1 Health, Safety and Welfare Policy Statement of Intent

This Statement of Intent confirms the University’s commitment to the health, safety and welfare of staff, students, visitors and contactors whilst they are at the University, or carrying out its business elsewhere.  The associated policy applies in every aspect of the University’s undertakings, including all educational, research, commercial, residential accommodation, recreational and management activities.

While staff and students have a direct obligation in all health and safety related matters to take care of themselves and others around them, and to cooperate with the University, the Vice Chancellor has ultimate responsibility for health, safety and welfare within the University.

The Vice Chancellor, supported by the Vice Chancellor’s Executive Group (VCEG), is responsible for approving policy, strategy, objectives, allocation of resources, and reviewing progress and performance against the strategy. Operational responsibility for health and safety is delegated by the Vice Chancellor to the University Secretary, who is further supported by the University Health and Safety Committee and the Health and Safety Team.

Health, Safety and Welfare are integral to the operation of the University and require effective management and the enhancement of a positive health and safety culture. Accordingly, and via the Health and Safety Committee and on-going monitoring, with regard to health, safety and welfare, the University is committed to ensuring that:

• Health and safety standards are defined and measured;
• Continuous improvements are made against these standards;
• Appropriate and sufficient resources are made available to achieve these improvements;
• Management and staff have competent advice and guidance available to them;
• Staff, students, visitors and contractors are provided with the necessary information, instruction, supervision and training to operate with minimal risk of harm to themselves or others, and are aware of their own responsibilities;
• Considerations of health, safety and welfare are integrated into all planning, projects and working practices within the University, and in its dealings with suppliers, providers of services and contractors; and
• There is effective communication and co-operation between management, staff, students and their respective representatives.

Members of the Corporate Management Team are accountable for translating the policy and standards into operational strategies, targets, plans and local procedures within their own spheres of responsibility. Heads of Department, local Managers and staff with a supervisory and / or project Manager role, are responsible for implementing these plans and procedures in line with University’s policy.

This policy Statement of Intent is supported by standards, manuals, statements of safety organisations and procedures both central, and for particular local functions, which describe how the policy is implemented across the organisation.

This Statement and associated policy will be reviewed on a periodic basis to ensure its continued appropriateness to current legislative and organisational requirements.

Bill Rammell

Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive