fluid is not permitted in my classroom. ……….

14. The bottoms of windows which protrude into the play areas are closed before the beginning of break times.                   ……….

      14. Children with cuts/scrapes have them covered with suitable dressing. ……….

      15. When sending children on errands (never personal), two children have been sent. ……….

      16. Children have been reminded that they must wash their hands with soap and water

after using the toilet. ……….

      17. Any child with a runny nose, has been asked to use a tissue to blow it then hand sanitiser ……….

      18. All spillages have been dried up immediately by the teacher. ……….

      19. Children are not permitted to bring food or drinks out of the classroom. ……….

      20. Heavy objects are never stored above children’s head height. ……….

      21. Children are never allowed to open windows, pull down blinds unsupervised or 

plug / unplug electrical equipment. ……….

      22. Paper guillotines are never used by pupils nor are pupils asked to transport them. ……….

      23. All electrical equipment is unplugged by teacher at the end of school. ……….

      24. I am aware where the anapen  is stored.                                                                     ………..

      25. The pupils are aware where the anapen is stored.                                                      ………..

      26. I lead my class out of the room at breaks and end of day. ………..

      27. I am aware of trained “First Responder” in the school.                                   ………..

      28. I am aware of the Fire Windows in my classroom.      ………..

Inspection of classroom (Compiled from teacher’s observations)

Key words to be underlined as appropriate:

1. Floor: surface needs repair, cluttered, wet, overcrowded, dirty

2. Walls/Ceiling: dirty, needs to be painted, excess posters, dislodged tiles

3. Windows: dirty, obstructed, broken, latches faulty, blinds broken

4. Doors: dirty, sticking, draughty, locks/handles broken, key missing

5. Presses: untidy, labelling inadequate, doors, handles

6. Tables: wet/dirty, damaged, décor/finish

7. Chairs: damaged, broken, legs need to be painted

8. Lights: fluorescent tubes not working, shades 

9. Electrical sockets: malfunction, cracked, loose, water risk

10. Fire equipment:             date nearest extinguisher was serviced

11. Environment: temperature low, smells, poor air circulation/condensation,

Inadequate ventilation

12. waste disposal:             lack of bins, excess material, solvent waste, labelling 

13. Sinks: dirty, blocked, leaking, traps need to be emptied

14. Water: Faulty taps, water leaks

15. Shelves: not secured to wall, heavy objects above children’sheight, overloaded

16. Equipment: badly located, clear access to room hindered, excess, dangerous leads

17. Mats: corner rising, worn, likely to move under foot

18. Toilets:             blocked, leaking, won’t flush.

19. IWB Filters checked

Staff members;/I am aware that I will use a ladder to access /put up items on wall with 2nd person present  and will store heavier items on lower shelves- sign 

Relevant comments on any issue relating to Health & Safety in the classroom:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Repairs as needed as a matter of urgency under Health & Safety

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Improvements you would suggest for the classroom under general maintenance

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exterior / outside play areas: (Compiled from teachers observations)

Key words to be underlined:

Grass areas: grass too long, ground uneven, loose manhole cover, debris on site, water lying on surface,  litter, pupils taking short cuts across grassy areas

Basketball Court: slippery surface, loose tarmac, grit on surface, grass verge too long, blackboards in need of  repair, litter

Paths: muddy, leaves, litter, slippy, surface water, untreated ice

Football pitches; grass too long, uneven surface, goalposts in need of repair, litter, surface water, grass worn; violence/challenging behaviour from pupils

Buildings (Outside) loose drainpipes, damaged doors, damaged windows, clips for holding doors open missing.

Buildings (Inside) corridors wet, cluttered, shoe racks untidy/dirty, sinks dirty, dripping taps, rising carpet/floor covering; hot drinks carried on corridor

Traffic dangerous parking, speeding, pupils rushing across road, 

Steps: slippery, grit on steps, surface water; hidden; 

Ramp: slippery, grit on steps, surface water

Repairs needed as a matter of urgency under Health & Safety _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Improvements you would suggest for the school under general maintenance

Can roof tiles/slates/gutters be checked that they are secure? Flashing checked? Are gutters and down pipes clear? Are drains clear? Trees close to school maintained?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

All Health & Safety Checklist reports will form part of the school’s Health & Safety policy and will be stored with the school’s safety Statement.

*If you are experiencing personal stress, please contact the Principal in confidence.

Signature of teacher  ___________________________________

APPENDIX D

BUMPED HEAD or MINOR ACCIDENT / NOTE

Dear _____________________,

This note is to let you know that ________________________________ has had a minor 

accident today or  has sustained a bump to the head. Details of this are noted below. 

Should your child experience vomiting , dizziness or any other complaint, please consult your family doctor. 

Yours sincerely, 

—————————————————————————————————————

Brief description of the incident—and action taken: