Health & Safety
NORTHCOTE COLLEGE
HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION GUIDE FOR VISITORS
KEY POINTS
The school recognises that:
It has a primary responsibility to health and safety by complying with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Smoke-Free Environments Act 1990, Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation & Compensation Act 2001 and any subsequent amendments by demonstrating within the workforce, a genuine concern for health and safety.
Important Phone Numbers
H&S Coordinator Friederike Cannan Ph 481 0145
Mobile 027 6680840
Reception Ph 481 0141
Caretaker Peter McCurran Ph 481 0161
Mobile 027 2414613
School Nurse Susanne Stables/Louise Anderson/Leanne Spraggon
Job share Ph 481 0141 ext 759
Emergency Services Dial 1 for an outside line, then 111
If using a mobile just dial 111.
Health and Safety Questions
All questions regarding this booklet or health and safety in general should be directed in the first instance to the Northcote College Health and Safety Coordinator or Committee.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The purpose of this booklet is to provide you with information about the procedures that we expect you to follow whilst at Northcote College.
The Board of Trustees (the Board) take the Health and Safety of the staff, students and visitors very seriously and the overriding aim in this regard is to promote safe working practices so that accidents are avoided.
The Board expects and looks forward to you helping us make the Northcote College campus a safe place.
Workers – (employees, temporary workers, contractors, volunteers) Rights and Obligations
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
- Take reasonable care that their acts are not a risk to the health and safety of others
- Take reasonable steps to eliminate risks when they are first identified
- Report any risks to their relevant school leader, including those that have already been eliminated
- Seek support from the health and safety representative on health and safety risk matters if required
- Comply with this policy and procedures in the workplace
- Comply with any reasonable instruction in relation to risks given by the board of the PCBU they are visiting
- Inform others of known risks
- May cease or refuse to carry out work if they believe the work would expose them to a serious risk.
Others – (visitors, students, parents, volunteers etc)
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
- Take reasonable care that their acts are not a risk to the health and safety of others
- Take reasonable steps to eliminate risks when they are first identified
- Comply with any reasonable instruction given by the board in relation to risks.
Northcote College is a smoke free site
Smoking is forbidden at all times within any area designated as a Northcote College site. This includes all school buildings, grounds and vehicles.
Fire Exits
Please familiarise yourself with the location of fire exits.
Temporary Works
All temporary works involving short term hazards must be screened, protected or marked with warning tape to prevent potential harm to others. If you see any contractors not abiding by this please contact the Property Manager as soon as possible.
Alcohol
Consumption of alcohol by students is forbidden.
Health and Safety Committee
There are at least six members of the committee: the Executive Officer, Caretaker, School Nurse, Science Technician, HoD PE and an elected Staff Representative. An election is held in March of each year to elect the Staff Representatives. A student representative is also invited onto the committee each year. The committee meets once per term or more often if required. The meeting appears on the School Calendar.
Information
In the Nurse’s office and Executive Officer’s office are brochures and general information on Health and Safety available for anyone to use. Please call in if you would like some information on a particular item. The following websites are also very useful; www.dol.govt.nz or www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/about/reform/ or www.acc.co.nz or http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/specific-initiatives/health-and-safety/
HEALTH CARE OF STAFF, STUDENTS AND VISITORS
The Wellness Centre is located next to the staffroom in A Block. It is staffed by a registered Nurse between the hours of 9am and 3.30pm every day.
The Wellness Centre has four beds and appropriate first aid equipment.
An Automated Electronic Defibrillator is located in the entrance foyer to the staffroom for any person to use in an emergency.
All students and staff who are taken ill, or are involved in an accident, should report to the nurse in the Wellness Centre. There is no appointment system. Urgent matters will take precedence.
All incidents/accidents involving students must be reported to the Wellness Centre.
All incidents/accidents involving staff or visitors must be reported to the Wellness Centre within 24 hours.
Near misses should also be reported to the Nurse for inclusion in the Accident Register.
The Nurse will assess the patient’s condition and take appropriate action.
GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING POINTS AND HOW TO REACT SHOULD AN EMERGENCY ARISE.
- Building or Emergency Exits
- Location of Fire Extinguishers
- Location of Fire Alarms
- Nearest Telephone
- Check on how the phone system works (you need to dial 1 to get an outside line)
- Where the evacuation assembly area is and who to report to
WHEN CALLING THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
TELL the operator the service you require
WAIT until the service answers
STATE exactly where you are, the nature and situation of emergency
KNOW the procedures for evacuation and the meeting points.
Please remember you need to dial 1 to get an outside line – ie 1 for a line out and then 111.
111 calls from cell phones do not require you to dial the area code. Simply dial 111 as you would on a normal phone.
Emergency services phone numbers (both urgent and non-urgent) are listed are listed on the first pages of the “White Pages”. Or http://www.police.govt.nz/contact-us/calling-emergency-111
1. SERIOUS INJURY
- Secure the accident area – to avoid further injuries.
- Make the victim as comfortable as possible – cover to keep warm.
- Do not attempt to move the victim if they are unable to tell you their condition.
- Arrange for immediate first aid – the Nurse between 9am & 3.30pm, or someone with a First Aid Certificate if the Nurse is not on site.
- Phone for emergency services.
2. FIRE
- Raise the alarm.
- Evacuate the area – follow the college evacuation procedures.
- Proceed to assembly area - the No.1 Top Field.
- Stay in the assembly area until you are advised that you can leave.
- Do not re-enter the area until the all clear is given.
3. EXPLOSION
- Raise the alarm.
- Contact emergency services – follow correct procedure and advise the operator carefully. You may need all three emergency services.
- Secure the explosion areas – to avoid further injuries.
- Water, gas and electricity are likely to be ruptured.
- Make victims (if any) as comfortable as possible. Cover to keep warm.
- Do not attempt to move the victim if they are unable to tell you their condition.
- Arrange for immediate first aid.
- If fire follows the explosion evacuate area set out under the Fire procedure.
4. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SPILL
- Raise the alarm.
- Contact emergency services.
- Evacuate the area – check others in the area are evacuated. Shut any doors as you leave.
- Proceed to assembly area.
- Stay in the assembly area until you are advised that you can leave.
- Leave the clean up to the emergency services.
- If you are unaware of what is needed to neutralise the hazardous material, phone:
- Poisons and Hazardous chemicals
- NZ Poisons Centre 0800 764 766 (24/7)
- Assist in the clean up ONLY if you have full protective safety gear as recommended by the emergency services and then only if asked.
- Do not enter the area until the all clear is given.
5. EARTHQUAKE
Safety Measures indoors:
- Do not evacuate the area.
- Take cover beneath a strong desk or table or a doorway.
- Remain calm and give reassurance.
- Evacuate the area ONLY when instructed to do so or if the building is obviously structurally unsafe.
- Check others in the area are evacuated.
- Shut any doors as you leave.
- Ensure all electrical or gas supplies are turned off.
- Proceed to assembly area.
- Stay in the assembly area until you are advised that you can leave.
- Do not re-enter the area until the all clear is given.
Safety Measures outdoors:
- Move clear of all buildings and potentially dangerous structures.
- 20 paces is a safe distance for a single storey building.
- Leave swimming pool immediately if applicable.
Northcote College
Health and Safety Policy 2016
Purpose
The Northcote College Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all workers, students, visitors and contractors by complying with relevant health and safety legislation, regulations, New Zealand standards, and approved codes of practice.
This policy should be read in conjunction with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
- The Board must ensure the health and safety of Northcote College staff members, including volunteer workers, while at work.
- The Board must ensure the safety of other workers who are influenced or directed by the Board.
- The Board must ensure the safety of students/children, parents, members of the public, and visitors to Northcote College.
Our aim at Northcote College is to have a positive health and safety culture: Everyone at Northcote College identifying health and safety risks and taking steps to prevent these risks causing harm.
