Nominated health and safety lead role guidance

This guidance applies only where a maintained or academy school in England appoints, or is considering appointing, a nominated health and safety lead. It does not mean that every school must appoint one.

Purpose of the role

A school may appoint a subject specialist or another nominated lead to take a primary role in providing support across the school's range of activities.

Where the role is appointed, the nominated lead should have sufficient authority to take the lead responsibility for health and safety.

Role arrangements

The school should record the nominated lead's name as [nominated health safety lead name] and describe the authority delegated to the role as [delegated health safety authority].

The school should allocate sufficient time and resources for the nominated lead to fulfil the role. The agreed allocation is [allocated time and resources].

The nominated lead should have the competence needed to fulfil the role. The relevant competence, experience or training is [relevant competence or training].

Reporting and support

The school should identify the route through which the nominated lead reports to school leadership: [reporting route to school leadership].

The school should also identify the employer or specialist support available to the nominated lead: [employer or specialist support route].

Confirmation of applicability

The appointment status for this school is [nominated health safety lead status]. If the role is not appointed, this guidance does not create an obligation to appoint one.