ABSTRACT
It is particularly important that schools and colleges are safe places because, in schools particularly, we are dealing with young people who are vulnerable. The law lays obligations on schools in this respect. Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974, imposes a duty on all employers: ‘It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees.’ This duty includes:
the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risk to health;
the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of employees;
the provision and maintenance of a working environment for employees that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risk to health.
