School safety with Property & Compliance

Why are Risk Assessments important?

Whilst children are more likely to have an accident than any other age group, they don’t just happen to children, and most could be preventable if proper procedures are followed. During the period 2019-22, the HSE found that there were an estimated 1,450 work-related injuries in educational settings, highlighting the necessity of risk assessments to control these incidents.

Who creates them?

For a risk assessment to be suitable and sufficient, one required factor is ensuring that the right people are involved in the process. Usually in schools, the headteacher has the final say on risk assessments, but that does not mean that they should create them. Risk assessments should be delegated to those in the responsible remit. For one off, or specific tasks this may involve just one or two people, but for wider tasks that are carried out often and, in several areas, such as dressing display boards, the creation of the risk assessment should be collaborative.

How is it done?

Creating a risk assessment in your school involves a systematic process of identifying, assessing, and managing potential risks to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors. Here are the general steps to follow:

• Identify Hazards: Conduct a comprehensive survey of the school premises, facilities, activities, and processes to identify potential hazards. This may include physical hazards (e.g., uneven flooring, exposed wires), chemical hazards (e.g., cleaning agents, science lab materials), biological hazards (e.g., bacteria, viruses), and ergonomic hazards (e.g., poor workstation setup).
• Identify People at Risk: Determine who might be affected by the identified hazards. This includes students, staff, visitors, and individuals with specific vulnerabilities or special needs, such as students with disabilities.
• Evaluate Risks: Assess the likelihood and severity of each identified hazard. Consider the frequency and duration of exposure, potential consequences, and existing control measures in place. You can use High Medium Low (HML) to show how the risk reduces with controls added but more time spent on actual risks and controls is moreproductive.
• Implement Control Measures: Develop and implement appropriate control measures to eliminate or reduce identified risks. This may involve implementing safety procedures, providing personal protective equipment (PPE), improving infrastructure, or modifying processes. Consult relevant regulations, guidelines, and best practices for guidance on specific control measures.
• Communicate and Train: Ensure that all relevant staff, students, and stakeholders are aware of the identified risks, control measures, and procedures. Provide comprehensive training and information sessions to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in maintaining a safe environment.
• Monitor and Review: Regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of the implemented control measures. Update the risk assessment whenever new hazards are identified or changes occur within the school environment. Seek feedback from staff, students, and other stakeholders to improve the risk assessment process continually.
• Document and Maintain Records: Keep thorough records of the risk assessment process, including hazard identification, risk evaluation, control measures implemented, and reviews conducted. Maintain these records for future reference and to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements. Review it: make sure the controls are working, or if more are needed, following an incident or near miss, or there has been significant change to staff or buildings.

So, get involved, contribute to your own safety and that of the people you work with and the children in your care.