University Committees

Health and Safety Committee

Standing Orders
(Business/Operations committee of Council)

These Standing Orders should be read in conjunction with the General Committee section of Standing Orders available on the University’s website.

Membership
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Chair)
A Deputy Dean from each Faculty
A representative of the Registrar's Division
A representative of the Treasurer's Division
A representative of the Colleges'
The Chairs of the sub-committees of the Health and Safety Committee
An HR Manager
A representative of the Estates and Buildings Department
A representative of Unite (or Deputy)
A representative of UCU (or Deputy)
A representative of GMB (or Deputy)
A representative of UNISON (or Deputy)
Durham Students' Union President or a student representative nominated by Durham Students' Union
Up to 3 Department or College Health and Safety Co-ordinators
A Technician Manager/Departmental Superintendent
The Operations Director, Queen's Campus

In attendance:
The Director and staff of the Health and Safety Service as appropriate
Such other individuals as the Committee may agree

Co-opted members:
The Committee may co-opt additional members as required

Secretariat
The Secretary to the Committee will be provided by the University Health and Safety Service.

Meetings
The Committee shall meet three times a year.

If a member is unable to be present at a meeting, it is expected that arrangements will be made for a briefed deputy to attend on their behalf.

Terms of reference
The purpose of the Committee is to implement the principles of consultation and involvement enshrined in both the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 and in best practice health and safety management. The Committee's remit extends to all aspects of occupational health and safety arising from University activities and the involvement process is inclusive of students as well as employees.

Within those general guiding principles, the Committee's terms of reference extend, in particular, to the following areas.

a) To consider and make recommendations on:-

i) University Health and Safety Policy.

ii) Strategies and plans for the implementation of University Health and Safety Policy.

iii) Roles and responsibilities of staff.

iv) Arrangements for ensuring effective communication of health and safety information.

v) Arrangements for ensuring effective co-operation between all members of the University in health and safety matters and promoting such co-operation.

vi) Arrangements for developing health and safety competence.

vii) The content of the University Health and Safety Programme.

viii) The standards set in the University Health and Safety Manual.

ix) Arrangements for meeting responsibilities arising from environmental legislation that relates to:

  • the disposal of hazardous and clinical waste;
  • animal and plant pests and pathogens;
  • contained use or deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and micro-organisms;
  • import and/or use of plant materials and soil samples from outside the UK/EU.

b) To monitor the delivery of health and safety policy, strategy and plans and in particular, the University Health and Safety Programme and make recommendations.

c) To review annually the University health and safety management system and the relevant parts of the risk register and make recommendations.

d) To promote co-operation between the University and its employees and students in instigating, developing and carrying out measures to ensure health and safety.

e) To review accident, incident and occupational ill-health trends and to make recommendations for corrective action.

f) To consider reports on health and safety inspections, audits and other monitoring activities and make recommendations.

g) To consider reports and information provided by inspectors of the enforcing authorities.

h) To consider reports submitted by Trade Union Safety Representatives or other Committee members.

i) To receive and consider reports and recommendations from the sub-committees on radiation and biological safety.

Reporting
The Committee shall report to the University Executive Committee (UEC) after each of its meetings and may refer relevant matters, through the Chair, to the Health and Safety Policy and Strategy Committee.