PHS Datashred Reminds Schools to Clear Out Documents Over the Summer

Online, June 6, 2013 (Newswire.com) - As schools across the UK reconvene for the final part of the academic year, PHS Datashred reminds staff to clear out confidential information before the summer holidays begin.

Half term break is now over and exam season has officially started. But whilst schools will be occupied with exam preparation, there is another responsibility that they need to consider - destroying confidential documents before breaking up for summer.

Under the Data Protection Act, schools must only hold necessary information for as long as they need it. So the end of the academic year is the ideal time to starting disposing of documentation that is no longer required.

Anthony Pearlgood, managing director of shredding company PHS Datashred, said: "As academic year 2012/13 draws to a close, schools should start clearing out information about identifiable, living people that they might have stored.

"This includes things like pupil and staff records, medical records, CCTV tapes and discs, school reports and assessment results to protect the IDs of children and staff."

But not only will clearing out documents protect the personal privacy of pupils and employees, it will also help avoid a potentially crippling fine.

The seventh principle of the Data Protection Act states that organisations must take steps to protect redundant confidential information, and failure to do so could mean a fine of up to £500,000. A good way of doing this is to employ an approved and accredited data destruction service provider, like PHS Datashred.

However, when choosing a shredding company to destroy and recycle confidential material, Anthony Pearlgood reminds schools that not all suppliers may work to the same standards.

He said: "Schools should choose a company which complies with the new European Standard BS EN15713:2009 for security shredding and also the BS7858 standard for staff vetting.

"PHS Datashred is not only fully compliant, but can also do 6-weekly collections to fit with term time. After every collection, schools will be given a Certificate of Destruction as evidence of their compliance."

PHS Datashred also reminds schools that committing to document shredding in the summer is an ideal way to start reducing their carbon footprint in the new academic year- 20 bags of shredded and recycled paper saves 4 mature trees.

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