H&S Round Up March 2025

Reporting period 1st Oct 2024 to 20th Jan 2025

• Lone Working/Out of Hours Working

"During the reporting period, a number of reported incidents and departmental health and safety walk-arounds have highlighted the issue of out of hours (OOH) and lone working across the University. Staff and students should only be working OOH in departmental buildings where absolutely necessary. Higher risk activities should not be carried out OOH. Lone working can be an issue at any time of day, particularly with the increase in home/hybrid working. A Safety Alert was sent out prior to the Christmas break and the WHSO team will update and communicate further guidance."

• Mandatory Training

 Mandatory Fire Safety training is still at levels that are unacceptable. The target is 90% completion and the current completion is 80%.

• Fire Drills

WHSO are reviewing the fire drills process, aiming for a revised process to be in place for 25/26.  This will involve a joined up approach between DTEF, Depts, Colleges and the H&S team. 

• H&S Governance

H&S governance, including committee membership and timings is being reviewed to allow for a better 2-way flow of information.  Relevant templates are also being developed.

• WHSO Priorities

H&S priorities are being developed for the next 3 years.  Some of the next things to be considered include training programmes, review of H&S management procedures, fire drill process (see above), and a H&S audits programme.

Thanks to Ros Roberts, Director of Faculty Operations, Faculty of Arts and Humanities for the summary.