It is essential that schools have robust risk assessments and systems of work to ensure that staff stay safe when working at heights. Also think about these questions.
- Are ladders and other access equipment formally inspected (at least termly) and are the checks recorded?
Teaching and support staff:
- When staff put up displays do they always use suitable access equipment such as small step ladders?
- Do they always wear appropriate foot wear when putting up displays?
- Have they been given basic information about WAH safely?
- Does school management turn a blind eye to bad practice eg. letting staff stand on swivel chairs etc?
Site staff:
- Are your site staff that work at heights appropriately trained?
- Is it clear what the boundries are? i.e. what WAH they are expected to do and
NOT do?
Contractors:
- Are you confident that contractors who come onto your site are competent to work at height safely?
- Do they have appropriate risk assessments and safe systems of work in place?
The HSE has issued the following e-bulletin as a result of a recent fatal accident investigation.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKHSE/bulletins/1b10041
Further information / guidance can also be found on our website:
https://www.bradford.gov.uk/hands/index.asp