Health & Safety Policy – Ravenswell Primary School

Ravenswell Primary School

Health and Safety Policy

2022/2023

Contents

Health & Safety

Statement……………………………………………………………………………………………..2

Physical Structure of the

School………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

School Arrangements

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Classroom

Management…………………………………………………………………………………………..6

Access……………………….…………………………………………………………………………6

Fire Safety

Equipment……………………………………………………………………………………………..7

Electrical, PE & Curricular

Equipment………………………………………………………………………………………………7

Staff & Pupil

Hygiene………………………………………………………………………………………………..8

Cleaning/Maintenance

Staff……………………………………………………………………………………………………8

School Outings & Tours

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………9

Contact

Details…………………………………………………………………………………………………9

Accident

Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………9

First Aid Kits &

Training………………………………………………………………………………………………9

At Risk

Pupils…………………………………………………………………………………………………10

Medication…..………………………………………………………………………………………10

Medical

History………………………………………………………………………………………………..11

Lifting…………………..………………………………………………………………………………11

Outside

Contractors……………………………………………………………………………………………11

Appendix A: Fire

Safety…………………………………………………………………………………………………12

Appendix B: Classroom

Emergencies………………………………………………………………………………………….13

Appendix C: School

Plans…………………………………………………………………………………………………15

Appendix D: Manual

Handling………………………………………………………………………………………………17

Health & Safety Statement

Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005

Ravenswell Primary School,

Bray,

Co. Wicklow.

Safety Representative: Nicola Pigott

The Board of Management of Ravenswell Primary School, Ravenswell, Bray are committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all its pupils, teachers, ancillary staff and visitors to the school.

This Safety Statement is accessible to all the staff members, and its rules and regulations to be implemented by staff and practiced by all pupils and staff.

The overall duty of the school in the area of Safety Management is to educate and supervise the pupils, to ensure safety and to promote safe practice. This duty is performed by the teachers and staff of the school, in accordance with the rules laid down by the Department of Education and Skills. The duty of the Facilities Management staff is to maintain the school building for the comfort, health and safety of its occupants.

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

Ravenswell Covid-19 Response Plan Covid-19 Policy Statement

School Tour Policy

Anti-bullying Policy

Code of Behavioural Policy

Yard Management Procedures

Administration of medicine procedures

Child Protection Policy

Work Experience Policy

Substance Misuse Policy

This policy was ratified on 5th December 2022 and will be reviewed for the 2023/2024 school year.

Review completed: November 2022

Ratified at Board of Management meeting: 5th December 2022

Chairperson Board of Management: Date: 5th December 2022

Physical Structure of the School (See Appendices for School Plans)

The school is situated on the north side of Bray town, in the townland of Ravenswell. The campus is shared with Coláiste Ráithín, a second-level Irish speaking school. Both schools are managed by a Facilities Management company on the campus.

Ravenswell Primary School is a 24 classroom school with school offices, parents’ room and general practice hall on site. The school yard is made up of three basketball courts all enclosed by outer fencing. The basement level classrooms have access to an outside courtyard from their classrooms. One set of steps lead up to the main yard from this court yard.

The school has a specialised ASD unit with two classrooms, multi-sensory room, small assembly hall, offices, safe space rooms and an enclosed soft-play yard area.

All basement level classrooms have emergency doors that lead straight out to the courtyard. All classrooms on the ground floor have emergency doors on the corridors leading out to the yard area or the front of the school. The ASD unit area has two emergency doors, one leading to the front of the school, the other to the soft-play yard area. On the top floor the classes will have to use the staircases to exit the building from the ground floor in the case of an emergency. The parents’ room has its own emergency exit door as does the general practice hall.

The car park for the school staff is at the front of the school. There is no parking on site for parents other than a drop and stop area outside the school yard gates. There is a bike rack area beside the staff car park.

School Arrangements

As per Sensori’s (the Facility Management company) policy, dogs are not allowed on the school campus. Any parents/guardians who bring a dog to collection must wait outside the main gates to the campus. This rule does not apply to service dogs e.g. dogs for the blind and visually impaired, dog for autistic children or a specially trained reading dog.

Arrival and Dismissal

All children and parents enter the school ground no earlier than 8.50am each day as the gates remain locked until then. Gates are opened and closed by Facilities Management each day the times indicated below.

