The Greek Academy Risk Assessment Policy
Overview
This policy is designed to assist the school in fulfilling its legal duties in assessing risks. Risk management involves identifying potential hazards in the workplace and implementing sensible health and safety measures to control them. In accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 2000, the school is required to undertake regular risk assessments and take necessary actions as outlined in the Health and Safety policy.
Purpose of a Risk Assessment
The purpose of a risk assessment is to identify hazards and evaluate associated risks, covering areas such as:
- Safeguarding
- Health and Safety
- Security
- Fire Safety
- Site Security
- School Trips
- Critical Incidents
The Management team is responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are completed, logged, effectively monitored, and communicated to the principal. Reviews are conducted when there are changes to equipment or resources, alterations to the school’s premises, or when particular needs of a child or visitor necessitate it.
All staff members are responsible for carrying out risk assessments according to their roles and responsibilities. The Headmaster is responsible for conducting necessary reviews or changes to the school’s policies or procedures in light of any potential risks identified by staff.
A visual inspection of both equipment and the entire premises—indoor and outdoor—will be carried out daily by a designated staff member (caretaker) before any children arrive.
During the school day, staff must remain vigilant and continuously aware of any potential risks to health and safety arising from:
- The school environment, both indoors and outdoors
- All surfaces, both indoors and outdoors
- All equipment used by children or staff
Upon discovering a hazard, staff should take immediate steps to ensure the safety of themselves and others. They must then notify the management team and record the incident in the Incident Record Book. The Management team is responsible for ensuring necessary actions are taken.
The Process of Risk Assessment
A risk assessment can be undertaken on an object, substance, process, location, activity, or person. The process includes:
- Identifying the hazards
- Deciding who might be harmed and how
- Evaluating the risks and deciding on precautions
What is a Hazard?
A hazard is anything that can cause harm, such as electricity, chemicals, etc.
What is Risk?
Risk is the chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these hazards, along with an indication of how serious the harm could be.
Evaluating the Risk
After identifying the hazards, you must decide what to do about them. The law requires you to do everything ‘reasonably practicable’ to protect people from harm. Compare what you are currently doing with good practice to see if there are additional measures you should implement. Consider the following principles when controlling risks:
- Try a less risky option (e.g., switch to a less hazardous chemical).
- Prevent access to the hazard (e.g., by guarding).
- Organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard (e.g., barriers between pedestrians and traffic).
- Issue personal protective equipment (e.g., clothing, footwear, goggles).
- Provide welfare facilities (e.g., first aid and washing facilities).
Involve staff to ensure that proposed measures will work in practice.
What is a Risk Assessment?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines a risk assessment as “a careful examination of what in your work could cause harm to people so that you can weigh up whether or not you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm.”
Definition of a Hazard and a Risk
- Hazard: Anything that may cause harm, such as chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, an open drawer, etc.
- Risk: The chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be.
Responsibilities
All staff are responsible for:
- Undertaking risk assessments
- Identifying and implementing control measures
- Effectively communicating the outcomes to employees and others as appropriate