Health and Safety Audits for Schools

At Lanahan Risk Management Services, we can help to make sure your school is legally compliant when it comes to health and safety legislation, helping to give you peace of mind that your pupils and staff are safe.

What is a school Health and Safety Audit?

A school health and safety audit is an exhaustive review of a school’s health and safety policy and procedures to ensure that the school is compliant with current legislation.

Health and safety audits are critical for ensuring all staff, pupils and visitors are safe on a daily basis.  

Are Health and Safety Audits in schools a legal requirement?

Yes, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all schools do have a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of everyone on the premises, which can include conducting a health and safety audit. 

We recommend creating a health and safety audit checklist to make sure your school is legally compliant and everyone is thoroughly protected.

What a Health and Safety Audit for a school includes

Health and safety audits for schools will typically include the following:

  • Classroom Safety - This includes looking at the condition of classroom equipment, furniture and appliances to make sure they are secure and safe to use.
  • Building Management - This includes fire safety and the risks associated with mould..
  • Risk Assessment - Identifying any risks that may occur and conducting a risk assessment. 
  • Accident Reporting - This includes reviewing the process for accident and incident reporting.
  • Curriculum Safety - An in-depth overview of safety considerations for specific subjects like science, food technology and PE.
  • Security - Safety and security measures that are being used in the schools, including who can access the school and what vehicles are allowed to enter the car parks.
  • First-aid - This involves looking at what first-aid equipment the school has and who has access to it. 

After the audit is conducted, a report will be written that details the findings of the audit and a plan of action for what should be improved or changed to meet health and safety standards. 

Health and Safety Audits for Schools with Lanahan Risk Management Services

At Lanahan Risk Management Services, we have worked within many educational establishments, meaning we know how important it is to have the right health and safety measures in place. 

If you don’t feel confident enough to conduct a health and safety audit on your own, do not worry, we’re here to help with our health and safety audits and inspections. We can spend time helping you to update your school's policies and complete a risk assessment to ensure your team, pupils, visitors and environment are safe. 

Who is responsible for Health and Safety in schools?

Schools should appoint a competent person to ensure they meet the health and safety standards and legislation. The competent person will usually be the headteacher, one or more senior staff members, or external third-party support.

A competent person should be someone with the necessary skills and knowledge to give sensible guidance about managing their health and safety at school. 

How often should a school have a Health and Safety Audit?

Schools should regularly review their health and safety audit at least once a year. There should also be an effective monitoring system in place that is backed-up with sensible performance measures. 

Schools should also review their health and safety audit more frequently if there are significant changes to the schools staff or environment. 

How an external Health and Safety Audit can help your school

External health and safety audits are always carried out by an expert who can help in a number of ways, including:

  • Identifying any gaps in knowledge, processes or procedures that yourself or your team may not be aware of.
  • Encouraging the best practices moving forward thanks to professional guidance.
  • Reducing the risk of accidents and incidents in school.
  • Showing that the employer is serious about the health, safety and welfare of their students and staff members.
  • Helping to build a professional reputation..
  • Improving health and safety standards for everyone on the premises.

What happens after a school Health and Safety Audit?

Once your schools’ health and safety audit has been conducted, a comprehensive report will be made that details what areas need improvement and how they can be improved. 

The report will include actionable steps for the school to implement, helping them to achieve health and safety compliance. It will also include guidance on what to prioritise to help the employer assign responsibilities to designated, responsible employees.




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