Health, safety and welfare statement
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, it is the policy of the Board of Management of Ballyfin NS to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all staff and to protect pupils, visitors, contractors and other persons at the school from injury and ill health arising from any work activity. The successful implementation of this policy requires the full support and active co-operation of all staff, pupils, contractors and visitors to the school.
It is recognised that hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures are legislative requirements which must be carried out by the employer to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all staff.
The Board of Management, as employer, undertakes in so far as is reasonably practicable to:
The Board of Management is committed to playing an active role in the implementation of this occupational safety, health and welfare policy and undertakes to review and revise it in light of changes in legislation, experience and other relevant developments.
Signed: Fr Joseph Brophy, (Chairperson, Board of Management)
Date: 13/12/2023
School profile
School size/building
Ballyfin NS is a medium-sized primary school, catering for approximately 213 pupils with nine mainstream teachers. As of November 2023 it also has three SEN teachers, and four special needs assistants. It has a full-time secretary and administrative principal.
The school building, built in 2008, is in excellent condition. It consists of ten full sized classrooms (with ensuite toilet facilities), three smaller learning support rooms, a general purpose room with stage, a staffroom/kitchenette, secretary’s office, principal’s office, three storerooms, cleaner’s store, staff toilets, three disabled toilets, lift and boiler room. The school is set on a large site, with a staff car-park, a large tarmac playing area and a small grass playing area.
Organisational structures
Safety, health and welfare at school is everyone’s responsibility. A whole school approach to the promotion and development of safety, health and welfare is required.
Planning procedures
The school principal (assisted where necessary/appropriate by the deputy principal, post holders and other staff/ Board of Management members) is nominated by the Board of Management to act as the School Safety Officer, responsible for the co-ordination, implementation and management of safety, health and welfare on its behalf. Overall responsibility for health and safety cannot be delegated and remains with the Board of Management.
It is recognised that planning for safety, health and welfare will involve planning for actions that are:
Safety, health and welfare planning is an integral part of the School Plan of Ballyfin NS. It draws on many of the same resources and structures as other aspects of the school self-evaluation and planning process. The compilation and ongoing review of the Safety Statement is and will be informed by and reflect wider school planning priorities and decisions. Likewise planning in relation to other aspects of school life, both curricular and organisational, will be influenced by and reflective of, safety, health and welfare considerations.
Resources for safety, health and welfare in the school
All people using and working in the school are a significant resource for the advancement of safety, health and welfare in the school. The professional discretion of the teaching staff is particularly acknowledged in this regard, as is the role of the special needs assistants in attending to the specific safety, health and welfare concerns related to pupils with special educational needs. All members of the school community are encouraged to discuss safety, health and welfare concerns with the school principal.
The allocation of resources, both of personnel and of materials, is reviewed and amended as the need arises. The Board of Management is committed to ensuring that the use of resources is consistent with the priorities of the school in terms of maintaining and improving safety, health and welfare. If a health and safety concern cannot be immediately rectified due to the unavailability of funds/personnel/planning authorisation etc. then all practicable efforts are made to ameliorate the risk until such time as it can be resolved.
See https://www.hsa.ie/eng/education/managing_safety_and_health_in_schools/primary_schools_guidelines/ and https://www.allianz.ie/products/schools/schools-insurance/safety-security/in-the-school.html for further information and resources on managing health and safety in schools.
Roles and responsibilities
Board of Management:
The principal/ School safety officers
Teachers/ Special needs assistants/ Non - teaching staff
Risk Assessment
Risk assessment involves identifying hazards, evaluating the risk in proportion to the hazard and putting in place appropriate measures to control or eliminate the risk. Parts of the school risk assessment may be delegated to appropriate people e.g. the individual teacher of each classroom. There is no need to consider every minor hazard or risk that we accept as part of our daily lives.
Risk assessments need to be updated/ extended when new equipment is introduced, major maintenance work is being undertaken or new pupils with special educational needs enrol etc. The risk assessments are reviewed on an annual basis and amended as necessary.
Comprehensive Risk Assessment documentation is appended to the end of the hard copy of the safety statement.
Emergency Procedures, Fire safety, First Aid, Accessing school grounds, Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences.
