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College Info > Health & Safety > Health & Safety Policy |
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HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
- Policy Statement
- Context
- Responsibilities
- Regulations
- Implementation & Review
- Operational Guidance
1 POLICY STATEMENT
1.1 Scope
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1.1.1 |
The Board of Management of Langside College has a primary objective to provide a safe education service and environment for all those affected by the undertakings – employees, students, temporary staff, contractors, tenants, visitors, neighbours and members of the general public. |
1.2 Specific Safety Policy
| 1.2.1 |
The Board of Management regard the statutory safety and health obligations as a minimum standard to be achieved throughout all College activities and requires staff at every level and students to accept the promotion of high standards in health and safety as a core objective. |
| 1.2.2 |
It is policy that the College will, through the Principal:
- provide and maintain places of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without undue risks to health;
- identify, measure and assess safety and health hazards at work with a view to controlling such hazards and establishing safe places of work and safe systems of work;
- assess the risks to health of harmful substances used by staff and students and introduce measures to remove/minimise such risks, so far as is reasonably practicable;
- provide protective clothing and equipment as necessary and ensure as far as is reasonably practicable, that it is worn/used when required and that it is checked/maintained regularly;
- provide employees and students with such information, instruction, training and supervision as appropriate to ensure their health and safety;
- ensure that all premises, means of access and egress, plant, equipment and vehicles under College control are designed, constructed, maintained and used, so far as is reasonably practicable, with due regard to health and safety;
- Formulate and adopt Safety Rules which will ensure that employees and others for whom they have responsibility are safe from danger;
- ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that employees and students follow, where applicable, College safety rules and systems of work, maintenance and operational instructions, codes of practice and manuals drawn up to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions;
- ensure that a satisfactory system is maintained for reporting, collecting, analysing and presenting information on accidents, incidents and sickness at work in order to facilitate all necessary investigation and corrective action;
- arrange for medical advice to be provided on any aspect of health at work including the rehabilitation of employees returning to work following illness or injury;
- arrange for the provision of first aid services to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, prompt and appropriate treatment of illness and injury occurring during the course of work;
- arrange for the suitable training and retraining of first aiders;
- provide facilities as appropriate to enable Trade Union appointed safety representative to perform their function, and consult with them in promoting and developing measure to ensure high standards of health and safety at work; and
- promote, through the consultative machinery, joint consultation on health and safety matters to encourage effective participation in such matters by employees.
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1.3 Changes in the Law
| 1.3.1 |
Like all College policies, this policy statement, its associated procedures, and its operational guidance, will be revised immediately following relevant changes in the law, notwithstanding any proposed review date contained in this document. |
| 2.1.1 |
Like all College policies, this policy statement, its associated procedures, and its operational guidance, will be revised immediately following relevant changes in the law, notwithstanding any proposed review date contained in this document. |
| 2.1.2 |
This policy supersedes the 2008 which was subject to review |
3 RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 General
| 3.1.1 |
All staff and students are responsible for their own health & safety and the health & safety of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. |
| 3.1.2 |
The organisation for Health and Safety is as given below. |
3.2 Principal
| 3.2.1 |
The College Principal has, on behalf of the Board of Management overall responsibility for the Health and Safety of all employees and students, for members of the public who may be affected by the activities of the College and for persons not employed by the College but who are required to enter or work in College premises. He is required to:
- prepare, issue and review as often as may be appropriate a written statement of his general policy with respect to Health and Safety at Work and the organisation and arrangements for carrying out that policy;
- ensure that members of staff to whom specific Health and Safety responsibilities are allocated have a clear understanding of these responsibilities;
- ensure that safety objectives are allocated to line management and monitor these objectives; and
- ensure that line management actively promote employee and student participation in health and safety matters through the consultative machinery.
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The College Principal shall when determining policy, give safety equal consideration with all other aspects of policy determination.
