Health and Safety Responsibilities

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places overall responsibility for health and safety with the employer. This will depend on the type of school e.g., maintained, voluntary controlled.

Buckinghamshire Council is the employer in maintained schools, Community schools and Voluntary controlled schools.

Note: In foundation schools, foundation special schools, voluntary-aided schools, free schools and academies, statutory health and safety responsibilities fall on the governing body as the employer.

Legislation, Local Management of Schools, and their Health & Safety policy needs to outline responsibility for the management of health and safety within the school.

As the employer, the Council continues to have legal duties to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees, and members of the public i.e., pupils