Secondary schools falling short on fire and safety measures

ONE in six second level schools did not hold any fire drill for students and staff last year and almost one in ten have broken the law by not having a safety statement, a survey has found.

The research by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) indicates improvements, but the union has called for extra resources for schools to ensure they meet their health and safety obligations.

A similar survey in autumn 2005 showed that more than one-quarter of schools did not organise a fire drill in the previous year, while nearly one fifth had no safety statement. It is a legal requirement under the 2005 Health and Safety Act for all employers, including schools and colleges, to have a safety statement setting out risks and procedures.