Health and Safety
Last updated:Health and Safety legislation requires that the Headteachers and Governing Bodies of all schools and academies have access to up-to-date health and safety advice. The professionally qualified Health and Safety Advisers provide a comprehensive advice and support service tailored to help your school to fulfil its legal duties in a practical, sensible and proportionate manner.
If you are a newly appointed headteacher to Buckinghamshire and require information on health and safety please contact healthandsafety@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or ring 01296 674412.
Policies and Guidance
Headteachers need to have a Health and Safety Policy for their school. If you buy in the Health and Safety Service or are a maintained school there are model policies on the SchoolsWeb to help you to discharge your responsibilities, including a helpful Health and Safety Assessment Checklist.
Accident, Incidents and Near Miss Reporting (AssessNet)
Headteachers need to ensure that accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded with RIDDOR reportable accidents reported direct to the Health and Safety Executive as required. Maintained schools need to use AssessNet which is a free online accident reporting system. User accounts can be set up by contacting the health and safety team at healthandsafety@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.
All incidents need to be investigated by the school with remedial action recorded on AssessNet to ensure that appropriate remedial action is put in place and trends established.
Training
Headteachers and Health and Safety Co-ordinators of maintained schools must attend a nationally recognised Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Managing Safely Course. Contact handstraining@buckinghamshire.gov.uk to book a place.
Headteachers are ultimately responsible for the management of asbestos, legionella and fire safety within their school. These duties can be managed on your behalf by a delegated staff member and training can be booked through handstraining@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
All health and safety training courses are advertised on the Schools Web.
Key Contact
Caron Owens
Head of Health and Safety
01296 674412