An educational environment - including nurseries, schools, academies, colleges and universities can be hazardous due to the varied activities carried out and the potential immaturity / inexperience of the pupils / students.

Common mishaps in educational environments include:

• cuts and bruises to staff as well as pupils / students

• rapid spread of disease / viruses

• back aches from manual handling (carrying heavy loads without a mechanical aid)

• slips, trips and falls

• fires (as a result of electrical equipment or arson)

The law requires that any UK working environment that is under the control of an organisation with at least 5 employees, must hold valid and up-to-date health & safety documentation.

For educational environments, the required documents are:

• health & safety policy statement

• fire risk assessment

• general risk assessment

• workstation risk assessments

• manual handling risk assessment

• disability access audit

• health & safety annual audit

© Clearworld Health & Safety Ltd 2010