A Sample of New Additions to the Handsam Library

New and Updated Quick Guides and Policies

Handsam would like to make you aware of the new or updated Quick Guides you can now access through our Quick Guide Library. We respond to the needs of our customers, through safety issues we encounter on audits or direct requests for content on particular subjects when expanding our resources. This allows us to continue to grow our library around the direct compliance needs of our clients.

PLEASE NOTE THAT POLICIES ARE NOT A PART OF THE "QUICK GUIDES" PACKAGE AND UNLESS THEY ARE COVERED IN YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, THEY MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY.

For more information, contact us on 03332 070737 or email info@handsam.co.uk to find out more.

NEW: GM55: Maintaining Water Systems

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA), all employers and those in control of premises—such as schools—have a legal duty to carry out their activities in a way that protects the health and safety of employees, students, visitors, and contractors. This includes maintaining a safe environment across the entire school property portfolio by reducing or eliminating risks to the lowest level reasonably practicable.

In addition, schools must comply with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSAWR) and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). These regulations specifically require schools to conduct risk assessments to identify and manage hazards associated with Legionella bacteria in water systems.

NEW: F17 Fire Resisting Doors (Fire Doors) Factsheet

Fire doors are a crucial element in the fire safety strategy of any building. They are designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, ensuring the safety of occupants and providing a means of escape. Regular inspection and maintenance of fire doors are essential to ensure their functionality and compliance with safety regulations.

In everyday use, a fire door functions like any other door. However, because fires are unpredictable, a fire door must be ready to serve its primary purpose—protecting lives and limiting damage to the building.

A fire door helps contain a fire within a designated 'compartment,' preventing the spread of flames, smoke, and toxic fumes for a set period. This containment allows occupants enough time to evacuate safely. However, a fire door can only perform effectively if it is correctly installed, well-maintained, and not propped open or compromised by faulty ‘hold open’ devices.

Find out more about our Quick Guides and Policies

The Handsam Quick Guides Library contains over 900 documents with all the relevant information, exemplars, checklists and guidance notes you need to ensure you're up to date, including all the DfE, HSE and other formal resources all in one place. It's unique!

Handsam also offers various different policies packages, including providing you with easy-to-use templates for you to tailor yourselves, reviewing your existing policies, or working with you to deliver fully bespoke policies for your school, college or MAT.

If you're not a Handsam client, or you don't buy our Quick Guides or one of our Policies packages, please contact us to discuss how we can help to keep your organisation compliant.

NEW: S14: Martyn's Law: What Schools Need to Know

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill—commonly referred to as Martyn’s Law—is expected to be introduced to Parliament in spring 2024. Its aim is to improve safety in publicly accessible locations, including primary and secondary schools, in the event of a terrorist attack.

Under the proposed legislation, premises will be classified based on their capacity. Venues accommodating between 100 and 799 people will be placed in the Standard Tier, which carries fewer requirements than the Enhanced Tier for venues with 800 or more. Notably, schools and childcare settings—even those with capacities exceeding 800—will remain within the Standard Tier.

Following a public consultation that concluded in March 2024, refinements to the Standard Tier requirements have been proposed. These changes are designed to ensure that the measures are proportionate, clearly defined, and focused on reducing harm. Schools in this category will be required to develop procedures for evacuation, lockdown, and communication during an incident. However, they will not be mandated to undertake physical building modifications.