In the past year, approximately 170,000 workers in the education sector experienced work-related health issues. With 55,000 sustained injuries at work. These figures highlight the need for effective health and safety measures in schools.
Students and staff need a safe environment to participate in learning activities without unnecessary risks. Schools must take proactive steps to identify and address any hazards before they jeopardise the health and safety of children and staff.
This article explains the importance of health and safety in schools and provides a simple overview of key responsibilities. It outlines common health and safety hazards in schools and explains the crucial role of staff training.
Why is health and safety important in schools?
The primary goal of maintaining a safe and healthy school environment is to protect staff, pupils, and visitors from accidents and injuries. Schools are busy environments where many activities occur daily, including classroom learning, physical education, science experiments, and school trips. Without proper health and safety measures, the risk of incidents such as slips, trips and falls increases significantly. Ensuring safety procedures are in place helps create a secure setting for students. So students can focus on learning and staff can carry out teaching without being exposed to unnecessary risks.
Like any other workplace, schools must comply with the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. The Act specifies the legal responsibilities of employers to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their employees and others affected by their activities. Schools must comply with the law by implementing necessary health and safety measures.
Schools also have a duty of care, which means that when they are in charge of pupils, they must take the same care for them as a parent. They must proactively identify and mitigate risks, ensuring children are adequately supervised and protected from potential health and safety risks.
What health and safety regulations apply to schools?
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) is the UK’s primary health and safety legislation. The act places a legal duty on employers, including schools, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of employees and anyone else affected by their activities. This includes pupils, parents, visitors, and contractors working on school premises. The law applies to all work activities carried out by the school. Schools must take reasonable steps to ensure staff and pupil safety on school premises and during off-site activities such as school trips.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 support HSWA by requiring employers to conduct thorough risk assessments, identify potential hazards in the workplace and take appropriate steps to control risks to the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their work activities.
Other health and safety legislation relevant to schools includes:
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Education (School Premises) Regulations 2012
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
- The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012
- Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981
- The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
- The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Who is responsible for health and safety at schools?
The overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the employer. Who the employer is will vary depending on the type of school. This can be the local authority, an Academy Trust, a Board of Governors, a private proprietor, a company, a partnership, or a charity.
The employer’s health and safety responsibilities are often delegated to the head teacher and the school management team. They play a crucial role in ensuring that policies are followed, that staff receive proper training and that risks are managed effectively on-site. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand that even though tasks can be delegated, legal responsibility remains with the employer.
What health and safety responsibilities do teachers have?
Teachers play an essential role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for themselves, their colleagues, and their pupils. While the overall responsibility for health and safety lies with the employer, teachers have specific duties to help ensure a safe learning environment.
Take reasonable care
Teachers must take reasonable care of their own health and safety, as well as that of their pupils, colleagues, and anyone else who may be affected by their actions or lack of action at work. They must be mindful of potential hazards in the school environment and never knowingly put themselves or others at risk.
Cooperate with others
Teachers must work alongside their employer, fellow staff members, and external contractors to help maintain a safe workplace. This means they must follow school policies and safety instructions.
Raise health and safety concerns
If a teacher identifies a potential health and safety hazard, they must report it to the appropriate person, such as the headteacher, management team, or designated health and safety officer. By raising concerns promptly, teachers help ensure that hazards are dealt with promptly and prevent accidents.
What health and safety hazards are common in schools?
The latest HSE statistics show that in the education sector, 170,000 workers were suffering from work-related ill health, and 55,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries averaged over the three years from 2021/22 to 2023/24. However, these figures are obtained from self-reported cases of work-related ill health and workplace injuries, suggesting they could be substantially under-reported. So, the actual numbers may be significantly higher.
Some of the most common hazards in schools include:
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips and falls on the same level are the most common causes of injury in schools. According to the latest HSE statistics, they account for 43% of all accidents in education. Slips and trips can result in both minor and major injuries like broken bones and sometimes may even be fatal.
These incidents can occur on school premises for various reasons, including running or carrying heavy or awkwardly shaped items, wearing unsuitable footwear, poor lighting (especially in areas with uneven surfaces and changes of level), wet and slippery floors, and obstructions such as bags and trailing cables.
2. Work-related violence
Violence in schools is a significant health and safety hazard, particularly for staff members who frequently interact with students, parents and carers. Acts of violence are the second most common cause of workplace injuries in the education sector, accounting for 17% of all accidents.