Arrival

School hours are between 9.00am and 2.40pm. The main door is opened by the Facilities Management at about 7.30am to facilitate early arriving school staff. Each staff member has a fob to enter the main reception.
The yard gate opens at 8:50am. Children are allowed in and walk to their lines. They are supervised by staff members.
At 9.00 class teachers collect the classes from the yard.
Three main doors and six external classroom doors are opened at 9:00am to allow children into the different areas. The doors are opened by staff members and closed by 9.15am.
As indicated above the gates and doors are opened and closed at different times throughout the day. The only gate and door open outside of these times is at the main reception.
If anyone needs to enter the school outside of designated times it must be through the main reception. A sign-in book is in reception for any late pupils, visitors etc. There is also a sign in book in the parents’ room for any parents using the room.

Dismissal

After school hours, after school activities such as Homework Club, Activity Club, etc. take place under supervision. The school office closes at 3.30pm. Facilities Management cleaning staff will be on the premises later on and enter the premises with their manager.
Each class has a designated door to enter and exit the school. Each class exits the building under supervision of the class teacher.
Junior and Senior Infant children are dismissed at 1.40pm. Infant children are collected by parents / guardians at their designated gate under their teachers’ supervision. If there is any change to this arrangement the school must be informed of the identity of the person nominated to collect the child on such an occasion.
Children from 1st to 6th are dismissed at 2.40pm from separate doors. First class children are collected by parents/guardians/older siblings and may not leave until collected. Second class children are collected by parents/guardians/older siblings and may not leave by themselves unless the school has been informed of this alternative arrangement. From 3rd to 6th class parents make collection /walking home arrangements according to how they see fit.
The ASD class enters and exits from the same door each day. Their collection times can vary. The class teacher hands the child over to the parent or guardian who is collecting.
If normal collection arrangements break down for any reason older children are advised to return to the office to wait/ make a phone call.

The main hazards are likely to be accidents arising from children travelling through the buildings and school grounds. To minimise the risk and thereby prevent any such accidents occurring, the following rules are implemented:

All entrances have non-slip mats on the ground. These are hard wearing but are renewed as they become worn. Each door has a hook to hold the door open so children do not catch fingers in the door.
Children are asked to keep to the right-hand side when moving through the corridors and stairs.
All steps are to be used as means of access only. No child may loiter or play on the steps. Running is not permitted inside the school buildings with the exception of P.E. class (under supervision)
Each class has its own designated area for lining up after break and an assembly point for Fire Drill.

Because of the large number of children playing, the following rules are implemented:

The playgrounds are divided into areas (as per yard rota). All classes use 3 basketball courts,1 courtyard and the hall. Children in The Cedars have their own enclosed yard space. The areas are divided by safety cones and a safety chain that loops through the cones. Yards are split into separate sections using cones, which are set up and taken away by Facilities Management at various times of the day to ensure safe movement of traffic on entry and dismissal to school. Senior children clear a number of cones at 1pm to assist with this.
No child may leave the school grounds without express permission of the school. No child may re-enter the school building during break-time or after 2.40 p.m. without the permission of a teacher.
No fighting of any kind is tolerated.
Please refer to “Yard Policy” for playground rules.
Sharp instruments and potentially dangerous or hazardous objects are banned from school.
During dress up days, children are not to bring hand-held props (swords, hammers etc) with them to the yard.
The basement level and exterior steps to basement level are out of bounds. The pathway area leading to the front of the school and the front of the school are out of bounds for all pupils.
All significant accidents are recorded in the accident book by the teacher on duty. The class teacher is informed. Parents are contacted by phone if necessary and time and date of call logged. Particular caution when a head injury has occurred – parents are always called(informed). In other instances for smaller minor instances a note in the diary/Class Dojo or speaking to the parent after school will suffice.
Children may not bring pets onto the school campus.
Supervision at break time is provided by teaching staff that patrol the area. Each teacher is supplied with a whistle. Special Needs Assistants are assigned to care for children who require individual attention. They assist in playground supervision. A member of staff is assigned to First Aid at the reception of the school during break time. The principal also assists with this if/when necessary.
A list of teachers’ supervisory times is displayed in the Staff Room, at reception and a copy is sent to the Principal and to each individual teacher.

Special Needs Modifications

As the school building is state of the art it meets all Special Needs criteria. There are disabled toilets and showers if needed. The corridors and doors are wheelchair accessible, and there is a lift for any child/adult that needs to use it.

Classroom Management

The responsibility for the management of the classroom is the preserve of the teacher of that class. Each teacher manages their own class in accordance with the regulations issued by the Department of Education and Skills. At the beginning of the school year each teacher should discuss and involve the pupils in formulating class rules in line with the school’s Code of Behaviour.

