The O’Brien International School: Health and Safety Policy

1. Introduction

At The O’Brien International School, the safety and well-being of pupils, staff, and visitors is a core priority. All school-related activities—both on and off site—must be planned and executed with proportionate risk management, aligned with Ley 31/1995 and best practices outlined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Objectives:

• Ensure all risks are identified, assessed, and controlled proportionately.

• Maintain a safe environment for learning, play, and extracurricular activities.

• Enable enriching school trips and physical activities while safeguarding participants.

2. Leadership and Accountability

• Proprietor (for private schools) holds ultimate responsibility for Health and Safety.

• Director and Management Team handle daily implementation.

• Competent Person: Europroven Prevención de Riesgos is employed to oversee legal compliance, risk assessments (including COVID-19), and staff support.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure regular reviews of safety procedures and risk assessments.

• Promote a culture of safety among all staff and students.

• Respond to concerns raised by staff on the adequacy or appropriateness of safety processes.

3. Health and Safety Policy Components

The policy follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act model recommended by the HSE.

Key Elements:

• Plan: Define leadership roles and risk management responsibilities.

• Do: Apply control measures proportionately and responsibly.

• Check: Monitor and report health and safety outcomes.

• Act: Periodically review and improve procedures.

The policy includes:

• General statement of intent.

• Delegation of responsibilities.

• Risk assessment procedures and controls.

• Monitoring and review framework.

4. Risk Assessment and Management

All school-related hazards must be:

• Identified

• Evaluated for potential harm

• Controlled with practical measures

Risk assessments must:

• Cover staff, students, visitors, and contractors

• Be reviewed if:

  • There’s a reason to believe it's no longer valid

  • A significant change has occurred

• Be recorded and made accessible

5. COVID-19 Protocol

General Principles:

• Risk assessments are living documents—updated regularly.

• Active monitoring of control effectiveness is essential.

• Compliance with HSE workplace safety guidance is mandatory.

Control Hierarchy (in priority order):

1. Elimination – Avoid unnecessary risky activities.

2. Substitution – Replace with lower-risk alternatives.

3. Engineering Controls – Use physical structures or modifications.

4. Administrative Controls – Implement signage, one-way systems, etc.

5. PPE – Used only when necessary and as per guidance.

6. Additional Policy Inclusions

The school’s Health and Safety Policy also covers:

• Line management duties

• Staff health and safety training

• Off-site visit procedures (including residentials)

• Emergency procedures and contacts

• First aid provision

• Occupational health access

• Accident/incident reporting (RIDDOR compliance)

• Periodic inspections and consultation with employees

• Performance monitoring

7. Review and Improvement

• The policy and assessments are subject to annual review or when circumstances change.

• Staff are encouraged to raise concerns about process adequacy or burdensomeness.

• Findings from accidents and inspections feed into ongoing improvements.