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Department of Chemistry

Health & Safety

The Chairman of the Board of Studies (Professor J S O Evans) is responsible for interpreting the University Health & Safety Policy for the needs of the Department and is responsible to University Council for implementing this policy. The Chairman is committed to the University's target of achieving and maintaining health and safety standards which go beyond legal requirements and match national best practice. This will be done through a planning process which will set clear, measurable objectives and ensure progressive development. Health and Safety is integrated into the Departmental Management systems and appropriate training and resources are provided to implement the policy.

The Safety Coordinator (Prof. Gareth Williams) is responsible to the Chairman for advising on the day-to-day implementation of health and safety policy within the Department. Where action is required beyond his authority, the Safety Coordinator is responsible for bringing the matter to the attention of the Chairman. The Safety Coordinator will submit reports on safety matters to the Board of Studies, and acts as first point of contact with the University Safety Adviser to distribute health and safety information throughout the Department. The Safety Coordinator is the chairman of the Departmental Safety Committee.

The Departmental Safety Committee acts as the channel of communication between all members of the Department and the Safety Coordinator who, as far as is reasonably practicable, will deal with the problems raised. Members of the committee act as representatives of the academic, technical and secretarial staff and postdoctoral and postgraduate research workers in the Department. The committee also assists the Safety Coordinator in the detailed formulation, implementation and continued development of safety policy. (See Appendix A for membership).

As is clearly laid out in the University's Health and Safety Policy statement, Health and Safety is the responsibility of everyone in the workplace:

All staff in a managerial or supervisory capacity are responsible for managing the health and safety of those they supervise.

All employees are personally responsible for:

  • Taking reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others
  • Familiarising themselves with and following health and safety procedures and instructions
  • Not misusing anything provided for health and safety
  • Reporting all accidents, incidents and hazards and suggesting improvements
  • Attending training provided under the University Health and Safety Programme

Professor J S O Evans

1 September 2012