Early Collections

Parents have been notified that early collections can only be facilitated at the following times: 10.45-10.55am and 12.00-12.25pm, barring an emergency or a child being collected due to symptoms of Covid-19 (updated as per HSE guidelines). Children leaving school premises during school hours when parents wish to absent them for the purpose of medical or dental appointment must observe the following:

Parents may verbally inform the school of the collection with the teacher/principal/office. Otherwise a note/class dojo message requesting the child’s absence must be produced.
No child is allowed to leave the school grounds until a parent or guardian has arrived.
The child must be signed out from the school office by a parent or guardian.
The child will be sent to the office. Parents will not pass the reception area when collecting their child.

Access

Key holders

The facilities management company are the key holders to the school. Each staff member has their own fob to enter the school building through the main entrance. This fob also gives staff access to the ASD unit area.

CCTV

All exit doors are closed after 9.15am and access is through the main door which is on an intercom system. CCTV is present on the campus.

All visitors are asked to report to the office when arriving and leaving. They may not go to the classes without permission (except at the morning drop off time at 9am). This includes parents collecting children early or bringing them to school out of normal times.

Notices to this effect are posted at every door.

Snow and ice

Bags of salt, snow shovels and a salt spreader are kept in the caretaker’s shed/designated secured areas throughout campus. If the access routes and steps are icy or snow covered, access will be restricted to the main entrance to ensure we can concentrate on clearing one area. Facilities Maintenance will salt/grit entrance and exit areas around the school as required.

Fire Safety Equipment

A Fire Drill is held once a term in line with Fire Safety regulations.

All members of staff are made aware of the evacuation procedure. This is displayed on each classroom wall, office, hall, and staff room. A map showing exit routes and assembly points is also displayed in each classroom. Each year, during the first term, new Staff Members, those who have moved to a different room and Junior Infant classes must carry out a practice Fire Drill prior to the whole school drill.

Facilities Management are responsible for managing the maintenance and repair of all fire extinguishers and fire safety equipment in the school building. Annual checks on fire extinguishers and a quarterly check of fire alarms & doors are carried out.

Electrical Equipment

School staff have access to a range of electrical equipment. Any faulty equipment must be reported to Facilities Management for repair/replacement and taken out of use. Annual checks are carried out.

Equipment used outdoors is to be reported to Facilities Management.

The boiler house is in the rear yard play area. This is only accessed by FM. The boiler is serviced by DGM boilers (every 6 months). It is fitted with a frost protection thermostat that activates the heating system when temperatures go below a certain level (2 degrees).

The electrical equipment is used mainly by the staff. Children would rarely use this equipment with the exception of computers, and CD players. This is done under the teachers’ supervision and in line with the school’s Acceptable Use Policy. There are several fuse boards around the school. The main switch room is on the lower level. There is another in the lobby, upstairs above the secretary’s office, in the boiler room, and other areas around the school.

PE Equipment

All equipment used is approved for use by children during P. E. class under teachers’ supervision.
Play tunnel, mats, benches, trampoline, and box are used. Soft balls, bean bags, plastic cones, plastic and wooden bats, plastic hockey sticks, hoops, quoits, skipping ropes, footballs, basketballs, volley balls, and the parachute are also used.
The basketball courts provide a non-gritty surface for outdoor games. The P.E. Hall has an appropriate floor for playing games and doing gymnastics.
Any faulty equipment is to be reported to Safety Rep/facilities management depending on equipment and taken out of use until repaired or replaced.
Runners must be worn both indoors and outdoors for P.E. class. No rough or dangerous play is tolerated.

Curricular Equipment

All equipment is used under teacher supervision and is age appropriate.
Equipment includes scissors, craft knives, wire for cutting clay, glue, knitting and sewing needles, crochet hooks, sprays – fixing spray, spray paint.
All Aerosol Sprays are stored in a secure area. These should be used with an open window or outside if they have a strong smell.

Staff Room Hygiene

Paper towels are provided in the staff wash areas and staff room. Hand sanitiser is provided for all staff.
Tea towels and dishcloths are changed on a regular basis and washed in the washing machine.
A dishwasher is available to ensure the cleanliness of all cups and delph.
The staff who wish to take a drink to their room must use a covered bottle or travel cup with the lid on.
Two fridges are provided to keep milk and lunches fresh. The staff is requested to bring home all food each Friday.
The staff are expected to keep the staffroom tidy and clean toasters and microwaves after use.
The staff toilets and staffroom are cleaned regularly.
Hand sanitiser is provided on entry.
If staff are using delph/cutlery, it must be placed into the dishwasher after use.

