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Loughquittane N. S. 10049M

School Accident/Injury Policy

Introduction:
This policy was drafted by the whole school staff on 02/10/2013, as a response to Health & Safety legislation. It was reviewed and redrafted in 2019 and again in 2023. This policy applies to all users of the school premises and all school related activities.

Rationale:
The formulation of this policy enables our school to effectively;

• Provide for the immediate needs and requirements of students who have sustained either a serious or a minor injury
• Ensure that adequate resources and arrangements are in place to deal with injuries/accidents as they arise
• Ensure lines of communication with parents/guardians are in place if required
• Activate a known plan of action with which all staff are familiar
• The Board of Management accepts that despite the best efforts of school staff at prevention, accidents can and will happen. On these occasions teachers are expected to exercise the standard of care of a reasonable and prudent parent.
• The purpose of First Aid is to ensure that any immediate danger and discomfort is alleviated. Any First Aid rendered by the school is intended to be of temporary nature and to be the minimum level of care. Any further diagnosis or extended care should be passed on to medical professionals. Injuries should be fully examined by Parents/Guardians when children arrive home.

Roles and Responsibilities:
The overall responsibility for the day to day management of school supervision /routines rests with the Principal. The class teacher is responsible for classroom supervision and teachers on yard duty are directly responsible for the supervision of pupils at break time. The schools Health and Safety Officer is Rachel Kelliher. On the occasion of the Health and Safety Officer being absent, responsibility rests with the principal.

School Ethos:
This policy re-enforces the elements of the mission statement of Loughguitane N.S. which advocates providing a safe and secure learning environment for each child and ensuring a duty of care at all times when the school is in operation.

Aims/Objectives:

• To ensure the physical safety and well being of all staff and pupils
• To develop a framework of procedures whereby all injuries are dealt with in a competent and safe manner
• To provide training for staff, with the effective use of outside expertise, so that children have access to proper interventions
• To comply with all legislation relating to safety and welfare at work

Procedures:
Safety of pupils and staff is a priority for the Board of Management, and robust measures have been put in place to ensure no children or staff are put at risk;

• A comprehensive school Safety Statement has been recently revised whereby all hazards are identified and remedial measures are outlined
• The school is insured under Allianze and a 24 hour policy, underwritten by Allianze is in place for all children
• The provision of specialist first aid training for staff has been identified as a priority by Board of Management.
• Each classroom teacher regularly instructs his/her class on issues relating to safety in the class/yard. Dangerous practices include, but are not limited to climbing goalposts, throwing objects, running fast during play time. Engaging in “roughplay”, fighting etc. are subject to sanctions (see School Anti-Bullying and Discipline Policies)
• Certain procedures are in place in the event of accidents. These are detailed below.
• There is at least three adults including one teacher are on yard duty at break time.
• Children’s emergency contact numbers are written on the inside cover of their Homework Journals and updated annually. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that up to date contact details are provided to the school.
• If a child suffers an injury, it will be assessed by the staff member nearest to the child at that time.
• A minor accident or injury is one where a child has received scrape, graze, bump or minor cut to arm, leg or body.
• All staff will be expected to deal with instances of minor first aid in accordance with the treatment procedures outlined below.
• A serious accident or injury is one where child has received injury which may require further treatment. All head or eye injuries are considered to be potentially serious. Severe bleeding and suspected broken bones are serious.
• It is the responsibility of the attending staff (in Loco Parentis) to decide whether an injury should be considered ‘serious’. They will make a common sense judgement as any responsible parent would, and take into account the specific needs of the child concerned. The assistance of the Post Holder, the class teacher, the Principal or any other staff member should be sought if the injury appears to be serious.
• Procedures for treating specific injuries are outlined below.
• An injured child will be moved indoors for treatment if it is judged safe to do so.
• If an injury is judged to be serious then the parents/guardians are to be contacted immediately and asked to come to the school. Until the parents arrive the child is kept under observation. If the considered opinion of the attending staff is that immediate professional help is required then an ambulance is called. If the ambulance arrives before the parents do then, with the advice of the paramedics, a teacher (designated by the principal) will travel in the ambulance with the child. Parents are kept informed of the developing situation.

