Health and Safety Policy

Policy Statement

Our Centre understands that we have the responsibility to take all steps to secure the health and safety of children, parents, staff and visitors using our premises or participating in our activities. We believe that the prevention of accidents, injury or loss is essential to the efficient operation of the provision and is part of the good care and holistic development of our children.

The arrangements outlined in this statement and the various other safety provisions made by us cannot prevent accidents or ensure safe and healthy working condition. We believe that only the adoption of safe methods of work and good practice by every individual can ensure everyone’s personal health and safety.

We will take all reasonable steps to identify and reduce hazards to a minimum but all staff and children, as well as visitors, must appreciate that their own safety and that of others also depends on their individual conduct and vigilance while on the premises or while taking part in activities.

Procedures

  • Make ourselves familiar with all health and safety requirements in the U.A.E meeting International standards.
  • Ensure that there is an effective and enforceable policy for the provision of health and safety throughout the Twinkling Stars setting.
  • Periodically assess the effectiveness of this policy and ensure that any necessary changes are made.
  • Identify and evaluate all risks relating to:
    1. Accidents
    2. Health
    3. Activities and events
    4. Indoor and outdoor environment
  • Identify and evaluate risk control measures in order to select the most appropriate means of minimizing risk to staff, children and others.
  • Safe arrangements for the handling, storage and transport of articles and cleaning substances.
  • Safe and healthy working conditions which take account of all appropriate U.A.E. regulatory requirements.

Guidance / Codes of Good Practice

Our Centre will provide all staff with information on:

  • The policy.
  • All other relevant health and safety matters.
  • Instruction and training so that they may carry out their duties in a safe manner without placing themselves or others at risk.

Responsibilities of Health Safety Officer

As well as the general duties which all members or staff have, Twinkling Stars’s Designated Health Safety Officer has the responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance and development of safe working practices and conditions for staff, volunteers, children, visitors and any other person using the premises or engaged in activities sponsored by the provision and will take all reasonably practicable steps to achieve this.

  • Be aware of the basic requirements of U.A.E. regulations relating to health and safety and codes of practice relevant to the work of the provision.
  • Ensure, at all times, the health, safety and welfare of staff, children and others using the premises, facilities, services, attending or taking part in the provision’s activities.
  • Ensure safe working practices and procedures throughout the provision including those relating to the provision and use of machinery and other apparatus, so that all risks are controlled.
  • Consult with members of staff on health and safety issues.
  • Arrange systems of risk assessment to allow the promptly identification of potential hazards.
  • Carry out periodic reviews and safety audits on the finding of the risk assessment.
  • Identify the training needs of staff and ensure, within the financial resources available, that all members of staff who have identified training needs receive adequate and appropriate training and instructions in health and safety procedures.
  • Ensure that any defects in the premises, equipment or facilities which relate to or may affect the health and safety of staff, children and others are made safe without delay.
  • Encourage all employees to suggest ways and means of reducing risks.
  • Collect accident and incident information and, when necessary, carry out accident and incident investigations.
  • Monitor the standard of health and safety throughout the provision, including all activities.
  • Encourage staff, children and others to achieve the highest possible standards and address those who consistently fail to consider their own wellbeing or the health and safety of others.
  • Monitor first aid and welfare provision.

Duties of Teaching Staff

All teaching staff must familiarize themselves with the Twinkling Stars Centre’s health and safety requirements, risk assessments, and relevant policies applicable to the well-being of staff, children, parents, carers, and visitors.

In addition to general duties, teaching staff will bear direct responsibility for implementing and operating the health and safety policy within their assigned classrooms and areas on a day-to-day basis.

Teaching staff will actively engage with the health and safety policy, assisting other staff members, children, and individuals to adhere to its requirements.

As part of their routine duties, teaching staff will ensure:

  • Implementation of safe working methods in the classroom.
  • Effective application of health and safety regulations, rules, procedures, and codes of practice.
  • Instruction of safe working practices to staff, children, and others under their supervision.
  • Provision of instructions on safe working practices to new employees within their classroom.
  • Regular safety inspections of their assigned areas.
  • Prompt and positive corrective actions for ensuring health and safety.
  • Adequate guarding and maintenance of plant, machinery, and equipment.
  • Prevention of unauthorized or improper use of equipment.
  • Availability and provision of appropriate protective clothing and equipment.
  • Absence of hazardous or flammable substances in the classroom.
  • Monitoring and promoting the highest health and safety standards, disciplining those who consistently neglect well-being.
  • Effective communication of health and safety information to relevant individuals.
  • Reporting health and safety concerns to the appropriate personnel as needed.

Duties of All Staff Members

All staff must acquaint themselves with the health and safety aspects of their roles and refrain from actions that may endanger themselves or others.

Specifically, all staff members should:

  • Exercise reasonable care for their own and others’ health and safety.
  • Adhere to health and safety requirements outlined by the nursery.
  • Be knowledgeable about the safety policy and regulations established by the employer.
  • Ensure effective application of health and safety regulations, rules, routines, and procedures by both staff and children.
  • Verify that all plant, machinery, and equipment are adequately guarded and in good, safe working condition.
  • Refrain from unauthorized or improper use of plant, machinery, and equipment.
  • Use appropriate tools, equipment, protective gear, or safety devices provided for the job.
  • Safely use, store, and label substances hazardous to health and/or safety, including highly flammable materials.
  • Report any observed defects in premises, plant, equipment, or facilities.
  • Actively engage in promoting health and safety, offering suggestions to mitigate risks.

Risk Assessment

  • The Health and Safety Officer/lead teacher will ensure that a risk assessment survey of the premise, methods of work and all activities is conducted annually (or more frequently, if necessary).
  • This survey will identify all defects and deficiency, together with the necessary remedial action or risk control measures. The results of all such surveys will be reported to the employer.

Emergency Plans / Drills

Health and Safety Officer will ensure that an emergency plan is prepared to cover all foreseeable major incidents which could put at risk the occupants or users of the provisions. This plan will indicate the actions to be taken in the event of a major incident so that everything possible is done to:

  1. Save life
  2. Prevent injury
  3. Minimise loss

The plan will be agreed by the Twinkling Stars Centre’s manager and Governors and be regularly rehearsed by staff and children. The result of all such drills will form part of the regular risk assessment survey and the outcome will be reported to the Governors and local authorities if required.

Lockdown Drills

At Twinkling Stars Centre we will be implementing lockdown drills alongside evacuation procedures ensuring comprehensive emergency preparedness. These drills equip staff and children with the necessary skills to respond effectively in various emergency scenarios, including threats inside the setting.

By practicing lockdown procedures, such as securing doors and staying out of sight, at the Twinkling Stars Centre we can mitigate risks and ensure the safety of everyone on campus. This proactive approach not only enhances security measures but also instills confidence and readiness in staff and students to handle unexpected situations calmly and efficiently.

First Aid Trainings

The Centre will employ a full time DHA licensed Nurse as requires by U.A.E. regulation.

In addition teaching staff will also have first aid training.

The arrangements for first aid provision will be adequate to cope with all foreseeable major incidents.

Supplies of first aid material will be held at designated area (Twinkling Stars’s Clinic) which will be determined by the Health and Safety Officer and Twinkling Stars Centre’s Licensed Nurse.

They will be prominently marked and all staff will be advised of their position. The materials will be checked regularly and any deficiencies made good without delay.

Adequate and appropriate first aid provision will form part of the arrangements for all external visits.

A record will be made of each occasion any staff member, child or other person receives first aid treatment either on the employer’s premises or as part of a provision’s activities.

Policy created by Twinkling Stars Center Manager:
Ms. Asma Azher