Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Staff and students responsibilities

Everyone has a responsibility for their own health, safety and wellbeing. We also have the responsibility for the health and safety of others who may be affected by both our acts and our failure to act, in our work, research or study. 

These responsibilities apply to each and every staff member and student. Staff may also have additional responsibilities based upon their position in the University line management structure (please refer to the appropriate ‘responsibilities’ contents section).

Everyone has the right not to proceed with any activity if they feel it poses a danger to their health or safety, or that of others, or if they are unaware of the risk control measures (identified by risk assessment, standard operation procedure, method statements etc). They must immediately raise their concerns with their academic leader, line manager, academic tutor, or with their Health and Safety Manager. 

Staff and students must:

• take reasonable care of themselves and cooperate with the University on health, safety and wellbeing matters 

• carry out their work, research and study safely and in accordance with this Policy, Protocols, local arrangements and any relevant legislation 

• be involved in the identification of hazards and the development of risk assessments and the implementation of control measures 

• follow any control measures identified through the risk assessment process 

• report any accident, incident, near miss or work-related illness on the University’s online accident/ incident reporting system (Sentinel) using local arrangements or by contacting Wellbeing, Safety and Health (students should inform their academic tutor) 

• notify their academic leader, line manager, or academic tutor (or Wellbeing, Safety and Health) if they have a condition affecting their health which may be caused - or made worse - by work, study or research activities 

• complete the required online/ face-to-face health and safety training modules (students - where mandatory or directed by their academic tutors or local arrangements) 

• attend inductions and any health and safety training required for their role or activities 

• report any faults, damage, unsafe or unhealthy working conditions, practices or equipment using local arrangements (students should inform their academic tutor). For details of where to find these arrangements, please contact safety@leeds.ac.uk 

• use equipment for its intended purpose and report any defects

• on discovering a fire, raise the alarm and leave by the nearest exit 

• on hearing a non-fire emergency alarm (e.g. equipment alarms or oxygen depletion alarms) follow the local process and instructions 

• notify their academic leader, line manager, or academic tutor in advance to set up a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) if they need assistance to evacuate 

• not damage the fabric of any building, or connect directly to the services (e.g. gas, water, electricity) other than through a standard electrical socket (without prior agreement from the Facilities Directorate Estate Services) 

• bring any breaches of this Policy, Protocols or local health and safety arrangements to the attention of their academic leader, line manager or academic tutor, Health and Safety Manager or Head of School/ Service 

• contact Wellbeing, Safety and Health, or your local Health and Safety team for further advice. 

   

For student support on wellbeing, please visit the University’s For Students webpages.