SAFETY AUDIT – MEETING Thursday 19th November 9

Viv Harper

Informations

• Publié par: Edwie
• Nombre de lectures: 49
• Langue: Slovak

Extrait

Local Health and Safety Policy

August 2009- July 2012

UNIVERSITY OF BATH

Department of Social and Policy Sciences

Local Health and Safety Policy

CONTENTS

1.

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................2

2.

STATEMENT OF INTENT ........................................................................................................................3

3.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES ...............................................................................................................3

3.1

H

EAD

O

F

D

EPARTMENT

(HOD)...............................................................................................................3

3.2

S

AFETY

C

OORDINATOR

(SC)...................................................................................................................4

3.3

I

NDIVIDUAL

E

MPLOYEES

.........................................................................................................................5

4.

SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS ..................................................................................................................5

4.1

E

MERGENCY

E

VACUATIONS

(F

IRE

/B

OMB

A

LARM

) .................................................................................5

4.2

M

EDICAL

F

IRST

A

ID

................................................................................................................................6

4.3

E

MERGENCY

S

ERVICES

............................................................................................................................6

4.4

R

EPORTING OF

A

CCIDENTS

,

N

EAR

M

ISSES AND

I

NCIDENTS OF

V

IOLENCE

/V

ERBAL

A

BUSE

....................6

a)

Accidents

................................................................................................................................................6

b)

Near Misses

............................................................................................................................................6

c)

Occupational Ill Health

.........................................................................................................................6

c)

Accident Statistics

..................................................................................................................................6

4.5

W

ORKING

A

LONE

A

ND

W

ORKING

O

UTSIDE

O

F

N

ORMAL

O

FFICE

H

OURS

...............................................6

4.6

F

IRE

P

REVENTION

....................................................................................................................................7

4.7

A

SSESSMENT OF AND

R

EMEDIAL

A

CTION FOR

D

ISPLAY

S

CREEN

W

ORKSTATIONS

..................................7

4.8

H

EALTH

P

ROTECTION

..............................................................................................................................7

4.9

T

ESTING OF

P

ORTABLE

E

LECTRICAL

E

QUIPMENT

....................................................................................7

4.10

W

ORKING WITH

I

TEMS OF

E

QUIPMENT WHICH MAY

P

RESENT

S

IGNIFICANT

R

ISK OF

I

NJURY

..................7

4.11

M

ANUAL

H

ANDLING OF

L

OADS

...............................................................................................................8

4.12

S

UBSTANCE

S

AFETY

................................................................................................................................8

4.13

H

EATING

.................................................................................................................................................8

4.14

L

IGHTING

................................................................................................................................................8

4.15

C

LEANLINESS

..........................................................................................................................................9

4.16

W

ORKING

A

T

H

EIGHT

.............................................................................................................................9

4.17

A

SBESTOS

................................................................................................................................................9

4.18

C

HILDREN

...............................................................................................................................................9

4.19

C

ONTRACTORS

........................................................................................................................................9

4.20

S

TUDENTS

...............................................................................................................................................9

1.

INTRODUCTION

The University of Bath has introduced a Health and Safety policy to ensure that risk of injury or ill

health as a result of work related activity is minimised.

The University regularly reviews and updates

this policy in order to take into account new legislation and working practices.

In addition each department has to formulate its own local policy taking into account the specific

needs of the department.

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2.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

The departmental policy is local to the Department of Social and Policy Sciences and is a supplement

to the University of Bath health and safety policy.

It aims to:

♦

Stimulate a positive outlook on health, safety and welfare in individuals to ensure that the

department is a safe place of work for employees, students and visitors.

♦

Stimulate full compliance by staff with any measures that are put in place to improve health and

safety for themselves and others.

♦

Show that everyone in the department has a vital part to play in ensuring a safe place of work by

demonstrating good practice at all times to ensure the highest set of standards that can reasonably

be achieved.

Full details of the University Health and Safety Policy are available from Head of Department or

Departmental Administrator.

3.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1

Head Of Department (HOD)

The Head of Department will:

a)

Promote an effective Health and Safety culture within the Department, establishing it as an

integral part of the overall management of the department.

b)

Ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations through a system of regular inspections.

c)

Ensure that visiting staff and new members of staff are made aware of the health and safety

procedures.

d)

Allocate and prioritise resources to support the Departmental Health and Safety Policy.

e)

Ensure that students and visitors as well as staff are aware of the emergency procedures.

f)

Ensure that there is full management control of Health and Safety by placing this on the agenda of

departmental meetings to consider current issues and future developments and to encourage good

working practices.

g)

Arrange for information, publications, details of new regulations and any guidance to be

considered for distribution to departmental staff.

h)

Ensure that safety audits take place to identify and reduce hazards and ensure that all work areas

are safe and free from risk for staff, students and visitors.

i)

Ensure that good risk management techniques are used within the Department to safeguard people

and property.

j)

Retain overall responsibility for the actions of departmental staff in respect to Health and Safety

matters.

k)

H&S matters are a standing item on the Departmental Committee agenda, which meets 4 times

per year and to which all departmental staff are invited.

