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: During our last lockdown drill, two students were late to class. They arrived after the lockdown had started and as a result, the Teacher was unsure whether to let them into the classroom. Should the teacher let them in if they believe it is safe? Or should the students be redirected to another area, noting that they could encounter danger if left outside the classroom?

Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any official DfE/GOV guidance on what to do in this situation, so a common sense approach should be taken.

In a school lockdown situation, the priority is always safety. If a student arrives late to school during a lockdown, it is crucial that they know how to respond to protect themselves and others.

Steps for Late Students

Go to the nearest Secure Location

Upon realizing a lockdown is in progress, a late student should immediately proceed to the closest secure location, typically their assigned classroom. Regardless of their lateness, the student must follow the school’s lockdown protocols, which usually include:

• Locking the door if it is safe to do so.

• Staying out of sight.

• Remaining silent until official instructions are provided.

Prioritise Safety

The student’s top priority is to ensure their safety by finding a secure place as quickly as possible. Being late does not exempt anyone from following these procedures.

Notify the Teacher

Once inside the classroom or another secure location, the student should discreetly inform the teacher or staff member of their late arrival. This ensures they are accounted for and included in any necessary reporting.

Follow All Instructions

During the lockdown, students must pay close attention to any announcements from the school’s administration. They should adhere to the lockdown procedures to maintain their safety and the safety of those around them.

What Schools Should Do

Account for All Students

Teachers should take attendance during the lockdown and report any missing or late students to the school administration. This ensures that everyone is accounted for and helps guide appropriate responses.

Communicate with Late Arrivals

Staff members should be trained to guide late students to the nearest secure location quickly and safely. Once there, they should ensure the latecomers understand and follow the lockdown protocols.

The safety of students and staff is the primary concern during any lockdown. Late arrivals must act swiftly to find a secure location, communicate with their teacher, and follow all instructions. Meanwhile, schools should have clear systems in place to guide late students and ensure they are properly accounted for.

Handsam would recommend that you contact the UKHSA Health Protection Team.

The government guidance What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school states:

What should education settings do if they have a likely or confirmed measles case?

If an education setting is told that a child or staff member has seen their doctor in person and been diagnosed with measles, the setting should contact the UKHSA Health Protection Team so that they can investigate and support as required. If measles is suspected by the GP or healthcare professional, they will also notify the UKHSA Health Protection Team, who may then reach out if there is a setting associated with the case.

Education and childcare settings are not expected to diagnose cases, and parents or carers do not need to contact the health protection team. If parents, carers, or staff are concerned that they or a child have symptoms, they should contact their doctor or NHS111. They should alert the surgery or other healthcare setting of symptoms before attending any appointment to prevent the further spread of measles.

The National measles guidelines state:

3.3 Educational settings

Confirmed and likely cases should be excluded from nursery or school for the infectious period (from 4 days before rash onset and for a further 4 full days) Given the high risk of secondary infection following measles, it is advisable to return to nursery or school only after full recovery.

Susceptible contacts of cases (for example unvaccinated siblings) are at high risk of developing measles and should be advised to self-exclude from school for the incubation period.

Cases considered unlikely may be suffering from other infections, some of which may have public health implications (for example scarlet fever, roseola (HHV6 infection) – see differential diagnosis in Annexe 1) and therefore, general advice about staying away from school during the acute illness should be provided.

A health care staff member or appropriate senior staff at the institution (for example the school nurse and/or welfare officer, head teacher, health and safety officer or student health advisor) should be informed of all cases that are likely or confirmed. Schools should be asked whether they are aware of any vulnerable students or teachers, even if not yet exposed, so that their status can be assessed, and steps taken to reduce the risk of future exposure. Head teachers may wish to consider excluding unvaccinated pupils who have been exposed, because of the risk to other students. An appropriate letter or factsheet should be sent to the school or nursery for dissemination to parents (nursery or school) or students (higher education setting). The local NHS England Screening and Immunisation team and/or Director of Public Health (DPH) for the local authority should also be informed.

More detailed information about infection control in school settings can be found in the UKHSA guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings.

Query: Do you have any guidance and a template for storing petrol on site?

Please find attached ESS43 Petrol.

Petrol is a dangerous, highly inflammable substance. The relevant competent staff, or contractors, must carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments and put in place measures that will protect the safety of employees, pupils, contractors and visitors.

Filling Petrol Cans:

A workplace can fill UN approved petrol containers with petrol intended for use as part of work activities at a filling station, providing the containers have a larger capacity than the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 gives for a suitable portable petrol container, and that the operation is carried out in compliance with The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) [1]. You should also look to secure a prior agreement with the petrol station.

Risk Assessment for Transportation and Storage of Petrol

[2]DSEAR requires organisations ‘to assess the risk from dangerous substances and minimise the risk.’

This will involve a consideration of the vehicle, the suitability of the container, the person in charge and the signage used. You will also need to assess the risks associated with the transportation of the containers, and to put in place a suitable and safe action plan. (See the [1]Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009.) You will need to identify and classify areas of the workplace where explosive atmospheres may occur and avoid ignition sources. It is important to have suitable recording procedures as you will need to periodically scrutinise the arrangements and receive reports from competent persons (internal or external) on the continuing suitability of the arrangements. The risk assessment you prepare for using the containers of petrol at your workplace includes the petrol station, and you should share it with the petrol station.

Storage and Use of Petrol in the School Workplace:

DSEAR requires employers to:

• Find out what dangerous substances are in their workplace and what the risks are;

• Put control measures in place to either remove those risks or, where this is not possible, control them;

• Put controls in place to reduce the effects of any incidents involving dangerous substances;

• Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies involving dangerous substances;

• Make sure employees are properly informed about and trained to control or deal with the risks from the dangerous substances; and

• Ensure that rooms/areas where petrol is stored or used display the COSHH symbol for Flammable/highly flammable material'.

Query: When is it reportable please for a staff member with measles? It's only one member of staff at the moment.

One member of staff on the premises at any one time should be trained in the safe storage, use, and transportation of petrol and the relevant emergency procedures, including first aid. They must ensure that all the relevant individuals exposed to risks from the use of petrol in the workplace are trained, keep up-to-date records, oversee signing out and return of petrol containers and the maintain signage. See also the Health and Safety Executive Guidance on storing petrol safely.