A radically revised Health and Safety Policy has been adopted by the University Court, confirming the University’s commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all staff and students.
The new policy complies fully with the UCEA Code of Best Practice on University Health and Safety Management and introduces a robust health and safety regime that identifies duties of all staff, committees and safety advisers. The new committee structure outlined in the policy will enhance consultation and improve communication of health and safety issues. It underlies the important role played by Trade Union and Faculty Safety Representatives in these areas. Implementation of the new policy is supported by a major on-going training programme delivered by Safety Services which includes issuing an updated health and safety handbook to all staff.
The new policy highlights the important role played by the recently formed Safety Services team in providing strategic guidance to senior management, and competent health and safety advice to Unit Safety Personnel (ie Departmental, Divisional and School Safety Co-ordinators, Biological Safety Advisers, Radiation Protection Supervisors and Fire Marshals). The team has already made significant progress in formulating clear and concise policies, providing training and carrying out systematic auditing as detailed in the new Health and Safety policy.
Together with Personnel Services and Occupational Health Services, the Safety Services team forms part of the Human Resources Directorate. This will facilitate an integrated approach to promoting the health, safety and welfare of staff from the day they are appointed to the day they leave. The University has accepted recommendations to enhance Occupational Health Services, and this welcome initiative will complete the group of professionals required to support the effective implementation of the revised Health and Safety policy.
The complete text of the new Health and Safety Policy and the new staff health and safety handbook can be found at www.dundee.ac.uk/safety