Health and Safety Policy
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 imposes certain obligations on an employer not only to take all such actions as are reasonable to safeguard the health and safety of their employees but also to be able to show they are doing so. This must be not only by producing a Health & Safety Policy but also by adequate written procedures, in our case these are set out in the Nursery manual. We fully accept our responsibilities under the Act.
The person with overall responsibility for Health & Safety in Playaway Day Nursery is Mrs Julia Gaskell.
To ensure all staff understands their individual responsibilities in respect to Health & Safety these are set out in their terms & conditions of employment as well as under “Responsibilities” in Section 3 of the Nursery manual. They are also covered specifically on induction.
Section 3 details how COSHH, risk assessments, fire evacuation and the monitoring of same are carried out; this is to ensure compliance with not only the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 but also OFSTED requirements.
Consultation and instruction on Health & Safety matters take place at the regular staff meetings and are recorded in the minutes
There are laid down procedures in Early Years Foundation Stage for the safe handling of medication and drugs and the prohibition of smoking and alcohol on any part of the premises.
The Act refers to what is reasonable in given work situations. We believe the risks in our childcare environment are low but to maintain the maximum protection for staff we consider it necessary to:
- Ensure the highest standards of cleanliness are maintained.
- Ensure safe and clear accesses and egresses from the building, including fire exits. Ensure staff are aware of fire procedures and that regular fire drills are carried out recorded and monitored.
- Regularly check the premises room by room for structural defects, worn fixtures and fittings or electrical equipment, and take the necessary remedial action.
- Ensure that all members of staff are aware that they must immediately report all accidents and make sure an appropriate entry is made in the accident register (every accident will be investigated to ascertain whether any action needs to be taken to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future).
- Ensure that all members of staff take all reasonable action to control the spread of infectious diseases and that they wear protective gloves and clothes where appropriate.
- Prohibit any contractor working on the premises without prior discussion with the officer in charge to negate any risks to the staff or children.
The management consider these matters of such importance that breach of health and safety procedures by staff constitutes misconduct and will be dealt with as a disciplinary matter. It is not possible to detail here all the health and safety matters that come up on a day-to-day basis, so staff and management must constantly be mindful of their responsibilities individually and collectively for the safety of themselves and their colleagues.
