Useful sources
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work publications
Other HSE guidance
Other useful sources
Contacting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Safety policy checklist

General
Organisation
Arrangements
Monitoring and review
Negotiation, consultation and information
Model Inspection Report Form
 

Useful sources

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work publications

Other HSE guidance

There is a vast amount of advisory literature available from HSE. Most, if not all, is freely downloadable.

Refer also to the Resources sections on the Health and Safety Handbook underneath the specific topics.

Other useful sources

Organisation Description, contact details
NASUWT www.nasuwt.org.uk
   
TUC Publications www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s
A large number of useful publications. A complete list can be obtained from the TUC at Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
Tel: 020 7636 4030

TUC ‘Risks’ weekly electronic health and safety newsletter. Sign up to receive it automatically by e- mail (free): www.tuc.org.uk/newsroom/register.cfm
afPE   
Association for Physical
Education     		 www.afpe.org.uk
University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester WR2 6AJ
BSI
British Standards Institution		 www.bsi-global.com
Standards and guidance: for example, for design and technology BS 4163 (2000)
CLEAPSS
Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services		 www.cleapss.org.uk
Advice for members of CLEAPSS on COSHH and risk assessment in science subjects.
CLEAPSS, The Gardiner Building, Brunel Science Park, Uxbridge UP8 3PQ Tel: 01895 251496
DfE
Department for Education		 www.gov.uk
European Agency for Safety and Health http://osha.europa.eu/OSHA
Factsheets on risk assessment, stress, bullying and other topics
Hazards Campaign www.hazardscampaign.org.uk
Hazards Magazine www.hazards.org
Safety representatives’ website - www.hazards.org/safetyreps
Public Health England www.gov.uk
HSE
Health and Safety Executive		 www.hse.gov.uk
Labour Research Department (LRD) www.lrd.org.uk
A range of publications LRD Publications Ltd, 78 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HF.
Tel: 020 7928 3649
London Hazards Centre www.lhc.org.uk
Handbooks on asbestos and other issues, factsheets and information for safety representatives.
227 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, London N4 2DA
Tel: 020 7527 5107 E-mail: [email protected]
Greater Manchester Hazards Centre www.gmhazards.org.uk
Windrush Millennium Centre, 70 Alexandra Road, Manchester M16 7WD
Tel: 0161 636 7557
E-mail: [email protected]
NHS Choices online www.nhs.uk
UK National Stress Network www.workstress.net

Keep a list of any further sources you find. Let us know about any useful H&S sites that you find.

Contacting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

If you think a problem is so serious that it could merit intervention by an HSE inspector, take advice from your Local Association/NASUWT Health and Safety Co-ordinator.

Safety policy checklist

General

Does the policy give a clear and unequivocal commitment to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of employees?

Does the policy acknowledge the responsibility of the employer and line manager to ensure the safety of all persons on site, including children, and are the arrangements clearly explained?

Does the policy comply with relevant equalities legislation, including the duty placed on public bodies to promote equality on the basis of race, gender and disability?

Does the policy comply with the requirement contained within the school/college Disability Equality Scheme?

Does the employer clearly and unequivocally accept responsibility for this?

Does the policy make clear the active involvement of governors in health and safety, and have they discussed and agreed the policy?

Is the policy signed by the senior manager and dated?

Have trade union safety representatives been consulted and have they agreed the policy?

Organisation

Is there a clear system in place for managing health and safety?

Does the policy make clear the division of responsibilities between the LA and the governors?

Are the health and safety responsibilities of managers and other people in the system clearly described, and are they named?

Have they been consulted, received appropriate training, and have they had their responsibilities explained?

Are key safety personnel identified:

  • nominated person for emergency evacuations;

  • ‘competent’ persons;

  • qualified first aid personnel.

Does the policy make clear the procedure for bringing health and safety matters to the attention of ‘management’?

Does the policy make clear the arrangements for the completion of risk assessments (general and manual handling), and are the risk assessments attached?

Does the policy make clear arrangements for the roles of ‘competent persons’, and does it name them?

Does the policy make clear the arrangements for COSHH, Electricity at Work and VDUs?

Does the policy make clear the arrangements for health and safety training which will be adopted?

Have trade union safety representatives been consulted and strategies agreed?

Arrangements

Is the policy comprehensive, including safety arrangements for:

  • emergency evacuation;

  • first aid;

  • protection of staff against violence;

  • reduction of work-related stress;

  • educational visits and learning outside the classroom;

  • minibuses;

  • contractors;

  • kitchen/ground/maintenance staff (where appropriate);

  • ionising radiation;

  • laboratories/workshops/kilns (where appropriate); and

  • other statutory and non-statutory standards to be met where appropriate?

Does the policy guarantee adequate welfare facilities for employees (washing, sanitary, shower, cloakroom and staffroom facilities) at least up to statutory standards?

Does the policy make clear arrangements for the recording and reporting of accidents and near misses?

Does the policy recognise the right of trade union safety representatives to investigate accidents and near misses, and have adequate arrangements been made to assist this?

Does the policy make clear the arrangements for management/employer safety inspections?

Does the policy make clear emergency evacuation procedures and name the person responsible for organising them?

Does the policy make clear fire precautions?

Does the policy make clear inspection arrangements (water system and fire extinguishers)?

Does the policy make clear the arrangements for dealing with hazardous waste?

Have trade union safety representatives been consulted and strategies agreed?

Monitoring and review

Does the policy allow for the monitoring and reviewing of the safety organisation and arrangements, including safety audits, and is there a commitment to regularly update the policy?

Is there a mechanism for the balanced participation of workers in monitoring, reviewing and updating the policy (for example, Safety Committee)?

If there is a Safety Committee, is its remit clearly expressed:

  • to review health and safety statistics;

  • to review risk assessments and the implementation of control measures;

  • to review union inspection reports;

  • to discuss changes in the workplace/working practices;

  • to discuss the impact and implications of new legislation;

  • to discuss health and safety procedures;

  • to develop and agree standards; and

  • to examine the safety policies of contractors as part of the tendering process?

Does the policy make clear that the governors will have health and safety as an item on their agenda at each meeting? Will they receive reports from Health and Safety Representatives as well as management reports?

Negotiation, consultation and information

Does the policy recognise the rights of trade unions in relation to the appointment of safety representatives?

Does the policy clearly state that adequate facilities, including time off, will be given to the safety representative according to law?

Does the policy make clear the arrangements for consultation/negotiation?

Does the policy make clear arrangements for dissemination of information and lines of communication?

Model Inspection Report Form

We have prepared the NASUWT Health and Safety Representative’s Model Inspection Report Form for use during your inspections. It's available to download and print from the right/below.

 


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