Safety Office

1Basic Health & Safety

Domestic arrangements

Outline of training session

Presented by

Vincent Theobald

University Safety Office

1 Park Terrace

Tel. 6274

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2Health and Safety

Health and safety is intended to bring about condition free from risk of injury or threat to our health and well-being.

This objective is not a natural state of affairs.

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3We Believe

Workplace accidents, illness and incidents

are preventable

provided that

Health and Safety is Managed

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4Clapham Junction Accident

“A concern for safety which is sincerely held and repeatedly expressed but, nevertheless, is not carried through into action, is as much protection from danger as no concern at all.”

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5What could happen?

Near-miss Minor injury

Major injury Death

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6Kinds of Accidents

Comparison University and HSE National data Percentages of accidents of selected kinds

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Hit By Moving Flying Object

Handling Accident

Slips Trips and Falls (level)

Falls from Height

Assult

Other (not incl. Sports)

University from 2001 to 2006 HSE data from 2004/5

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7Why report accidents?

Accidents should be reported because: The law requires some specific types of accidents

to be reported to the Enforcing Authorities. The University Safety Policy requires all accidents

and near misses to be reported to the USO. It enables investigations so as to prevent further

accidents. Reports enable the University to identify trends.

Report accidents on-line at www.safety.ncl.ac.uk

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8How big is the Accident Problem?

HSE shows accidents cost:

APAU studies 37% of annualised profit. 8.5% of tender price. 5% of running costs.

Bear in mind that these were large and well organised companies that already had a high standard of loss control and lower than average accident rates.

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9General duties on the employer

The HSWA places the following general duties on the employer, which apply to staff ,students, visitors and contractors:

• provide safe place of work• provide safe plant and equipment• provide safe systems of work

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10General duties on employees

The HSWA places the following general duties on staff, students, visitors and contractors:

• to take reasonable care• to co-operate with the employer• not to interfere with safety arrangements

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11Reasonably practicable

Risk should be set against the effort required to remove it.

It is not reasonably practicable if the cost of removal of risk is disproportionately high

It is reasonably practicable if a risk can be removed at minimal cost and effort

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12Herald of Free Enterprise

“The failure on the part of management to give proper and clear direction was a contributory cause of the disaster.”

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13Responsible People for University

The VC. The PVC for Safety. The Provost / Registrar. The Head of School / Service. (The School Safety Officer). The Lab/Area Manager. The Lecturer. Individual researchers, Staff, Students.

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14Safety Management

This begins with Policy

and uses tools such as Local Rules

and Risk Assessment to establish control of the hazards and risks of work.

It is a specific legal duty to manage safety so that all risks are suitably and sufficiently controlled.

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15Safety Policy

Legal requirement under S2(3) of HSWA. University Policy published in a book and on web. Schools need their Policies. Labs/buildings may need additional

policy/arrangements to provide more detail. Arrangements will need to include Local Rules. Some local rules are needed by law - e.g. rules for

Ionising Radiation.

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16Policy

The University Safety Policy MUST be followed See the USO website for the up to date policy

www.safety.ncl.ac.uk

Each School has a Safety Policy, providing more details as to how issues are dealt with in the School

Some labs also have Policies and Local Rules with additional details.

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17 Identifying the main hazards

Examples which affect safety and/or health:

Biological hazards Chemicals Fire Radiation Waste Electricity Noise and Vibration

Lifting and carrying Repetitive movements

This is the first step in

Risk Assessment

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18Biohazards

• Bio-COSHH

• Classification of organisms• Control of Pathogens

(inc. inoculations)• Control of spread of organisms• Control of GM work

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19Chemicals

• COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.

• This applies to all chemicals and substances (including cultures) used in labs and elsewhere.

• There are specific additional measures for very high risk chemicals and substances – in particular

Cyanides Pathogens Asthmagens • This is dealt with in more detail in the

Risk Assessment Training provided by the USO.

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20Fire

• All Fire Alarms must be treated as genuine

• Evacuate immediately• Close doors and windows as

you leave• Go to the assembly point

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21Actions to take to prevent Fire

• Keep smoke doors closed• Do not obstruct escape

corridors• Store fire risk materials

correctly• Control wastes.

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22Radiation

Very heavily controlled by the HSE and the Environment Agency. Specific laws relating to the use, storage and disposal of radioactive materials.

• Use is restricted to controlled areas.• Only authorised persons permitted to use radiation.• All use must be recorded, and all wastes

controlled.• Very specific Local Rules are in force.• Good technique main protection against

contamination.

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23Waste

• Many accidents are caused by incorrect disposal of wastes.

• Wastes must be segregated by law.• University has strict rules.• Errors put others at risk.

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24Getting help

Assistance within the School.

• Project Supervisor• School Safety Officer• Biological Safety Supervisor• Radiation Protection Supervisor

The Safety Office website www.safety.ncl.ac.uk

or you can call the Safety Office on 6274

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25Legal duties

COMMON LAW• duty of one individual to another - “Duty of

Care”

STATUTE LAW• Criminal Law• duty between individual and the state

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26The costs of failure

Health and safety law is Criminal Law

Failure to manage health and safety can result in:

• prosecution, fines and imprisonment

• compensation claims • loss of output or service• replacement costs• loss of reputation

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27Cases of note

• Mr RE Hill – Asbestos

• UCL London - Sharps box

• Birmingham University - Lab Safety Regulations

• January 2006 – A University fined £70,000 following an accident

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28Any Questions

If you have any questions on general Health and Safety issues please go to your School Safety Officer.

If you have questions about this presentation please come to the front and ask them before I go.

If you want to attend any of the University Safety Office training courses please book using the form on the USO website at www.safety.ncl.ac.uk

Safety OfficeCourses available include

Accident and Investigation - Basic Fire Training -

Basic Health & Safety - Biological Safety -

Chemical Safety Training - Cryogenics Safety Training -

Disposable Gloves - Emergencies - EVAC Chairs -

Gas Safety – Laboratory - Gas Cylinder Safety - GM Safety -

Safety Awareness - Health & Safety Law -

Health & Safety Management - Portable Appliance Testing -

Radiation Worker Safety Training - Risk Assessment -

Safety Signs and their interpretation