Safety Statement The Board of Management of St. Mary’s National School is committed to protecting the safety, health and welfare of all its employees, voluntary workers, pupils and visitors to the school insofar as is reasonably practicable, by compliance with the provisions and requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (General application) regulations 2007, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (construction) regulations 2001, as well as all other relevant statutory provisions and Codes of Practice. The Board will determine and maintain appropriate policies on school safety, welfare and supervision for all school activities, whether taking place in or outside school premises. In order to fulfil this commitment the board will identify and evaluate and then eliminate or reduce all hazards to which employees, pupils or other school users may be exposed. The Board will follow the under noted procedure to identify and control risks: 1. Carry out a safety inspection of the school at least annually and identify any hazards that might expose any of the school users to risks of injury or property damage. 2. Implement a programme of risk assessment and reduction to eliminate or reduce the risks identified during these inspections. 3. Provide and maintain a safe system of work, including safe access and egress from the school, for all employees and school users having regard to statutory requirements. 4. Provide as far as is reasonable, resources of time, personnel, training and finance necessary to support the safety standards adopted in the safety policy of the school. 5. Encourage and integrate a climate of safety and health into all school-work and school activities. 6. Review the safety policy each year in June to repeat the safety inspection, update the policy, and take into account any changes in school activities or premises. 7. Consult with teachers, employees, voluntary workers and school committees on safety and health and supervision matters. 8. Make copies of the school safety policy available to employees, voluntary workers, school committees and any other persons who are entitled to see it. 9. Appoint if necessary by the Board, a school safety officer and/or obtain competent outside advice on safety and health issues.

Board of Management - 2011/12