Emergency procedures
See Critical Incident Policy which outlines procedures and responsibilities in the event of a major crisis or traumatic incident in the school.
Parents are asked to provide contact details on enrolment, and to inform the school should these change. A full list of contact details is kept in the office, where all staff members can access them. They are also available on the Aladdin system. Parents/guardians are contacted as soon as possible in case of an emergency, but teachers seek medical advice in the meantime if there is likely to be a delay in contacting them.
The Board of Management has authorised the principal to close the school in circumstances necessitating an exceptional closure. The Aladdin or Gmail communication systems (or other appropriate means) will be utilised to inform parents of the closure. If the closure occurs during the school day, some school staff will remain in the school until all children have been collected.
Fire Safety
Fire prevention procedures
The Board of Management are responsible for ensuring that there is an adequate supply of fire extinguishers provided in the school building, and that these fire extinguishers are annually serviced and replaced immediately if used or damaged. Fire alarms are clearly marked.
In order to prevent the likelihood of a fire all unnecessary electrical equipment will be unplugged or turned off when unattended for lengthy periods and when the building is empty, with particular attention paid to electric heaters.
Fire drill procedures:
All class teachers are responsible for making the children in their class aware of procedure in the event of a fire. All doors and corridors are to be kept clear of obstruction and all doors are able to be opened from within the building. One fire drill takes place during each school term.
Emergency evacuation procedure is as follows:
On hearing alarm, each teacher collects their class list and takes their class to the designated exit (detailed below) and assembly point outside. Toilets must be checked before leaving the room and all doors and windows closed. Children attending SET exit with the teacher they are working with but re-join their class at assembly point outside for roll call. All ancillary staff go to the assembly point. During a fire event the lift should not be used.
Each class teacher takes roll call and ensures that all children remain at the assembly point until it is safe to re-enter the building or other instructions issue. The most senior staff member present ensures that all school personnel have safely evacuated the building. They decides whether to contact the fire brigade, and whether it is safe to re-enter the building or whether alternative arrangements need to be made.
Each September the principal checks the fire alarm, fire extinguishers and assembly point signs are present and correct.
As a general rule, leave the building by the nearest exit. Go immediately to the assembly points at front of school.
Classrooms 1, 2, Library: Leave by exit door at end of corridor, front of building to assemble at Church side
Classroom 3: Leave by own exit door at front of building, assemble at Church side
Classrooms, 4, 5, 6, 8: Leave by own exit doors at side of building, assembly at Portlaoise side
Classroom 7: Exit classroom, go down steps and leave via front door, assemble at Church side
Classroom 9, SET room extension: Leave by extension door at rear of school, assemble as for class
Entrance level SET rooms: Leave by front door, assemble as for class
Administrative office, principal’s office: Leave by exit door in admin office, assemble at Church side
Staffroom: Leave by exit door on road side of staffroom, at front of building, assemble at Portlaoise side
GP room/ halla: Leave by the exit doors in the halla, assemble as for classroom
First Aid (See First Aid Statement of Practice)
Health conditions
On enrolment parents are asked to identify any allergies or illnesses that their children may have and to keep the school updated about their children’s health concerns. All staff are made aware of the health issues in relation to certain pupils, to ensure the best possible standards of supervision and care are provided. Members of staff have been trained to administer first aid/medication in specific circumstances. (See Administration of Medication Policy).
A child who in the opinion of the class teacher is genuinely unwell will be sent home as soon as possible. Should the school become aware of any notifiable infectious diseases among members of the school community it will notify the relevant authorities. All sensible precautions will be taken with the intention of preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and parents are asked to keep their children at home if they are unwell. See https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/lifestages/schoolhealth/midschapters/ for further information.
Accidents/injuries
Children frequently injure themselves in minor ways, and often only reassurance and comfort is necessary. Children are advised/assisted to wash cuts etc. and plasters/ice-packs offered when appropriate. If a teacher is concerned that a child has sustained a more serious injury parents are informed as soon as possible and/or medical assistance sought if deemed necessary.
First Aid boxes are available in the administrative office, beside the external door to the yard from the extension, and on the senior corridor. Necessary First Aid supplies are brought on school tours and to matches etc. All staff must wear disposable gloves in situations where they may come into contact with the body fluids of others.