Pupil Hygiene

Pupils are taught about health and safety issues in SPHE classes.
All children are taught to use hand sanitiser at specific times throughout the day.
Children with skin conditions are only allowed to bring in their own sanitiser if the parent has discussed this with the class teacher and principal.
All classrooms are en-suite with paper towels and soap dispensers.
All toilets have warm water.
Parents are requested to check hair on a regular basis and treat accordingly. Letters are sent home as needs be and teachers regularly speak to the class about prevention and treatment of head lice.
Desks are sanitised regularly throughout the school day using a mixture of water and Milton (1 cap full: 1.6L water) especially before break times.
Sanitary bins are available in the female staff toilets, every female toilet in the senior classes and in the female toilet in the parents’ room. These are regularly serviced by Accent Solutions Sanitary Services.

Cleaning /Maintenance Staff

Cleaning agents and machinery used by staff are kept locked in the storerooms. Cleaning is undertaken by a cleaning company under the guidance of Facilities Management.
All electrical equipment and chemicals are to be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. (All products and equipment are pre-determined)
Before use, safety guidelines must be consulted and followed.
Protective gloves are provided and should be worn when recommended. All floor polishes used are non-slip.
Facilities Management wear protective clothing, boots and gloves, which are provided. When strimming etc. goggles must be worn.
All poisons, i.e. rodent bait and weed killers are used in accordance with instructions. Weed killer is used outside of school time.
The Facilities Management has been fully briefed regarding Safety issues and has been instructed to report immediately should any such situation arise.
Accent Solutions act as the school’s cleaning contractors.

School Outings & Tours (See tours policy)

Normal school rules of good behaviour apply as per Code of Behaviour. All rules must be adhered to.
Separate written parental permission is essential before any child is brought on tour involving transport of any kind. High-visibility ‘Ravenswell’ jackets are used for younger children to wear when on tour.
Written/Digital permission is necessary for all outings leaving the school that involve transport and payment.
No child will be permitted on a school tour without parental consent.
Local outings that are within walking distance can be taken during school hours once parents are informed, i.e. library, park etc. This may be by text, note in Homework Journal or notice on Class Dojo.
At least two adults must accompany a group and extra supervision will be needed for the Junior Classes.
Parents may accompany a class to provide extra supervision.
All buses taken must have working seat belts unless a class is using a public Dublin Bus.

Contact Details

Contact details are regularly updated using Aladdin Schools database. On enrolment of each child, parents are asked to give the school written permission to seek medical attention for their child, in the event of the school being unable to contact parents or nominated contact.

Accident Policy

When an accident occurs, the extent of the injury is evaluated. Where doubt is expressed as to the extent of the injury or sickness, a parent, guardian or nominee is contacted and asked to bring the child home and/or seek medical advice. All such calls are recorded in an Accident Book, which is kept directly across from the HSCL office. (Please see sheet on Rules and Guidelines for Yard Management.) Superficial accidents are treated by appointed staff member/Principal on first aid duty. A first aid kit is kept and used in such cases. Parents should be informed of any head injuries even if the child seems to appear perfectly fine. In the event of a serious accident/injury, and in addition to recording in the Accident Book, the supervising staff member will arrange to contact the parent, as well as fully informing the class teacher and principal of the incident.

First Aid Kits & Training

First aid kits are in the reception area (ground floor), above the filing cabinet in Room 5 (lower ground floor), beside the photocopier on the first floor and in Cedars.

– Disposable gloves -Sterile cotton wool -Scissors

– Safety pins

– Eye pads

– Triangular bandages -Large Adhesive plasters -Cotton bandages -Tweezers

– Absorbent lint

Additional First Aid kits are located in press in the Meeting Room, containing:

– Adhesive plasters -Triangular bandages -Antiseptic wipes -Safety pins

– Sterile swabs

– Eye wash solution -Eye pad dressings

– Disposable gloves

-Crepe bandage

-Surgical tape -Tweezers

– Wound dressings

-Scissors

– Guidelines leaflet

Contents are checked on a regular basis by the Safety Rep. Access to first aid cupboards is limited to adults. On School Tours teachers must ensure they bring a small sample of a first aid kit and any necessary medication for children in their care.

First Aid training:

The school has a defibrillator, located at reception, which is checked at regular intervals. Directions to the defibrillator are posted clearly around the school corridors. School staff regularly receive appropriate training in First Aid, which includes training in the use of the defibrillator in cases of emergency.

