1. No category

N ews l etter
Health & Safety
SPRING 2015
For Schools
In this
issue
1 Educational visits
2 In the Courts
3 Infection control in
schools and childcare settings
4 Learning outdoors
in the summer
5 School Audits
6 New Pond Guidance
7 Transport Safety
8 Poisonous Plants
The Health &
Safety team
Rachael Lawton
General health and safety advice
and traded services
co-coordinator
Tel: 07824081199
Email: RLawton@swindon.gov.uk
Kieran Cole
Fire risk assessments and
general advice
Tel: 07818510571
Email: KCole2@swindon.gov.uk
Welcome
Welcome to the Spring edition
of the Swindon Borough Council
Health and Safety Newsletter
For Schools.
This edition focuses on summer
activities including educational
visits, Ponds and generally
spending more time outdoors
whether pond dipping, gardening
or attending forest school.
In addition, the Schools on line
web page has been updated.
This is work in progress so if you
would like to feedback on any
ideas of what you would like to
see on the site please contact
Rachael Lawton.
H E A LT H
&
S A F E T Y
N E W S L E T T E R
For Schools
SPRING 2015
Educational Visits
Educational Visits and other
opportunities for learning
outside the classroom are vital
to develop confidence and risk
judgement among young people.
A planned approach to managing
risk should enable schools to
build a culture of sensible risk
management linked to teaching
young people about risk.
Risk Assessments
Your educational visits coordinator (if appointed) should be
able to provide you with any risk
assessment documents required
by your school policy. The aim of
the risk assessment should be to
minimise risk while maximising
the benefits. Formal risk
assessment is a way of structuring
and recording the hazards
you have identified and the
judgements you make to satisfy
yourself that the risk to those
likely to be harmed is justified and
adequately controlled.
You will need to consider:
• What are the activities?
• What are the benefits of the activities?
• What are the hazards?
• Are the hazards easy to recognise?
• Who will be exposed to the hazards?
Information
Teachers and other leaders
should be trained or otherwise
adequately prepared to deal with,
or avoid any significant hazards
they may encounter on each
specific visit.
Teachers must be able to show
they have met their duty of care
by providing clear instructions
to the children about health
and safety issues relating to the
activity in question, informing
the children of health and safety
issues regarding the activity
and ensuring that all children
understand the information.
Supervision
Levels of supervision will depend
on a number of factors, including:
quality of the staff and other adults available.
Insurance
No school visit can go ahead
unless there is adequate
insurance.
Swindon Borough Council has
adopted the Outdoor Educational
Advisors Panel (OEAP) guidance
that is recognised as a National
Standard and should be adopted
by all Swindon Borough Council
Schools for all visits. The web
site gives guidance for roles
and responsibilities for the
Head Teacher, Visit Leaders,
Educational Visit Coordinators
and information for Parents.
Please follow the link below for
all trip advice and guidance:
• The age, gender and ability of http://oeapng.info/
the pupils.
• The number of pupils involved.
• Pupils’ special educational or medical needs.
• Pupils’ previous experiences of being away from school/home and of the activities involved.
• The degree of responsibility and discipline shown by the group.
• The type of visit and the nature of the activities • How likely is it that someone involved.
will come to harm • The level of risk.
(probability)?
• The location and travel • The availability of a qualified arrangements.
First Aider?
• The session time and day.
• The experience, training and H E A LT H
&
S A F E T Y
N E W S L E T T E R
For Schools
SPRING 2015
In the Courts
School fined
£10,000
after boy’s athletics injury
A school has been fined £10,000
after a 14-year-old boy suffered
life threatening injuries when he
was hit on the head with a shot
during a lesson.
The boy had left a triple jump
area and was standing on the
edge of the shot put landing zone
when he was hit on the back of
his head by the sphere. The child
needed emergency brain surgery
after the accident. He was in
hospital for nearly a month
before returning to school and
has a permanent indentation on
his skull.
The 24 boys in the lesson were
taking part in hurdles, long jump,
triple jump, javelin, discus and
shot put. The school’s inclusion
of six sports, with three throwing
events, significantly increased
the risks to pupils, as did the
proximity of the triple jump pit to
the shot put landing zone.
The Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) told magistrates the
school had not observed its
own risk assessment measures
or guidance on multi-event PE
lessons. The school put pupils at
serious risk.
City of Edinburgh Council has
been fined after a schoolgirl
was seriously injured when she
fell more than five metres as
teachers attempted to free her
from a broken down lift.