Accessing school grounds (See Supervision Statement of Practice also)
With the generous permission of Ballyfin Parish, parents use the Church car-park for drop off and collection before and after school. Pupils are in the care of their parents until the school gate is opened at 9.10am, and after 3pm. There is a one-way system in operation in the Church carpark, and parents are asked to reverse into spaces when parking. Drivers must take great care due to the movement of children in the carpark.
The drop-off space at the front of the school is for the school bus and parents who have specific reasons to drop their child there (e.g. a child being met by SNA, on crutches etc.). The school car park is for staff parking only.
Between 9.10am and 9.20am children go directly to the school yard, where they are supervised. Children who arrive after their class has left the yard should go to the front door, where the secretary will let them in. On icy mornings the children proceed carefully down the steps and enter via the front door of the school, avoiding unsalted areas of the grounds. Similarly, on wet mornings children enter through the front doors of the school.
Children arriving after 9.30am need to be signed in by their parents. Parents who wish to speak to a teacher should make an appointment to do so in advance, via email or phoning the school secretary. The secretary will pass on brief messages (e.g. explanation for lateness) to the class teacher. If children are collected during the school day, their parents/guardians are expected to sign them out in the foyer of the school.
Parents/guardians of the infants collect their children at 2pm from the back doors of the infant classrooms. If there is a change to collection arrangements, the class teacher should be informed. At 3pm the children travelling by bus wait at the central area outside the front door, as do the children attending After School care. All other children proceed to the Church carpark, via the steps, for collection.
Pupils are not permitted on the school grounds outside of school times, except when specific permission is given, and during which times the school’s Code of Behaviour applies.
Investigating and Reporting Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences
All members of the school community are expected to report accidents and dangerous occurrences to the principal promptly. The principal investigates (or causes to be investigated) accidents and dangerous occurrences with a view to minimising future safety, health and welfare risks. Such incidents are reported to the Board of Management and corrective action is taken when necessary.
See Code of Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy for details of investigative procedures when an injury is suspected of occurring due to pupil misbehaviour.
Records of minor accidents and injuries are kept by the relevant teacher. In the case of more serious accidents an incident form is completed and placed in the child’s file.
Incident forms (in the format specified by the insurance company) are also forwarded by the principal to the insurance company in the case of incidents that cause serious or lasting injury to the child. The principal will take advice from the insurance company when necessary.
The Board of Management is obliged to inform the Health and Safety Authority of:
Records relating to work-place accidents are kept for a period of at least ten years (see Record Keeping and Data Protection Policy).
Instruction and training
The completed risk assessments are used to identify training needs. Once training needs have been identified, the Board of Management undertakes to provide the necessary safety training to individuals to enable them to carry out their duties competently. Records of training, information and briefing sessions are maintained.
Communication and consultation
It is acknowledged that communication is integral to the organisation and operation of the safety, health and welfare statement. The Board of Management undertakes to bring the statement to the attention of its employees, newly recruited employees upon commencement of employment, and other persons at the place of work who may be exposed to any specific risk to which the statement applies (e.g. contractors). Pupils, parents/guardians and visitors to the school should also have access to the safety statement as appropriate. (In most cases the relevant provisions of the safety statement are communicated orally to the pupils by their class teachers in the form of school/class rules).
Emergency procedures and specific hazards and control measures will be communicated to employees, along with the location of first-aid supplies, fire equipment etc.
All members of the school community are encouraged to bring safety matters to the attention of management and the Board of Management will consult where appropriate with various members of the school community (especially school staff) when reviewing and monitoring the implementation of the safety statement.
All school policies and procedures are formally ratified by the Board of Management and communicated to the school community as appropriate. Many of the policies of the school have safety, health and welfare implications, and so can be viewed as themselves comprising part of the school’s safety statement (e.g. Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying Policy, Supervision procedures, Administration of Medication, Substance Use, Child Protection Policy, Statements of Practice relating to Supervision, First Aid, Working Alone, Dignity at Work policy etc.) This safety statement therefore must be read in conjunction with the School Plan as a whole.
Success Criteria
The implementation of this policy on health and safety will be a continual and ongoing process. However, evidence of the following features in the school would indicate that the policy is operating successfully:
Review
The risk assessment section of the Safety, Health and Welfare Statement is to be reviewed on an annual basis, or as changing circumstances dictate.