3.3 Safety Manager (The Principal Or Designated Depute)
| 3.3.1 |
The Safety Manager is responsible for implementation of the College Health and Safety Policy with regard to its application within his/her sphere of responsibility. Where this implementation may impact upon the responsibilities of other members of the Strategic Management Team with similar Health and Safety responsibilities then he/she shall co-ordinate activities with that other person to overcome such problems. |
| 3.3.2 |
The Safety Manager shall identify those areas of risk within his/her sphere of operations which require the preparation of written procedures or the implementation of special arrangements to ensure health and safety. He/she will ensure that all such arrangements are put in place and that all required safety procedures are written and implemented. |
| 3.3.3 |
The Safety Manager’s roll shall, in the absence of the Principal , be assumed by a Designated Depute (a member of the Strategic Management Team (SMT) ) . In particular he/she must ensure that:
- each member of staff and all students are aware of the College General Policy Statement on Health and Safety at Work and of this and other related documents;
- each member of staff is aware of the statutory requirements relating to his/her work activities and complies with these requirements;
- workplaces for these staff are maintained in a safe and satisfactory condition with due regard to access, egress, safety and good housekeeping;
- all staff and students are provided with information, instruction, training and supervision as necessary to ensure their health and safety;
- accidents are reported, assessed and action taken to prevent recurrence; all statutory required assessments are carried out;
- the requirement for safety documentation is identified and all such documentation produced timeously; and
- all College safety targets are achieved.
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| 3.3.4 |
All persons to whom duties are delegated must have a clear understanding of these duties and it is the responsibility of the person who delegates to ensure that this is so. |
| 3.3.5 |
Persons to whom duties are delegated must report to the person who has delegated the duties, without undue delay, any shortfall in resources which will prevent them from carrying out these duties. |
3.4 Assistant Principals
| 3.4.1 |
Each member of the SMT is responsible for implementation of the College Health and Safety Policy with regard to its application within his/her sphere of responsibility. Where this implementation may impact upon the responsibilities of other Strategic Managers with similar Health and Safety responsibilities then he/she shall co-ordinate activities with that other person to overcome such problems . |
| 3.4.2 |
Each member of the SMT shall produce, publish and maintain up to date a detailed organisation document showing unambiguously the safety responsibilities allocated to staff under their control to ensure the success of the College Safety Policy. This document must be brought to the attention of all employees under his/her control and, where relevant to students. |
| 3.4.3 |
Each member of the SMT shall prepare and manage an annual safety action plan to ensure that, as a minimum, the College safety targets are achieved in so far as they come within his/her sphere of operations. |
| 3.4.4 |
Each member of the SMT shall identify those areas of risk within his/her sphere of operations which require the preparation of written procedures or the implementation of special arrangements to ensure health and safety. He/she will ensure that all such arrangements are put in place and that all required safety procedures are written and implemented. |
| 3.4.5 |
Each member of the SMT will ensure that Academic Heads or Support Staff Managers under his/her control identify all Risk Assessments required under statute. He/she shall ensure that all such Risk Assessments are carried out and that all additional measure indicated thereby are, where reasonably practicable, implemented. |
| 3.4.6 |
Each member of the SMT shall ensure that no Hazardous Substance is used within his/her area of responsibility unless a Data Sheet for that substance has been obtained and a Risk Assessment of the work task to be done with that substance has been carried out. |
| 3.4.7 |
Each member of the SMT shall ensure that all Academic Heads or Support Staff Managers answerable to him/her prepares and maintains up to date a comprehensive register of all portable and transportable electrical equipment in their schools. The Assistant Principal shall submit copies of these registers to the Estates Manager who shall ensure that routine inspections and tests are carried out. |
| 3.4.8 |
Each member of the SMT shall ensure that all Academic Heads or Support Staff Managers under their control prepares and implements a weekly safety inspection scheme relevant to their schools and that a record of all such inspections is maintained. |
| 3.4.9 |
All persons to whom duties are delegated must have a clear understanding of these duties and it is the responsibility of the person who delegates to ensure that this is so. |
| 3.4.10 |
Persons to whom duties are delegated must report to the person who has delegated the duties, without undue delay, any shortfall in resources which will prevent them from carrying out these duties. |
3.5 Support Staff Managers
| 3.5.1 |
The Heads of Administrative Sections are responsible for implementation of the College Health and Safety Policy in his/her Section and in particular they will:
- keep themselves fully informed on legislation and common law affecting health and safety at work as far as it affects their duties and responsibilities;
- ensure that all new employees are made fully aware of the College Health and Safety Policy and the Safety Manual;
- ensure that all new employees receive adequate safety training and instruction as soon as possible after engagement;
- ensure that current applicable legislation is understood by all staff in his/her Section;
- resolve promptly any health and safety problem raised by any member of staff and refer to his/her immediate superior any problem which he/she cannot satisfactorily resolve;
- stimulate interest and enthusiasm for health and safety among all employees and students and encourage their full co-operation;
- investigate all accidents occurring in their Section and recommend actions to prevent re-occurrence;
- ensure that employees under their control are competent to carry out the tasks allocated;
- ensure that tools/implements and equipment in their Section are in good order and are suitable for the work in hand;
- ensure, by the provision of adequate information, instruction, training and supervision that employees and students conduct themselves in a safe and proper manner.
