Within EducationHealth & Safety

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Introduction There are many myths concerning health and safety in schools.

We have all read numerous misguided stories in the press, for example

about the banning of conkers, or the wearing of school ties. Needless

to say, these stories tend to have little or no foundation. The simple

fact is that there is risk in everything that we do in life, but that

does not mean that we should not do it, as long as the risks have

been properly assessed.

The core statute remains the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974,

which places a duty on employers to ensure the health and

safety and welfare of their employees and non employees as far

as is reasonably practicable.

In addition to the 1974 Act, there are many other more specific

Regulations, which reflect the myriad health and safety issues within

schools, from the asbestos that may be lurking within the fabric

of the building to the storage of the chemicals in the chemistry

lab. In fact schools can be considered unique in the sheer number

of Regulations with which compliance is required. Health and safety

must nowadays therefore be an integral part of every school's strategy,

both in relation to the employees of the school, and also of

course the students and other visitors.

Providing a safe school is not just a requirement in law. It also makes

sound business sense. The costs associated with school related

ill health and injury can be substantial.

Health and safety law is also in the middle of one of the biggest

shake-ups in recent memory. The Government’s grand plan to review

every piece of health and safety legislation is in full swing, and

some regulations have already disappeared altogether. Their

intention remains to adopt a lighter approach to regulation, to

concentrate on serious breaches, and to reduce bureaucracy.

This is all well and good, but the reality is that the risks remain

the same, and the penalties for breaking the law remain the same.

There is certainly no room for complacency.

How can we help you?

Our Advisory Service At Stone King we firmly believe that prevention is better than

cure. Our expert lawyers provide specialised, pragmatic and practical

legal advice to schools, giving them peace of mind that they are

compliant with existing health and safety legislation. In line with

the Government plans we also want to try to reduce the

administrative and financial burden schools may feel that they

are currently under. We would like to assist you by:-

� Reviewing your existing health and safety framework and

advising on its compliance with the current health and safety

regulations.

� Helping you to set up a simple, cost effective health and safety

framework.

Providing a safe school is not just arequirement in law. It also makes sound

business sense.

Stone King LLP 13 Queen Square Bath BA1 2HJ Tel. 01225 337599 Fax. 01225 335437

16 St John’s Lane London EC1M 4BS Tel. 020 7796 1007 Fax. 020 7796 1017

Wellington House East Road Cambridge CB1 1BH Tel. 01223 451070 Fax. 01223 451100

www.stoneking.co.uk email: education@stoneking.co.uk © Stone King LLP 2013 01/2013

Stone King LLP - registered limited liability partnership no OC315280, registered office 13 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HJ

� Advising on an ad hoc basis with regard to any particular risks

or health and safety situations, to include the preparation of

risk assessments if required. Some recent examples of this include

advising on the risks arising from work experience placements,

the risks of setting up an equestrian club and the risks

arising from the use of school facilities out of hours by a local

football team. We are also experts on the subject of school trips.

� Keeping you fully updated with regard to the changing health

and safety landscape, to include relevant Court decisions,

prosecutions and changes to Regulations.

Our Defence Service We also understand that it may not always be possible to ensure

compliance with health and safety regulations 100% of the time.

We can therefore advise in respect of any investigations or

prosecutions being carried out by the Health and Safety Executive

(HSE) or other prosecuting authority. We can advise you at every

stage, up to and including the conclusion of any Court proceedings

that may follow a breach of health and safety law. We also believe

that with the best professional advice and negotiation strategies

it is very often possible to avoid the need for Court proceedings,

and the negative publicity and costs consequences that can result.

Who are we? Andrew Banks Partner Affiliate Member, Institute of OccupationalSafety and Health Direct Dial: 01225 324462 AJB@stoneking.co.uk

David Milton AssociateAffiliate Member, Institute of OccupationalSafety and Health Direct Dial: 01225 324433 DJMM@stoneking.co.uk

For a free, no obligation, discussion about how wecan help you please contact either of us and we willbe happy to assist.