Managing Safety in the Workplace: A Guide for Secondary Schools

It’s about of managing risk and preventing incidents. As my recent course trainer said – you can put that in your back pocket! 

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of workplace injury in a school is a hot cup of tea or coffee.  In fact, a colleague did fall on the stairs while holding a cup of tea. They injured themselves on the old stone steps and burnt their hand. Double whammy!  Not that it’s a funny matter to make light of but I have just finished a three-day (9.00am-5.00pm) course on Occupational Safety and Health. You need a sense of humour to stop you injuring yourself with stationery. That comment is also probably uncalled for but my chance to show I know the difference between stationery and stationary and their correct usage. This was a discussion I had had with the very same colleague, which why I thought of it.  The conversation had taken place since the fall, so maybe it was one of the delayed afflictions from the fall – incorrect use of vocabulary. That didn’t come up as one of the potential risks on the course I was on. 

No use crying over spilt tea!

Managing safety in any workplace is a serious responsibility, but when that workplace is a secondary school, the stakes are particularly high. Schools are hives of activity, with hundreds of students, teachers, and staff navigating corridors, classrooms, sports pitches, and science labs. Between lessons, it’s like Piccadilly Circus! (I was recently in Piccadilly Circus with my daughter as keen to see how busy it was, as I’ve used that phrase for as long as I can remember. Now that much of it is pedestrianised, it wasn’t busy with traffic but it was still busy with a crowd of people watching a small group perform some dance moves while someone rapped. Probably more like a school corridor at breaktime than ever!) Schools are a cocktail of potential hazards with a dash of adolescent unpredictability—a mix that can make even the most stoic school leader break out in a cold sweat. 

But, don’t worry - a hi-viz is never far away! Managing safety in a secondary school isn’t about bubble-wrapping every student or issuing helmets for history lessons. I have always avoided the need for our school leadership team to don a hi-viz while on duty, though I know some schools who relish the look.  It’s about foresight, planning, and ensuring everyone understands their role in maintaining a safe environment.  

Like the best defenders in the world don’t rely on last ditch tackles or acrobatic saves; they don’t let the attack get a sniff of a shot in the first place. It’s about anticipation and prevention, which calls for a risk assessment. 

1. Conducting Risk Assessments: Not Just a Tick-Box Exercise 

Risk assessments are the backbone of workplace safety. For secondary schools, they’re as essential as biscuits at a staff meeting. However, these assessments often get dismissed as bureaucratic box-ticking. In reality, a good risk assessment can mean the difference between a close call and a trip to A&E. 

Science labs, for example, are places of wonder and discovery, but also a hotbed of potential hazards. Bunsen burners, glass beakers, and students who think safety goggles are optional or a fashion accessory, making for an explosive mix. Every Science Technician that I've worked with have been sticklers for a risk assessment: ensuring equipment is well-maintained, training all users in lab safety, limiting access to the labs (a big no-no when unsupervised), and keeping the sodium locked away like it’s the Crown Jewels. 

Similarly, think about PE lessons. You only have to look at a football match and the number of players rolling around on the floor to know that injuries are possible. Having broken my arm when I was in school because I was running where it was a bit icy, I have first-hand experience of the risks. High winds and cold weather are not the friends of outdoor netball courts. Regular checks, clear guidelines, and a willingness to postpone activities when conditions are dangerous are vital.  It might not be a popular decision that House Netball is cancelled, and Year 9 lessons will go ahead as usual, but safety trumps everything, even an oasis of ‘free time’. 

2. Staff Training: More Than Just a PowerPoint 

It’s easy to think of staff training as something to endure rather than embrace. We’ve all been there: the endless PowerPoint with click art and animations from the 90s, the monotonous presenter trying to make it fun, and the dread on ‘roleplay scenarios’ being mentioned. But effective safety training is the cornerstone of a secure school environment.  The best approach is to tackle it straight on with an ‘it could happen here’ approach. What could happen?  How can you prevent it happening and what would you do if, heaven forbid, it did happen? 

Teachers need to know how to handle everything from a chemical spill to a defiant Year 9 with a makeshift catapult. Training should be practical, engaging, and relevant. Fire drills, first aid training, and behaviour management workshops are essential. And don’t forget to include support staff—the caretakers, kitchen staff, and administrators who keep the school running like clockwork. 

Remember, a well-trained staff isn’t just a safety measure; it’s peace of mind. Plus, there’s nothing more British than calmly handling a crisis with a cup of tea in one hand and a detailed protocol in the other (as long as you’re not walking on a stone staircase while balancing both, Sally!) 

3. Student Safety: Herding Cats with Smartphones 

Managing safety for students is like herding cats—if those cats were armed with smartphones, boundless energy, and a penchant for ignoring rules. The key is to strike a balance between vigilance and empowerment. 

Clear rules are a must. Students need to know what’s expected of them and, importantly, why. This isn’t about being authoritarian; it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels secure. For example, a “no running in the corridors” rule isn’t there to quash fun but to prevent collisions that could rival a minor car crash. 

