Health and Safety Policy

Concordia International School Ningbo Health and Safety Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this Health and Safety Policy is to ensure the provision of a safe and healthy environment for all students, staff, and visitors at Concordia International School Ningbo, in accordance with local health and safety regulations, and aligned with the values and expectations of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP).

Scope

This policy applies to all individuals on the school premises, including students, staff, parents, visitors, and contractors, and covers all school-related activities and events.

Principles

Our commitment to health and safety is guided by the following principles:

- Prevention: Proactively identifying and mitigating risks to prevent accidents and health issues.

- Education: Educating the school community about health and safety practices and encouraging personal responsibility.

- Compliance: Adhering to local and national health and safety regulations and standards.

- Responsiveness: Swiftly addressing health and safety concerns and incidents with appropriate measures.

Health and Safety Management

- Risk Assessments: Regularly conducting risk assessments to identify potential hazards and implementing measures to mitigate these risks.

- Emergency Procedures: Establishing and regularly reviewing emergency evacuation procedures, fire drills, and lockdown protocols.

- First Aid: Ensuring the availability of qualified first aiders, first aid kits, and facilities for dealing with medical emergencies.

- Hygiene: Promoting high standards of hygiene to prevent the spread of illnesses, including regular cleaning and maintenance of school facilities.

- Mental Health and Well-being: Supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of students and staff through counseling services and well-being programs.

Roles and Responsibilities

- Health and Safety Officer (HSO): Appointed to oversee the implementation of health and safety policies, coordinate training, and manage emergency responses.

- Staff: Responsible for maintaining a safe environment, adhering to health and safety protocols, and reporting hazards or incidents.

- Students: Expected to follow health and safety instructions, use equipment and facilities responsibly, and report any concerns to a staff member.

- Parents: Encouraged to support the school's health and safety initiatives and communicate any relevant health concerns about their child.

Training and Awareness

- Staff Training: Regular training on health and safety policies, emergency procedures, and first aid.

- Student Education: Age-appropriate education on personal safety, hygiene practices, and emergency response.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

- Reporting: All health and safety incidents, accidents, and near misses must be reported to the HSO.

- Investigation: Incidents are investigated to understand causes and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Review and Development

This policy is reviewed annually and following significant incidents to ensure it remains effective, compliant with updated regulations, and reflective of best practices. The review process involves consultation with staff, parents, and external health and safety advisors.

Communication

This policy is communicated to all members of the school community through orientation sessions, the school website, and regular updates in school communications.