The University of Dundee Health and Safety Policy
Policy Statement
As the governing body of the University of Dundee, the University Court accepts its responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of staff, students and others affected by the University's activities. To discharge this responsibility Court provides leadership and support to sustain the importance of health and safety as part of the University’s programme of good governance and risk control. The Court takes all reasonable steps to ensure that all staff are competent and accept their health and safety responsibilities.
The University Court has adopted this policy to promote excellence in the health and safety performance of the University's activities of teaching, research and associated undertakings. The University will work proactively to ensure compliance with all health and safety legal requirements. The University aims to effect continual improvements in the health and safety of staff, students, and other people affected by the University's activities.
The University Court requires all staff and students to co-operate in achieving a high standard of health and safety performance, and encourages and rewards all staff in pursuit of this goal.
The University Court will ensure that it is kept informed of health and safety risk management issues, and that overall health and safety performance is reviewed regularly by external auditors. The Health and Safety Policy will be kept under annual review through the Human Resources Committee.
This Health and Safety Policy Statement was approved by Human Resources Committee on 20 November 2012.
| Professor Pete Downes | Eric Sanderson |
| Principal | Court Chairperson |
Policy Organisation
The University Court has adopted this Health and Safety Policy Organisation to implement the policy statement above and to ensure effective management of health and safety issues. The organisation of health and safety is outlined in Appendix1 and Appendix 2; these show the way health and safety are managed within the University of Dundee, and the inter-relationship between line management, committees and professional support services.
Implementation
Within the line management hierarchy health and safety tasks can be delegated, but the responsibility for ensuring these are properly undertaken remains with the delegating manager. Ultimate responsibility for implementation of this policy and of legal compliance resides with the University Court.
The University Court is responsible for ensuring that all staff have a clear understanding of their health and safety responsibilities, and that they are adequately resourced and trained to fulfil these. It is responsible for identifying key health and safety priorities, setting performance targets, reviewing progress to meet these targets and taking further action if necessary. To fulfil these responsibilities, the Court receives regular reports from the Human Resources Committee on policy arrangements, training programmes and performance.
On behalf of the Court the Principal takes overall responsibility for the University’s health and safety management, and as such represents the corporate body of the University in compliance with health and safety legislation. The Principal has delegated implementation of the University’s Health and Safety Policy to the Senior Management Team in areas under their control, and has nominated the University Secretary as the senior manager who holds the specific responsibility for management of health and safety.
The Senior Management Team are responsible for ensuring adequate resources are available to implement the University’s Health and Safety Policy and to achieve performance targets set by Court. They are responsible for drawing up short, medium and long term plans in the drive to meet targets set by Court and in response to reports that identify poor performance. They provide reports to the University Health and Safety sub-committee on the measures they have taken to implement Policy and achieve performance targets set by Court. They are Convenors of College Health and Safety Committee/ Directors’ Group which reports to the University Health and Safety sub-committee. They have delegated implementation of the University’s Safety Policy Arrangements to Deans/Directors.
Deans/Directors are responsible for resourcing the operational health and safety needs of their School/Directorate. They ensure that a School/Directorate Health and Safety Policy and a Risk Management Plan detailing local procedures to control health and safety risks in their Schools/Directorates is written and reviewed annually. These may be part of a College Policy and Plan if appropriate. They have delegated completion of specific risk assessments to Principal Investigators, lecturing staff, team leaders and supervisors as a fundamental part of their operational duties. They ensure these specific risk assessments are reviewed at School Management/Support Services staff meetings, or at College level if appropriate, before giving their approval. Deans/Directors chair School/Support Services Health and Safety Committees which report to the College Health and Safety Committee or Directors’ Group. Where appropriate, some Deans and Directors will establish local Safety Committees within specific units under their line of management, and will ensure that they are properly convened and recorded.
Principal Investigators, lecturing staff, team leaders and others with direct supervisory responsibility for staff or students must ensure the safe conduct of activities within their areas of control, and draw to their manager's attention health and safety matters requiring action which they are unable to fulfil themselves. They will complete specific risk assessments for activities under their control as detailed in the School/Support Service Risk Management Plan.
All staff are legally required to conduct themselves at all times so as not to endanger their health and safety or that of any other person who may be affected by their acts or omissions. They must comply with all relevant health and safety requirements and follow the rules and guidance from their managers. They must report any health and safety concerns, including specific concerns about their health arising from work activities, to their manager or School Safety Representative. This includes deficiencies in safety standards or equipment.
All students must behave responsibly at all times, and comply with rules issued by teaching staff. They must report any concerns they have to teaching or supervisory staff.
Committee Structure
The Committee structure shown in Appendix 3 has been set up to ensure effective communication and consultation at all levels within the University regarding safety policy arrangements, training programmes and performance monitoring.
In outline, the key committee is the Human Resources Committee which approves the Safety Policy Arrangements (management framework) and associated management training programme, and monitors performance. It receives performance reports from the University Health and Safety sub-committee. The Health and Safety Sub-Committee receives reports from College Health and Safety Committees and Directors’ Group, and the Biological and Radiological Safety Committees.
Professional Support Structure
The Head of Safety Services and his team provide competent advice and specialist expertise to School/Directorate Safety Personnel (ie School Safety Representatives, Biological Safety Advisers, Radiation Protection Supervisors, Fire Marshals), and strategic guidance to senior management to enable them to carry out their responsibilities effectively. They draft policy, arrange training and carry out monitoring at all levels in the University. Head of Safety Services provides an annual report to Court via the Human Resources Committee.
Heads of School/Directorate appoint School/Directorate Safety Representatives and ensure they are competent, and that they are given adequate resource to fulfil their duties. Their key role is to advise Heads of School/Directorate on Safety Policy Arrangements, and the measures they must implement to comply with them. A list of Safety Representatives can be found at http://www.dundee.ac.uk/safety.
Heads of School/Directorate appoint Unit Safety Personnel such as Radiation Protection Supervisers and Biological Safety Advisers and ensure that they are competent, and that they are given adequate resource to fulfil their duties. A list of Safety Personnel can be found at http://www.dundee.ac.uk/safety.
Policy Arrangements
The University Court has approved the Safety Policy Arrangements given at http://www.dundee.ac.uk/safety. These are intended to ensure all activities within the University comply with relevant legislation and accord with best practice. Policy Arrangements drafted by Safety Services, agreed by University Health and Safety sub-committee are approved by Human Resources Committee on behalf of Court.
The University Health and Safety sub-committee reviews Safety Policy Arrangements and alters them as necessary to comply with changing legislation.
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