Generic VI Health & Safety Risk Assessment Recommendations for Schools

Transcription

1 Generic VI Health & Safety Risk Assessment Recommendations for Schools Please select the risk assessment recommendations that are appropriate to your school / VI pupil when compiling your school risk assessment. The level of risk (low, medium, high) varies according to each setting and must be determined by individual schools. NB: This is not an exhaustive list; you may need to add further hazards that are specific to your setting. refers to Specialist Teacher for Visual Impairment HAZARD CAUSE OR SOURCE MEASURES KEN TO ELIMINATE OR CONTROL RISKS BY WHOM Formal mobility training by qualified personnel. Movement within school site outdoors Uneven surfaces, including drains, grids Ramps Door thresholds Vigilance for, and repair of broken surfacing Handrails to extend beyond top and bottom of ramp Different tactile or colour contrast floor, mats secured in place, highlighted step Select from following as appropriate: Mobility Officer School staff Doors Steps Access to games areas, e.g. large gates, paths Kerbs same direction opposite direction Glass doors to be marked Edge marking for steps Clear access, pathways and gates well maintained Designated crossing points identified by signage Enforcement of rule to travel on left (or right) Vehicles, parked and moving. Safe use of playground and car parks for pedestrians and vehicles. A Dennison Page 1 of 5 Jan. 2008

2 HAZARD CAUSE OR SOURCE MEASURES KEN TO ELIMINATE OR CONTROL RISKS BY WHOM Select from following Formal mobility training by qualified personnel. as appropriate: Movement within school site indoors same direction opposite direction Stairs Enforcement of rule to travel on left (or right) leaves lesson at start or end, to avoid crush Edge marking for stairs Mobility Officer School Staff Uneven floor coverings Door thresholds Mats and mat wells Poor lighting Doors Door hinges Staff & pupils tripping on long cane Short handrails Cloakrooms Obstructions, e.g. trolleys, drinking fountains. Sharp and protruding corners Protruding staples on display boards Vigilance for, and repair of torn or lifted mats and floor coverings. Use of rubber edged mats. Mats to fit mat wells. Corridor light on Glass doors to be marked, vision panels not obscured Hinge covers fitted regularly reminded to be vigilant and considerate when VI pupil using long cane VI pupil uses correct techniques for safe travel familiarisation and localisation of obstacles and hazards Attention to school and class displays. A Dennison Page 2 of 5 Jan. 2008

3 HAZARD CAUSE OR SOURCE MEASURES KEN TO ELIMINATE OR CONTROL RISKS BY WHOM. Mobility training to use correct strategies Mobility training to locate and to avoid hazards Movement around classroom Travel between building & transport pick-up point. Access to school site Half open doors Half open windows Chairs protruding from desks coats and bags left in walk ways Trailing leads. Equipment and belongs on floor Moving furniture Vigilance by school staff, pupils reminded to close locker & cupboard doors. Closing mechanisms fitted. Teachers to remind pupils to tuck chairs under tables Equipment and belongings to be stored safely Teachers to remind pupils to store equipment and belongings safely. Furniture moves kept to a minimum, and explained to VI pupil. Select from following as appropriate:, Mobility s and Teachers School staff Education Mobility, Taxi Co., Duty Team Designated school staff travelling in unfamiliar area Appropriate independent travel strategies Danger from parked and moving vehicles Specific drop-off and pick-up point to be designated, as recommended by Education Mobility Officer Mobility training routes, hazards and crossing techniques Vigilance by school duty team School bus companies reminded to curb speed and to be vigilant for VI pupils Parents using parking areas informed and reminded regularly, in writing, to curb speed and to be vigilant for VI pupils School enforces safe practice in parking areas Safe use of playground and car parks for pedestrians and vehicles. Use of traffic signs to notify drivers that VI pupils use the site. A Dennison Page 3 of 5 Jan. 2008

4 HAZARD CAUSE OR SOURCE MEASURES KEN TO ELIMINATE OR CONTROL RISKS BY WHOM Participating in PE Tripping, falling withdrawn from specific activity IF on medical advice Select from following as Struck by equipment during provided with alternative activity if advised by appropriate: course of game Brightly coloured equipment used Striking other pupils to join in with small game during course of game supported by (if advised by ) to give verbal directions and warnings Emergency evacuation of building Slow movement of pupil with VI with VI following incorrect evacuation route. not locating assembly point. to have appropriate mobility training. to be made familiar with procedure, routes and assembly points. ALL staff, supply and visiting teachers, made aware of procedure as set out in H&S document Ophthalmologist, GP, parents, PE teacher, Education Mobility Senior Management, H&S Officer, SENCo Subject teachers Subject technicians participation in practical activities, including Dining Room, and lessons, e.g. Food Tech, Science Injury from use of tools and equipment, e.g. cooker, Bunsen Burner. Injury from hot liquids and surfaces All pupils to be reminded of safety procedures VI pupil to be sure of additional specialist procedures to use specialist equipment wherever advised (e.g. marked science equipment) to wear new goggles to ensure maximum vision to be supported as recommended. A Dennison Page 4 of 5 Jan. 2008

5 HAZARD CAUSE OR SOURCE MEASURES KEN TO ELIMINATE OR CONTROL RISKS BY WHOM Protruding fixtures and Select from following fittings, e.g. hand driers as appropriate: Hot water Safe access to and use of toilet facilities Safe access to, and participation in school visits Lack of familiarity with environment and activity. Possible lack of background experience Inadequate mobility and independence skills. Fixtures and fittings to be clearly defined. familiarisation with location and layout of facilities Controlled water temperature Staff checks for Health and Hygiene Carefully consider the needs of visually impaired pupil. Consult with the Specialist Teacher for the Visually Impaired, and pupil s parents/carer. Allocation of appropriate Support Worker Alert staff at venue of the needs of the pupil. Education mobility personnel Duty team Site manager and maintenance staff. School staff and support staff. Venue staff Parents SIGNAGE Sometimes, the design and use of the school site means that pupils with a visual impairment are at risk from cars entering or leaving the premises. If your school has such a site, you may need to consider the installation of traffic warning signs, advising drivers that there are pupils with a visual impairment on the site. Signs may be mounted, or mounted onto existing site furniture. A Dennison Page 5 of 5 Jan. 2008