Health and Safety Policy

ArtWorks treats health and safety with the utmost seriousness. We comply with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 at all times.

ArtWorks has appropriate insurance cover, including employer’s liability insurance and public liability insurance.

Each member of staff follows ArtWork’s Health and Safety policy and is responsible for:

Maintaining a safe environment

Taking reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others attending ArtWorks.

Reporting all accidents and incidents which have caused injury or damage or may do so in the future. In Accidents book

Any member of staff who disregards safety instructions or recognised safe practices will be subject to disciplinary procedures.

Responsibilities of the registered person

The registered person for the setting holds ultimate responsibility and liability for the safe operation of ArtWorks. The registered person will ensure that:

They nominate a Health and Safety Officer. The designated health and safety officer is Jo Acty, deputy is Isabel Taylor

A copy of the current ‘Health and Safety At work’ poster is displayed (poster is available here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/lawposter.htm

All staff receive information on health and safety matters, and receive training where necessary

The Health and Safety policy and procedures are reviewed regularly

Staff understand and follow health and safety procedures

Resources are provided to meet the ArtWork’s health and safety responsibilities including evacuation, fire detection and control, and suitable resourcing.

All accidents, incidents, and dangerous occurrences are properly reported and recorded. This includes informing child protection agencies, and the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) where appropriate.

All reported accidents, incidents, and dangerous occurrences are reviewed so that preventative measures can be taken.

Responsibilities of the manager

ArtWorks’s Team Manager is responsible for ensuring that at each session:

Premises are clean, well lit, adequately ventilated and maintained at an appropriate temperature

The premises are used by and solely available to ArtWorks during opening hours

ArtWorks equipment is safely and securely stored

A working telephone is available on the premises at all times

Chemicals and cleaning materials are stored appropriately, and in accordance with COSHH data sheets.

External pathways are cleared in severe weather

Daily environment checks are carried out in accordance with our Risk Assessment policy.

Security

Children are not allowed to leave ArtWorks premises during the session unless prior permission has been given by the parents (for example, to attend other extra-curricular activities).

During sessions all external doors are kept locked, with the exception of fire doors. Staff monitor the entrances and exits to the premises throughout the session.

All visitors to ArtWorks must sign the Visitor Log and give the reason for their visit. Visitors will never be left alone with the children.

Security procedures will be regularly reviewed by the Operations Manager and Team Manager, in consultation with staff and parents.

Tools and equipment

All furniture, toolss and equipment are kept clean, well maintained and in good repair. We select tools, equipment and resources with care, and we carry out risk assessments before the students are allowed to use them. Broken tools and equipment are disposed of promptly.

We ensure that any flammable equipment is stored safely.

Food and personal hygiene

Staff at ArtWorks maintain high standards of personal hygiene and take all practicable steps to prevent and control the spread of infection.

A generally clean environment is maintained at all times.

Toilets are cleaned daily and soap and hand drying facilities are always available.

Staff are trained in food hygiene and follow appropriate guidelines.

Waste is disposed of safely and all bins are kept covered.

Staff ensure that children wash their hands before handling food or drink and after using the toilet.

Cuts and abrasions (whether on children or staff) are kept covered.

Dealing with body fluids

Spillages of blood, vomit, urine and faeces will be cleaned up immediately in accordance with our Intimate Care policy. Staffing levels

Staff ratios and levels of supervision are always appropriate to the number, ages and abilities of the children present, and to the risks associated with the activities being undertaken. A minimum of three members of staff are on duty at any time. Ratio 3 adult tutors to 17 students.

Related policies

ArtWorks Health and Safety Policy