The policy section of the statement will be reviewed informally on an on-going basis, in light of practice and experience, with amendments attached should they be required. The policy will be reviewed formally during the school year 2028/29.
Ratification
The Safety, Health and Welfare Statement of Ballyfin NS was ratified by the Board of Management on 13/12/2023
Signed: Fr Joseph Brophy, Chairperson, BOM
Brigid Bennett, Principal
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, it is the policy of the Board of Management of Ballyfin NS to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all staff and to protect pupils, visitors, contractors and other persons at the school from injury and ill health arising from any work activity. The successful implementation of this policy requires the full support and active co-operation of all staff, pupils, contractors and visitors to the school.
It is recognised that hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures are legislative requirements which must be carried out by the employer to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all staff.
The Board of Management, as employer, undertakes in so far as is reasonably practicable to:
- promote standards of safety, health and welfare that comply with the provisions and requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and other relevant legislation, standards and codes of practice;
- provide information, training, instruction and supervision where necessary, to enable staff to perform their work safely and effectively;
- maintain a constant and continuing interest in safety, health and welfare matters pertinent to the activities of the school;
- review periodically the system in place for the management of occupational safety, health and welfare to ensure it remains relevant, appropriate and effective;
- consult with staff on matters related to safety, health and welfare at work;
- provide the necessary resources to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all those to whom it owes a duty of care, including staff, pupils, contractors and visitors.
The Board of Management is committed to playing an active role in the implementation of this occupational safety, health and welfare policy and undertakes to review and revise it in light of changes in legislation, experience and other relevant developments.
Signed: Fr Joseph Brophy, (Chairperson, Board of Management)
Date: 13/12/2023
School profile
School size/building
Ballyfin NS is a medium-sized primary school, catering for approximately 213 pupils with nine mainstream teachers. As of November 2023 it also has three SEN teachers, and four special needs assistants. It has a full-time secretary and administrative principal.
The school building, built in 2008, is in excellent condition. It consists of ten full sized classrooms (with ensuite toilet facilities), three smaller learning support rooms, a general purpose room with stage, a staffroom/kitchenette, secretary’s office, principal’s office, three storerooms, cleaner’s store, staff toilets, three disabled toilets, lift and boiler room. The school is set on a large site, with a staff car-park, a large tarmac playing area and a small grass playing area.
Organisational structures
Safety, health and welfare at school is everyone’s responsibility. A whole school approach to the promotion and development of safety, health and welfare is required.
Planning procedures
The school principal (assisted where necessary/appropriate by the deputy principal, post holders and other staff/ Board of Management members) is nominated by the Board of Management to act as the School Safety Officer, responsible for the co-ordination, implementation and management of safety, health and welfare on its behalf. Overall responsibility for health and safety cannot be delegated and remains with the Board of Management.
It is recognised that planning for safety, health and welfare will involve planning for actions that are:
- routine and predictable
- occur in response to particular significant events or risk assessments
- need to be implemented over a longer period of time or in phases, and may have significant resource implications.
Safety, health and welfare planning is an integral part of the School Plan of Ballyfin NS. It draws on many of the same resources and structures as other aspects of the school self-evaluation and planning process. The compilation and ongoing review of the Safety Statement is and will be informed by and reflect wider school planning priorities and decisions. Likewise planning in relation to other aspects of school life, both curricular and organisational, will be influenced by and reflective of, safety, health and welfare considerations.
Resources for safety, health and welfare in the school
All people using and working in the school are a significant resource for the advancement of safety, health and welfare in the school. The professional discretion of the teaching staff is particularly acknowledged in this regard, as is the role of the special needs assistants in attending to the specific safety, health and welfare concerns related to pupils with special educational needs. All members of the school community are encouraged to discuss safety, health and welfare concerns with the school principal.
The allocation of resources, both of personnel and of materials, is reviewed and amended as the need arises. The Board of Management is committed to ensuring that the use of resources is consistent with the priorities of the school in terms of maintaining and improving safety, health and welfare. If a health and safety concern cannot be immediately rectified due to the unavailability of funds/personnel/planning authorisation etc. then all practicable efforts are made to ameliorate the risk until such time as it can be resolved.
