Anorak Liverpool City Council Health and Safety Unit Issue 5 – 2018 In this edition Spotlight Post Grenfell – update for schools Guidance Maintaining safer surfaces, updated health and safety Guidance Notes, CLEAPSS websites, what is CLEAPSS? Legal update Not considering risks to members of the public, asbestos exposure in a school In the know HSE asbestos inspections, gloves for protection against chemical splashes and spills, useful contacts, ten stress busters, brisk walking not just steps to improve health, Display Screen Equipment assessments, infection control Training Health and safety training courses 2018 - 2019 Health and Safety Unit, Cunard Building, Liverpool, L3 1AH Email: [email protected]Telephone: Tel: 233 2446, 2832, 3129, 5436 SIL: What we offer / Partner Services / Health and Safety
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Anorak - School Improvement Network · Anorak Liverpool City Council Health and Safety Unit Issue 5 – 2018 In this edition Spotlight Post Grenfell – update for schools Guidance
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Anorak Liverpool City Council Health and Safety Unit
Issue 5 – 2018
In this edition
Spotlight Post Grenfell – update for schools
Guidance Maintaining safer surfaces, updated health and safety Guidance Notes, CLEAPSS
websites, what is CLEAPSS?
Legal update Not considering risks to members of the public, asbestos exposure in a school
In the know HSE asbestos inspections, gloves for protection against chemical splashes and
spills, useful contacts, ten stress busters, brisk walking not just steps to improve
health, Display Screen Equipment assessments, infection control
Training Health and safety training courses 2018 - 2019
Health and Safety Unit, Cunard Building, Liverpool, L3 1AH
Maintaining and checking safer surfaces While it is important to undertake regular checks on play equipment and it is also essential to include the safer surfaces under and surrounding the play equipment.
Moss and algae
This can become established on safe surfaces and in order to prevent this the surface must be treated twice a year with moss-killer and algaecide, it is recommend that this is done before and after winter.
Particular attention should be paid to perimeter areas which are not as well trafficked and areas that are shaded by wall,
buildings or over hung by trees.
When using moss-killer and algaecide it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, oil based products must not be used.
Should moss become established it should be treated immediately, the application being repeated until the moss can be brushed away.
Weeds
These may occasionally appear on the surface usually as a result of windblown seeds.
Small numbers of weeds can be removed by hand without damaging the surface.
Localised areas of self-set weeds can be treated with domestic weed-killers without causing damage to the surface. Oil-based weed-killers should not be used.
Playground Wood and Rubber Chips
These require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to provide a safe environment and an impact absorbing surface.
As part of your inspection schedule you will need to check that there is no evidence of broken glass or foreign objects in the loose fill pit.
Loose fill pits require regular forking over and raking to ensure that an adequate depth is maintained.
Wood chip will eventually begin to decompose and will require periodical topping up which can be done with any approved play wood chip.
Sports pitches require additional maintenance (over and above the guidelines laid out above) to preserve a suitable surface performance for competitive sports.
Infilled pitches require regular brushing to maintain the even distribution of the sand/rubber and to eliminate compaction of the sand (which may reduce the drainage performance).
Infill should be removed, cleaned, re-distributed and topped up once a year, this can vary depending on usage and good
maintenance.
Seams and joins should be inspected regularly for a secure bond. Any failed joins can be spot repaired with specialist cartridge glue.
Maintenance of decking With autumn and winter approaching, schools with decked surfaces will need to ensure that it is
maintained effectively. One of the main concerns is that it can become slippery but this may
depend on where it is located and how it has been maintained. It is advised therefore, that decking
should be regularly inspected and swept to remove any debris. In some instances it may be
necessary to apply an anti-slip paint. You should refer to the manufacturer’s guidance for further
advice.
Health and Safety Guidance Notes
Health and safety Guidance Notes are reviewed on a two yearly cycle, or sooner if there are significant changes in legislation. We are always looking to improve the content we offer schools so please ensure that you are using the current version of the Guidance Notes. Log in on the School Improvement Liverpool website:
www.schoolimprovementliverpool.co.uk What we offer Partner Services Health and Safety Guidance Notes
If you have any problems logging in please contact School Improvement Liverpool Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0151 233 3901 Guidance Notes produced by Liverpool City Council Health and Safety Unit GN01 Lone Working GN02 Managing Asbestos GN04 Hazardous Substances COSHH GN05 Work Equipment GN06 Control of Legionella GN07 DSE and Workstation Ergonomics GN08 New and Expectant Mothers GN09 Building, Grounds and Workplace Inspections GN10 Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare GN11 Work at Height GN12 Accident-Incident Reporting & Investigation GN13 CDM GN14 Management of Occupational Stress GN15 Extended Duty of Care GN16 First Aid GN18 PPE GN19 Noise GN20 Vibration GN22 Fire Safety GN23 Electricity GN24 Manual Handling of Loads GN25 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment GN26 Risk Assessment GN27 Moving and Handling People GN28 Occupational Road Risk GN29 Infection Control & Communicable Diseases GN30 Confined Spaces GN31 Health and Safety Induction GN32 Gas GN33 Second-Hand Smoke GN34 Premises Relocations GN35 Work Related Violence GN36 Shift Work
What is CLEAPSS? CLEAPSS was founded in 1965 by the, then, Greater London Council in order to promote high quality, effective practical work in science. CLEAPSS has been doing this continuously for nearly 50 years. Very quickly after being founded, other local educational authorities requested access to CLEAPSS services on behalf of their schools. CLEAPSS became a consortium of these local educational authorities and at present the consortium includes all but two of the local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. CLEAPSS is, therefore, at its core a local authority organisation and only local authority members can be represented on its Governing Body. All maintained primary and secondary schools in member authorities are members of CLEAPSS as are the majority of independent schools, a significant number of colleges and many overseas schools.
