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Press Release

Common sense needed over health and safety

15 October 2010

Voice: the union for education professionals has commented on Lord Young's review of Health and Safety.

General secretary Philip Parkin said: "The media have for some time been parading 'health-and-safety-gone-mad' stories, such as the ‘banned' games of conkers and protective eyewear for pupils. Although the number of personal injury claims is actually falling, what is perceived as the ‘compensation culture' does stand in the way of activities and events for fear of being prosecuted or sued. What the media and politicians in general need to remember is that they bear some responsibility for the ‘bubble wrap' and ‘cotton wool' being issued in the first place.

"When the review was announced, Lord Young said that he wanted to introduce an element of 'common sense' and focus health and safety regulation where it was most needed. As we pointed out in Voice's response to this review there are real issues to be addressed, but we should not lose sight of the fact that schools are generally safe places for children relative to other places and circumstances, or forget the high level of care and dedication shown by the vast majority of school staff.

"There must be formal management of health and safety in all education establishments to protect children and young people from unacceptable risks on the premises or on organised activities elsewhere, but within a formal structure there is a place for common sense judgements and a balanced, measured approach, including a reduction in form filling.

"Health and safety concerns have stopped or restricted many school visits and that is a great shame. Voice has long been supportive of school staff taking pupils out on visits, even when others were advising their members against it.

"School visits can offer life-changing experiences and challenges for those who take part in them. Safely conducted and properly supervised, education outside the classroom is an integral part of learning.

"However, we feel there should be more health and safety regulation with regard to asbestos in schools. The Asbestos in Schools Group (AiS) recently raised the issue of thousands of staff and pupils being potentially at risk because local authorities and schools are failing to manage asbestos safely."

[http://www.voicetheunion.org.uk/index.cfm/page/_sections.contentdetail.cfm/navid/11/parentid/0/id/1900




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Voice: the union for education professionals

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