The HSE found that the council
failed to ensure staff at the
school had been given sufficient
instructions, information and
training to deal with such
incidents, and that no suitable
risk assessment had been
undertaken.
http://press.hse.gov.
uk/2014/council-in-courtafter-schoolgirl-seriouslyinjured-in-lift-shaftfall/?ebul=hsegen&cr=12/03mar-14
Infection- in schools and
control childcare settings
Public Health England (PHE) is
the government department that
has taken over from the Health
Protection Agency (HPA) and
have recently issued an updated
version of the document
Guidance on Infection control in
schools and childcare settings.
The document provides guidance
for schools and other childcare
settings, such as nurseries, on
infection control issues.
https://www.gov.uk/
government/uploads/system/
uploads/attachment_data/
file/353953/Guidance_
on_infection_control_in_
schools_11_Sept.pdf
H E A LT H
&
S A F E T Y
N E W S L E T T E R
Learning
outdoors
in the summer
months, staff and pupils could
get more sun on their skin than
is healthy for them, therefore
increasing their risk of sun burn
and skin cancer.
FACTOR 50
The summer months pose
a number of physical and
biological hazards for pupils
and staff who must protect
themselves against sun
exposure, heat, insects and
other hazards. Teachers and
staff should be aware of the
potential hazards in their
workplace and of how to
manage them correctly.
Sun Burn/Skin Cancer
Too much exposure to the sun is
harmful to the skin. The problem
is caused by Ultraviolet rays in
sunlight. During the summer
Who is at risk?
Some skin types are more prone
to skin burning than others.
People with white skin are at
most risk and in particular those
who have:
• Fair or freckled skin which doesn’t tan, or goes red or burns before tanning
• Red or fair hair and light colour eyes
• A large amount of moles
Even if your skin is not fair care
should be taken while being
outdoors in the 4 hours around
midday. The sun is most intense
at these times even on cloudy
days.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs as a
result of not drinking enough
liquid in order to replace fluids
that have been lost through
sweating. This Fluid imbalance
causes nausea, light headedness
and higher temperature. If
left untreated it could lead to
fainting or heat stroke.
Heat Stroke
Is a life threatening condition
where the body fails to regulate
its own temperature. It can arise
from untreated heat exhaustion
or because of high heat or
humidity. In very hot or very
humid conditions sweat cannot
evaporate from the skin so the
body cannot cool itself down.
For Schools
SPRING 2015
What can you do to protect
yourself?
• Provide shady areas
• Ensure children are wearing at least Factor 15 sun cream
• Ensure there is a supply of drinking water.
Insect bites and stings
Spending more time outdoors
may increase the risk from bee
and wasp stings. Usually an initial
sharp pain is followed by a mild
swelling and soreness which
is usually relieved by first aid
measures.
• Remove the sting holding below the poison sack and as close to the skin as possible
• Apply cold compress to the area (do not apply ice directly to the skin)
• Advise the individual to see their doctor if the pain and swelling persists
• For a sting in the mouth, give the individual some ice to suck or a cold water to sip to minimise the swelling and seek medical aid
• Multiple stings can be dangerous so it may be necessary to dial 999 for medical assistance
• Allergic reactions developing in to anaphylactic shock ring 999 immediately
H E A LT H
&
S A F E T Y
N E W S L E T T E R
Learning
outdoors
in the summer
For Schools
SPRING 2015
continued
Tick Bites
Ticks are tiny, spider-like
creatures found in grass
or woodland. They attach
themselves to passing animals;
they bite into the skin to suck
the blood. Ticks can carry Lyme
disease which is a treatable
disease if diagnosed in early
stages.
How to protect yourself?
• Cover exposed areas such as legs with trousers which are closed at the bottom
• Inspect your skin for ticks
To remove a tick
• Use fine pointed tweezers and grasp the tick’s head as close to the individuals skin as possible
• Use a slight to and fro action to leave, rather than pull the head out
• The mouth parts will be firmly embedded in the skin, so try to avoid breaking the tick and leaving the head buried in the individual’s skin.
If Symptoms occur
Report any flu like symptom
or sign to expanding red ring
developing around the site of the
bite to your GP.
Weil’s Disease
Weil’s disease is a form of
bacterial infection also known
as leptospirosis and is carried by
animals, most commonly rats
and cattle. It can be caught by
humans through contact with rat
or cattle urine, most commonly
occurring through contaminated
fresh water.