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| 3.5.2 |
Each Support Staff Manager shall identify all activities in his/her Section requiring Risk Assessments to be carried out and arrange for the carrying out of those assessments by competent persons. |
| 3.5.3 |
Support Staff Manager shall not permit the use of Hazardous Substances within his/her Section unless there is a satisfactory COSHH risk assessment for the activity for which the substance is to be used. |
| 3.5.4 |
Each Support Staff Manager shall prepare and keep up to date a register of all portable and transportable electrical equipment in his/her Section. They shall not permit any such equipment to be used if faulty or outwith its inspection period. |
| 3.5.5 |
Each Support Staff Manager shall prepare and implement a scheme for weekly inspection of premises, plant and equipment for which they are responsible. They shall maintain a record of these inspections showing any deficiencies found and remedial actions taken. |
| 3.5.6 |
All persons to whom duties are delegated must have a clear understanding of these duties and it is the responsibility of the person who delegates to ensure that this is so. |
| 3.5.7 |
Persons to whom duties are delegated must report to the person who has delegated the duties, without undue delay, any shortfall in resources which will prevent them from carrying out these duties. |
3.6 Academic Heads (Development Unit Managers/ Faculty Heads)
| 3.6.1 |
Each Academic Head is responsible for implementation of the College Health and Safety Policy in his/her Unit/ Faculty and in particular they will:
- keep themselves fully informed on legislation and common law affecting health and safety at work as far as it affects their duties and responsibilities;
- ensure that all new employees are made fully aware of the College Health and Safety Policy and the Safety Manual;
- ensure that all new employees receive adequate safety training and instruction as soon as possible after engagement;
- ensure that current applicable legislation is understood by all staff in their Unit / Faculty;
- resolve promptly any health and safety problem raised by any member of staff and refer to his/her immediate superior any problem which he/she cannot satisfactorily resolve;
- stimulate interest and enthusiasm for health and safety among all employees and students and encourage their full co-operation;
- investigate all accidents occurring in their Unit / Faculty and recommend actions to prevent re-occurrence;
- ensure that employees under their control are competent to carry out the tasks allocated;
- ensure that tools/implements and equipment in their Unit / Faculty are in good order and are suitable for the work in hand;
- ensure, by the provision of adequate information, instruction, training and supervision that employees and students conduct themselves in a safe and proper manner.
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| 3.6.2 |
Academic Heads shall produce and maintain up to date detailed Health and Safety Organisation and arrangements documents for their Unit / Faculty. |
| 3.6.3 |
Academic Heads shall identify all activities in their Unit / Faculty requiring Risk Assessments to be carried out and arrange for the carrying out of those assessments by competent persons. |
| 3.6.4 |
Academic Heads shall not permit the use of Hazardous Substances within his/her Unit / Faculty unless there is a satisfactory risk assessment for the activity for which the substance is to be used. |
| 3.6.5 |
Academic Heads shall prepare and keep up to date a register of all portable and transportable electrical equipment in their Unit / Faculty. They shall not permit any such equipment to be used if faulty or outwith its inspection period. |
| 3.6.6 |
Academic Heads shall prepare and implement a scheme for weekly inspection of premises, plant and equipment for which they are responsible. They shall maintain a record of these inspections showing and deficiencies found and remedial actions taken. |
| 3.6.7 |
Academic Heads shall assist with the monitoring of safety at Langside College by once per term and in conjunction with the Safety Advisor, carrying out a safety inspection in a Unit / Faculty other than their own. |
| 3.6.8 |
All persons to whom duties are delegated must have a clear understanding of these duties and it is the responsibility of the person who delegates to ensure that this is so. |
| 3.6.9 |
Persons to whom duties are delegated must report to the person who has delegated the duties, without undue delay, any shortfall in resources which will prevent them from carrying out these duties. |
3.7 College Safety Advisor
| 3.7.1 |
The College Safety Advisor is required to:
- maintain expertise in relevant safety-related statutory requirements, Codes of Practice and HSE produced guidance;
- provide an advisory service within the College on the above matters;
- identify and co-ordinate the information, instruction and training requirements on safety related matters;
- carry out inspections/audits to measure the extent of compliance with safety related statutory requirements and pre-set standards;
- in conjunction with the Safety Manager monitor safety management performance and prepare reports as necessary;
- ensure that relevant incidents are reported to HSE as required by RIDDOR, maintain an accident recording system and prepare accident statistics to assist in the measurement of safety performance; and
- advise and assist the Safety Manager in fulfilling his responsibilities.