H&S related issues are reported,

discussed, minutes noted and circulated to all staff and Faculty BOS.

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3.2

Safety Coordinator (SC)

The Safety Coordinator is the primary point of contact for Health and Safety issues within the

Department and primary departmental contact with the University Safety Officer.

Mr Peter Cressey is Safety Coordinator for DSPS, assisted by Viv Harper and Dawn Cox,

Departmental Administrators, and is responsible to Head of Department for ensuring the health and

safety policy is put in place and updated as needed.

The Safety Coordinator will:

a)

Ensure that all significant risks are assessed and that the necessary safety measures are identified.

b)

Inspect the Departmental Offices regularly; keep a record of items that require attention.

c)

Organise and co-ordinate the inspections and any follow up action.

d)

Ensure that policy is implemented and monitor the health and safety systems by means of regular,

random safety inspections to ensure that safe working conditions are maintained.

e)

Ensure that all employees in the department receive adequate information, instruction, training

and supervision to enable them to work safely and without risk to health and that training records

are kept.

f)

Ensure that equipment that is suitable for the task to be performed is readily available to all staff

and that it is used.

g)

Ensure that all accidents, near misses and incidents of violence, or verbal abuse are promptly and

thoroughly investigated in line with University and departmental policy, that appropriate remedial

action is taken and that they are properly reported.

h)

Ensure that good communication procedures are maintained with staff to allow a free flow of

ideas and solutions to health and safety issues.

i)

Be responsible for ensuring that all members of staff, volunteers, trainees or contractors working

on Departmental premises are informed where the First Aid kit is kept and the procedure for

calling the emergency services.

j)

Review the assessments of the Display Screen Equipment workstations as the need arises in the

Department using the checklist in the Safety Manual

k)

Arrange for defects to be rectified and update the records accordingly.

l)

Keep a copy of the completed checklists in the Departments Safety File.

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3.3

Individual Employees

Individual Employees are responsible for:

a)

Their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.

b)

Following agreed working practices and safety procedures

c)

Reporting any hazard, accident, near miss or abusive or violent incident to the Department’s

Safety Coordinator or Head of Department.

d)

Ensuring equipment is not misused or interfered with.

e)

Keeping the area around their workplace free from trip hazards

f)

Ensuring that there are no trailing cables in the vicinity of their workspace

g)

Closing drawers and cupboard doors immediately after use

h)

Returning equipment and materials to their proper place

i)

Ensuring that shelves, filing cabinets and cupboards are safe and are not overloaded

j)

Clearing up spillages immediately

k)

Reporting all defective equipment, furniture or lighting to the Safety Coordinator or Head of

Department immediately.

4.

SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS

4.1

Emergency Evacuations (Fire/Bomb Alarm)

On discovering a fire/suspicious package, the alarm should be raised immediately by activating the

alarm system at the nearest call point, which are situated at the top of each stairwell.

Activating the

fire alarm system will summon the Fire Brigade.

Individuals should NOT attempt to extinguish fires

unless they can do so without taking personal risks.

Upon hearing the alarm individuals should evacuate the building by the nearest safe route.

Under no

circumstances should lifts be used during an evacuation.

Upon exiting the building all persons should

make their way to the fire assembly point situated in Car Park L, behind building 3 East.

Visitors who are present during an alarm should be escorted by a member of staff to the assembly

point.

Disabled persons who cannot evacuate the building without using a lift should be escorted by a

member of staff to a protected stairway area and their location reported to the Security Office and the

Fire Brigade, with a view to swift evacuation.

NOTE:

The same alarm is used for both fire and bomb alerts.

For this reason it is

important that evacuees move away from the building and go to the assembly points.

Instructions are posted in the post room and in various corridors in 3East.

Staff should familiarise

themselves with these instructions.

5

4.2

Medical First Aid

First Aid assistance can be sought from Viv Harper, 3E 3.28 (Ext 6089) or Security Office WH 2.05

(Ext 5349).

4.3

Emergency Services

The emergency services can be summoned by

dialling 999 on an external line

,

by dialling Ext 666

on an internal line

or via the

Security Office Ext 5349

.