Infection of humans usually
occurs where open wounds are
immersed in relatively stagnant
water contaminated with rat or
cattle urine. It can be contracted
from contact with any fresh
or untreated water including
ponds, canals, lakes and rivers,
as well as flood waters that are
contaminated.
What can you do to protect
yourself?
• Cover any open wounds such as cuts and scratches with waterproof plasters.
• Wear protective clothing such as gloves.
• Wash thoroughly and as soon as possible if you have entered the water or other areas that are potentially contaminated.
• Assess the risk of the likelihood of contamination if contemplating entering fresh water, particularly be aware of stagnant water.
• Carefully clean any open wounds obtained during time at fresh water.
If Symptoms occur
Report flu like symptoms to
your GP, and inform them that
you have been in contact with
open water. Early diagnosis and
treatment of Leptospirosis can
prevent more severe cases of
infection.
School
Audits
You may be aware that the
Health and Safety Team
are currently coming out to
schools to carry out a Health
and Safety Audit. If you still
haven’t booked please contact
Rachael Lawton to arrange an
appointment.
There has been a couple of
items on the audit that seem to
be quite common:
1. It has been recommended
that the person that has
been made responsible
for the building checks i.e.
the Caretaker or Property
Manager attends the
Premisses Management
Course, run by the H & S
team. See the Schools online
Training Programme
2. Many Schools have been
unaware that they are now
responsible for ensuring
the water hygiene risk
Assessment is reviewed
every 2 years by a competent
contractor.
For any water hygiene
queries, contact Stan Akhurst
on 07500 226 856.
H E A LT H
&
S A F E T Y
N E W S L E T T E R
For Schools
SPRING 2015
Pond Guidance
Pond dipping is a very enjoyable
activity with high educational
benefits. It is a fairly low risk
activity, but it does carry a
number of potential risks.
Schools have a duty of care
towards their staff, pupils and
others who may be on their
premises. A school is required
to carry out a risk assessment
and implement reasonable
practicable measures to ensure
an acceptable level of safety.
Carry out a risk assessment
There is a generic check list
available for this activity on
Schools on Line. The check
list is aimed to help identified
hazards associated with your
schools pond. Every pond will
be different, therefore overall
guidance cannot be given, and
this is why individual site-based
risk assessment is required.
Operating policy
Create a normal operating
policy which details how the
pond is operated, the measures
which have or have not been
implemented and the reasoning
behind any decision.
Emergency Action Plan
The emergency action plan
should consider the following:
• How to rescue a person that has fallen in
• Resuscitation and first aid
• How to call for assistance
• What to do with other pupils during an emergency situation.
Controlled Access
Access to the pond must
be controlled and the pond
effectively closed while not in
use. This can be with fencing or
vegetative barriers. Trees and
shrubs close to the line of sight
must not be allowed to obscure
the view.
Ponds in primary schools must
be fenced to prevent inadvertent
approach. For all other schools
with ponds the need for fencing
should be determined as part of
the risk assessment process.
Fencing
If fencing has slats, those slats
must be vertical not horizontal
(to prevent climbing) with no gap
large enough to pass through
or get head stuck. Building
regulations for barrier gaps is a
gap of 100mm or less. The fence
must be a minimum of 1.1 metre
in height but can be higher
depending on the risk.
For smaller ponds a steal ridged
weld mesh over a wooden frame,
the steel mesh apertures should
be 25mm x 25mm.
H E A LT H
&
S A F E T Y
Pond Guidance
Gates
Signage
A lockable gate must be provided
to deter unsupervised entry.
This gate should be of the same
construction as the fencing.
Clear signage should be used at
the access points to the pond.
For example a sign stating ‘No
unaccompanied children’ or if ice
forms during the winter ‘Danger:
Thin Ice’.
THE GATE MUST BE LOCKED
WHEN NOT IN USE.
Edges
Edges that are open for access
for pond dipping should be
gently sloping, or flat and well
defined. Where access is not
required, or where the edge is
steep, a protective barrier either
in the form of marginal aquatic
vegetation or fencing may be
required.
Depth
The Maximum depth of pond:
•
Infants 60cm
•
Junior 75cm
•
Secondary 100cm
The deepest point of the pond
should be away from the dipping
area. Ponds which are too
deep for an adult to perform a
wading rescue, suitable rescue
equipment such as a reach
pole or a throw line should be
provided.
Maintenance
The pond fencing and pond area
should be regularly maintained
to prevent unsupervised entry
and slips, trips and falls.
If a scum has formed on the
surface, this should be removed,
avoiding skin contact.
Supervision
Please ensure you have a ratio of
at least one to eight by the pond.