At Northcote College we:
- make health and safety a priority
- recognise that everyone has responsibilities for workplace health and safety
- continually improve the health and safety system
- do everything reasonably possible to remove or reduce the risk of injury or illness
- make sure all incidents, injuries and near misses are recorded in the appropriate place
- investigate incidents and near misses to reduce the likelihood of them happening again
- have emergency plans and procedures in place
- train everyone about hazards and risks
- provide appropriate induction, training and supervision for all new and existing staff and volunteers
- help workers who are injured or ill return to work safely
- ensure contractors and sub-contractors working at the school operate in a safe manner
Staff members are encouraged to play a vital and responsible role in maintaining a safe and healthy workplace through:
- being involved in improving health and safety systems
- following all instructions, rules, procedures and safe ways of working
- reporting any pain or discomfort as soon as possible
- reporting all injuries, incidents and near misses
- helping new workers, staff members, trainees and visitors to the workplace understand the safety procedures and why they exist
- reporting any health and safety concerns or issues
- keeping the school tidy to minimise the risk of any trips and falls
- wearing protective clothing and equipment as and when required to minimise exposure to workplace hazards.
Others in the workplace
All others in the workplace including students and visitors are encouraged to:
- follow all instructions, rules and procedures while in the school grounds
- report all injuries, incidents and near misses
- wear protective clothing and equipment as and when required to minimise exposure to hazards while learning
Students are provided with basic health and safety rules, information and training and are encouraged to engage in positive health and safety practices.
Key features of the Northcote College Health and Safety System
Health and Safety Co-ordinator, Representatives and Committee
Health and safety is a regular agenda item at Department meetings and HoD meetings
Health and Safety guidelines are read and signed as part of induction
Health and Safety is considered each time a contract between the school and another entity/person is negotiated.
Annual Hazard identification exercise
Regular trial emergency evacuations
EOTC risk management processes
Monthly Health and Safety reporting to the Board
Annual Hazard Report to the Board
Annual OSH Report to the Board
Appendices:
Appendix 1
Definitions, roles and responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Appendix 2
What does a strong health and safety culture look like?
Appendix 3
Key components of an effective health and safety system
Appendix 4
Health and Safety and EOTC
Appendix 5
Resources
Adopted by the BOT 17 October 2016.
Chairperson __________________________ Date: ____/____/____
Todd Bartlett
Note: This policy replaces the Northcote College Health and Safety Policy 2012
Appendix One
Definitions, roles and responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
PCBU
The Board of Trustees is a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking).
The Board (as the PCBU) holds the primary duty of care for, and manages risks to, the health and safety of workers and others arising from the work of the school. The Board must exercise its primary duty of care by ensuring the health and safety of all Northcote College staff members, including volunteer workers, while at work. ‘At work’ includes at school and on trips
The Board must also ensure the safety of other workers who are influenced or directed by the Board.
The Board must ensure the safety of students/children, parents, members of the public, and visitors to Northcote College.
This means that the Board must:
- Provide a safe and healthy environment
- Provide the right information and training to all staff and volunteers and contractors
- Provide and allow for worker participation in health and safety matters
- Notify all serious illness, injury or near misses.
- Monitor the health of staff, volunteers and contractors and workplace conditions to prevent illness or injury
Worker Participation
The Board must involve staff in work health and safety and provide opportunities for staff to participate in improving work health and safety in the school.
Officers
Individual members of a Board of Trustees and Principals (and any other person occupying a position that allows them to exercise significant influence over the management) are officers.
Officers are required to:
Know about worker health and safety matters and keep up-to-date
Understanding the hazards and risks associated with the operation of the school
Ensure the Board has appropriate resources and processes to manage risks
Ensure the Board has appropriate processes for receiving information about incidents, hazards and risks, and for responding to that information
Ensure that Northcote College health and safety processes and resources are being used.
