Health and Safety Reps Handbook 2020 (England)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NASUWT England The Teachers’ Union Health and Safety Representatives’ Handbook Health and Safety Calendar Events Dates Health and safety inspections Meetings of school/college Health and Safety Committee NASUWT training courses NASUWT and other briefings This handbook, issued to all NASUWT Health and Safety Representatives, gives an overview of a range of health and safety topics and should be read in conjunction with other sources listed in the margins and the Health and Safety section of the NASUWT website. From the General Secretary Dear Colleague The NASUWT approach to health, safety and welfare at work stems from the view that health is a positive state of wellbeing, not simply the absence of injury or disease, and that work should enhance the health of workers and not undermine it. In the workplace, the NASUWT Health and Safety Representative is central to the work of the Union team. By working in partnership with the NASUWT Workplace Representative and other members active in the NASUWT, including your Local Association Secretary and your Health and Safety Co-ordinator, you can make a significant difference to the working environment. Improving the working environment in schools and colleges is a key responsibility for the NASUWT Health and Safety Representative. Organising around health and safety activity is an ideal way to engage NASUWT members in this activity and demonstrate the value of union membership. Research shows that a well-organised and unionised workplace is more likely to be safer and healthier. I hope that you will find this handbook useful. The first section contains basic information about the role and functions of Health and Safety Representatives and outlines the support that you can expect from the Union, including training opportunities. The second, alphabetised, section contains information on a range of health, safety and welfare issues. Marginal references provide links to further information. The third section contains useful sources of information. Materials published by the NASUWT are available to you, free of charge. To obtain the NASUWT publications, you can either visit the Union’s website, www.nasuwt.org.uk, or contact: Despatch Team NASUWT Hillscourt Education Centre Rose Hill, Rednal Birmingham B45 8RS Tel: 03330 145550 E-mail: [email protected] Thank you for taking on this important role in support of your members. I wish you luck in your work. Yours sincerely Dr Patrick Roach General Secretary 4 www.nasuwt.org.uk CONTENTS The Health and Safety Representative . 6 Role and Functions . 6 Rights . 7 Support . 8 Training . 9 Health and Safety Duties . 11 The Health and Safety Executive in England . 13 Legislation . 14 Policies . 16 RIDDOR . 17 Risk Assessment . 18 Safety Committees . 20 Accidents . 21 Asbestos . 22 Bullying . 25 Class Size in Practical Subjects . 27 Contractors on Site . 28 COSHH . 29 Disability . 30 Display Screen Equipment . 31 Dust . 32 Educational Visits and Learning Outside the Classroom . 33 Electrical Safety . 35 Fire . 37 First Aid . 39 Head Lice . 40 Infectious Diseases . 41 Lifting and Carrying . 43 Lighting . 44 Maternity . 45 Medication in Schools and Colleges . 47 The Menopause . 48 Microwave Aerials . 49 www.nasuwt.org.uk 5 Minibuses . 50 Mould . 51 Noise and Voice Strain . 52 Photocopiers and Laser Printers . 54 Premenstrual Syndrome . 55 Security . 56 Smoking . 57 Sports and Playing Fields . 58 Staff Facilities . 59 Stress . 61 Sun – exposure . 62 Swimming Pools . 63 Temperatures: too cold? . 64 Temperatures: too hot? . 65 Traffic On Site . ..