If the emergency services are summoned

then Security should be contacted so that they can direct them correctly.

4.4

Reporting of Accidents, Near Misses and Incidents of Violence/Verbal Abuse

All accidents, incidents of violence/verbal abuse and cases of occupational illness should be reported

to SC, HOD or Safety Office.

A form is available from the Safety Manual, Section 4.1.

This includes

any accident or incident which befalls a visitor or any act of violence involving a member of staff or a

visitor and cases of aches/paints etc from computer workstation use.

a)

Accidents

Accidents are incidents which result in injury to the person.

The first member of staff on the

scene of the accident must:

ƒ

Make the situation safe

ƒ

Remove the injured person if the danger persists and if they are not putting

themselves at risk

ƒ

Call for first aid and/or medical treatment

ƒ

Report the accident to the Safely Liaison Officer

Work in the area must not be resumed until the hazard has been removed or

contained

b)

Near Misses

Must be reported to SC.

c)

Occupational Ill Health

Any occurrence of ill health arising out of a work activity must be reported to SC, HOD,

Safety Office or Medical Centre.

This includes cases of aches/pains etc from computer

workstation use.

c)

Accident Statistics

As DSPS is a low risk area it is unlikely that statistical data can be produced.

However, areas

of concern will be identified and addressed.

Accidents and their outcomes will be reported to

departmental meetings.

4.5

Working Alone And Working Outside Of Normal Office Hours

The work undertaken in DSPS presents few hazards, is of low risk and the probability of an individual

suffering a disabling injury is low.

For this reason there is no restriction on individuals undertaking

office and paper work outside normal working hours up to a maximum average of 48 hours per week.

Individuals working alone before 8.00 am or after 6.00 pm and at weekends should inform Security

(WH 2.05, Ext 5349) of their presence in the building.

DSPS staff may have to deal with visitors of unknown disposition and, on occasion, distressed and

irate staff/students.

The probability of such encounters leading to physical violence is remote, but as a

precaution no member of staff should deal with visitors or staff in face to face encounters outside of

working hours and interviews should never be conducted alone.

When faced with an aggressive

person staff should conduct themselves in such a way so as not to escalate the situation.

6

Members of staff should not go on field trips/visits alone.

If field trips/visits are

undertaken details should be left with colleagues.

Details should include estimated time

of return and sufficient information on places visited so that emergency procedures can

be instituted at a time of concern.

4.6

Fire Prevention

Good housekeeping is vital in preventing fires, and it is important to keep workplaces tidy, clear

rubbish on a regular basis and report dangerous practices to the SC.

New members of staff will receive instruction on fire and emergency procedures and other important

Health and Safety issues on starting their first day of work, through information in the new starter

pack, these rules and by their line manager.

4.7

Assessment of and Remedial Action for Display Screen Workstations

Work patterns should be organised to avoid intensive use of the keyboard for periods beyond one hour

and to allow periods of rest or other duties.

Misuse of display screen equipment can give rise to

repetitive strain injuries (RSI), physical discomfort and eyestrain.

Individuals who spend the most

time working at computer workstations are most at risk.

DSE users may qualify for free eye tests and assistance with the purchase of special

spectacles required for their work.

An assessment of all workstations used in DSPS will be undertaken at least once every two years or

more frequently if circumstances indicate that this may be necessary.

The purpose of the assessment

will be to identify workstation or working practice deficiencies.

The assessments will be made and

recorded using the checklist contained in the University Safety Manual (see section 4, part 1.8).

The

assessment results will be passed to HOD along with any recommended remedial action.

4.8

Health Protection

Advice about equipment, furniture or the ergonomics of the working environment may be sought

through the University Safety Officer.

4.9

Testing of Portable Electrical Equipment

All items of portable electrical equipment (i.e. any item with a plug regardless of size) which could

give rise to danger will be periodically inspected and tested by a competent person.

This will include

all items which are connected to the University system in the workplace, including any personally

owned items (e.g. kettles, lamps etc).

Personal appliances must not be used until they have be

inspected and tested by a competent person.

If the owners of electrical equipment do not wish it to be

inspected or tested they must remove it from the premises.

This will not include battery-powered

equipment.

The testing will be carried out by the University Estates Department or other competent person,

specified by Head of Department.

All items which pass the inspection and testing will be labelled

with the inspection/test date and the date by which the next inspection/test is due.

All items which fail

the inspection/test will be labelled with a fail label.

The fail label will include the inspection/test date

and the reason for failing.

Items which fail will be withdrawn from service

immediately

until repaired

or replaced.

