Monitoring

Monitoring performance is an essential part of effective health and safety management. It involves checking that arrangements and systems are working as they should, for example that:

• Physical controls are in place and working.
• Staff have done what they are supposed to do; and
• Review procedures are working.

Whether or not they are the employer, governing bodies will wish to satisfy themselves that monitoring arrangements are in place, and that the results are reported back to them.

Ways of doing this include:

• Setting up a health and safety committee.
• Including health and safety as a rolling agenda item; and designating one of the governors to take the lead on health and safety.

Buckinghamshire Council has put in place systems for monitoring health and safety arrangements in its schools and other establishments. E.g., informal visits and audits.

It is recommended that governors get involved in monitoring inspections themselves this demonstrates their commitment towards health and safety and may help identify issues which have previously been overlooked.

The key points are:

• Actions allocated to individuals.
• Realistic time limits set for all actions.
• Remedial action to deal with the problem.
• Longer-term action to address the causes.

The HSE Leading sensible health and safety management in schools provides more information about monitoring, and other aspects of health and safety management systems.