Dear Colleague

We have reached the third year of the Annual Safety Management Cycle. The purpose of this letter is to remind you that stage 2 – Risk Assessment - is due to start once again.

Between June and October all educational establishments are required to carry out risk assessments. The information and documentation for this process is contained in Sections 3 and 4 of the Health and Safety Manual.

The assessment may identify a number of remedial actions necessary to reduce risk. Some of these items will be for the school to implement, some may be for your Property Surveyor to address and some may be for the LEA, as landlord, to put right.

The Health and Safety budget is designed to fund small improvements such as the fencing of calor gas tanks, the provision of a handrail to stairs or slopes, provision of a heater guard, or the installation of an additional fire alarm sounder. In other words, small projects up to a sum of around £2/3,000. Larger building improvement projects will be addressed via the Asset Management Plan process that is currently being implemented.

So, in order to ensure that expectations and outcomes are realistic, could I once again set out some do’s and don’ts . In returning your Remedial Action Return Proforma (which is attached) to Paul Commins:

• Send form RA REM1 by 1^st October 2000 – please note: it will not be possible to deal with forms that are submitted after this date.

• Request improvements up to £3,000 approx.

• Make sure building maintenance issues are directed to your Property Surveyor.

• Send copies of risk assessment checklists

• Request large scale building works

• Request building maintenance works

The risk assessment process is a key element of the Health and Safety management cycle for your school and it is important that the the above requirements are carried out as detailed above.

Please contact myself on the number above or Paul Commins on 01603 223470 if you have any queries or concerns about this process.

I look forward to receiving your completed Remedial Action Return proformas.

Yours faithfully

Gerry Wilson

Health and Safety Officer