New Health and Safety Advisor
I am very pleased to inform you that we have appointed Ian Hardwick as Health and Safety Adviser. Please join me in wishing Ian a great start in Haringey.
Asbestos risk
You may have heard that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware of two UK laboratory-supply companies that have supplied schools and potentially other users with asbestos-containing gauze mats. HSE has assessed the overall risk of exposure to be low, but it has acted to ensure both supply companies immediately cease supply of the gauze mats, oversee arrangements to contact affected customers and provide precautionary advice on how the mats should be disposed of safely. Do not use any gauzes that contain asbestos and dispose of the safely as asbestos waste. The HSE has removed the article from their website. You can find further advice on the NAHT website (external link).
New publications
I would like to draw your attention to two recently issued two publications.
The Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services (CLEAPSS) has issued two documents: Top 10 hazards in science (external link) and Top 10 hazards found in DT audits (external link). They are short but very good to check against your current practices.
If you would like to self-audit, they have also created G271 – Auditing health & safety in a secondary school science department (external link) and Guide G79 – Auditing H&S in a Secondary School D&T Department (external link).
Health and Safety training courses
I have finally added health and safety training courses for schools in the Traded Services Website (external link).
As always, you can book a space for one of your employees through this website. If you have a large number of potential delegates, it might be more convenient and cost effective if we delivered the course in your school. For more information, please contact me: alexis.correa@haringey.gov.uk
I wish you a good start to the second half of the autumn term.
Alexis Correa, Deputy Head of Service – Health and Safety