Everyone has the right to work in an environment where risks to both physical and mental health are properly managed. Employers have a legal duty to assess what might harm workers—be it a slip-trip-fall hazard, work-related stress, or exposure to illness—and to put adequate controls and mitigations in place.

They must explain those risks and protections, consult with employees and any union Health and Safety Representatives and offer you any necessary training and protective equipment where applicable.

In turn, employees are expected to follow training and instructions, take reasonable care for their own and others’ health, cooperate with employer safeguards (such as fire doors or behaviour support plans), and speak up if they believe that inadequate measures are putting anyone at serious risk.

The purpose of Health and Safety legislation is to make workplaces as safe as possible to prevent mental ill-health and occupational illness or injury.

Why EIS Safety Reps are essential for all establishments

The law is clear: under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977, union-appointed Safety Reps have important, non-negotiable, rights, including:

  • Access to information about health and safety matters.
  • Paid time off to carry out inspections and investigations.
  • The right to be consulted on changes affecting health and safety.

This means that EIS members don’t have to face issues alone. A trained Health and Safety Rep can help to ensure their workplace meets legal standards and that management takes action when risks are identified.

Training and Support

Already, many schools across Scotland have EIS Health and Safety Reps who work, as part of their paid employment, to support the safety of members in schools.

Good to Know:
There is no statutory limit on the number of Reps per workplace. EIS members can choose to job-share the role if this better suits your work/life balance. If you are considering taking on the role of a Health and Safety Rep, you won’t be left to manage on your own.

The EIS offers high-quality training and support, at local and national level, which aims to give Reps the confidence to challenge unsafe practices, understand risk assessments, and carry out effective inspections.

Keep an eye out for a new video resource coming to the EIS website and social media in the coming weeks that explains the role of the Safety Rep in more detail.

Safety Inspections – A Practical Step

If you are already an EIS Safety Rep and haven’t yet carried out a workplace inspection this session, now is an excellent time to do so. Inspections are not about catching people out – they are about making sure conditions are safe, hazards are removed, and improvements are made.

EIS advice is to always try to include a member of the management team when you carry out an inspection as joint working can often lead to problems being solved faster.

Below is a quick checklist that Health and Safety Reps can adapt for their own workplace. There are a lot of points to consider here, so consider visiting departments/buildings in stages.

Good to Know:
Members often ask about risk assessments for individual pupils and whether they have a ‘right’ to see them. The answer is yes.

If you’re likely to be in contact with a young person who has known behaviour resulting in health and safety concerns (even in the corridor) then the risk assessment must be shared with you and updated if required. Don’t be afraid to ask for this and seek advice from your EIS Representative if you encounter any difficulties.

Health and Safety Checklist

Documentation and Information

  • Do you have a copy of the health and safety policy for your workplace?
  • Are you informed of all accidents, incidents, and findings of risk assessments?
  • Are emergency procedures (fire/medical) displayed clearly?
  • Is the legally required Health and Safety Law poster displayed, with up-to-date details of employees’ rights and enforcing authority contacts?

Workplace Conditions

  • Are premises clean and in a good state of repair?
  • Is ventilation, heating, and lighting adequate?
  • Are welfare facilities (toilets, break rooms, drinking water) suitable?
  • Are floors free from slip/trip hazards?
  • Are stairways fitted with handrails and well-lit?
  • Are bulbs replaced promptly?
  • Are radiators and heating systems regularly serviced?
  • Are steps, doors, and fixtures in good repair?
  • Do first-floor or higher windows have restrictors?
  • Is there equipment (e.g. poles) to safely open/close high windows?
  • Are glass doors reinforced or fitted with safety glass?
  • Do all computer workstations comply with Display Screen Equipment Regulations?

Fire Safety

  • Are fire exits/escape routes kept clear at all times?
  • Are flammable substances stored safely away from heat sources?
  • Are fire alarms tested regularly – and can they be heard throughout the building?
  • Are fire extinguishers maintained and accessible?
  • Are fire doors properly closed?
  • Do all staff (including visitors and temporary workers) know evacuation procedures?
  • Has there been a fire drill this term?

Making a Difference

When hazards are spotted and reported, accidents can be prevented.

Becoming an EIS Safety Rep also strengthens our union. The more EIS members who are trained, active, and confident in their role, the harder it is for unsafe practices to be ignored. It ensures that health and safety stays at the top of the agenda and our members can feel safe at work.

Next Steps

If you are not yet a Health and Safety Rep, speak to your Branch Representative or Local Association Secretary for advice. If you are a Health and Safety Rep, schedule your next inspection – even a short walk-through can reveal important issues.

Share your findings with your members and management, keeping a clear record. Seek further advice from your Local Association Secretary or Area Officer.