The level of supervision should
be identified through the risk
assessment identifying students
and the potential risk. Young
children (age 2-3) are at a higher
risk than older children, the risk
decreases with age. Children at
an age of 4-5 start to understand
the concept of danger and begin
to heed warnings of danger.
Behaviour by the pond
All children should be made
aware of the deep water and
asked not to run or be silly near
the edge. Pond dipping should
N E W S L E T T E R
For Schools
SPRING 2015
continued
only be carried out by children
kneeling on both knees or lying
flat on their stomachs.
Hygiene
Weil’s disease is a water borne
disease; to prevent infection
all open cuts and grazes should
be covered with a waterproof
plaster or PVC gloves as required.
To prevent infections children
should be reminded not to put
their fingers in theirs mouth,
nose or eyes and should wash
their hands afterwards.
Clothing
Children and adults should
wear appropriate footwear and
clothing for the activity.
Further Information
Pond dipping and Weils disease
CLEAPSS Guidance:
http://www.cleapss.org.uk/
attachments/article/0/PS01.
pdf?Primary/Resources/
Guidance Leaflets/
RoSPA Pond Dipping advice:
http://www.rospa.
com/leisuresafety/
adviceandinformation/
watersafety/pond-dipping.aspx
H E A LT H
&
S A F E T Y
N E W S L E T T E R
For Schools
SPRING 2015
Transport safety
Poisonous
Plant
Guide

Take a look at the New
Poisonous Plant Guide. It can
be found on the Schools on Line
Health and Safety web page.
POISONOUS PLANTS

Found in and around
school grounds
DAFFODILS
Location: Found in parks, gardens, cut flower
arrangements or grown in the classroom.
Harmful parts: Mostly in the bulb.
How: Ingestion, bulbs mistaken for onions.
Effects: Vomiting, diarrhoea, skin irritation.
FOXGLOVE
MONKSHOOD
LABURNUM
RHODODENDRONS
EUPHORBIA
Location: Gardens and woodlands
Harmful parts: Whole plant.
How: Ingestion
Effects: Stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea,
confusion, irregular heartbeat.
Location: Damp, shady places and moist rich
meadows.
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Ingestion
Effects: Nausea, burning irritation of mouth
and skin, vomiting, difficulty speaking and
swallowing, dizziness.
Location: Gardens, woodland and scrubs
Harmful parts: All parts, especially the seed pod
- often mistaken for pea pods.
How: Ingestion
Effects: Nausea and vomiting. Higher doses can
produce sleepiness, convulsions, slight frothing
at the mouth and unequally dilated pupils.
Location: Garden plant
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Ingestion
Effects: Breathing trouble, nauseas, vomiting,
coma. Weakness, seizure.
Location: Garden plant
Harmful parts: Whole plant especially the highly
toxic sap.
How: Ingestion and contact.
Effects: Contact with the skin causes extreme
irritation, inflammation, ulceration, and in some
cases gangrene. If swallowed, diarrhoea and low
temperature.
ENGLISH YEW
RUE
OLEANDER
MISTLETOE
ENGLISH IVY
Location: Gardens and parks
Harmful parts: Foliage, Berries, bark, seeds
How: Ingestion
Effects: Digestive trouble, dry mouth, dizziness,
vomiting. Seizures, cardiac and breathing
trouble.
Location: Shrub garden plant
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Ingestion and contact.
Effects: Nauseas, vomiting, dermatitis. Hand
blistering.
Location: Garden plant
Harmful parts: Whole plant. Even the smoke
from burning Oleander is toxic.
How: Ingestion and contact.
Effects: Vomiting, diarrhoea, excess salivation,
cramping/pain and irregular heart rate.
Location: Parasitic plant which grows in a host
tree. Used as Christmas decoration.
Harmful parts: Whole plant, especially berries
How: Ingestion
Effects: Gastrointestinal trouble, dermatitis,
hypothermia, irregular heart beat.
Location: Gardens and parks
Harmful parts: Leaves, berries
How: Ingestion and contact
Effects: Dermatitis, Mouth, throat, stomach
irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
HYDRANGEA
IRIS
PEONY
SWEET PEA
WISTERIA
Location: Gardens and parks
Harmful parts: Buds, leaves
How: Ingestion
Effects: Stomach pain, vomiting, dizziness,
headache, breathing difficulties, delayed
symptoms possible.
Location: Gardens and parks
Harmful parts: Tubers
How: Ingestion and contact
Effects: Dermatitis, Burning irritation of mouth
and throat, vomiting, diarrhoea.
Location: Gardens and parks
Harmful parts: Roots, flowers, seeds
How: Ingestion and contact
Effects: Skin irritation, nausea, stomach pain,
diarrhoea.
Location: Gardens and parks
Harmful parts: All parts
How: Ingestion
Effects: Cramps, loss of sensation, paralysis.
Location: Gardens and parks:
Harmful parts: All, especially seeds & pods
How: Ingestion
Effects: Nausea, vomiting, intense stomach pain
and severe diarrhoea.
GIANT HOGWEED
HORSE CHESTNUT
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE
BLACK BRYONY
Location: Parks, river banks & wasteland.
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Contact
Effects: Mild skin irritation when handled.
Location: Widely found in parks and public
areas.
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Ingestion
Effects: Can cause death if eaten raw.
Location: Shady, wooded areas
Harmful parts: Whole plant.
How: Ingestion
Effects: Delirium, hallucinations, dilated pupils,
sensitivity to light, blurred vision, loss of
balance, headache, rash, dry mouth and throat.
Location: Hedgerows & wood edges.
Harmful parts: Whole plant especially berries.
How: Ingestion
Effects: Nausea and vomiting.
HEMLOCK & HEMLOCK WATER
DROPWORT
Location: Field edges, ditches, marshy areas,
stream banks and roadsides.
Harmful parts: Whole plant.
How: Ingestion. Mistaken for parsley.
Effects: When touched or eaten, can cause grand
mal seizures and death.
BUTTERCUPS
SNOWBERRY
WOODY NIGHTSHADE
CHERRY LAUREL
LORDS-AND-LADIES
Location: Woodlands, parks and gardens.
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Ingestion and contact
Effects: Dermatitis, Diarrhoea.
Location: Woodlands, riverbanks & floodplains.
Harmful parts: The berries
How: Ingestion and contact
Effects: Mild skin irritation when handled.
Vomiting, diarrhoea, drowsiness, dizziness.
Location: Shady, wooded areas
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Ingestion
Effects: Nauseas and vomiting.
Location: Parks & gardens
Harmful parts: Leaves and fruit pips
How: Ingestion
Effects: The fruit and leaves contain Cyanide
which starves the central nervous system of
oxygen which causes death.
Location: Woodlands & gardens
Harmful parts: Whole plant. The berries are
extremely poisonous.
How: Ingestion and contact
Effects: Can cause mild skin irritation when
handled. Burning mouth, throat, tongue and lips.
WILD PRIVET
ELDERBERRY
HOLLY
LEOPARD LILY
ANGEL’S TRUMPETS
Location: Woodlands, grassland
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Ingestion
Effects: Stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea.
Location: Hedgerows
Harmful parts: All parts except ripe fruit
How: Ingestion
Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
and dizziness.
Location: Gardens and hedgerows
Harmful parts: Berries in large quantities
How: Ingestion
Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
Location: Pot plant
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Ingestion
Effects: Burning mouth and throat, diarrhoea,
vomiting.
Location: Pot plant
Harmful parts: Whole plant
How: Ingestion
Effects: Vomiting, dry skin and mouth, delirium.
Many schools will hire buses/
coaches that have seat belts.
However, those seat belts are
only effective if used. Schools
are advised that where seatbelts
are provided, a check should be
made that all passengers are
wearing them and this should be
monitored by a designated adult
throughout the journey.
The driver is responsible for
ensuring that:
• Children under 3 years of age use an appropriate child restraint.
• Children aged between 3 and 11 years, and under 1.5 metres tall use an appropriate child restraint if available, or if not available, wear the seat belt.
• Children aged 12 and 13 years (and younger children who are 1.5 metres or taller) use the seat belt.
S W I N D O N B O R O U G H C O U N C I L HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDE
What do you think about the
new schools on line health and
safety page? Do you find it easy
to use? What would you like to
see contained on the site?
If you have any comments about
this together with suggestions
as to how we might improve its
contents, please let us know.
RLawton@swindon.gov.uk
Passengers aged 14 years or
more traveling in the front seats,
or any exposed seat, must wear
a seat belt and are personally
responsible for
doing so.
http://www.rospa.
com/roadsafety/
adviceandinformation/incarsafety/carryingchildren/
other-vehicles.aspx
http://www.rospa.
com/roadsafety/info/
schooltransport.pdf
SCHOO
L
ONLINES
Review
in
the con g
tent
of your
Schools
’ websi
te