General

1 The membership of the Health and Safety Committee will consist of one representative from the Management Team, one representative for each of the teacher's professional organisations and one representative from UNISON. The committee will also have powers to co-opt any additional members as appropriate. The committee will be constituted annually and its composition notified to the Director of Education and the OIC Safety Officer in writing.

2 Members of the Health and Safety committee will be publicised to staff at the start of each session.

3 The contents of any Health and Safety circulars issued by the Director of Education will be brought to the attention of the Health and Safety Committee by the Management Team representative. All staff, both teaching and non-teaching (and where appropriate pupils and parents as well) will be informed of the contents.

4 Safety representatives have certain functions which they may perform. These functions are as follows: (a) To represent employees in consultation with the employer with regard to matters involving health and safety. (b) To investigate potential hazards and dangerous occurrences at the work place and to examine the causes of accidents at the work place. (c) To investigate complaints by any employee he/she represents relating to that employee's health, safety or welfare at work. (d) To make representations to the employer on matters arising out of the above points and on general matters affecting the health, safety or welfare at work of the employees at the work place. (e) To carry out inspections at three monthly intervals (or as agreed within the school). (f) To represent employees in consultation with inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive and of any other enforcing authority. (g) To receive reports from the above inspectors. (h) To attend meetings of safety committees connecting with the above functions.

5 The schools Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed annually. This will involve full consultation with staff, both teaching and non-teaching.

6 It is the responsibility of all members of staff to take due precautions with regard to health and safety, in particular when handling hazardous substances or when undertaking procedures which may involve a degree of hazard.

7 Any Health and Safety items raised at the Pupils' Council should be presented to the Health and Safety Committee by the Pupils' Council Chairperson and/or Secretary.

Procedures for Remedying Safety Defects Within the Establishment

1 Upon becoming aware of any safety defect or health hazard within the building, members of staff are asked to contact any member of the Health and Safety Committee. Depending upon the nature of the defect, the Management Team representative will arrange for it to be remedied or if this is impossible will contact the authorities Health and Safety Officer at Orkney Islands Council.

2 Where necessary the Management Team representative will alert all staff and pupils to the existence of the hazard or defect.

3 Accidents involving pupils or staff should always be reported to the school office on the standard Accident Report Form.

Fire Procedures

1 A copy of the current fire notice for Kirkwall Grammar School is attached and should be read as an integral part of the Health and Safety Policy.

2 A copy of the fire notice will be displayed in all rooms and open areas, together with plans clearly indicating the routes to be followed in the case of fire or emergency evacuation of the building.

3 Regular fire practices will be held and staff should bring to the attention of the Management Team representative any problems in the operation of the emergency evacuation procedures.

Safety Training

1 The Management Team representative will inform all staff (or appropriate staff) of any safety training courses which come to his/her notice.

2 Staff will be encouraged to attend relevant health and safety training courses and where relevant will be granted time off work to attend them.