Overview

A) University Health and Safety Policy
B) Health and Safety Management in Schools/Support Services
C) Advice on Health and Safety Matters
D) University Health and Safety Committee
E) Concerns about Health and Safety Matters

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A) University Health and Safety Policy

The University Health and Safety Policy was approved by the University Court in June 2012. It includes the following statement:
It is the policy of the University of Aberdeen to take all reasonable and practicable steps to safeguard the health and safety of all employees and students while at work and to protect other persons from hazards to health and safety arising out of the University's activities.
The following principles are fundamental to the management of health and safety in the University:
1) The maintenance and continuing development of health and safety management systems are priorities for the University. Not only do we wish to reduce the risks of injuries and ill health but we also recognise that the effective management of health and safety can make a significant contribution to the performance of the University by helping minimise losses and liabilities.
2) Health and safety matters are line management responsibilities. Accordingly individual members of the University staff are required to take responsibility for health and safety in all activities under their control.
3) The requirements of health and safety legislation set the minimum standards of health and safety performance which the University requires.
4) The development throughout the University of a culture supportive of health and safety is essential for the achievement of adequate control over risks.
5) Students, on leaving the University, should have an attitude of mind which expects good health and safety practice to be normal procedure. This will only occur if University staff set high standards by personal example and by ensuring that safe practice is routine.
6) Individual Heads of School and Heads of Support Services must make arrangements for the implementation of this Policy which are appropriate to the size and structure of their School/Service and the nature of its activities.�

B) Health and Safety Management in Schools/Support Services

Within the framework provided by the University Health and Safety Policy each School/Support Service must develop and maintain its own health and safety management system. Local arrangements are described in a School/Support Service health and safety policy (which supplements the University Policy). Each member of staff will receive a copy of, or be given ready access to, the relevant parts of the health and safety policy for his/her School/Support Service .

C) Advice on Health and Safety Matters

Schools/Support Services are provided with advice and assistance with health and safety matters by the
- University Safety Adviser - general health and safety matters
- Radiation Protection Service - ionising and non-ionising radiation
- Occupational Health Service - all occupational health matters.
In addition each School/Support Service has appointed a member of staff as their local Safety Adviser to provide advice and assistance with health and safety matters to staff and students in the School/Support Service .

D) University Health and Safety Committee

The University Court has overall responsibility for health and safety in the University. To assist it in meeting its health and safety responsibilities, the University Court has set up the University Health and Safety Committee.
One task of the Committee is to oversee and monitor the implementation by individual Schools/Support Services of the University Health and Safety Policy. The Committee also provides a forum for consultation and for discussion of health and safety matters which are of broad interest. The membership of the Committee represents various fields of University activity and reflects the interests of all sections of the University. The membership includes representatives appointed by trade unions recognised by the University.

E) Concerns about Health and Safety Matters

It is expected that most health and safety problems will be resolved by discussions within the School/Support Service concerned. An individual member of staff with a concern about a health and safety matter should discuss it initially with his/her line manager or with the local Safety Adviser. If the matter is not resolved in this way it should be brought to the attention of the Head of School/Support Service .

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