A: You are - and everybody else that's around you! While the University naturally has an overarching legal duty of care for all employees, Students and other visitors, as individuals we all share this duty both in common, and criminal law. So take care of yourself and all others too!
A: The University interprets Health and Safety legislation through its overarching site-wide Policies and locally managed procedures, so to find out which bits are applicable to you or your work activities (whatever and wherever they may be!), initially refer to the Health and Safety Department, Health, Safety and Welfare Policy
Supporting local information on the relevant sections to you should be sought from your line Manager.
Don't forget other staff pages may be relevant in your query, for example – For the Maternity Policy, eye test guidelines or Occupational Health referral forms see Human Resources
For all training requirements (including Risk Assessment/Fire Warden/First Aid/Health and Safety for Senior Managers etc.), refer to Staff Development & Training
A: Health, Safety and Welfare Policy
There are ongoing reviews of these Policies during 2018/2019, so if you can't find what you're after, just give us a call.
A: All accidents and incidents with the potential to cause harm or damage, must be reported on the electronic RIVO system www.rivosafeguard.com to identify your local administrator ask your line Manager or see the front page of the Health and Safety staff pages as below. A hard copy incident report form can also be downloaded from the Health and Safety staff pages and then forwarded on to the Health and Safety Dept. 1st Floor, the Atrium, Park Street West, Luton, if you cannot locate your local administrator.
The Health and Safety department will ensure all central records are maintained and analysed, and will formally report applicable incidents on to the Health and Safety Executive in accordance with current legislation.
A: See 'forms' at the bottom of the Health and Safety staff pages
A: If its something urgent and may represent immediate danger i.e. a large spill of liquid on a staircase, firstly make all attempts to correct it (mop or wipe it away), if you cannot, then highlight the hazard by any means (wet floor signs/cones or anything that is highly visible) to draw people's attention to it, and then immediately report it to your line Manager or the local Manager in the affected area. If its something of less importance i.e. a single light has gone out in a large office log an in.beds.ac.uk service desk request with the relevant area (ICT or Facilities).
A: General workplace or the more specific Fire inspections, are designed to be undertaken periodically by nominated representatives of the area, with input and involvement from the Head of Dept.
Both types of inspection are a formal way of identifying local hazards (i.e. slip/trip or fall hazards – blocked fire exit routes or doors – untidy/congested areas etc.), these then can be (where possible) immediately rectified or, actions taken for others to remedy.
The completed forms must then be filed and stored locally for future reference or inspections, and remember... Don't wait for a formal inspection to resolve an issue!
A: The names and contact details of your local Fire Wardens should be made available to you locally by your line Manager, as these names, contact numbers and locations are ever changing, it would be most difficult for them to be effectively stored centrally.
Fire Wardens are identifiable during an evacuation event by their bright orange arm bands, and Building Evacuation Coordinators (BEC's) wear a high visibility jacket. As trained and competent people, ensure you follow their instructions in an emergency event.
BEC's details can be found on the Health and Safety staff pages here
If you urgently need a First Aider and are unsure as to who that may be (i.e. you may be in an unfamiliar area), simply call Security on 4444. All members of Security are trained First Aiders, though a full listing of University wide First Aiders can also be found on the Health and safety staff pages
The main functions of First Aiders is to preserve life, prevent further harm, prevent the condition from worsening and promote recovery. And remember, first aid isn't just about giving out sticking plasters for paper cuts.. it also deals with things like heart attacks and open fractures! A very important person to know...
Functions of a Building Evacuation Controller
A: If you'd like to take part in any of these most important roles at the UoB, simply discuss it with your line Manager and then check out the appropriate course, and book yourself on to it via Staff Development & Training
Staff Development & Training (formally ODTU) manage all training throughout the University, and will provide you with all the required details.
A: Click on the following links for detailed maps of fire alarm zones for Bedford Campus [PDF] (Luton TBC)
A: Simply fill in the First aid supplies request form [DOC] and email to the University Health and Safety Advisor (see 'contact us' on the front page of the Health and Safety Staff pages).
A: Unless there is an emergency situation (fire/explosion/chemical spill etc. which should be dealt with immediately by any means and persons directly available to you), initial concerns must be raised through your line management structure (supervisor/Manager/HOD, etc), as they are primarily responsible for your Health and Safety.
If the concern relates to something that can easily be dealt with via the Facilities and Estates or ICT Dept's, then simply fill in your request on the appropriate service desk
If, following initial discussions with your Supervisor/Manager there is no resolution, and you feel your concerns have not been addressed adequately, you should request your Supervisor/Manager to contact the Health and Safety Dept. for further advice and guidance.
A: This provision is available throughout the UoB for staff, if you are classed as a 'user' of Display Screen Equipment (DSE).
A 'user' of DSE (desktop or laptop computer) is someone who is required to use this type of equipment for regular periods (typically a minimum of 2 hours per day) on a daily basis.
Users can download the appropriate forms and further guidance in this from the HR Dept.documents - Request for eyesight test guidelines [DOCX]
Payment for eye glasses, etc. must initially be met by the user, and will be reimbursed by the University if the linked guide above is followed.
Kindly note that a maximum of £60 is currently available for eye glasses, with an additional maximum of £30 for the sight test through this scheme, and only applies to glasses that are required specifically for the use of DSE.
A: The HOD has ultimate responsibility for ensuring risk assessments are undertaken, this may of course be delegated to a Manager, Supervisor or other member of Staff as appropriate. All assessors should receive specific training in this via Staff Development and Training.
A: In short, all risks that may be deemed as significant (i.e. those posing a foreseeable risk of harm, injury or damage to persons or property) rather than everyday occurrences such as use of washroom facilities or the telephone, which probably don't!
Available on the Health and Safety Dept. staff pages is a Hazard Identification Preliminary Assessment (HIPA) form, use of this form determines if a formal risk assessment needs to be completed or not.
Activities that may need to be assessed include – Manual handling, use of chemicals or other potentially harmful substances, regular use of Display Screen Equipment, use of ladders or work at height. Note - this is not an exhaustive list.
All significant risks must be formally assessed using the Risk assessment template [DOTX]
The completed assessments must then be filed and stored locally for future reference or inspections. Generic Health and Safety assessments are acceptable, as long as the details are bespoke to the area or activity being assessed.
Don't forget to periodically review all formal assessments (typically every 1-3 years) dependent on the rating, environment, the task itself, the competency of those involved, following an accident or introduction of new equipment, etc. or if any other changes may affect its validity.
A: The Health and Safety Dept. on the 1st Floor of the Atrium building, Luton. For day to day queries contact –
The Health and Safety Advisor on ext 2356 and don't forget to follow us on twitter