Empowering students to take responsibility for their own safety is equally important. Ask the question, “How can me make you feel safe?”  Schools can achieve this through student leadership, peer mentoring, and interactive workshops. After all, it’s one thing for a teacher to warn about the dangers of improper lab conduct; it’s another for a student to hear it from a peer who’s accidentally set their own exercise book on fire. 

4. Physical Environment: A Safe Space for All 

The physical environment of a school plays a huge role in safety management. From the layout of the classrooms to the condition of the playground, every detail matters.   I currently work at a school that has a public road between two sites that students regularly cross to go from one lesson to another. 

Start with regular maintenance. A wobbly chair leg or a loose carpet tile might seem trivial until someone lands on their back. As well as fixing things that shouldn’t move, it’s important to have regular inspections of high-traffic areas, such as staircases and corridors, to ensure they’re free from hazards, even if that hazard is congestion where students are likely to be, accidentally or not, pushed into a wall or locker door. 

He's going to hurt himself if he's not careful!

Next, consider accessibility. A safe school is one where everyone, including those with disabilities, can move around without undue risk. This means lifts that work, ramps where needed, and clear signage throughout the building. 

Finally, one of the most pertinent areas that schools are having to think about is security. Controlled access points, visitor sign-in systems, appropriately placed CCTV and ID badges can help protect against external threats. I’ve had experience of fending off a potential intruder who was trying to get onto the school site to 'beat up’ and individual student but this can easily be an indiscriminate vigilante or disgruntled ex-student who wants to make a newsworthy gesture. There is a balance; no one wants to feel like they’re studying in Fort Knox. 

5. Emergency Preparedness: Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst 

Emergencies are rare but inevitable. Whether it’s a fire, a flood, or a leavers’ day prank gone horribly wrong, schools need to be prepared. 

Every school should have a comprehensive emergency plan which anticipates different types of emergency; those that require everyone to get out of the building and those that require them to stay inside. This should cover everything from evacuation procedures to communication protocols. Make sure the plan is regularly updated and that all staff know their roles. Practising drills - fire, lockdown, or otherwise - is crucial. Familiarity breeds efficiency.  This means that they have to be done regularly, consistently and as close to the real things as possible.  

The physical environment will determine the type of procedures you have in place. I personally like to have a tangible measures that help focus everyone’s attention on the effectiveness of a drill, such as recording the time of the ‘all clear’ or placing an oversized bollard wither the fire would be to consider appropriate escape routes. I worked at a school where the headteacher would arrange for a handful of students to hide or not be where they were meant to be during a fire drill, to see whether, and how quickly, their absence would be detected. 

And let’s not forget the importance of first aid. Schools can never have enough trained first-aiders and well-stocked medical supplies. These should be known and everyone should know how to call on them in a timely fashion.  It has become a habit when organising any school activity to ask, “Who’s the first aider available?”  On this basis, with school’s reviewing mobile phone use, it's worth considering how quick someone can make that call. Also, making sure that only the right calls are made.  

6. Mental Health and Wellbeing: The Hidden Side of Safety 

Safety isn’t just about preventing physical harm; it’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels secure and supported. Mental health and wellbeing are critical components of this. 

Bullying, stress, and anxiety can be as damaging as any physical injury. Schools need robust anti-bullying policies and a culture that promotes kindness and inclusion. Counsellors and mental health support staff should be accessible to students and staff alike. 

Create opportunities for open dialogue about mental health. Assemblies, workshops, and even casual conversations can help break down stigmas. After all, a safe school isn’t just one where accidents are rare; it’s one where people genuinely feel safe and cared for. 

7. Engaging Parents and the Community: Safety is a Team Effort 

Schools don’t operate in isolation. Parents and the wider community play a crucial role in maintaining safety.  This makes sense and is often giving a passing mention in any safety training.  What this looks like is very much reliant on the nature if the relationship between the school, its parents and the local community. 

Community partnerships can also enhance safety. Local police, fire services, and health professionals can provide training, resources, and support. And let’s not forget the power of a good PTA fundraiser to cover the cost of new fire extinguishers! 

8. Navigating Challenges: When Things Go Pear-Shaped 

Despite the best plans, things will occasionally go wrong. When they do, the key is to respond swiftly and learn from the experience. 

Every accident and incident should have some sort of review or reflection. Identify what went wrong, who was affected, and how similar situations can be avoided in the future.  This feeds into the existing safety plans and procedures.  Communicate openly with staff, students, and parents about the outcomes. Transparency builds trust and shows that safety is a genuine priority. 

In Conclusion: A Safe School is a Happy School 

Managing safety in a secondary school is no small feat. It requires diligence, teamwork, and a willingness to adapt. But the rewards - a secure environment where students can thrive, teachers can teach without fear and maintenance staff can go about their job - are well worth the effort. 

So, next time you’re updating the risk assessment or organising a fire drill, remember: you’re not just ticking boxes. You’re creating a space where people flourish, all while making sure that you can manage the wonderful chaos of a school day. And if you can do it with professionalism, a smile, a firm grip on your clipboard and your hi-viz looking new, all the better!