subscription from its members (which generates the bulk of the income), income generated by training, income generated by small and large project work, including a science or D&T Department
H&S reviews, H&S reviews of school texts and equipment as well as advising Awarding Bodies on practical examination questions.
In addition CLEAPSS has contributed to many government-funded national initiatives.
Local authorities subscribe on behalf of their schools, and, since the 1990s, independent schools, colleges, and overseas schools have been able to subscribe directly. Academies and Free Schools can also subscribe directly although most choose to do so via a local authority. CLEAPSS is independent of all commercial or non-commercial organisations and, as such, its advice and guidance is completely impartial.
The introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974 had a significant impact on the teaching of practical subjects. CLEAPSS quickly engaged with this in order to support schools to maintain their practical work. As well as science, CLEAPSS expanded its remit to include D&T and recently art & design, and now provides model risk assessments (MRAs) for practical activities in these subjects for both primary and secondary schools and colleges. Membership of CLEAPSS enables an employer to discharge its duties under the 1975 H&SW Act and its subsequent Regulations, in respect of these subject areas. In addition to H&S guidance CLEAPSS provides advice on ways to carry out practical activities so that they work, are safe, and are effective at supporting learning. CLEAPSS has facilities at its offices on the campus of Brunel University in Uxbridge to enable it to test equipment and try out new ideas for practical work. As a result CLEAPSS staff have developed a wealth of experience devising and evaluating practical activities and equipment. CLEAPSS is a major training provider delivering over 200 one-day CPD courses for science and D&T teachers and technicians each year. In addition we run a 12 day technician training programme which can contribute towards an NVQ qualification or form part of a Technician Apprenticeship. CLEAPSS advice and guidance, contained in publications such as Hazcards and the Recipe book, is recognised by Ofsted and the HSE as the definitive basis for safe practice for practical work in schools. CLEAPSS is regularly consulted by government departments including the DFE, DEFRA and the Home Office. CLEAPSS publications can be obtained by members through the CLEAPSS website www.cleapss.org.uk
A local authority in Scotland has admitted safety breaches after a boy suffered serious chemical burns on a pier. The investigation also found the risk assessment in place did not consider there was a risk to members of the public.
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, the local authority, which covers the Western Isles appeared at Stornoway Sheriff Court on 24 July. The court heard how, on 11 July 2017, employees of the local authority had cleaned the slipway and steps of the pier at Valtos Pier in Uig using sodium hypochlorite. Later that day, two children were crabbing and lying on the steps of the pier, when one of the children felt a stinging sensation across his left leg. The child noticed a white substance on his trousers and his skin had developed red and brown patches. The children returned to their holiday home and the child was showered by his mother before he was taken to hospital by his father. The hospital confirmed the child had sustained a chemical burn from the sodium hypochlorite.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that due to the Council’s failure to wash away the solution, or cordon off the area, the children were able to access the area. The investigation also found the risk assessment in place did not consider there was a risk to members of the public.
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar of Sandwick Road, Stornoway, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay a compensation order of £6,000.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Kim Munro said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
Asbestos: £1m-worth of fines following incident
Three companies have been fined a total of more than £1m after workers were exposed to asbestos while refurbishing a school in Waltham Forest.
Southwark Crown Court heard that on 24 July 2012 a worker removed part of a suspended ceiling in one of the ground floor refurbished rooms at St Mary’s school and identified suspect asbestos containing materials. Asbestos fibres were subsequently found in numerous areas in the school.
The court heard the London Borough of Waltham Forest had a contract with NPS London Limited to manage development and refurbishment of its estate.
At the time of the incident the principal contractor for the work was Mansell Construction Services (aka Balfour Beatty) and the subcontractor was Squibb Group Limited.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that although an asbestos survey was completed, there were multiple caveats and disclaimers which were not appropriately checked.
