A SNAPSHOT OF CLIENT QUERIES

We’ve picked a few of the most interesting questions we’ve dealt with since our last issue, which may be useful if you ever find yourself in a similar situation at your school.

Query: We have a property services officer at our school who was a welder by trade for many years, long enough ago to have learnt “on the job” without formal qualifications. Would he be allowed to do some welding jobs on our site? I don’t think he would need any training as such, but we’d obviously want to have him undertake a level of assessment, with certification, with a suitably qualified provider and would want to ensure that PPE, and all equipment used and location was fit for purpose. Obviously we’d then put a RA in place.Can you offer any guidance or know of anyone who we could approach on the certification side?

It is important that whoever carries out this task competent to do so. The HSE definition of competence states:

Competence can be described as the combination of training, skills, experience and knowledge that a person has and their ability to apply them to perform a task safely. Other factors, such as attitude and physical ability, can also affect someone's competence.

In short, as long as the member of staff is competent and safety precautions are taken (doing the job before/after school hours, appropriate PPE, hot working risk assessment undertaken, etc) Handsam can see no reason why they should not perform this task.

As you have suggested, the school should confirm this arrangement with your insurance provider.

Other than for new builds, finger guards are not mandatory in schools. However the HSE states:

HSE inspectors investigated three of the most recent incidents and required the LEA to provide further guidance to schools on this issue and to monitor compliance. The inspectors concluded that, as finger guarding devices are readily available and relatively inexpensive to install, it is reasonably practicable for schools to fit guarding on doors identified as high risk following a suitable risk assessment.

In short, they are not mandatory in all but new builds, but they are very strongly recommended in all schools.

Query: Please can you confirm where finger guards within schools are:

• Required by Law

• Recommended

• Required being installed following after an accident

Query: Our school has some questions to do with ladders and working at height:

• Our old H&S company got us to check all of our ladders annually, do you suggest this too?

• They also did not let us lend our ladders/stepladders to contractors, do you have this stance too?

• Would you consider a single step stool to be working at height?

• I assume standing on a chair is a definite no too?

Ladders should be inspected at regular intervals based on how often they are used:

Inspection Frequency

• Annually: For ladders used infrequently (less than once per month).

• Every 6 months: For ladders used on a weekly basis.

• Every 3 months: For ladders used frequently or on a daily basis.

Other Important Checks

• Before each use: The user should carry out a quick visual check to confirm the ladder is safe to use.

• After any incident: A detailed inspection must be performed following any event that may have compromised the ladder’s safety.

Handsam would advise that ladders should never be lent, due to misuse and damage which may occur whilst they are offsite.

Using a step stool or kick stool is classed as working at height.

A step stool is not a ladder and does not have the same stability concerns as a free-standing ladder. Therefore, you do not need to attend a working at height course to use one.

However, it is important to inspect your step stool and review any manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you are familiar with its correct use. Step stools are designed to remain stable when weight is applied. As with any work equipment, you should always understand how to use it safely before starting.

When using a step stool:

• Wear non-slip footwear.

• Avoid loose clothing or footwear that could catch when stepping up or down.

• Move the stool as needed rather than overreaching, which could cause a loss of balance.

• Keep one hand free when stepping on or off the stool—do not carry items in both hands

If you are using a kick stool, it typically has a rubber base that provides grip and prevents movement. Inspect the rubber regularly—if it is worn or damaged, it must be replaced before use. Do not use a kick stool with damaged rubber, as it may slip and create a safety hazard.

Chairs should never be used in lieu of a ladder or step stool etc.

Handsam Can provide a Working at Height eTraining course. Details are here: https://www.handsam.education/copy-of-etraining-courses/working-at-height

Query: Where should our muster points be in the event of a bomb threat?

The Government guidance Protective security and preparedness for education settings states:

Evacuation will need to be to a safe location at a safe distance away from the threat. The safe distance depends on the possible size and type of the suspicious item.

Muster points are planned safe locations where people can gather during an evacuation and wait for the incident to be resolved. You may need different muster point arrangements for different sizes of hazard, and they may be further away than the muster points for fire hazards. Planning in advance a range of possible muster points gives staff a range of options during an incident. Clear names for the various muster points will help the Incident Lead advise staff which ones to use during an incident and help staff co- ordinate what is happening at different locations.

Staff need to be aware of the range of identified muster points, but you should avoid making information about muster points publicly accessible, so that someone intending to cause harm cannot use those locations to target evacuating people in secondary attacks.

Safe distances

15 metres – do not use your mobile phone or any radios/electronic devices within 15 metres of the suspicious item. 15 metres is about the length of 3-4 cars.

100 metres – move at least 100 metres away from a small item, such as a rucksack. This is the recommended minimum evacuation distance where there may be a risk to life.

200 metres – move at least 200 metres away from a small vehicle or large item, such as a car or a wheelie bin.

400 metres – move at least 400 metres away from a large vehicle, such as a van or lorry. This may be several streets away.