Seven Isles International School

The policy of the Governing Body and the Principal is to maintain safe and healthy working conditions at Seven Isles International School for all staff, pupils and visitors. In preparing this policy the Health and Safety Guide-lines of Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the Department of Education have been taken in to account.

Objectives of the policy:

· The allocation of duties for safety matters and the particular arrangements made.

· To implement the policy are set out in this document. An annual review of the policy will take place.

· The Policy will be kept under constant review and reviewed at least annually.

The Governing Body

The Governing Body is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the health and safety policy of the school, as and when necessary.

The health and safety committee considers reports of inspections, assists in safe work systems, and discusses new regulations received from the Ministry of Education. The committee meetings are held termly and have an agenda, and are imprinted. The Principal reports regularly at the meetings of the full Governing Body. 

The Principal 

Overall responsibility for the detailed health and safety arrangements within the school lies with the Principal and in their absence with the designated team leader in charge. 

Safety Representative

Health and Safety Committee carry out the termly safety inspections. Records of the inspections are discussed at the meetings of the Health and Safety Committee. In addition the Principal, other teachers also do weekly checks.

Employees

All the employees have the responsibility to co-operate, to achieve a healthy and safe workplace and to take reasonable care of themselves and others. Whenever an employee notices a health and safety problem, this should be drawn to the attention of the Principal immediately, who will record it in the incident book.

Procedures

1. Fire Safety

All exits are marked and kept free of obstructions. There are three fire extinguishers, one electrical extinguisher and a fire blanket in the school, and an extinguisher and blanket in the kitchen. Their location is marked with a red fire sticker. The Principal checks the alarm on a regular basis. Fire practices are held termly and recorded in the fire practice book. In the event of a fire, all the staff and children congregate on the field behind the play area, facing towards the school. Named staff is responsible for checking toilets. It is the responsibility of the Principal to call the fire brigade.  Contact Number:

Teachers In-charge : 

Ms.Sita Iyer – First Floor

Ms.Zarina – Second Floor

Mr.Arun-  Third Floor 

Ms.Nilima – Fourth Floor

2. Accidents

We have two first aid boxes, one in the Teachers Resource Room , and one in the office. All the accidents are recorded and monitored. All the staff holds an emergency first aid certificate. Regular, emergency first aid courses are held for all the staff. Letters to parents informing them of accidents to their children are recorded.

Plastic, disposable gloves are available, and all the staff is advised to use these, when dealing with bleeding or other cases of body fluids. If there is an emergency situation, an ambulance is called to transport the child to the hospital. Wherever possible, the parent should accompany their ward. If this is not possible, the child is accompanied by two members of the staff. In a non-emergency situation, the staff can transport a child, but should ensure, they have correct insurance cover, and otherwise a taxi must be used.

3. Reporting Hazards

All the staff is responsible for reporting hazards. It is then the Principal’s responsibility to follow up this report. The Health and Safety Committee monitors the action taken to remedy hazards.

4. Electrical Safety

Electrical equipment is numbered and logged. All the staff is expected to visually check the equipment before use and report damage, and remove from the area with a notice saying “Fault Do Not Use”.

In addition, a risk assessment is carried out on an annual basis and appliances tested by a contractor, and a certificate held listing all the tested and serviceable equipment.

The staff notes, particular care needs to be taken with extension leads, to avoid trailing wires. No electrical equipment is allowed into the school from home, without the prior agreement of the Principal.

5. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

Any substances marked as dangerous are not left in the classrooms. The staff should check that instructions are followed when using any such substances. The cleaning cupboard is locked during the day and the key is kept in the office. Teaching staff should note that the use of chemicals in science should be checked with the science coordinator or the Principal.

Equipment

It is the responsibility of all the staff to ensure that equipment is in good working order and is stored safely. Any faulty equipment should be withdrawn from use and reported to the Principal, with a note saying “Fault Do Not Use”. 

The following points about equipment should be noted:

Staple Guns– These are not to be used by children and must always be stored in a drawer when not in use.

Ladders– Some pairs of ladders are kept in school. These are checked during a health and safety inspection. Teachers and helpers are advised to use ladders and not chairs when displaying work on the wall, or on soft board or to display something at a height..

PE Equipment - PE equipment is inspected annually by our Physical Education Teacher. Records are maintained of the stocks and the durability of the equipment. 

Health and Hygiene

1. Notifiable and Infectious Diseases

Details of notifiable diseases and periods of exclusion are kept in the School Diary.

2. Medicines

It is the school policy not to administer medicine except in the case of chronic illness after discussion with parents. A medical care plan is then drawn up in conjunction with the schools medical officer. In general, only inhalers are kept in school. Children who go home with a medical complaint or as a result of an accident are recorded in a book, in the office.

3. Smoking

The Governing Body has adopted a no smoking policy within the school building and grounds.

4. Hygiene

It is the responsibility of the Principal to monitor the cleanliness of the building. This is a part of the weekly visual inspection. All the staff is responsible for encouraging good hygiene habits in the children. Particular emphasis is placed on hand washing.

5. 0 Animals in School

No dogs or any kind of pets are allowed in the school grounds.

6. Security

All the staff and pupils are encouraged to be aware of strangers on the premises. If a visitor is unknown, identification should be requested. Visitors are requested to enter only by the front door. Outside doors at the school are closed once the children have left the premises. Push pads and keypads on doors prevent entry. Staff that remains in school late is advised to ensure that their classroom doors are locked. In the event of anything suspicious or a child or a teacher is at risk of injury then a recorded card will be sent to the Principal and he will act appropriately. Any act of violence or abuse towards a member of staff must be reported to the Principal, who will take the appropriate action. 

7. Contact Numbers

All staff are informed about the location of the first aid box and the telephone. They also have a contact number of the caretakers.

Staff and the Health and Safety Policy

All staff, teaching and non-teaching, is given a copy of the policy. New staff is given a copy and are required to confirm they have read it. All staff keeps a copy of the policy in the staff file so that it is available for supply staff. Staff is encouraged to attend the health and safety courses as appropriate.