Refurbishments policy

Policy statement

The University of Dundee recognises that there must be effective communication between the many parties involved in a refurbishment to ensure that health and safety risks to people are reduced as far as is reasonably practicable.

Arrangements

Deans/Directors must ensure that all equipment, materials and waste are removed from areas to be refurbished before handover to Estates and Buildings Project Managers. Either Estates and Buildings staff, or a recognised Removal Firm, must be used to remove equipment and materials to be retained into secure storage. Deans/Directors must ensure these staff receive adequate information and instruction, and they must also ensure they are adequately supervised.

In laboratories, workshops and other areas where hazardous substances were used they must ensure:

• drains and sinks are flushed with water
• surfaces and fixed equipment (e.g. microbiological safety cabinets) are decontaminated
• information is provided to Estates and Buildings Project Manager on remaining risks (e.g. fume cupboards and ductwork, chemical spills) that may become relevant during the ‘strip out’

In addition, in laboratories that used radioactive materials (i.e. open and sealed sources) they must ensure the decommissioning procedures issued by Safety Services are completed.

Estates and Buildings Project Managers must inform all relevant parties of the start date of the refurbishment e.g. ICS, Room Bookings, Cleaning Services, in order for them to remove their equipment in a timely manner. They must confirm as far as possible that Deans/Directors have carried out their duties before they hand over the area to the Main Contractor, while ensuring that all fittings and fixtures that are to be reused or retained are removed prior to handover to the Main Contractor. They must also provide information regarding service isolations, asbestos, and remaining risks to the Main Contractor using the site handover form attached.

At City Campus Head of Safety Services will ensure chemical, clinical and radiological wastes are disposed of by authorised routes.

At City Campus Head of Estates will ensure other wastes are disposed of by authorised routes.

At Ninewells and Kirkcaldy Campuses wastes are disposed of by NHS Tayside.

All parties detailed above must fulfil their duties in accord with the University Environment Policy. 

Document information