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NSC Home Page > EUAS Contents > Official advice specifically to schools on visits
LOGISTICS
Health and Safety
Official advice specifically to schools on visits
Government advice for out of school educational visits is provided by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) publication, Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits 'Good Practice Guide' (1998) (HASPEV) with four supplementary documents (2001/2002) and is available on www.teachernet.gov.uk. Specific group leader training is advised. The handbook also points to the need to pay regard to other local, professional and LEA guidance as first recourse, but notes that: 'the guidance should not be taken as an authoritative interpretation of the law. This is for the courts'.
The DfES has a Pupil Health and Safety Team with an enquiry service (Tel: 0207 925 5536). Particularly pertinent sections of HASPEV guidelines in a quarry/plant visit context can be summarised as follows (NB this interpretation must not be taken as having legal authority or overriding HASPEV or any other guidelines):
Controlling Risks:
a) the group leader is responsible overall for the group at all times.
b) The group leader should normally have made an exploratory visit (see Standards for LEAs in Overseeing Educational Visits) and either involve the other supervisors in such a visit or thoroughly brief them.
c) The group leader and supervisors should anticipate potential risks by recognising a hazard, by arriving, where necessary at the point of hazard before the pupils do, and acting promptly.Where necessary:
d) continuously monitor the appropriateness of the activity, the physical and mental
condition and abilities of the group members and the suitability of the prevailing conditions.
e) have reasonable prior knowledge of the pupils, including an special education
needs, medical needs or disabilities.
f) have appropriate access to first aid.