NTC Governor / Senior Leadership Team Annual Health & Safety Inspection Checklist

• Guidance Notes on using this checklist
  
  In order to comply with health and safety legislation the employer is required to monitor activities to ensure compliance with locally set policies and procedures.
  
  It is therefore a requirement for schools to formally monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the health and safety systems within the school and departments.
  
  This safety checklist has been designed to assist governors and/or Senior Leadership Team (SLT) when conducting an annual health and safety inspection.
  
  It is not necessarily exhaustive, and can be customised to fit individual circumstances as required.
  
  Separate checklists for higher risk areas (DT, Science, PE, Art) are available for heads of department to use for their curriculum specific risks and responses to these should be co-ordinated by a member of SLT.
  
  Definitions
  • Machinery – Items such as Kilns, Pug mills, Pillar drills, Lathes, Table saws etc.
  • Tools/Equipment – Includes hand tools (e.g. hammers, chisels etc), Buffer machines, Polishing machines, strimmers, PE Equipment.
  • Hazardous Substances – Substances that are covered by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations ( substances classified as very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive or irritant. These can be identified by their warning label and orange pictogram but there are other substances such as dusts to consider).
  • Off Site Activities – Any activity that takes place beyond the school site (e.g. trips, visits, sports fixtures); details can be found in the “Health & Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits” Policy.
  • DSE – Display screen Equipment such as computers, laptops etc.

• School Name

• Area Inspected

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Any Other Personnel Present

Health and Safety Policy

• Is there a health & safety policy (signed & dated by head teacher / chair of governors) which has been reviewed in the last 12 months?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last review

  Date

• Is the policy in line with NTC model in having a statement of intent, organisation (roles and responsibilities) and detailed local arrangements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Effective health and safety induction provided and documented? (health and safety policy proactively used)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Information, Instruction and Training

• Are there formal arrangements in place to discuss health & safety matters with other users/groups/other occupants of the site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is health and safety an agenda item at team meetings?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Health & Safety Law Poster displayed and completed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Staff health and safety training needs are assessed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Health and safety training recorded?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Safety Inspections

• Termly health and safety inspections of site undertaken and documented?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all outstanding actions been addressed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Curriculum specific checklists completed by heads of department (key stages 3-5 in Art, PE, Science and D&T)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all outstanding actions been addressed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Risk Assessments

• School specific risk assessments covering full range of school activities completed and reviewed in the last 12 months? (eg curriculum and non curriculum, one off events, caretaking duties, extended use of school etc.)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last review

  Date

• Stress / wellbeing has been considered as part of the risk assessment process? School participates in the wellbeing programme or has completed risk assessment following the HSE management standads for stress?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Evidence that heads of department adopt / adapt model risk assessments for curriculum activities?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Staff aware of content and location of relevant risk assessments?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• NTC guidelines followed for all off site activites?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All notifiable visits (overseas, self led adventurous activities, field work in wild /open country etc.) approved by school improvement team

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

• Inventory of chemicals and data sheets available and up to date (reviewed in last 12 months)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are COSHH assessments in place?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are hazardous substances stored in a locked room(s) / cupboard(s)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all containers clearly labelled and marked (eg irritant, flammable)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Maximum of 50 litres of highly flammable liquids to be stored in workroom within a suitable metal cabinet?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Fire Protection

• Has a fire risk assessment been completed / reviewed within the last 2 years?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has a the action plan been reviewed with remedial measures taken for all actions identified?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Current evacuation notices posted in each classroom and fire action notices adjacent to call points?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fire drills conducted termly and recorded (occupants able to evacuate to a place of safety in approx 3 mins?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Time & date of last drill

  Date

• Fire alarm call points tested weekly (different call point each week on a rotational basis) and recorded?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate fire extinguishers available and serviced annually?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of previous service

  Date

• All emergency exits / routes clearly signed and unobstructed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Areas of school used for lettings outside of ambient daylight hours have emergency lighting available on escape routes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Emergency lighting tested monthly (in house) and full discharge test completed annually (competent service engineer)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of full discharge test

  Date

• Fire alarm serviced minimum of annually (may be more frequent according to manufacturers spec)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last service

  Date

• Are fire doors in place and fully closing?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Accident and Incident Investigation

• Accident records kept locally and monitored for trends?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all relevant accidents and incidents to pupils, employees and others reported using NTC electronic incident recording system?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has each incident on reporting system been adequately investigated and findings recorded by management?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

First Aid

• First aid boxes in appropriate places and maintained, in date and no unapproved content (medicines etc.)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Detail Number of staff trained in Paediatric First Aid (Nursery's/First Schools/Primary Schools) within previous 3 years

• Detail Number of staff trained in First Aid at Work within previous 3 years

• Detail Number of staff trained in Emergency First Aid within previous 3 years

• Adequate level of First Aid provision on site (as determined by risk assessment)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Medication

• Are pupils with medical needs clearly identified with annual reviews of care plans for complex cases?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Documented system for acceptance and administration of medication in line with DFE & NTC guidance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Medicines stored appropriately and in original containers with emergency medication (asthma inhalers and epi-pens etc) readily available and not locked away?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Staff training for epi-pens / medical procedures up to date? (Should be carried out annually)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Work Equipment

• Are tools & equipment (including ladders) stored securely & out of reach of unauthorised persons?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Adequate work equipment (including work at height specific) risk assessments conducted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has training and instruction been given to the relevant members of staff in the safe use of tools & equipment (including ladders)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ladder register and checklist in place and reviewed regularly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a defective equipment reporting and recording procedure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Planned preventative maintenance schedule in place? (Local exhaust ventilation certified every 14 months)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Work Equipment Servicing

