Roles of Regulatory Bodies

4.3 explain the roles of regulatory bodies relevant to the education sector which exist to monitor and enforce the legislative framework, including:

General bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive: The HSE requires employers to ensure the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their work activities. Such as providing guidance and monitoring the legislative framework for all organisations, whether industrial, business or education based.   This includes schools to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). There are a number of ways that schools need to comply with the health and safety law. The employer is responsible for health and safety and this will depend on the type of school.
Below is briefly stated what the school’s health and safety policy includes:

    - Arrangements made to put in place, monitor and review measures necessary to reach satisfactory health and safety standards.

    - Training of staff in health and safety including competence in risk assessment

    - Off-site visits including school-led adventure activities

    - Selecting and controlling contractors

    - First-Aid and supporting pupils’ medical needs

    - School Security

    - Occupational health services and work-related stress

    - Consultation arrangements with employees

    - Workplace safety for teachers, pupils and visitors

    - Violence to staff

    - Manual handling

    - Slips and trips

    - On site vehicle movements

    - Management of asbestos

    - Control of hazardous substances

    - Maintenance and when necessary examination and test of plant and equipment such as electrical equipment, local exhaust ventilation, pressure systems, gas appliances, lifting equipment and glazing safety.

    - Recording and reporting accidents to staff, pupils and visitors including those reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995...