Look at the MYTH OF THE MONTH on the HSE site

Blind cord strangulation

Pupils and teachers 'must be protected from deadly asbestos in schools

 Fundamental steps must be taken to protect pupils and teachers from deadly asbestos in schools, a new study urged. Published: 7:30AM GMT 22 Feb 2010The report by the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association, entitled Assessment of Asbestos Management in Schools, claimed the majority of schools are ''not managing their asbestos effectively or safely''.

 The findings were based on an initial sample of 16 schools which agreed to be inspected on a voluntary basis None of the schools in the report's 16-strong sample were found to be fully compliant with Health and Safety Executive guidance and only four schools inspected were said to have an adequate standard of asbestos management, the report noted. In its executive summary, it concluded: ''In the majority of these schools the systems of asbestos management are not of an acceptable standard, they are ineffective and at times dangerous.''

 It added: ''The majority had unacceptable standards which were either ineffective or unworkable and with the potential to cause a contamination or exposure incident.''

 In one school, the system of asbestos management was virtually non-existent despite the fact that there was a significant amount of asbestos known to be present.

 The report also found two schools in the sample did not know who was in charge of asbestos management and in more than half of those schools surveyed there was evidence of damage to asbestos. It concluded schools were not complying with their legal duty to manage asbestos and training surrounding asbestos in schools was poor or non-existent. The audit will be handed to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools Diana Johnson MP before a meeting with the Asbestos in Schools Group on Wednesday.

 

 

Health and safety added to school curriculum for Irish students

 

 

Canopy Collapse at Bedfordshire School

 

 

New DCSF guidance on employing children

To download the guide visit: www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/download_as_doc.cfm?i_ID=12435

Laptop computer charging trolleys safety alert

 Stay safe this winter

The clocks go back this weekend, officially marking the end of the British summer (!), which means we are about to enter one of the most dangerous times of the year on the roads. 


Bad weather and shorter, darker days in winter pose a danger, so the period between 3pm and 6pm is particularly hazardous, as more people are travelling on the roads, on the way home from work, or school. During the summer, up to a quarter of all collisions happen during these hours, but when the clocks go back, heavy traffic and rapidly deteriorating light increases this to a third.
 


To make sure you stay safe on the roads this winter, fleet risk-management solutions provider, Interactive Driving Systems, offers the following advice:
 


Before you drive – keep yourself and your vehicle in good technical repair to reduce your overall chances of any mishap or disaster while driving in winter weather; prepare your vehicle for winter driving by giving it a complete check-up, and keep your fuel tank near to full to ensure that you do not run out; make sure your tyres are in good order by checking them weekly, or when refuelling; carry an emergency kit for your car in case you get stranded in adverse weather; listen to weather forecasts and, if the weather and visibility are hazardous, ask yourself ‘is this trip really necessary?’
 


On the road – drive according to current road and weather conditions, making sure that all windows and mirrors are clear and that wipers and defrosters are in good working condition; and drive slowly with low-beam headlights on if visibility is poor, test your brakes frequently, leave a bigger gap and never tailgate. 


If the worst happens – if you get stranded, don’t panic. Keep yourself safe, and follow the detailed procedures in your driver’s handbook if you are in a work vehicle; in your own vehicle you should contact the appropriate support organisation and follow their guidance.
 


For more detailed winter driving advice, visit www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk and www.brake.org.uk

 

Firework Safety

School fine of £1500 and told to pay full costs of £2862.

Art class girl loses eight fingers after putting hands in plaster of Paris and school failed to carry out risk assessment fined £16,500.00 and parents plan to sue for £100,000.00

HSE launches new ‘common sense approach’ strategy

Safer Together - Child Safety Week (22-28 June)

New booklets is for children aged 8-12 and 12+ who are looked after in foster care or residential care.

School pupils help launch campaign against knife crime

Flash-bang science safely in the classroom

Falls slips and trips on ice or snow - duty of care.

Education information sources

Education Useful Links

Sound Advice for schools and colleges

Dealing with Stress

Musculoskeletal disorders

Preventing slips and trips in the workplace

Latest accident statistics for education.

LOTS of NEW VISITS IN THE VISITS SECTION.

DRUGS: What every teacher and parent should know.

HSE: Principles of sensible risk management

• Shock Rise In School Exclusion Numbers For Assault

• Scottish compensation and legal payments to teachers for 2007

• Next time you complain about health and safety regulations read this.

• First Aid regulations update for Scotland

• Risk assessment and supervision essential, warns HSE