Safety rules brushed up to allow DIY school paint jobs

PARENTS are finally to be allowed to help paint schools and hang pictures after the city council performed a U-turn over its health and safety rules.

The Evening News revealed last year that parents at Pirniehall Primary in Pilton were not allowed to hang pupils' framed artwork due to health and safety restrictions, meaning joiners were instead to be hired at a cost of 350.

Days later, it emerged that an offer by parent council members to paint the classrooms of South Morningside Primary for free was rejected for similar safety concerns, even though there were no funds to pay professionals to do it.

City council officials today revealed they have now drawn up new health and safety rules, which mean volunteers will be allowed to carry out such work in schools.

The council initially insisted that "good health and safety practice" was the reason for using professional tradesmen only.

Education leader Marilyne MacLaren hailed the new guidelines as "a common sense approach to health and safety".

The new rules are part of updated guidance notes for volunteers working in council property, issued to headteachers and other people responsible for council buildings.

Councillor MacLaren said: "It is relatively common for parents and other community members to offer to undertake improvement works in schools and nurseries used by community groups.

"We welcome these proposed new guidelines as they take a common sense approach to health and safety.

"These offers of help are very generous and hugely appreciated by communities, and these guidelines should make the process a lot easier and safer for everyone concerned."

The council was heavily criticised last July when it wouldn't allow parents to carry out painting work themselves.

Jerry Forde, chairman of South Morningside Primary's parent council, accused the council of a "superficial response" by ruling the work out on health and safety grounds.

Under the new guidelines, the only work that is allowed to take place is work that does not involve "disturbance of the building fabric", such as painting and decorating.

Volunteers are not allowed to carry out alterations to electrical wiring, plumbing, heating or ventilation installations, or any work that involves the removal of masonry walls or stud partitions.

The headteacher of a school needs to ensure that a member of staff is present while work is carried out by volunteers.