See https://www.hsa.ie/eng/education/managing_safety_and_health_in_schools/primary_schools_guidelines/ and https://www.allianz.ie/products/schools/schools-insurance/safety-security/in-the-school.html for further information and resources on managing health and safety in schools.
Roles and responsibilities
Board of Management:
- complies with its legal responsibilities as employer under the 2005 Act;
- ensures that the school has written risk assessments and an up-to-date safety statement;
- reviews the implementation of the safety statement;
- sets safety, health and welfare objectives;
- receives regular reports on safety, health and welfare matters, and matters arising from same are discussed;
- reviews the safety, health and welfare statement at least annually;
- reviews the school’s safety, health and welfare performance;
- allocates adequate resources to deal with safety, health and welfare concerns;
- appoints competent persons, as necessary, to advise and assist the Board of Management with safety, health and welfare matters.
The principal/ School safety officers
- complies with the requirements of the 2005 Act;
- reports to the Board of Management on safety, health and welfare performance;
- manages safety, health and welfare in the school on a day-to-day basis;
- communicates regularly with all members of the school community on safety, health and welfare matters;
- ensures all accidents and incidents are investigated and as appropriate and all relevant statutory reports are completed;
- organises fire drills, training etc.;
- carries out safety audits and co-ordinates reviews of the safety statement.
Teachers/ Special needs assistants/ Non - teaching staff
- take reasonable care for his/her safety, health and welfare and that of any person who may be affected by his/her omissions, while at work.
- comply with all statutory obligations as employees under the 2005 Act;
- co-operate with school management in the implementation of the safety statement;
- inform pupils of the safety procedures associated with particular rooms/tasks etc;
- ensure that pupils follow safe procedures;
- check classrooms/ work areas / equipment etc. to ensure that they are free from hazards;
- take all practicable steps to reduce hazards;
- report accidents, near-misses and dangerous occurrences to the school principal;
- any teacher with specific duties related to safety, health and welfare must fulfil the duties which he/she has been assigned.
- comply with the Code of Behaviour of the school;
- comply with directions and instructions given by school staff;
- report any accidents or dangerous occurrences to their class teacher as soon as possible.
- comply with school regulations regarding safety, health and welfare;
- comply with the directions of school staff.
- comply with statutory obligations as designated under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, and any other relevant legislation such as the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006.
Risk Assessment
Risk assessment involves identifying hazards, evaluating the risk in proportion to the hazard and putting in place appropriate measures to control or eliminate the risk. Parts of the school risk assessment may be delegated to appropriate people e.g. the individual teacher of each classroom. There is no need to consider every minor hazard or risk that we accept as part of our daily lives.
Risk assessments need to be updated/ extended when new equipment is introduced, major maintenance work is being undertaken or new pupils with special educational needs enrol etc. The risk assessments are reviewed on an annual basis and amended as necessary.
Comprehensive Risk Assessment documentation is appended to the end of the hard copy of the safety statement.
Emergency Procedures, Fire safety, First Aid, Accessing school grounds, Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences.
Emergency procedures
See Critical Incident Policy which outlines procedures and responsibilities in the event of a major crisis or traumatic incident in the school.
Parents are asked to provide contact details on enrolment, and to inform the school should these change. A full list of contact details is kept in the office, where all staff members can access them. They are also available on the Aladdin system. Parents/guardians are contacted as soon as possible in case of an emergency, but teachers seek medical advice in the meantime if there is likely to be a delay in contacting them.
The Board of Management has authorised the principal to close the school in circumstances necessitating an exceptional closure. The Aladdin or Gmail communication systems (or other appropriate means) will be utilised to inform parents of the closure. If the closure occurs during the school day, some school staff will remain in the school until all children have been collected.
Fire Safety
Fire prevention procedures
The Board of Management are responsible for ensuring that there is an adequate supply of fire extinguishers provided in the school building, and that these fire extinguishers are annually serviced and replaced immediately if used or damaged. Fire alarms are clearly marked.
In order to prevent the likelihood of a fire all unnecessary electrical equipment will be unplugged or turned off when unattended for lengthy periods and when the building is empty, with particular attention paid to electric heaters.
