Views & Opinion Ensuring safe learning environments: the
importance of water risk assessments in schools Comment by NAVEED MOHAMMED, Health and Safety Divisional Lead at Inspectas
Water is an essential resource for schools, providing hydration, sanitation and essential facilities for students and staff. However, ensuring the safety and quality of water sources is crucial to maintaining a healthy learning environment. Here, Naveed Mohammed, Health and Safety Divisional Lead from compliance specialists Inspectas, looks at water risk assessments and their role in proactively identifying potential risks associated with water quality and supply. The state of our water has never been more in the media spotlight than it is at the moment as customer trust in water providers is falling while the satisfaction of water services is dropping significantly. But challenges around water supply is not isolated to external bodies and as schools and educators, we also have a responsibility to ensure the safety and quality of our water sources is optimum and is not a risk to our users.
Legionella Under the Control of Substances Hazardous
to Health (COSHH) regulation, operators of all commercial premises including schools, have a statutory duty to control the risk of Legionella bacteria in water systems. Where there is a risk and where there are five or more employees, a review should be undertaken by an external water expert and formally recorded in a Legionella Risk Assessment. The purpose of an assessment is to identify all water systems where Legionella bacteria could possibly grow and assess the risk of people being exposed to contaminated aerosols from them. The places where Legionella can be found include purpose-built water systems, hot and cold-water systems humidifiers, air washers and emergency showers. A professional Legionella Risk Assessment will identify the level of risk within a property. It is the first step of any water hygiene control programme and will qualify for L8 compliance, HSG274 1,2,3 and HTM 04-01.
Why are water risk assessments important? 1. Health and Safety: Contaminated water can lead to serious health issues, including gastrointestinal diseases and long-term health complications. Ensuring safe water is crucial for the well-being of students and staff
2. Regulatory Compliance: It is a legal requirement in schools to appoint a duty holder and a competent supply chain to be responsible for and conduct regular assessments to maintain water systems
3. Public Trust: Parents and the community expect schools to provide safe environments for their children. Transparent assessments and proactive measures can enhance public trust in the school’s commitment to safety
4. Educational Environment: A healthy school environment is essential for effective learning. Water-related health issues can lead to absenteeism and decreased academic performance
Components of a water risk assessment 1. Identifying Water Sources: Evaluate all water sources, including drinking fountains, kitchen taps, and bathrooms. Determine the origin of the water (eg municipal supply) and its treatment processes 2. Testing Water Quality: Conduct regular water quality tests to check
32
www.education-today.co.uk
Implementing water risk mitigation strategies Once risks are identified, schools can implement various strategies to mitigate them: · Regular Maintenance: Establish a routine maintenance schedule for plumbing systems and water treatment facilities
· Education and Training: Provide training for staff and education for students on water safety and conservation practices
· Upgrading Infrastructure: Invest in modern filtration systems and replace aging plumbing to reduce contamination risks
· Emergency Response Plans: Develop and communicate clear emergency response plans in the event of water contamination or supply issues
· Employ expertise: Deploy water risk experts to assess, address and manage ongoing water health and safety
· Manage Change: Ensure a system is in place to document changes to the system and ensure all stakeholders are aware and regimes amended accordingly
Water risk assessments are vital for maintaining safe and healthy school environments. It is important to not only know and understand the systems in your building – and your responsibilities – but also ensure the staff responsible for health and safety are up to date on the latest legislation that could impact on the maintenance regime and capital installation.
By proactively identifying and addressing potential risks, schools can protect the health of students and staff, comply with regulations, and foster community trust. Implementing a comprehensive water risk assessment strategy is not just a regulatory obligation; it is a commitment to the well-being of the entire school community.
for contaminants such as lead, bacteria, nitrates, and other harmful substances
3 Assessing Infrastructure: Examine plumbing systems, storage tanks, and filtration units for maintenance issues or potential sources of contamination
4. Assessing Equipment & Plant: Ensure plant and equipment are functioning correctly provide water at the required compliant temperatures
5. Evaluating Emergency Preparedness: Assess the school’s response plan for water-related emergencies, such as contamination events or supply disruptions
6. Engaging Stakeholders: Involve students, parents, staff, and local health authorities in the assessment process. Their insights can provide valuable information and foster a sense of community ownership over water safety
For further information on health and safety management, visit
www.inspectas.co.uk
November 2024
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