Equipment

• Type of equipment

• Date of last service

  Date

• PE and outdoor play equipment inspected annually by competent contractor?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last inspection

  Date

• Passenger lifts & hoists serviced regularly (6 monthly)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last service

  Date

Minibuses

• Are there any minibuses?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• List of nominated minibus drivers maintained and training conducted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Driving licences checked annually?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• MOT and servicing records in place?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Checklist completed prior to use of minibus?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Asbestos

• Is there any asbestos on site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Asbestos duty holder & deputy present and trained within last 3 yrs?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of training

  Date

• Asbestos visual inspection completed and documented in asbestos log?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last recorded inspection

  Date

• All contractors shown & sign asbestos file?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last entry

  Date

Legionella

• Legionella assessment conducted by competent person and controls being recorded in log book?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Notification of Change

• Has the Notification of Change document been used for all instances of remedial work (ie putting up shelves/large refurbishments etc) and/or for changes of key personnel within school (ie Headteacher, Caretaker, Business Manager)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last entry

  Date

• Number of Notification forms produced in previous 12 months

Construction Design Management & Control of Contractors

• Is health and safety included within specifications and contract conditions when awarding contracts?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where non NTC or CHAS registered contractors are used, appropriate competency checks are undertaken prior to engaging a contractor?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is relevant health and safety information given to contractors and visitors when they arrive on site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Electrical

• Fixed wiring inspected within last 5 years and all remedial actions completed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of Last Inspection

  Date

• Portable appliances (items with a plug) tested by competent person and have a sticker to indentify they have been tested?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last Portable Appliance Test

  Date

• Fixed electrical equipment (cookers etc.) hard wired rather than using plug and socket?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are plugs, sockets, switches etc in good condition (not broken, cracked or loose etc) and checked pre-use by staff?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sufficient electrical sockets for portable equipment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All emergency shut offs accessible, clearly identified and functioning?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Gas

• All gas appliances tested in past 12 months by gas safety registered contractor?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last Gas safe certificate

  Date

• Gas cylinders stored appropriately?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All emergency shut offs accessible, clearly identified and functioning?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Housekeeping

• Housekeeping satisfactory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is flooring in good condition and free of slip / trip hazards ?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Toilets adequate, clean and have liquid soap, paper towels/ hand dryers and hot water?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sufficient storage space available and reasonably tidy, no accumulation of materials in working areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are boiler rooms and electrical intake areas kept free of combustible materials?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Welfare & Environment

• Finger-guards in place on vulnerable doors i.e. toilet & classrooms in nursery, KS1 and special schools?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a system whereby all defects found with premises are notified to management so remedial action can be taken?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have there been complaints by staff members regarding lighting, heating and ventilation within the school?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Drinking water available and labelled as such?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Any outstanding items from the last EHO report for the school kitchen?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last report

  Date

• All DSE (computer) users identified and workstations assessed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Glazing filmed / safety glazing to BS 6206 in vulnerable areas?( e.g. panes >250mm wide in or adjacent to doors, areas where pe is conducted etc)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hazard areas (kitchen, labs, workshops etc) locked when unsupervised?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are items that are stored at height (eg files/folders on shelves) accessible, secure and safe?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

External

• Are pathways / walkways stable underfoot and without significant trip hazards? (eg no potholes, no raised /sunken slabs)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Pedestrian routes clearly defined and segregated from vehicles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Risk assessment in place for movement of vehicles & pedestrians?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Tree survey conducted by arboricultralist?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of survey

  Date

Security and Safeguarding

• External lighting adequate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there clear signage directing visitors to reception/other services on site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a clearly defined route between the site entrance(s) and reception, with access to children avoided where practicable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the gates and perimeter fencing of adequate height and in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Visitor access to buildings adequately controlled?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is access to low roofs restricted and are any fragile surfaces identified with suitable signage? (If anti-climb paint is used it has signage)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are external storage / waste bins secured and located 4m - 8m away from buildings?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Swimming Pool Management

• Is there a swimming pool?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Training

• Teachers will have completed swimming teaching as part of their Initial Teacher Training (ITT). If not part of their ITT or they are non-teaching staff then they must have a minimum of ASA module 1 / TOP Swimming NB. For pools deeper than 1.2M staff must have completed appropriate specialist qualifications.
  
  At secondary level the head of PE will ensure all staff expected to undertake swimming teaching hold the appropriate NGB award in addition to their teaching qualification in accordance with AfPE guidance.

• Do staff who teach swimming hold an appropriate qualification?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the plant operator hold a pool plant operators certificate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Suitable rescue provision available?<br>(National rescue award for teachers and coaches for structured sessions (swimming lessons, etc.)<br>National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) for unstructured sessions (recreation sessions))

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Pool Management

• Does the school/establishment have a swimming pool policy?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the policy include the Normal Operating Procedures (NOP) and the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) ?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are suitable and sufficient risk assessments available that specifically deal with the issue of pool safety?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the area secure when unsupervised to prevent unauthorised access?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have risk assessments and qualifications been verified for any external lettings?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Additional Comments

Issue/Good Practice

• Issue

  Good Practice

Inspector Sign Off

• Signature of Inspector

  Sign

• Additional Inspectors

Additional Inspector

• Name of additional inspectors

  Sign