Workers
In a school, a worker is a person who carries out work in any capacity for the Board including:
- All Northcote College staff members
- Contractors and subcontractor (e.g. building contractor, electrician, plumber)
- Employees of a contractor or subcontractor who has been assigned to work at Northcote College or for Northcote College (e.g. a cleaner, labourer, tradesperson, EOTC instructor, NZQA exam supervisor)
- Pre-service teachers
- RTLBs
- Anyone on work experience or undertaking a work trial
- Volunteer workers (e.g. sports coaches, language assistants, reader/writers)
Workers are required to:
Take reasonable care of own health and safety
Take reasonable care that your actions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other people
Report any incident, risk or hazard to an Officer or Health and Safety Representative
Inform visitors etc of any known hazards or risks at Northcote College
Comply, as far as you are reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is given to you by the Board to allow the Board to comply with the law
Co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure of the Board relating to health or safety at the workplace that has been notified to staff.
Volunteer Workers v Casual Volunteers
The Act distinguishes between volunteer workers and casual volunteers.
Voluntary Worker
Volunteer workers are:
People who regularly work for a school on an ongoing basis and are integral to the school’s operations such as:
- Breakfast club volunteers, mentors/coaches of at risk students, parent teacher aids
Boards’ Duties to:
- Ensure the health and safety of volunteer workers as if they were any other worker
- Engage with volunteer workers on health and safety matters and ensure there are effective worker participation practices
Volunteer workers are people who regularly work for a school on an ongoing basis and are integral to the school’s operations.
Boards of Trustees as an entity have a duty to ensure the health and safety of volunteer workers as if they were any other worker in the school.
They also have the duty to engage with volunteer workers on health and safety matters and ensure there are effective worker participation practices as discussed in the worker participation slide.
Casual Volunteer
Casual volunteers are:
People who volunteer on an irregular basis and assist with activities such as:
- School fairs, camps and other one off fundraising activities
- Sports days/trips or recreation activities
- Education outside of the class room activities whether on or off school grounds
Boards’ Duties to:
- Ensure the health and safety of casual volunteers as for other persons
- No duty to engage with casual volunteers on health and safety matters nor to have any participation practices that include casual volunteers
Casual volunteers do not regularly work for a school on an ongoing basis and are not integral to the school’s operations, e.g. parent helpers at the Affair of the Heart.
Casual volunteers come under the other persons category in the Act. Boards of Trustees have a duty to other persons in the workplace (such as students or visitors), to ensure that their health and safety is not put at risk from their work. This duty also applies to casual volunteers who are carrying out the activities above.
However, there is no requirement for Boards of Trustees to engage with casual volunteers on health and safety matters or have participation practices that include casual volunteers.
If your volunteers are doing the specific activities listed above, it means they will be classed as casual volunteers, not volunteer workers, under the new law. This distinction is the same as that in the existing Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
Effective Engagement
Effective engagement involves the Board increasing its workers’ awareness of health and safety and using workers’ knowledge and experience of health and safety to make better decisions.
The Board must give workers a reasonable opportunity to express their views and contribute to health and safety decision-making processes. The Board/ECE must take workers’ views into account and advise them of relevant outcomes in a timely manner.
Hazards and Risk
A hazard is a situation or thing that has the potential to cause death, injury or illness to a person. Typical hazards at work are hazardous substances, vehicles, plant and equipment, falling objects, repetitive movements, fatigue, bullying and violence at the workplace, and falls, slips and trips. A person’s behaviour can be hazard.
Risk is the likelihood that death, injury or illness might occur when a person is exposed to a hazard. Risks must be eliminated or minimised.
Managing work health and safety risks
Managing work health and safety risks involves:
1. Identifying Hazards
Finding out what situations and things could cause death, injury or illness
2. Assessing Risks
Understanding the nature of the risk that could be caused by the hazard, what the consequences could be and the likelihood of it happening
3. Controlling Risks
Implementing the most effective control measures that are reasonably practicable in the circumstances
4. Reviewing Control Measures
Ensuring control measures are working as planned
Health and Safety Training
Health and safety training must ensure workers can operate in the workplace in a safe manner.
