Although thousands of school trips are run each year, the educational benefit of the experience is so great for students of all ages that the HSE has moved to encourage teachers to plan even more trips by taking away the fear of prosecution which often surrounds taking on the responsibility of trip planning.
The HSE says: 'A large number of school visits take place successfully each year. However, misunderstandings about health and safety law can sometimes discourage schools and teachers from organising these activities.'
To give comfort to trip planners the HSE makes clear that: 'Where sensible and proportionate steps have been taken by a school and its staff, it is highly unlikely that there would be a breach of health and safety law involved, or that it would be in the public interest for HSE to bring a prosecution.'
It goes on to say:
'HSE's statement makes clear:
- that the focus should be on how the real risks arising from such visits are managed and not on paperwork;
- the need for a proportionate and sensible approach for planning and organising off-site activities;
- that those organising visits should simplify the planning process and authorisation arrangements for visits that involve everyday risks;
- that HSE's primary interest is real risks arising from serious breaches of the law. Any HSE accident investigation will be targeted at these issues.'
Handsam Ltd offer trips and visits consultancy services and an online trip planning system to take the administrative pain out of planning your trips.
If you would like any advice on how to plan or organise a school trip safely then please contact Handsam Ltd on info@handsam.co.uk or by ringing 03332 070737.
You can read the HSE's web page on school trip safety HERE - http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/school-trips.htm.