Minor Accident/Injury

The injured party is initially looked after by the teacher on yard duty. If deemed necessary, the child will be taken to the ‘sick bay’ which is outside the staff room. Cuts are cleaned with anti septic wipes and bandages/plasters applied if deemed appropriate. The use of latex gloves is advised at all times. Parents are notified if deemed necessary.

More Serious Accidents/Injuries

If considered safe to do so, the injured party is taken to the sick bay. Parents/guardians are immediately informed, particularly if there is a suspicion of broken bones/head or eye injuries. The child is kept under observation until parents /guardians arrive, with the emphasis on making the child as comfortable and as settled as possible.

Very Serious Injuries

In the event of a very serious injury, parents/guardians are immediately contacted. If the considered opinion of the staff is that immediate professional help is required, an ambulance / doctor is called. On rare occasions the staff may agree that taking the child to Accident & Emergency in a private car is a more prudent option particularly in the case of rapid blood loss. Every effort is made to contact parents.

Categories of Injury/School Procedures

Minor Cuts and Bruises
Method:
In all cases of injury, there is at least one teacher on yard duty.
• Clean around cuts using antiseptic wipe/cloth, cleaning from the centre outwards
• Gloves are used at all times to reduce risk of spread of infection
• A check is carried out to locate small bodies which may be embedded in the wound
• Plaster, gauze or lint is placed on the wound
• Teacher observation is maintained
• Children are advised to show/tell parents

Sprains/Bruises
Method:
• In the event of a suspected sprain/bruise, the process of rest, ice, compress and elevate is implemented
• If in doubt, parent/s are contacted
• Teacher observation is maintained
• The incident is recorded in the “Accident Book”

Faints and Shocks
• Lie the casualty down
• Raise the legs above the level of the heart
• Loosen any tight clothing
• Ensure there is fresh air
• Keep crowds away
• Reassure casualty when they recover
• Contact parents
• The event is subsequently recorded in the Accident Book

Severe Bleeding
• Act instantly – Go, Go, Go!
• Set or lie the injured party down
• Press down on wound using gloves
• Do not remove an impaled object.
• Lift (if possible) the injured part above the level of the heart
• Put a clean dressing over the wound and secure it firmly with a bandage
• If blood shows through the dressing then place another one over the first and bandage firmly
• Reassure the child.
• GET HELP!
• Contact parents
• If very serious contact casualty immediately
• Record in accident book

Burns/Scalds
• Immediately remove child from danger area
• Cool burnt area with cold running water
• Remove rings etc. and other tight fitting accessories
• Do not remove objects stuck to skin

Unconsciousness
• Ring for medical help
• Place child in recovery position
• Ring for parents
• If subject is not breathing, artificial respiration is applied
• Other children are kept away

Head Injuries
All head injuries are potentially serious
• Treat as appropriate for either bruising or bleeding
• In addition, observe the child carefully looking out for signs of concussion such as double vision, blurred vision, inability to focus, dizziness, inability to respond appropriately to simple questions, nausea, pallor, clamminess.
• Always contact parents so that they may continue to watch out for signs of concussion.
• If serious contact ambulance

Stings/Bites
• The area is treated with anti-septic and the parents are contacted
• Children are monitored for signs of distress, rash , swelling

The First Aid Policy is based on collective teacher input. The teacher on yard duty is automatically assisted by others in the case of a serious injury.

Resources:
The first aid box is located in the cupboard on the corridor. All staff are aware of this location. The contents of such boxes are replenished when deemed necessary by a designated staff member. Ice packs are stored in the freezer in the staffroom. A first aid kit is carried on all outings and tours.

Record Keeping:
All accidents/injuries deemed sufficiently serious by the class teacher are recorded in the class Accident Report Book. The accident report form lists date and time of accident, witnesses, nature of injuries, a brief description of the circumstance of the accident, procedures followed by staff etc. Relevant medical information on all pupils is obtained at time of enrolment. This section asks parents to list allergies and other medical conditions their child may have.

Evaluation:
The success of this policy is measured from set criteria;

• Maintaining a relatively accident free school environment
• Positive feedback from staff, parents, children
• Continual yard observation of behaviour by all staff engaged in supervision duties
• Monitoring and evaluation at staff meetings

Ratification:
This revised policy was ratified by the Board of Management of Loughquittane N.S.

Signed: _Lily Cronin Signed: Alison Coffey
Chairperson of Board of Management Principal

Date: Date: