In House has a proven track record based upon long-standing partnerships with schools to provide support in the areas of food safety and health and safety.

Working closely with those who are responsible for the day to day running of a school requires a breadth of knowledge and expertise to ensure that pupils, staff, visitors and contractors are adequately protected. In House is able to provide this expertise.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of everyone working within, visiting and living in a school site is paramount. It is understood that safety risks greatly increase where formal risk assessments have not been carried out sufficiently and safe systems of work not developed or followed. A school even of modest size is a highly complex and diverse operation involving a multitude of staff and contractors.

The School SafetyMARK accreditation standard

In House administrates the School SafetyMARK accreditation standard which, at its core, aims to provide peace of mind for all stakeholders that a school is achieving an appropriate standard of safety management. To facilitate this, In House is able to conduct a detailed health and safety audit of all areas of the school operation.

Audit criteria with regards to safety management include; what current policies and procedures are in place with regards to risk assessments for classrooms and teaching activities, class trips and outdoor activities, fire risk assessment, manual handling assessment, general health and safety policy, sports and leisure management, COSHH and DSE assessments.

More specialised areas of safety management are also looked at with regards to activities involving school maintenance staff and external contractors including working at height, hot works, the use of power tools, ground keeping machinery, swimming pool maintenance , lone working, the maintenance and use of lifts and lifting equipment, the identification and control of asbestos.

Following completion of the audit an executive summary ise produced and a plan drawn up with actions for improvements, which are prioritised. In House is able to develop and implement a bespoke safety management system and conduct site specific risk assessments if required.

Safety Advisor Support Services

By working closely with our sister companies, additional specialised expertise can be drawn from to help support schools with regard to safety management. In House offers a school safety competent advisor service that gives access to a wide range of safety expertise and support. For instance, we can help schools to; develop and oversee water management systems for legionella control, carry out occupational monitoring of work activities to reduce the exposure to noise and vibration, conduct asbestos surveys and conduct fire risk assessments (particularly important where the protection of life involves sleeping accommodation for boarders and staff).

Safety Training

Staff training on the management of health and safety and the maintaining of safe working practices is another area where In House works extensively within the education sector. Courses provided include working at heights and ladder safety, manual handling, first aid, safe working for cleaning staff including COSHH safety and assessments, fire safety and fire marshalling . All can be provided on site by a team of highly experienced and qualified training providers. Training accredited by IOSH, CIEH and NEBOSH can be provided.

In House is also there to provide help where expert advice is required for specific safety issues, responding rapidly to enquiries. Where accidents occur involving staff or pupils, the necessary support will be provided including on-site investigations, working closely with the school to help provide a satisfactory outcome and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Food Safety Support

Food safety and good nutrition is of course vital to the health and well being of young and developing children. In House recognises that the majority of schools will have catering operations which follow safe working practices some which will have evolved using varying degrees of knowledge and not always based on current legislation. There may be ineffective systems for monitoring these practices or
documenting due diligence.

Food safety inspections

In House will carry out a comprehensive food safety audit of a catering operation to establish what food handling practices are being currently followed, premises and equipment condition and whether it is suitable and sufficient for the size of operation.

Food safety management

In House can develop and implement a bespoke food safety management system, comment on improvements required for best practice and ensure that staff are trained to a level which is suitable to the complexity of tasks they are involved with. The food safety management system is designed to be easy to interpret and follow and can be reviewed and upgraded whenever required.

BIOSCANNING

In addition to visual cleaning assessments as part of an audit, a swab test system called BIOSCANNING is used by In House. Based on bioluminescence technology which can quantify hidden microbiological hazards it sets a bench mark for cleaning standards, which is easy to follow. The system can show where improvements in cleaning and disinfection techniques can be made and even where dishwashers and chemical dosing may be in need of repair or adjustment.

Food safety training

Training can be provided to encompass all levels of food safety and food safety management including Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 from CIEH and Highfield accredited trainers.

Rapid Response Support

In House is renowned for being able to rapidly respond to any request for food safety support, such as following a food poisoning or physical contamination allegation. Catering managers can be reassured by having laboratory analysis carried out on food samples to prove that safe handling practices are being followed, based on HACCP systems also developed by In House.

Contact
Email : stuart@inhousesafety.co.uk

Tel: 0845 873 2390