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| 3.7.2 |
All persons to whom duties are delegated must have a clear understanding of these duties and it is the responsibility of the person who delegates to ensure that this is so. |
| 3.7.3 |
Persons to whom duties are delegated must report to the person who has delegated the duties, without undue delay, any shortfall in resources which will prevent them from carrying out these duties. |
3.8 Senior Lecturers/Lecturers
| 3.8.1 |
Senior Lecturers and Lecturers have the following safety related duties
- to ensure so far as it is within their control a safe and healthy environment for students in their care;
- to apprise all students of the details of the College Health and Safety Policy and Procedures during their induction and at regular intervals throughout the year;
- to instruct students in the correct use of safety equipment and protective clothing where necessary and to supervise the use/wearing of it when required;
- to closely supervise and give specific instruction in safety procedures for operations and/or processes which involve known hazards;
- to take all precautions necessary to prevent the use by any person of a machine or process which is unsafe because of a known defect and to report that defect. In such circumstances the defective machine, equipment or process must be rendered inoperative by whatever means necessary until the defect has been rectified;
- to initiate appropriate action in the event of an accident by compliance with the College "Accident Reporting and Investigation" procedure;
- to use only hazardous substances for which there is a Data Sheet and COSHH Risk Assessment for the work to be undertaken;
- to be aware of and comply with relevant sections of the College Safety Manual.
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| 3.8.2 |
Additionally it is the duty of all Lecturing staff to assist in the development of and to comply with College Health and Safety Policy. In particular they shall:
- assist Senior Lecturers in the preparation of all necessary Safety Rules/Procedures;
- assist Senior Lecturers to identify hazards and to carry out Risk Assessments;
- assist Senior Lecturers in the preparation and maintenance of registers of portable and transportable electrical equipment in their Section;
- assist Senior Lecturers in the preparation and implementation of a system of weekly safety inspections.
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| 3.8.3 |
All persons to whom duties are delegated must have a clear understanding of these duties and it is the responsibility of the person who delegates to ensure that this is so. |
| 3.8.4 |
Persons to whom duties are delegated must report to the person who has delegated the duties, without undue delay, any shortfall in resources which will prevent them from carrying out these duties. |
3.9 All Employees
| 3.9.1 |
It is the duty of all employees to:
- take reasonable care for the health and safety of her/himself and of any other person who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work;
- as regards any statutory duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with;
- not interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare;
- report any accident in accordance with college procedures.
- not use faulty equipment or equipment known to be out with its routine inspection.
- be aware of and comply with relevant sections of the College Safety Manual.
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| 3.9.2 |
All persons to whom duties are delegated must have a clear understanding of these duties and it is the responsibility of the person who delegates to ensure that this is so. |
| 3.9.3 |
Persons to whom duties are delegated must report to the person who has delegated the duties, without undue delay, any shortfall in resources which will prevent them from carrying out these duties. |
4 REGULATIONS
4.1 Policy Of The Board
| 4.1.1 |
Safety is an integrated function of college management and each manager is responsible for safety performance in his/her sphere of operation: The active co-operation and understanding of all staff and students is a vital element of the college's safety effort. The avoidance of accidents is a common interest of all staff and students. |
| 4.1.2 |
The Board of Management requires College management to:
- comply with the spirit as well as the letter of current health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice and authoritative guidance literature.
- recognise that safety is a key area of management demanding the control and application of modern management techniques.
- seek the active support and co-operation of all employees and students in the pursuit and maintenance of standards that are exemplary to the education sector.
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4.2 Key Areas For Success
| 4.2.1 |
Safety is a major consideration in all aspects of College activities including planning, design, purchase, operations, maintenance and curriculum. Accidents are preventable and their occurrence demands immediate investigation and timely remedial actions. Key areas for successful management of health and safety are as follows:
- buildings, systems and equipment designed, maintained, operated and monitored to high standards of safety.