It should include:
- The health and safety responsibilities of the Board and workers
- Risk identification and management
- Incident recording and reporting, including near hits and misses
- Safe work procedures
- Safe use of all plant and equipment relevant to the worker’s duties
- Safe use, storage and maintenance of personal protective equipment
- Safe use and storage of hazardous substances
- Role-specific training for those with health and safety responsibilities in the workplace
- Induction training covering health and safety
- Emergency procedures, including evacuation procedures and use of emergency equipment
Appendix 2
What does a strong health and safety culture look like?
- Leaders promoting health and safety with staff and others.
- Everyone agreeing that if something can’t be done safely, then it shouldn’t be done at all eg. Year 13 Water Slide.
- Everyone having the knowledge and skills to do their jobs safely and stay healthy.
- Everyone knowing their health and safety responsibilities and duties.
- Staff, contractors and health and safety representatives actively involved in decision making on health and safety.
- Open and honest communication about health and safety across the school.
- Everyone actively reporting incidents, risks and near misses.
- Incidents and risks investigated without fear of blame or recrimination.
- People who break health and safety rules or condone rule breaking by others being held accountable.
- Learning from incidents and near misses and making sure they don’t happen again.
- Continuous improvement of the health and safety system.
- Risk assessment routinely and actively used at all levels and in all processes.
- Health and safety adequately resourced with sufficient people, equipment and time.
Appendix 3
http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/specific-initiatives/health-and-safety/
Appendix 4
EOTC
The legislation does not curtail EOTC activities. Under the legislation the school must consult,
co-ordinate and collaborate with adventure activity operators, museums, etc to meet our shared responsibilities. We must work together to meet health and safety duties to ensure that EOTC activities do not pose risks to health and safety of staff and students.
While Boards of Trustees are responsible for the health and safety of all participants in EOTC, and for ensuring that learning outcomes are met, boards can only achieve this with everyone taking responsibility for their own health and safety and the health and safety of those around them eg. Co-ordinators, teachers, volunteer helpers, students.
We have to check the systems of contractors and organisations we visit or use for EOTC; including bus companies, businesses taking students on Gateway placements, providers like the Motutapu Trust and Project K. We need to assure ourselves that the policy, procedures and practices will keep our staff and students and volunteers safe. We have to take all practicable steps to ensure that we identify hazards and that we take all practicable steps to manage risks.
Appendix 5
Useful Resource and Sources
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2015/0070/latest/DLM5976660.html?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_health+and+safety+at+work_resel_25_a&p=1
Health and Safety Practical Guide for Boards of Trustees and School Leaders
http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/specific-initiatives/health-and-safety/h-and-s-for-boards-of-trustees-and-school-leaders/
Ministry of Education Health and Safety Presentation for Schools http://www.nzsta.org.nz/accountability/health-and-safety
Work Safe NZ Health and Safety Myth busting: Schools
http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/hswa/mythbusting/schools
Northcote College Injury/Incident Investigation Form
INJURY / INCIDENT DETAILS:
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Date of injury/incident:
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Time:
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Location:
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Date reported:
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PERSONAL DETAILS:
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Name: Address: Phone number: |
INJURY TYPE: (Circle applicable injuries)
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DAMAGED PROPERTY:
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CAUSE OF DAMAGE
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NATURE OF DAMAGE
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TYPE OF DAMAGE
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THE INJURY:
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Describe what happened (space overleaf for diagram – essential for vehicle injuries) and briefly describe injuries.
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What were the causes of the injury/incident?
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How bad could it have been?
| Very serious | Serious | Minor |
What is the chance of it happening again?
| Frequent | Occasional | Rare |
| What action to precent a recurrence? (Tick this column if already actioned) | Action: | By Whom: | When: |
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TREATMENT AND INVESTIGATION OF INJURY:
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Treatment type:
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Name of person giving first aid:
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Doctor/hospital:
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Investigator:
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Date:
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OSH advised: Date advised: Please circle one: YES NO |
Name: _________________________________Signature:_____________________
Staff ⚪ Contractor ⚪ Dated ____/____/____