Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Senior Leaders responsibilities

The Vice-Chancellor and President 

The Council delegates the management for carrying out its responsibility for health, safety and wellbeing under this Policy to the Vice-Chancellor and President. 

The Vice-Chancellor and President has the responsibilities outlined below. These are in addition to those accrued via other roles (e.g. as a member of staff or line manager): 

• ensure the integration of the occupational health and safety management system into the University’s business processes 

• ensure that the University has a Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy (this document), arrangements are in place for managing health and safety (Protocols), wellbeing, and that these are communicated to all staff and regularly reviewed 

• approve the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy in conjunction with The Council 

• ensure that structures, resources, systems and processes are in place to implement this Policy and the associated Health and Safety Protocols 

• personally chair, or arrange for a member of UEG to chair, the University Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee to ensure consultation with staff via their representatives 

• take an annual report and regular updates from the University Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee to the Council. 

The Vice-Chancellor and President has the authority to take whatever executive action is considered necessary to prevent serious harm to individuals or to the University. 

On a day-to-day basis, the Vice-Chancellor and President may delegate the management for carrying out their responsibilities under this Policy to the members of UEG, and the Director of Wellbeing, Safety and Health.

 

Members of University Executive Group (UEG) 

The University Executive Group (UEG) comprises the Vice-Chancellor and President, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Executive Deans, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the University Secretary and Registrar. 

For more about the membership of UEG see the University Executive Group webpage.

Members of UEG define a clear management structure to ensure compliance, implementation, monitoring and continual improvement of the University’s health and safety management system and local arrangements. 

On a day-to-day basis the management, detailed planning and implementation of health and safety at a school/ service level may be delegated to Heads of School/ Service by the members of UEG. 

Members of UEG have the responsibilities outlined below. These are in addition to those accrued via other roles (e.g. as a member of staff, academic leader, line manager, or academic tutor): 

• carry out any health and safety management roles delegated by the Vice-Chancellor and President 

• lead by example and show a visible and strategic commitment to health, safety and wellbeing as a core management function (e.g. by attending at least one annual inspection, supporting campaigns etc) 

• provide leadership and governance which supports and strengthens the University’s health, safety and wellbeing culture, and any intended outcomes of the occupational health and safety management system 

• understand the risks presented by their areas and operational activities and incorporate these into a health and safety risk register which is reviewed regularly 

• work in partnership with Wellbeing, Safety and Health, and meet regularly with their representatives 

• resource the development and implementation of a faculty or service health and safety plan and management objectives (including those to address risks) and opportunities to enhance performance 

• chair or attend their faculty/ service Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee, receive and regularly review performance data and check attainment of objectives (including reports from school/ service Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committees) as specified by the Health and Safety Monitoring Protocol 

• ensure that Trade Union safety representatives are consulted as partners in inspections and meetings 

• ensure there is a system for staff and students to receive recorded training, supervision and induction, and be deemed competent to undertake allocated tasks safely 

• ensure that all staff and students are involved and participate by promoting two-way communication relating to health, safety and wellbeing 

• encourage the reporting of accidents, incidents, near misses and cases of work-related ill health, and be involved in investigations where required 

• ensure risk assessment systems are in place and are followed 

• ensure referral processes for physical and mental ill health, including health surveillance, are in place 

• sign their local Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy Statement 

• ensure emergency management plans (including critical incidents) are in place to address potential emergency situations as identified in the health and safety risk register 

• consider the health and safety implications of strategic decisions including refurbishments or major projects 

• address breaches of this Policy, associated Protocols or local health and safety arrangements 

• undertake health and safety monitoring to ensure the correct arrangements are being followed.

 

University Secretary and Registrar 

The University Secretary has the responsibilities outlined below. These are in addition to those accrued via other roles (e.g. as a member of staff or line manager): 

• act as the Executive Director with responsibility for health and safety 

• ensure that measures are taken to promote and enhance the health and safety culture through effective strategic partnerships at faculty, school and service levels 

• take executive action where necessary to prevent serious harm to individuals or the University

• have delegated authority to approve the Health and Safety Protocols on behalf of the University Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee. This may be delegated to the Director of Wellbeing, Safety and Health.

 

Director of Campus Innovation and Development 

The Director of Campus Innovation and Development has the responsibilities outlined below. These are in addition to those accrued via other roles (e.g. as a member of staff or line manager): 

• ensure management systems and responsibilities are clearly defined, implemented and monitored to assure compliance, for the provision of a safe estate infrastructure, including new builds, refurbishments, plant, fabric of the building, services, roads, footways and external areas 

• ensure that written agreements which identify all statutory obligations, roles and responsibilities, are in place and complied with for University-owned premises which are let or leased 

• ensure management systems are in place to monitor/ evidence statutory compliance in commercially-owned premises not owned by the University but in which we place University staff or students 

• work in partnership with Wellbeing, Safety and Health to ensure that management arrangements are in place to meet landlord statutory duties and compliance testing for owner/occupier buildings 

• act as the Duty Holder as required by specific Protocols, and those related to the safe upkeep of the University infrastructure e.g. Asbestos, Legionella etc 

• nominate and appoint specialist roles as required by specific Protocols.