At Risk Pupils

All relevant staff have been fully briefed regarding pupils with any severe allergies. An Emergency Box containing an Anapen or other emergency medication, is located in the child’s classroom in an agreed safe place. Selected Staff members have been authorised to administer Adrenaline or other medication in emergency situations.

A copy of the following Procedure is situated in Emergency Boxes where a photograph of a child is displayed.

Procedure:

● Give Adrenaline (noting time)

● Dial 999.

● Contact Parents.

● Stay with the child.

● Ensure Airway is clear.

● Ensure all items in Box are taken to the hospital.

● First Aid

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 such administration, the parent/guardian of the child will be required to write to the Board of Management, requesting authorisation for that teacher to administer the medication. If the Board authorises the administration by the teacher, they will seek an indemnity from the parent in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of the medication. Parents are welcome to come to the school at an agreed time for the purpose of administering medication themselves. Parents will administer medication to their child in an agreed area.

Medical History

On registering their child in the school, each parent must give details of any health problems pertaining to their child. Any medical problems must be revealed. Parents are asked to inform the school if new conditions present after enrolment. Telephone nos. of local doctors, Health Board, and Gardaí are located by the telephone in the office. In the event of a child being required to use crutches, a designated member of staff or a senior student will be asked to accompany the child to and from the classroom, in the interest of safety.

Lifting

All employees from time to time lift and carry equipment or materials, unless for some medical reason this is not possible. Information is provided to all staff on proper lifting procedures. (See Appendix D – Manual Handling)

To avoid accidents it should be noted:

That the correct way to lift and carry is to lift with the legs and not with the back.
That if an object is too heavy to seek assistance.
To remove obstructions before lifting and clear a space where the load is to be set down.
To bend knees to a crouching position with the back straight but not necessarily vertical.
To use a firm grip with the palm of the hand and the roots of the fingers – using the fingertips means more effort and more chance of dropping the object.
To keep the arms close to the body so that the body takes the weight rather than the fingers, wrist and arm.
To use gloves when handling sharp or slippery objects.
To use mechanical aids if they are available and suitable.
Ladders can cause accidents usually to caretakers and maintenance staff. The following should be noted:

Straight ladders greater than 10 ft. should either be secured at the top or footed at the base. They should be inclined at an angle of 4 horizontal: 1 vertical.

Faulty ladders should be removed from service immediately and repaired or replaced.
The apex of a painter’s wooden trestle should not be “straddled” because there is no handhold.

Outside Contractors

Prior to coming on site FM has all necessary paperwork.

All outside contractors must provide insurance and liaise with the Facilities Management and Safety Officer regarding safety procedures.

All grant aided capital projects must conform to regulations laid down by the Department of Education and Skills.

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Appendix A – Fire Safety

Fire Extinguishers Checked

Last checked: October 2022

Fire Drills

Fire drills are carried out once per term. The staff is requested to hold a “practice drill” to reassure younger pupils and to show children where they assemble. The fire alarm is one continuous bell and the keypad is located on the lower corridor. The facilities management has access to this keypad.

Fire Drill Procedure:

Please familiarise yourself with the exit route and assembly point for your class. In the event of a fire:

1. Assemble class quickly and quietly.

2. Take the yellow class list from beside the door. (This list must be updated when new children join the class/or children leave the class – class teacher must inform safety rep of this so new list can be made)

3. Check toilets in the classroom/nearest toilets.

4. Close the door when all children have vacated the room.

5. Walk class in line along exit route (Walking on the right of the corridors/stairwells.

6. Ensure Internal Fire Doors on corridors are closed.

7. Assemble at an allocated place outside i.e. on the far side of basketball courts. Learning Support and Resource teachers bring groups of children to the Assembly Point for their class.

8. Call roll, ensuring all pupils have been accounted for. Teachers remain standing at the head of their class line.

9. Inform Safety Rep if any child or Staff member is missing.

10. Do not re-enter the building until “all-clear” has been given.

Fire /Intruder Alarms

SRS Fire provides regular services and checks a set number of Fire Exit lights and smoke detectors on a quarterly basis.

Group 4 company monitor both alarms.

Appendix B – Classroom Emergency

Emergency in the classroom

Each staff member is equipped with a “light bulb” card as shown below. In the event of a threatening situation or emergency requiring a second adult the staff member alerts a colleague by means of this card.

Appendix C – School Plans

Appendix D – Manual Handling

The following is provided to staff and must be in full view in every room of the school.