Policy Statement
Our Policy is to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all our employees and to provide such information, training and supervision as they need for this purpose. We also accept our responsibility for the health and safety of other people, including clients who may be affected by our activities or attend at our premises
The allocation of duties for safety matters and the particular arrangements which we will make to implement the policy are set in this document. The policy will be kept up to date particularly if the Project changes in size or nature. To ensure this, the policy and the way in which it has operated will be reviewed every year by the Management Committee.
Responsibilities
The overall and final responsibility for health and safety in the GPA Schools lies with the Management Committee.
The school committee chair shall act as co-ordinator and in consultation with the head teacher be responsible for ensuring the policy is carried out in the work place.
In the absence of the co-ordinator the committee secretary shall act as deputy.
The co-ordinator should refer any serious breaches of the H&S policy to the GPA's H&S officer for advice and further action.
All members of staff have the responsibility to co-operate with management to achieve a healthy and safe work place and to take reasonable care of themselves and others.
Whenever a member of staff or a member of the Management Committee notices a health or safety problem which they are not able to put right they must immediately inform the co-ordinator.
Consultation between staff and Management Committee regarding all safety matters, including this policy shall take place at meetings of the Management Committee at which staff are present.
General Arrangements Accidents
The first aid box is kept with the senior committee member on the day of school.
The person responsible for the box is: Christalla Stefanou
The Accident record book is kept with the first aid box.
The First Aid officers are: Marios Eracleous, Maria Christina Vasilopoulou, Dimitra Louka and Eleni Papapetrou
Last reviewed: 10th March 2022
General Fire Safety
Checking the arrangements and equipment for general fire safety, exit routes and extinguishers on route is the responsibility of the Management Committee.
Fire extinguishers within the GPA’s building are Management committee’s responsibility and will be checked annually.
Extinguishers are located at all relevant points.
The fire exits shall be unobstructed at all times and it shall be the responsibility for the person opening the office in the morning to ensure that they are unlocked.
All new workers shall be made aware of the arrangements for fire safety as part of the induction
Hazards
Cleaning of the tables in the canteen is the responsibility of the school committee. Their duty is to ensure that all surfaces are cleaned and the floor is clean and dry.
Members of the staff are responsible for washing their own crockery, cutlery etc. They should also ensure that all food is removed or discarded and that surfaces are left clean.
Entrance and exits must be kept clear at all times
All deliveries will be dealt with upon arrival and put in the designated place.
Tuck Shop
The school committee is responsible for the running of the tuckshop.
Any surfaces where foodstuff is kept must be clean.
All those serving the children with foodstuff must not carry any other duties at the same time.
No hot drinks are to be supplied to children.
Items sold or made available to the children must be hygienically stored and displayed.
Any items taken out of their wrappers or containers must be disposed of at the end of the day and must not be sold at a later date.
Products containing too much sugar or artificial colourings should be avoided.
Chemicals
All chemicals (inks, cleaning fluids etc) must be stored upright in sealed containers and placed in the appropriate cabinet. No chemicals shall be left open or placed on the floor.
All chemicals shall be used in accordance with the supplier’s instructions only.
Spillages of any chemicals should be dealt with immediately avoiding skin contact and as directed by the supplier’s label.
Photocopier
The supplier’s manual shall be referred to and any recommendations observed when changing toner, cleaning components or clearing jams.
General
Paper and materials will be stacked neatly on the appropriate shelving and will not be left in a place liable to cause on obstruction.
Use of VDUs Guidelines
Adjust chair to suit height of user
Adjust contrast and screen brightens to suit user
Use the document holder supplied
Take a ten-minute break after each hour’s continuous usage
Members of staff who are pregnant have the option not to use the VDUs for the duration of the pregnancy
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any of the GPA’s Buildings.
Health and Safety Representative
The GPAs Health and Safety Officer is Mr Panayiotis Yiacoumi and its Deputy is Ms Maria Kazamias.
Last Reviewed: 09/03/2019