Fire drill procedures:
All class teachers are responsible for making the children in their class aware of procedure in the event of a fire. All doors and corridors are to be kept clear of obstruction and all doors are able to be opened from within the building. One fire drill takes place during each school term.
Emergency evacuation procedure is as follows:
On hearing alarm, each teacher collects their class list and takes their class to the designated exit (detailed below) and assembly point outside. Toilets must be checked before leaving the room and all doors and windows closed. Children attending SET exit with the teacher they are working with but re-join their class at assembly point outside for roll call. All ancillary staff go to the assembly point. During a fire event the lift should not be used.
Each class teacher takes roll call and ensures that all children remain at the assembly point until it is safe to re-enter the building or other instructions issue. The most senior staff member present ensures that all school personnel have safely evacuated the building. They decides whether to contact the fire brigade, and whether it is safe to re-enter the building or whether alternative arrangements need to be made.
Each September the principal checks the fire alarm, fire extinguishers and assembly point signs are present and correct.
As a general rule, leave the building by the nearest exit. Go immediately to the assembly points at front of school.
Classrooms 1, 2, Library: Leave by exit door at end of corridor, front of building to assemble at Church side
Classroom 3: Leave by own exit door at front of building, assemble at Church side
Classrooms, 4, 5, 6, 8: Leave by own exit doors at side of building, assembly at Portlaoise side
Classroom 7: Exit classroom, go down steps and leave via front door, assemble at Church side
Classroom 9, SET room extension: Leave by extension door at rear of school, assemble as for class
Entrance level SET rooms: Leave by front door, assemble as for class
Administrative office, principal’s office: Leave by exit door in admin office, assemble at Church side
Staffroom: Leave by exit door on road side of staffroom, at front of building, assemble at Portlaoise side
GP room/ halla: Leave by the exit doors in the halla, assemble as for classroom
First Aid (See First Aid Statement of Practice)
Health conditions
On enrolment parents are asked to identify any allergies or illnesses that their children may have and to keep the school updated about their children’s health concerns. All staff are made aware of the health issues in relation to certain pupils, to ensure the best possible standards of supervision and care are provided. Members of staff have been trained to administer first aid/medication in specific circumstances. (See Administration of Medication Policy).
A child who in the opinion of the class teacher is genuinely unwell will be sent home as soon as possible. Should the school become aware of any notifiable infectious diseases among members of the school community it will notify the relevant authorities. All sensible precautions will be taken with the intention of preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and parents are asked to keep their children at home if they are unwell. See https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/lifestages/schoolhealth/midschapters/ for further information.
Accidents/injuries
Children frequently injure themselves in minor ways, and often only reassurance and comfort is necessary. Children are advised/assisted to wash cuts etc. and plasters/ice-packs offered when appropriate. If a teacher is concerned that a child has sustained a more serious injury parents are informed as soon as possible and/or medical assistance sought if deemed necessary.
First Aid boxes are available in the administrative office, beside the external door to the yard from the extension, and on the senior corridor. Necessary First Aid supplies are brought on school tours and to matches etc. All staff must wear disposable gloves in situations where they may come into contact with the body fluids of others.
Accessing school grounds (See Supervision Statement of Practice also)
With the generous permission of Ballyfin Parish, parents use the Church car-park for drop off and collection before and after school. Pupils are in the care of their parents until the school gate is opened at 9.10am, and after 3pm. There is a one-way system in operation in the Church carpark, and parents are asked to reverse into spaces when parking. Drivers must take great care due to the movement of children in the carpark.
The drop-off space at the front of the school is for the school bus and parents who have specific reasons to drop their child there (e.g. a child being met by SNA, on crutches etc.). The school car park is for staff parking only.
Between 9.10am and 9.20am children go directly to the school yard, where they are supervised. Children who arrive after their class has left the yard should go to the front door, where the secretary will let them in. On icy mornings the children proceed carefully down the steps and enter via the front door of the school, avoiding unsalted areas of the grounds. Similarly, on wet mornings children enter through the front doors of the school.
Children arriving after 9.30am need to be signed in by their parents. Parents who wish to speak to a teacher should make an appointment to do so in advance, via email or phoning the school secretary. The secretary will pass on brief messages (e.g. explanation for lateness) to the class teacher. If children are collected during the school day, their parents/guardians are expected to sign them out in the foyer of the school.
