Reporting helps avoid slip-ups

ASCL recently dealt with a case in which a head faced possible prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for not reporting an accident in which a student was severely cut and required hospital treatment. 

Heads and principals, as those with ultimate responsibility within the school/college for health and safety, are reminded that they must report all accidents, to both students and staff, which involve hospital treatment to the HSE within ten days. Failure to do so may result in prosecution.

This duty comes as a result of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 which states that employers must report workplace accidents involving staff or where a member of the public is killed or taken to hospital. Schools and colleges are, of course, work places and students are considered members of the public.

Local authority schools must also follow their local authorities' accident reporting procedures, while non-maintained and independent schools need to have their own reporting arrangements. For further advice, contact the hotline on 0116 299 1122.