Hygiene and Young People

‘Your health, safety and welfare are protected by law.’ Everyone working with children and young people must be aware of their legal obligation in relation to keep children safe and healthy. (Source: Health & Safety Executive, 1999)

Health and safety legislation at work Act 1974:

Setting with five or more employees must have a written safety policy which must include specific procedure to cover emergencies such as accidents and events that require evacuation of the building (Fire event) Setting with five or more employees must carry out a risk assessment Employees must provide for health and safety

Display a health and safety laws poster or supply employees with a booklet Make your work place as safe as possible

Decide how to manage health and safety if the business has five or more employees COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002): The employers are required to ensure all dangerous materials, cleaning material, medicines are kept separately in a marked, locked cupboard. RIDDOR (Reporting injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995): This means all setting must provide an accident report book. Any injury that requires a member of staff to take more than three days off work must also be reported. Food safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995:

The setting which prepare or provide food for children must register with the Environmental Health Department of the local authority. The people who have handling food should undertake the Basic Food Hygiene Certificate. Food handling Regulations 1995

Washing hands before preparing food

Making sure the surfaces and utensils you use are clean and hygiene

Food is stored safety at the correct temperature

Disposing of waste hygienically

Use of chopping boards, separate sinks

Policies and Procedure:

Children and young people will always take a risk from running, playing but all children and young people have right to play to develop their skills and new experience. There are policies and procedure to protect and reduce risk that will happen to children and young people. Every child care setting will have policy documents which cover Safety

Health and Hygiene
Safety at arrival/departure times and on outings
Prevention of illness and first aid
Fire prevention
Staffing ratios and supervision
Risk Assessments Policy.

A large number of everyday things that may appear harmless or go unnoticed but could be dangerous A range of areas from the condition of toys and equipment to hygiene and cleanliness to access to children by members of the public Must be suitable, sufficient and reasonably practical

According to legislation, policy and procedure as showing above, in my setting (school placement) they are implemented by the school has a fire exit at the front door. There are several risk assessments for several areas in school. At the front door, there is a registered book for staffs and visitors to sign time in and out and purpose of visiting. After lunch time, food area has been clean and tidy up all tables and chairs to keep children safe. All toys have been kept in place and safe, study resource and materials are kept in cupboard. There are sinks in classrooms for washing hands.

2. Describe how health and safety is monitored and maintain in the setting. Health and safety is monitored and maintain in the setting by: Visitors register book, record time in/out, purpose and who they want to meet Teacher and all member of Staffs register book, teacher and all members record time in/out Pupils register book, checking pupils in class, morning and afternoon Lunch time staff, monitor pupils at food area

Teacher/member of staff at the school gate, morning and after school Teacher/member of staff at the playground and play area every break times

3. Describe how people in the setting are made aware of risks and hazards and encouraged to work safely. In the setting, teacher and all members of staff, volunteer must be made aware of risks and hazards and encouraged which is in school health and safety policy. The school role and Staff handbook are written by head teacher in the setting, staff handbook is held by teacher each class.

Risks on internet in the setting is controlled by teacher, if pupils in class access on Facebook, YouTube and etc. websites that may be harm to pupils, teacher able to switch off computer immediately from teacher’s desk. To protect bullying, there is anti-bullying poster throughout school, poster show how to protect and prevent risks on internet includes the children help line number.

Fire is the most frighten pupils and may harm their life, the setting made aware of this risk assessment, pupils can follow fire instruction poster which is throughout school when fire alarm appear. In this situation, teacher will lead pupils to fire exit door which is located at every classroom to school yard and line up at the meeting point. Pupils must be registered by their teacher at the meeting point.

The meeting among Head teacher, member of staff and parents after school time will be made 2-3 times a year, the meeting will be discussed how to solve problem and sharing information between school and parents.

4. Identify the lines of responsibility and reporting for health and safety within the setting. Head Teacher is in charge for accident events, Food Hygiene and Head Teacher’s secretary ensure a risk assessment has been following by staffs who work in the school. By the way all staffs who work in the school have been trained to keep children safe and reduce harm in the school.