GENERAL STATEMENT OF SAFETY POLICY

POLICY OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this Policy is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no person is placed in a position where injury or ill health is caused as a result of the Board's undertaking

1. The Southern Education & Library Board recognises and accepts its responsibility for Health & Safety as an employer, and in particular the duties laid down in Article 4 (Employers Duties) of the Health & Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 and all subsequent legislation made under that Order. It also recognises and accepts its duties laid down in Articles 5 and 6 of that Order to persons other than its employees.

2. The Board will take all reasonably practicable steps to meet this responsibility for its employees including those employed by it at maintained schools under the terms of Article 88 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.

3. Where reasonably practicable, it will pay particular attention to the provision and maintenance of:-

(i) a safe place of work, safe access to it and safe egress from it;

(ii) plant, equipment and systems of work that are safe;

(iii) safe arrangements for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;

(iv) sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision to enable all employees to avoid hazards and contribute positively to their safety and health at work;

(v) a healthy working environment;

(vi) adequate welfare facilities.

4. The Board will so far as is reasonably practicable provide and maintain up to date information for all staff on the potential hazards of substances and equipment used at work.

5. Without detracting from the primary responsibility of Boards of Governors, principals and supervisors for ensuring safe conditions of work, the Board, where reasonably practicable, will provide competent technical advice on safety and health matters where this is necessary to assist its management in its task.

6. The Board will co-operate fully in the appointment of safety representatives for its staff by recognised trade unions and will provide them where appropriate with sufficient facilities and training to carry out this task.

The Board will co-operate fully where requested in the setting up of a safety committee(s).

7. The Board reminds its employees of their duties under Article 8 of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order, 1978 to take reasonable care for their safety and that of other persons and to co-operate with the Board so as to enable it to carry out its responsibilities successfully.

8. A copy of this statement will be issued to all employees. It will be reviewed, added to or modified from time to time and may be supplemented in appropriate cases by further statements relating to the work of particular groups of workers.

REVIEW DATE

The Health and Safety at Work ( Northern Ireland ) Order 1978 states that a safety policy should be revised "as often as may be appropriate". This Board's safety policy will be reviewed in:-

September 2011

and revised as necessary.

Tony Murphy

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE

July 2010