Title Page
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The health and safety walkabout involves an inspection of the department/ area.
It is intended to identify what are considered significant hazards, i.e. it will not include minor remedial matters. The inspection may only able to cover a proportion of the items mentioned, for example, fire extinguishers, a representative sample will be examined to inform an overall conclusion, the inspector may not have time to examine all extinguishers in the department -
School
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Department/ Area
- Art
- Food and nutrition
- Design and technology
- Science (all departments)
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- PE
- Junior school
- Maintenance and grounds maintenance
- Catering/ school kitchens
- Low risk department
- Offices/ Admin/ Bursary etc.
- Boarding House
- Other
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Please clarify details
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Conducted on
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Person assisting with audit
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Prepared by
Summary of findings
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Brief summary of findings. Actions included in the report
1 - The Premises
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1.1 Are stairways/gangways clear of obstructions? <br>Bags/ equipment stored safely when room is in use to leave sufficient room to move around/ exit
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1.2 Are floor coverings in good condition? <br>Changes in level/ type of flooring clearly marked, carpet not lifting/ wrinkled etc.
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1.3 Is matting provided in wet/ slippery areas and is it working sufficiently?<br>Matting can become less absorbent with time, there may not be a large enough mat for the footfall etc.
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1.4 Are handrails on stairs/steps sound?
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1.5 Are windows in good condition with safety glass as required and restricted opening if required? <br>To prevent fall from rooms above ground level, or opening too far into areas accessible by pedestrians/ vehicles
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1.6 Are door closure mechanisms/ finger guards fitted and in good working order? <br>Not too fast/ slow, fitted to doors with high risk of finger entrapment etc.
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1.7 Are security systems adequate to avoid entry by the public, safeguarding concerns, suitable for lockdown?<br>Blinds fitted, doors or buildings able to be locked, key entry if site open, CCTV in place etc.
2 - Furniture and fittings
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2.1 Is furniture in good condition with no exposed foam, broken sharp edges etc.
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2.2 Are wall mounted fixtures, shelving, furniture etc. in good condition and secure?
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2.3 Are stage curtains/ drapes flame retardant?
3 - Housekeeping
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3.1 Is build up of rubbish/ combustible material prevented and are waste-bins emptied regularly?<br>This includes keeping excessive material in cupboards/ storage areas that is no longer required/ justified
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3.2 Are flammable/ hazardous materials stored appropriately and securely?<br>Consider items stored in the cupboards also
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3.3 If flammable/ hazardous substances are present, is an inventory available and suitable COSHH information for users?
4 - Working at Height
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4.1 Are steps or kick stools available and used appropriately?
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4.2 Is access equipment in good condition and stored securely and only used by authorised personnel?
5 - Temperature and Ventilation
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5.1 Is the natural and/or artificial ventilation adequate?
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5.2 Can a reasonable room temperature be maintained?<br>Consider summer and winter, are fans used if too hot, or heaters used if too cold and does this help?
6 - Fire Precautions
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6.1 Are fire extinguishers/ blankets easily identifiable, regularly serviced and not tampered with?<br>Fitted to the wall at an appropriate height or in trays on the floor etc.
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6.2 Are fire extinguishers, call points and fire escape routes/corridors kept clear of obstructions?<br>Bags stored appropriately, items in corridors avoided/ kept to a minimum, items not blocking access to call points/ extinguishers, even partially etc.
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6.3 Is fire safety signage suitable, consistent and in good order?<br>All extinguishers have signage rather than just a few, direction signage clear when evacuating rooms etc.
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6.4 Are fire doors kept closed/ fitted with automatic door release mechanisms?<br>Avoiding the use of door stops
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6.5 Are fire doors labelled and in good condition?<br>Intumescent seals in place, close fully if on closing device etc.
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6.6 Are exit doors free from internal/external obstructions? <br>Consider also exit doors to play areas, avoid tables/ chairs being positioned next to the doors
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6.7 Is the fire alarm audible in all areas? Details provided by the person assisting with the audit
7 - Electrical Safety
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7.1 Are cupboards containing electrical consumer units free from stored combustible items? <br>At least 50cm area free around the electrical consumer unit, items not stored above electrical consumer units, detector fitted in cupboard etc.
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7.2 Are portable electrical appliances tested periodically by a competent person? <br>Items made available when PAT is being carried out, no items bought in without testing etc.
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7.3 Are sufficient electrical sockets available to prevent the need for the use of extension leads and to prevent cables trailing across walkways?<br>Daisy chaining of extension cables avoided, sockets not overloaded, trip hazards avoided etc.
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7.4 Are lithium-ion battery devices (laptops/ iPad/ mobile phones etc.) charged in a safe manner?<br>Laptop trolleys controlled with timer device, charging lugs switched off/ unplugged when not in use etc.
8 - First aid/ incidents
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8.1 Are adequate numbers of trained first aiders available, and are names and contact details of first aiders displayed?<br>If no first aiders in the department, are staff aware where the nearest first aider is or how to contact someone in an emergency
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8.2 Are first aid kits adequately stocked, easily identifiable and accessible?<br>Containing only approved items and location known of nearest kit if not in the department
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8.3 Do all staff Know how to report an accident or near miss?<br>There will be a school system, for all staff to report items. If reported in the department (book or online system) this should also be shared on the school system
9 - Equipment/ machinery
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9.1 Is Equipment/ machinery inspected/ serviced/ maintained and if so is evidence available?<br>Stickers visible including date of next inspection, inspection checklist available and completed etc.
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9.2 Are instructions available for safe use of the machinery, and is access prevented to occupants that have not been trained in safe use, e.g., equipment/ machinery locked and keys secure, access to the area restricted etc.
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9.3 Are emergency cut off devices available, clearly labelled and accessible?
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9.4 Is sufficient space available for safe use of the equipment/ machinery?<br>Contact avoided with other occupants of the room, items kept clear that may obstruct safe use of the equipment/ machinery etc.
10 - Additional information
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9.1 Please share any additional information/ concerns that may not have been identified in the walkabout