- Information, instruction, training and supervision for all employees and students in order to ensure that high standards or personal performance with regard to health and safety are achieved.
- regularly reviewed, maintained and monitored safety programmes which incorporate appropriate targets to stimulate high standards of health and safety within the College.
- encouragement for full and effective joint consultation on health and safety matters with employees and others where appropriate.
- a network of specialist meetings for the consideration and formulation of health and safety standards in all areas of the College's activities.
- adequate funds which are commensurate with the high standards of health and safety demanded by the board of Management.
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4.3 Organisation And Arrangements For Safety
| 4.3.1 |
The Principal is responsible for managing the implementation of the College Safety Policy in all activities. Heads of Faculty and Support Staff Managers are responsible to the Principal for the implementation the College detailed safety policy. In order to demonstrate compliance those directly responsible to the Principal are required to publish and maintain detailed organisation and arrangements documents which will ensure the success of the Health and Safety Policy. These documents must be brought to the attention of all employees and, where appropriate, students. full details of safety responsibilities are given in the document entitled "Organisation for Safety Management" held in the College Safety Manual. Full details of the arrangements for complying with the College Safety Policy are contained in the various College Safety Procedures also held in the College Safety Manual). |
4.4 Safety Action Plans
Each Strategic, Academic and Support Staff Manager is responsible to the Principal for ensuring that all Sections for which he/she is responsible have Safety Action Plans, which they have approved, setting out specific tasks and objectives for the current academic year and for monitoring their successes and failures.
4.5 Safety for Students
| 1. |
Safety is an integrated function of college management and each manager is responsible for safety performance in his/her sphere of operation. The active co-operation and understanding of all students is a vital element of the college's safety effort.
The avoidance of accidents is a common interest of all staff and students. |
| 2. |
The Board of Management requires all students to:
- comply with the spirit as well as the letter of current health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice, authoritative guidance literature and college safety rules;
- recognise that each person is responsible not only for his/her own safety but also for the safety of anyone else who could be affected by his/her acts or omissions;
- actively support and co-operate with staff in the pursuit and maintenance of standards of health, safety and welfare that are exemplary to the education sector;
- not interfere with or misuse anything which has been provided by the college in the interest of health, safety or welfare.
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4.6 Monitoring Safety Performance
The Principal carries primary executive responsibility for health and safety management.
The Board of Management of the College through its Health & Safety Committee will monitor safety performance. Accountability for monitoring effectiveness across the College is delegated to each Academic and Support Staff Manager.
Overall monitoring of safety performance will additionally be carried out by an external audit team appointed by the College Principal. This external monitoring role must in no way replace the monitoring of safety by local management.
5 IMPLEMENTATION and REVIEW
| 5.1 |
Promulgation of New/Revised Policy
A copy of the scope, policy, etc. is produced annually in a leaflet entitled ‘The Management of Safety’. All staff are required to sign a sheet upon receipt of this document. Health & Safety Manuals are held by each Head of Faculty / Unit and two copies are available in the library. |
| 5.2 |
Training and Briefing of Staff/Management/Function Staff
All staff will be briefed on any changes to legislation where they are directly affected by such changes. Training may take place in-house , conducted by the Health and Safety Advisor, or by application to the Staff Development Officer.
The college conference, held in February each year, provides training opportunities, based upon the needs/suggestions of college staff. |
| 5.3 |
New In-post Staff
New staff , as part of their induction, will receive a copy of the ‘Management of Safety ‘ leaflet along with information as to the location of the Health & Safety manuals and procedures such as fire, first aid etc. Promoted staff should request staff development to ensure they have sufficient awareness of health and safety. |
| 5.4 |
Monitoring
This policy requires the approval of the Heath & Safety Management Group, who will monitor its implementation and effectiveness by including it as an agenda item at each group meeting. The monitoring will also span policy compliance and policy costs. The members of the Health & Safety Committee will monitor the policy from a staff prospective at their meetings, when it is requested that they do so. |
| 5.5 |
Review
This draft will be reviewed on an annual basis. Changes to legislation which affect this policy will necessitate an immediate review. |
6 OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE
Further information, guidance or advice on the implementation of this policy may be made available on request to the Health and Safety Advisor. Annual auditing, to apprise the Health & Safety Group of compliance, will be carried out on a Faculty/Unit basis by the Health & Safety advisor.
(on behalf of the Board of Management)
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