What's new at HSE » Education

School trips - ‘Getting it Right’

HSE — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:15:57 +0000

This website is about learning lessons. It is aimed at anyone connected with educational visits, particularly those involving adventure activities. The site provides a range of information including a section on ‘Getting it Right’ and various useful links.

Further information on school trips

Asbestos: The Hidden Killer - HSE Podcast

HSE — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:59:06 +0000

In this episode: HSE’s Steve Coldrick talks about the Asbestos - the Hidden Killer campaign. Latest news: Sugar giant Tate and Lyle fined, schoolgirl loses 6 fingers and both thumbs, landlords being reminded of their gas safety responsibilities to tenants…

Asbestos: The Hidden Killer podcast - Download or listen online

Health and safety rules stop classroom experiments

HSE — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:55:32 +0000

Myth of the Month - November 2009. The reality: Hands-on lessons are an essential part of learning. They bring science to life and also teach kids how to handle dangerous substances safely.

View the November Myth of the Month

HSE Chair reponds to The Lancashire Telegraph article - “Safety: some have gone too far”

HSE — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:00:35 +0000

HSE Chair Judith Hackitt responds
It’s great to see the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, flying the flag for a common-sense approach to health and safety (’Safety: some have gone too far’, 8 October).

As the Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Straw when he says that science lessons and experiments are “not about wilfully exposing children to unnecessary danger, but better getting them to understand how to make their own decisions about the risks…”

View HSE Chair’s response to The Lancashire Telegraph article

HSE Chair responds to Daily Telegraph article “Straw attacks ‘health and safety’”

HSE — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:20:47 +0000

HSE Chair Judith Hackitt responds
As the Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) I wholeheartedly agree with Justice Secretary, Jack Straw when he says, “there is a common-sense balance to be struck” when it comes to health and safety.

View HSE Chair’s response to Daily Telegraph article”

Foundation school body fined after student loses six fingers and both thumbs in art class

HSE — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:00:35 +0000

A foundation school’s governing body has been fined £16,500 for breaches of health and safety law after a pupil’s hands were severely damaged by plaster of Paris.

View student loses six fingers and both thumbs in art class press release

Safety alert - Laptop computer charging trolleys

HSE — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:45:47 +0000

HSE is issuing this safety alert for the attention of schools that use laptop computer charging trolleys and those who manufacture / supply such products. This is to raise awareness of the potential electrical dangers and the steps to take to protect staff and pupils.

View laptop computer charging trolleys safety alert

Graduates banned from throwing mortar boards

HSE — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:44:52 +0000

October myth of the month - The reality: health and safety law doesn’t stop graduates having fun and celebrating their success in the time-honoured fashion!

October myth of the month

Riding instructors saddle up for safety training

HSE — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:53:20 +0000

Riding school owners and instructors from across County Durham saddled up for a free training day to get their health and safety knowledge up to date.

View press release

School fruit and vegetables tested for pesticide residues

HSE — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:46:39 +0000

The Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) today published findings from the Department of Health’s School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme for Spring 2009.

View school fruit and vegetables tested for pesticide press release

Health and safety events in Scotland

HSE — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:00:59 +0000

Opportunities to attend health and safety events in Scotland about risk assessments and farm safety for school children.

Scotland events

HSE warns schools after work experience pupil is injured

HSE — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:00:38 +0000

Schools across the West Midlands are being warned to make sure that full health and safety checks are carried out before pupils head out on work experience, following the prosecution of a Stafford company.

View work experience press release

Blind daredevil makes health & safety pledge

HSE — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:59:40 +0000

Dean Dunbar, from Blairgowrie, Perthshire, braved two massive waterfalls on the 100m descent along with a HSE inspector to disprove the popular perception the organisation stops people enjoying life.

View blind daredevil press release

Do your homework on school tie ‘ban’

HSE — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:00:23 +0000

Britain’s safety watchdog has hit back at claims of a ban on traditional school ties and urged people to do their homework on the subject.

HSE said edicts ordering parents to replace their children’s school ties for clip-on alternatives have no basis in law and ‘elf and safety’ cannot be blamed.

View Do your homework on school tie ‘ban’, watchdog urges press release

Safety rules kill off kids’ ‘Brit spirit’

HSE — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:32:29 +0000

HSE Chair Judith Hackitt responds to an article in the Daily Telegraph.

View HSE Chair’s response

Minster College update

HSE — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:30:56 +0000

A further statement on the incident at Minster College.

View Minster College update details

Minster College incident

HSE — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:03:31 +0000

We currently have inspectors on site including a specialist construction engineering inspector.

Read the HSE news announcement

Shaft fall highlights height hazards at Lincolnshire school

HSE — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:53:13 +0000

Lift manufacturers and maintenance companies are reminded of their duties to the safety of staff and the penalties of failing to work safely at height. The warning follows an incident in Lincolnshire where an employee fell 6.5 metres down a lift shaft, resulting in serious injuries.

View shaft fall highlights height hazards press release

The health and safety law poster

HSE — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:37:33 +0000

As from 6 April 2009, HSE is publishing new versions of its approved health and safety poster and leaflet. To avoid an unnecessary burden on business, HSE has set a five year transition period. The current poster and leaflets must be replaced by the new versions by no later than 5 April 2014.

Find out more about the new law poster

Myth: Health and safety rules take the adventure out of playgrounds

HSE — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:27:20 +0000

We’re all for playgrounds being exciting and challenging places. Children should have fun in them, get fit, develop social skills and learn how to handle risks.

Myth of the month - March 2009