Health and Safety Manual

Health and Safety Responsibilities

2.2 Board of Governors

In accordance with the Articles of Government and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Board of Governors of the University is responsible within the conditions imposed, for the health, safety and welfare at work of all University employees, students and other persons who use the University’s premises and resources or are engaged in activities which are under the supervision of the University. The Board discharges this duty through its Estates and Services Advisory Group.

2.3 The Vice-Chancellor as the most senior officer of the University is responsible to the Board of Governors for securing compliance with legislative provision for safety and for achieving the objectives of the University Health and Safety Policy.

In order to fulfil these responsibilities the Vice-Chancellor has devolved certain executive duties and authority as detailed below (and to the University Radiation Protection Adviser on matters concerned with ionising radiation).

2.4 The Human Resources Director is directly responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for the development, implementation and monitoring of the University Health and Safety Policy. The Human Resources Director acts as the ‘Health and Safety Director’.

2.5 The Financial Director is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for the allocation of adequate financial resources to ensure that the University can meet its statutory obligations.

2.6 Pro-Vice Chancellors/Deans of Faculty/Registrar/Directors/ Senior Staff are responsible for the health and safety of staff, students and visitors in a specified location/area. In particular they should:

• implement the University Health and Safety Policy by establishing in their own areas of responsibility an adequate programme to conform with statutory law, regulations and approved codes of practice, particularly in relation to hazards peculiar to their areas of control;
• develop and implement emergency plans for their areas of responsibility within the University;
• monitor health and safety performance levels;
• arrange for their senior management groups and Local Health and Safety Panels to receive an annual health and safety update from the Health and Safety Unit;
• provide such resources as required to meet the relevant statutory obligations;
• formulate health and safety policies as a means of identifying the organisation and arrangements for health and safety within their authorised area of responsibility
• identify health and safety priorities relevant to their areas of responsibility.

2.7 Heads of Departments and Assistant Registrars are responsible for the health and safety of staff, students and visitors in areas under their control. In particular they should:

i) arrange that they and all personnel under their control are made aware of their duties and responsibilities regarding health and safety and that all are adequately trained to discharge such duties;

ii) have systems in place which identify relevant hazards and where necessary generate appropriate risk assessments;

iii) have procedures in place that facilitate discussion of health and safety arrangements with the appropriate specialist support services with regard to:

• planning new operations or methods of work, and
• designing or acquiring new buildings, plant and equipment

iv) ensure the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as may be necessary to ensure the health and safety of those under their control;

v) establish arrangements to ensure that a properly identified structure exists to deal with situations that may require the full or part evacuation of the area.

vi) consult where appropriate with Trade Union Safety Representatives.

2.8 Management and Supervisory Staff are formally responsible for implementing the University’s health and safety policy within their authorised areas of responsibility.

2.9 All Staff

i) should, so far as is reasonably practicable, maintain satisfactory standards of health, safety and welfare within their authorised areas of responsibility as defined by the University Health and Safety Policy.

• monitor the effectiveness of the policy and bring to the attention of the University Health and Safety Adviser and Human Resources Director any changes which they think may be necessary;
• cooperate with the university in meeting its statutory obligations on health and safety

2.10 All Students

Students must cooperate with the university in meeting its statutory obligations on health and safety.