School staff, including teachers, teaching assistants, and administrative personnel, often face challenging behaviour from students. Aggression from parents or carers can also contribute to the risk of violence at work. Incidents can range from verbal abuse and threats, to physical assaults.
Many school staff members work alone as part of their daily duties, which can make them vulnerable to violence and other safety risks. Lone working in schools can include being alone with students in a classroom or supervising after-school activities. It also includes working alone in a classroom or office to prepare lessons outside of regular class hours. Staff working alone may find it harder to call for help in an emergency, such as when they encounter an aggressive individual.
3. Stress and mental health
Teaching is an inherently demanding profession. Educators must juggle various responsibilities, meet tight deadlines, and address diverse students’ needs. When workloads become excessive, stress levels can escalate, making it difficult for individuals to handle the pressure. Prolonged stress may worsen existing conditions or contribute to mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
Stress has a significant impact on school staff – HSE reports that approximately 91,000 workers in the education sector suffer from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, which accounts for 53% of all ill health in this sector.
4. Musculoskeletal disorders
The latest HSE statistics show that approximately 33,000 workers in the education sector had a work-related musculoskeletal disorder, which accounts for 19% of all ill health cases in this sector.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common issue among school staff, often resulting from awkward postures, repetitive movements, or manual handling tasks. Teachers and support staff frequently engage in activities such as bending over low tables, sitting on children’s chairs, kneeling on the floor, or lifting and moving heavy equipment, furniture, or supplies. These actions can contribute to back, neck, shoulder, knee, and hip pain and lead to long-term discomfort.
Extended use of display screen equipment (DSE), such as computers, interactive whiteboards, and tablets, can also increase the risk of MSDs. Poor workstation setup and incorrect posture can lead to pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulders, back, wrists, and hands.
5. Electrical hazards
Faulty or poorly maintained electrical equipment, frayed wiring, and overloaded sockets may cause electric shocks, burns, and even fires. Common devices used at schools, like computers, printers, and photocopiers, can deteriorate over time. It is essential to regularly inspect these appliances and conduct PAT tests to ensure they are safe for staff and students.
6. Exposure to Hazardous Substances
Schools contain various hazardous substances that, if not handled and stored correctly, can pose serious health and safety risks to staff and students. Science laboratories, cleaning supplies, and art materials often contain chemicals that may cause harm if individuals are exposed to them.
7. Asbestos
Asbestos remains a significant hazard in schools, especially those built before 2000. Approximately 80% of schools in the UK contain asbestos. When individuals are exposed to asbestos fibres, they may develop severe health conditions, including mesothelioma—a fatal cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Statistics from the HSE indicate that teachers and administrative staff are at a higher risk of asbestos-related diseases compared to the general population. This is primarily due to the lingering presence of asbestos in schools.
Asbestos is typically harmless when undisturbed. However, any disturbance or damage, such as drilling, inserting pins into walls for displays, or conducting maintenance work, can release asbestos fibres into the air.
8. Legionella
Legionella bacteria pose a serious health risk in schools, particularly when water systems are not properly maintained. Bacteria thrives in still or warm water and is typically found in poorly managed plumbing systems, storage tanks, and air conditioning units. If contaminated water droplets are inhaled from taps, showers, or cooling systems, the bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia.
Schools can be particularly vulnerable to Legionella bacteria. Due to their complex water systems and periods of low water usage, such as during weekends and school holidays. When water sits in pipes for extended periods, bacteria can multiply, increasing the risk of contamination. Staff members who work with water systems, such as cleaners and maintenance personnel, are particularly at risk, along with those using showers, sinks, or humidifiers.
The importance of health and safety training in schools
Health and safety training is essential in schools to ensure the well-being of staff, students, and visitors. Schools are dynamic environments. Staff face various risks, including slips, trips and falls, exposure to hazardous substances, electrical hazards, manual handling risks, and even violence or aggression from students and parents. Without the necessary training, staff may not be fully aware of the dangers present in their workplace or how to mitigate them effectively. Staff who are trained to identify hazards and follow best practices are better equipped to prevent accidents.
To help schools maintain high safety standards, i2Comply offers a range of online health and safety training courses. These courses provide up-to-date training on essential topics such as:
- Asbestos Awareness
- COSHH Awareness
- Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Awareness
- First Aid in the Workplace
- Legionella Awareness
- Lone Worker Awareness
- Manual Handling Awareness
- Mental Health Awareness
- PAT Testing
- Stress in the Workplace
By investing in training, schools can ensure their staff are well-equipped to handle health and safety challenges effectively. Explore the full range of our courses here.