As part of the Council’s policy review programme, the Health and Safety Service has published updated policies on the Health and Safety Internet site. The following policies were reviewed: Risk Assessment Policy (supporting Guidance available) Responsibilities Policy Reporting and Investigating…

Fire doors are essential for fire safety, performing several critical functions during a fire. Properly fitted fire doors limit oxygen, helping to suppress fires. Closed fire doors can withstand direct fire for a specified time, aiding evacuation and reducing damage.…

This time of year often means more Cold health alerts where the forecast weather is likely to have minor impacts on health and social care services, and can lead to disruption in education delivery. You can see all the weather health alerts currently…

As part of the asbestos management process for schools, at least 2 people from each school should have attended Asbestos Awareness Training. Please check that this is the case, if not contact asbestosteam@somerset.gov.uk to book the next session which is on…

Overview The process of risk assessments is to document identified risks and the control measures to manage these risks. A key success to a risk assessment is to engage employees and individuals that may be affected by that activity or…

A school trust in Surrey has been fined after part of a pupil’s finger was amputated. The five-year-old boy, a Year 1 pupil at Danetree Primary School in Epsom, had been leaving the toilet on 15 June 2022 when his…

Somerset Council is committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its employees. The Council recognises that stress can damage the mental and physical health of its employees and proactively aims to increase wellbeing at work and will do…

RIDDOR requires employers and others in control of premises to report certain accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences arising out of or in connection with work. If a member of staff is involved in an incident/accident at work that results in…

The New and Expectant Parents Policy aims to reduce any identified risks to new and expectant parents and to provide practical guidance on measures to protect them. Somerset Council wants to ensure that all employees, who are new or expectant parents, are…

We hope you have fun decorating your school this season and we want everyone to have a Happy Christmas, here are a few tips to help you stay safe: Electrical items such as Christmas lights are likely to have been…

Somerset Councils Systems and Performance team have created a Schools Dashboard for Civica, with the aim of making property compliance management easier. This Dashboard allows schools to see overdue inspections and questionnaires, outstanding fire actions, inspections due in the next…

Does your school have a stage? Whether it be a temporary stage or a permanent stage, as we approach Nativity Play season, here are some helpful checks you can do to make sure your stages are safe: Are there appropriate…

It is a requirement of Somerset Council’s Legionella Policy to request a Legionella Risk Assessment (LRA) review and update following the completion of any works which add, remove or modify any part of a buildings water system. The F19a Legionella…

As an employer, Somerset Council is responsible, as far as is reasonably practicable to ensure that Manual Handling is carried out safely and in a manner that reduces the risk of injury. A key element to protecting employees and volunteers…

The Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) Report sits in the main Questionnaire area of Civica, then click the “Fire” tab. A list of your Questionnaires is displayed. Next, click Edit:  Under Actions on the left-hand side menu, choose Print Questionnaire: Then,…

This update from the fire safety team explains the way we carry out a Fire Risk Assessment and what to expect on the day. Prior to the assessment You will receive an email offering you a date and time for…

We are seeing more and more laptop charging units within our schools and they are a fantastic tool to help teach and learn. However, have you given consideration as to where they are stored and charged?  If you intend to…

As part of the Council’s policy review programme, the Health and Safety Service has published updated policies on the Health and Safety Internet site. The following policies were reviewed: Manual Handling (supporting Guidance available) Volunteer Fire Safety in the Workplace…

The Health and Safety service has written new guidance for operating Forest Schools at their sites. It covers the principles of forest schools, risks, fire pit and fire safety, tool use and a health and safety checklist. Forest Schools should…

Helicopter landings at schools are a non-standard risk and as a general rule Somerset Council prefer that schools discourage them. However, an exception is made in the case of armed forces helicopters, and some commercial helicopter companies, where there is…