Balfour Beatty Regional Construction Limited (previously Mansell Construction Services Limited) of Canary Wharf, London was fined £500,000 and ordered to pay costs of £32,364.84 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
NPS London Limited, of Business Park Norwich, Norfolk was fined £370,000 and ordered to pay £32,364.84 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Squibb Group Limited, of Stanford Le Hope, Essex was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay costs of £175,000 after being found guilty after a trial of a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Sarah Robinson said: “The principal contractor and contractors on site did not review the survey report in detail, and did not take into consideration the multitude of caveats.
“Therefore the work undertaken did not adopt the high standards of control expected for working where there was the potential to expose workers to asbestos.”
If you are not sure about the fabric of your building ensure that you get a competent person to carry out an asbestos risk assessment. If you believe that one has been carried out in the past ensure that you have a copy of the risk assessment, that you understand the overall contents and that it is up to date.
In the know
You will have already have been requested to log on to the Asbestos Management Assurance
Process (AMAP) portal. Information required includes the age of building, if any asbestos is
present, who the responsible person for the building is, and if there is an asbestos management
plan in place, etc. This follows an exercise completed by the Education Funding Agency in
2016/17 where they issued a survey to all schools in England in order to obtain data on how they
manage asbestos in their building. Overall there was a 25% response rate to this survey.
Liverpool City Council is currently investigating ways in whch schools can be further supported in
the management of asbestos. If you experience any difficulties in achieving compliance with the
Regulations, please contact [email protected] or see Guidance Note 02
Managing Asbestos.
As part of their 2018/19 work plan the HSE are undertaking proactive inspections of schools to
assess the management of asbestos in buildings. The purpose of this inspection programme is to
test the effectiveness of the management arrangements and controls across a range of school
types and governance models within Great Britain. Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) were
used extensively in school buildings. This includes a significant number of system built classrooms
which due to their construction method contain significant quantities of ACMs.
The 50 planned interventions, involving up to a day on site, will provide the HSE with a clearer
picture of the level of compliance with the duty to manage asbestos in schools. They build upon
Department for Education (DfE) guidance specifically targeted at school dutyholders. They also
follow the DfE assurance process (above) to provide confidence that state funded schools in
England have developed procedures to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Professor Paul Cosford, Medical Director at PHE, said:
Managing all the pressures of everyday life can mean that exercise takes a back seat, but building a brisk
walk into your daily routine is a simple way to get more active.
The Active 10 app gives you a clear picture of the intensity of your walk. Taking a brisk 10 minute walk
each day will get your heart pumping, improve your mood and lower the risk of serious health issues like
type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
‘Active 10’ is supported by the RCGP and was developed by PHE in collaboration with The University of
Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Join the 600,000 people who have downloaded ‘Active 10’ and make the first step towards a healthier you.
Search ‘Active 10’ to download the app for free.
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments
DSE risk assessment is, in the main, a self-assessment process. Managers must ensure all applicable staff
have access to this guidance and complete an individual assessment form; this should be carried out:
• On joining the team
• Following an office re-organisation/move
• Periodically – every 2 years
The DSE risk-assessment form is included within Guidance Note 07 Display Screen Equipment and
Workstation Ergonomics available on the School Improvement Liverpool website. The assessment process
should identify the specific needs of the user to ensure the suitability of the workstation, covering the key
elements:
• display screen equipment
• workstation layout
• chair
• software
• eye and eyesight tests for users on request
The level of detail required for the assessment should be proportionate to the problems encountered, as
should control measures implemented to ensure safe working.
Managers should also be aware that under the Equality Act 2010, there is a duty to make reasonable
adjustments for all employees with disabilities.
Assessment Referral Process
The DSE risk-assessment may indicate the user is experiencing problems the manager is unable to solve.
In such cases, managers can make a referral to the Health and Safety Unit (HSU).
Following the request a HSU Advisor will meet with the individual and manager to undertake and
workstation assessment. It may be possible to resolve matters with existing equipment through some
practical advice on posture or workstation layout. Where this cannot be achieved more suitable equipment
or a further assessment will be recommended.
Following the supply of any additional or replacement equipment, for example, a new chair, the HSU
Advisor will re-visit, to set up.
Managers should be aware that they will be responsible for purchasing additional or replacement
equipment recommended.
The HSU Advisor will make further referrals, if further specialist knowledge is required.This will either be to
an external ergonomic assessor or to Access to Work, if they meet the criteria.
Infection control
Autumn and winter can often see a rise in reports in relation to infections / viruses in schools such as the winter vomiting bug. The updated Public Health England guidance in relation to infection control in schools is available via this link:
Th ‘Health protection in schools and other childcare facilities’ guidance includes recommended time periods a pupil should be absent from school for certain infectious conditions such as chicken pox, measles etc. Where an identified outbreak of a virus has occurred at a school an infection control clean is required to be undertaken, details can be found in chapter 6 – Cleaning the Environment.