Parents/guardians of the infants collect their children at 2pm from the back doors of the infant classrooms. If there is a change to collection arrangements, the class teacher should be informed. At 3pm the children travelling by bus wait at the central area outside the front door, as do the children attending After School care. All other children proceed to the Church carpark, via the steps, for collection.
Pupils are not permitted on the school grounds outside of school times, except when specific permission is given, and during which times the school’s Code of Behaviour applies.
Investigating and Reporting Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences
All members of the school community are expected to report accidents and dangerous occurrences to the principal promptly. The principal investigates (or causes to be investigated) accidents and dangerous occurrences with a view to minimising future safety, health and welfare risks. Such incidents are reported to the Board of Management and corrective action is taken when necessary.
See Code of Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy for details of investigative procedures when an injury is suspected of occurring due to pupil misbehaviour.
Records of minor accidents and injuries are kept by the relevant teacher. In the case of more serious accidents an incident form is completed and placed in the child’s file.
Incident forms (in the format specified by the insurance company) are also forwarded by the principal to the insurance company in the case of incidents that cause serious or lasting injury to the child. The principal will take advice from the insurance company when necessary.
The Board of Management is obliged to inform the Health and Safety Authority of:
- a death caused by an accident during the course of a person’s work;
- an injury sustained during the course of a person’s work which prevents them from performing their normal duties for more than three calendar days;
- a death, or injury requiring treatment by a registered medical practitioner, which does not occur while the person is at work, but is related to a work activity or their place of work.
- a road accident that meets the criterion of the third point above, as a result of construction work on or adjacent to a public road.
Records relating to work-place accidents are kept for a period of at least ten years (see Record Keeping and Data Protection Policy).
Instruction and training
The completed risk assessments are used to identify training needs. Once training needs have been identified, the Board of Management undertakes to provide the necessary safety training to individuals to enable them to carry out their duties competently. Records of training, information and briefing sessions are maintained.
Communication and consultation
It is acknowledged that communication is integral to the organisation and operation of the safety, health and welfare statement. The Board of Management undertakes to bring the statement to the attention of its employees, newly recruited employees upon commencement of employment, and other persons at the place of work who may be exposed to any specific risk to which the statement applies (e.g. contractors). Pupils, parents/guardians and visitors to the school should also have access to the safety statement as appropriate. (In most cases the relevant provisions of the safety statement are communicated orally to the pupils by their class teachers in the form of school/class rules).
Emergency procedures and specific hazards and control measures will be communicated to employees, along with the location of first-aid supplies, fire equipment etc.
All members of the school community are encouraged to bring safety matters to the attention of management and the Board of Management will consult where appropriate with various members of the school community (especially school staff) when reviewing and monitoring the implementation of the safety statement.
All school policies and procedures are formally ratified by the Board of Management and communicated to the school community as appropriate. Many of the policies of the school have safety, health and welfare implications, and so can be viewed as themselves comprising part of the school’s safety statement (e.g. Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying Policy, Supervision procedures, Administration of Medication, Substance Use, Child Protection Policy, Statements of Practice relating to Supervision, First Aid, Working Alone, Dignity at Work policy etc.) This safety statement therefore must be read in conjunction with the School Plan as a whole.
Success Criteria
The implementation of this policy on health and safety will be a continual and ongoing process. However, evidence of the following features in the school would indicate that the policy is operating successfully:
- An absence of incidents of such a serious nature that they require reporting to HSA.
- Positive feedback from all members of the school community
- Prompt resolution of any problems identified by the risk assessment.
- Achievement of the educational goals of the school without health and safety issues arising.
Review
The risk assessment section of the Safety, Health and Welfare Statement is to be reviewed on an annual basis, or as changing circumstances dictate.
The policy section of the statement will be reviewed informally on an on-going basis, in light of practice and experience, with amendments attached should they be required. The policy will be reviewed formally during the school year 2028/29.
Ratification
The Safety, Health and Welfare Statement of Ballyfin NS was ratified by the Board of Management on 13/12/2023
Signed: Fr Joseph Brophy, Chairperson, BOM
Brigid Bennett, Principal
