7 June Schools and Academies – Legal Responsibility and Health & Safety The legal responsibility (and thus the accountability) for Health and Safety lies with the employer. So, in different types of schools: who is the employer? This will depend on the category of school. In England, the Local Authority is the employer in: Community schools, community special schools, voluntary controlled schools, maintained nursery schools and pupil … Read More
7 June DBS and contractors (for schools) We are arriving at the time of year when schools have established plans for works to be carried out on site. This could be small or large construction projects, electrical work or estate maintenance. It’s important that schools consider the needs of DBS and ensure that all contractors have the correct type of DBS before … Read More
7 June Advice and tips to avoid risky school trips! We offer some advice and tips to avoid risky school trips, and we start by asking a couple of simple questions: Who needs to be involved with the risk assessment? Should parents see the risk assessment? It’s important where possible to bring classroom subjects alive. This may involve trips. To do this the school needs … Read More
11 September New School closes due to Safety Concerns It is not great to read that a School closes due to Safety Concerns. This is disruptive to the pupils and immensely frustrating to their families. A brand new, state-of-the-art School in Dumfries has closed on safety grounds, just a month after opening. This follows two safety incidents at the North West Community Campus. In the … Read More
6 September Local Council fined after workers exposed to asbestos in a Primary School Asbestos in a Primary School – Kent County Council (KCC) was fined £200,000 after asbestos was disturbed at Lansdowne Primary School. Canterbury Crown Court heard how, in November 2014, an environmental health officer was carrying out a routine food inspection when they noticed what looked like an asbestos rope hanging from the ceiling. A prohibition notice … Read More
6 September Asbestos containing metal gauze products supplied to schools The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that it has been made aware that two UK Laboratory Supply companies have supplied schools (and potentially other users) with gauze mats that contain asbestos. These metal gauze mats are designed for use over Bunsen burners. The HSE has served enforcement notices on both companies. A spokesperson for … Read More
22 June Asbestos failures lead (again) to substantial fines A building contractor has been fined after failing to carry out the correct procedures after asbestos was found during the refurbishment of a building at Bedford School in Bedford. Asbestos failures included the lack of a demolition/refurbishment survey and failure to manage asbestos after it was disturbed. Luton Crown Court heard how on 11 August … Read More
26 July Asbestos Failures lead to fines of more than £1,000,000 Once more, a large fine is imposed on companies that fail to manage the health risks to their workers (and others) from potential exposure to asbestos properly. Asbestos failures mean that three companies have together been fined more than £1,000,000 after workers were exposed to asbestos while refurbishing a school in Waltham Forest. The Southwark Crown … Read More
7 December Asbestos in schools – Councils have paid over £10 Million in compensation According to an investigation into asbestos in schools by the BBC, 32 councils in England have settled claims from 220 retired teachers, school staff and ex-pupils in the last ten years. According to the BBC, it is likely the compensation claims exceeded £10m because ten councils did not disclose information about how many asbestos cases … Read More
5 August Asbestos in Schools – Trust fined after refurbishment disturbs asbestos Asbestos in schools is an issue that requires serious attention. Sometimes, this goes wrong, as happened here. The trust of an Essex school has been fined after poorly planned and managed refurbishment and maintenance activities exposed school staff and others to asbestos. The Case: Chelmsford Crown Court heard that managers at The Boswells School, Chelmsford, … Read More