Defective Equipment Must Not Be Used Until Repaired By A Competent Person.

4.10

Working with Items of Equipment which may Present Significant Risk of Injury

Paper Shredder

:

Staff are not currently permitted to use this piece of equipment in 3E

.

However , if used elsewhere the paper shredder blades can cause injury, but if the shredder is used

properly the risk of this happening is low.

Whilst using the shredder the user should remove or tie

back any dangling clothing, jewellery or hair which may become entangled in the blades.

In the event

of an emergency the stop control on the machine should be activated.

7

Photocopiers:

Photocopiers can emit low levels of paper dust and toner and raise room temperature.

To prevent these emissions reaching harmful levels and to prevent the room temperature becoming

extreme, frequently used photocopiers should only be used in ventilated rooms.

When clearing paper

jams users should be wary of hot surfaces and sharp edges.

Paper Guillotine

: All paper guillotines should be fitted with a guard.

Any guillotine which is not

guarded should be reported to the Safely Liaison Officer and withdrawn from service.

4.11

Manual Handling of Loads

The manual handling of loads can cause injury, especially strains and sprains.

Some individuals may

be more at risk due to pregnancy, previous injuries (e.g. a bad back), their level of fitness, and their

level of expertise in handling loads.

The items commonly handled in DSPS present a relatively low risk with regard to manual handling

injuries.

The following points are provided for guidance:

•

The best method for preventing manual handling injuries is to avoid manual handling wherever

possible or to use handling aids (e.g. trolleys, sack trucks).

Members of staff should ask the

Porters to move heavy loads.

•

For smaller loads that have to be moved adopt a stable body position and avoid twisting motions.

•

Avoid stooping and reaching overhead if possible.

Avoid storing frequently used items, such as

box or lever arch files at low or high levels.

Rather than stretching to reach loads use a step

ladder or kick stool.

•

Before lifting a load make sure that your floor space is clear and free from trip and slip hazards.

Make sure that the space you are moving the load to is clear.

4.12

Substance Safety

The chemical products used in DSPS are low hazard and present little risk.

Before using any product

individuals should read any warning labels and any instructions provided.

Further advice can be obtained from the Safety Office.

4.13

Heating

Minimum temperature.

The minimum temperature in any office is required to be 16C within one

hour of the normal start of work.

Maximum temperature.

No maximum temperature is stipulated by the Health and Safety Executive,

however temperatures should be reasonable.

Where problems arise SC should be consulted to assess

the situation and implement some form of temperature control if necessary.

4.14

Lighting

Illumination levels for general clerical work should be between 700 and 1200 lux.

For typing areas

the level should be 1200 to 2000 lux.

If lighting levels are found to be inadequate the SC will make

arrangements for improvement including temporary portable lighting if necessary.

Defective lighting should be reported immediately.

If a new light is required the porters will arrange

this.

If an electrical fault occurs report this to the SC, who will make arrangements to remedy the

problem.

8

4.15

Cleanliness

A clean and tidy workplace is essential for the creation of a working environment where good

standards of health and safety are maintained.

Staff are responsible for tidying their own work area.

The Porters are responsible for cleaning the workplace and for general disposal of wastepaper,

rubbish, etc.

Dissatisfaction with the standard of cleaning and caretaking should be reported to SC or HOD who

will contact the Head Porter.

4.16

Working At Height

All equipment used as a means of gaining height must be suitable for that particular purpose.

A

stepladder is located in the photocopying room and kick stools are available in the Departmental

Office 3E 3.17.

Using unsuitable equipment such as chairs, boxes, defective steps is strictly

prohibited

.

4.17

Asbestos

On no account should any member of staff other than an authorised member of Estates Dept

undertake any work that may disturb asbestos.

4.18

Children

Children brought onto campus must be supervised at all times and remain the responsibility of the

person who has bought them onto campus.

4.19

Contractors

Contractors should be informed by SC of the Departments emergency procedure, relating to fire,

evacuation of buildings etc so that they can take correct action should an emergency arise.

Employees of the University should not lend University equipment, apparatus or tools to the

Contractor’s staff.

4.20

Students

Undergraduate and postgraduate students, although not employed persons, are still owed a duty of

care under the Health and Safety Act.

Students will be given full verbal/written instructions in safety matters relating to the normal

functioning of the department by means of a general talk at the beginning of each academic year

and/or email updates and posted notices.

Postgraduate students who undertake demonstrations or tutorials will fall within the terms of the

departmental local policy, as will persons employed on research grants and receiving a salary.

Signature

Professor Allan Kellehear

Date: August 2009

Review Date: July 2012

Head of Department

9