Health and Safety

Teacher Mental Health Issues

The NUT has developed its guidance to help school reps. persuade their governors on the importance of this. Guidance can be found on the NUT website www.teachers.org.uk/node/12093 or at Hearth. I have an electronic copy, which I can forward to those who wish it.

Expect Respect Poster

This is a follow up to the current poster warning parents etc that they must not abuse staff in schools. We will discuss at JCC. The original needs refreshing but the proposed version can be improved.

Occupational Health

We have been informed of members who are not happy with how the new ‘occupational health interviews’ are being conducted. For many, telephone interviews are not appropriate. If you are referred to Occupational Health let us know so we can help you prepare for it.

E-Safety – Protecting School Staff

The National Union of Teachers has published advice on how school staff can protect themselves from becoming targets of cyberbullies, as well as how schools should respond to incidents. A model policy is included which Governing Bodies should be invited to adopt where an equivalent policy is not already in place. This document can be found at www.teachers.org.uk/node/12092

A brief guide for members in the form of ‘do’smand don’ts’ on how to stay cybersafe is available at www.teachers.org.uk/node/12093

If you have any such problems in your school please let Mike or Kendra know.

Tony Mulgrew

All school unions, teachers and support staff, are co-operating in a survey of school staff’ s knowledge of the presence and management of asbestos in their schools. We are asking every school to respond to the survey, even if ( or probably especially if) your answer to each question is ‘ Don’ t know’ .

Why is this so important? Did you know that, ‘ according to the latest official figures, at least 272 teachers have died from asbestos-related cancer caused by exposure to the substance which is still contained in 90% of Britain’ s 25,000schools.’ (Daily Express 17/10/10)

In the last Five years 64 teachers have officially been seen to die of asbestos exposure. As asbestos is usually a slow acting killer are these figures just the tip of the iceberg?

I do not want to panic school staff but we need to let the Government know that we demand action to remove this threat to staff and pupils in our schools.

A report on this problem was completed in July 2010 but has been withheld from publication.

So the vital question is – Do you know where there is asbestos in your school and do you know how it is being managed safely?

It is in the interests of all that all staff are aware of the Asbestos Management Plan for your school.

Please go to www.teachers.org.uk/node/12030 where you will find useful information and the questionnaire. It does not take long to complete but it is vital that every school responds.

The closing date is 15th November 2010.

Tony Mulgrew

Norfolk Division of the NUT Health and Safety Adviser

Please click here for the Health and Safety guidance and information:

http://www.teachers.org.uk/node/8731