Health and Safety and Wellbeing Policies and Guidance

Health and Safety and Occupational Health Standards (Policies and Guidance) can be accessed by following the links to the right.

On this page you will find out about:

• University Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• UECS Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• Departmental Health and Safety Management Statements
• Advice and assistance
• Policy Arrangements (Health and Safety Standards)

University Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy

The health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students are fundamental to the University's values and mission and the University wants to provide a supportive, safe and healthy work environment for all. This requires the involvement and commitment of all staff at all levels of the University.

The University's Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy explains the responsibilities we all have for health and safety at work, from Council and the Vice-Chancellor, through to Heads of Department or Section, managers, employees and students. It is important that all employees understand their responsibilities and what they need to do to meet them.

All University staff should read the Employee Guide to the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy (.pdf)

Those with management and leadership responsibilities, and employees who have a specific health and safety role should also refer to the full Policy for details of their health and safety responsibilities:

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy (.pdf) Reviewed May 2011

Policy Statement  (.pdf) Signed August 2012

(NB: A signed version for display can also be provided by the HSAS)

The University Code of Practice: Managing Health and Safety gives details of what University managers, line managers,  employees and others need to do to meet their health and safety responsibilities. Following the Code of Practice will enable compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

UECS Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy

University of Essex Campus Services Ltd has its own Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy. It outlines who has specific health and safety roles in the company.

All UECS staff should read the Campus Services Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy leaflet  (.pdf)

Those with management and leadership responsibilities, and employees who have a specific health and safety role should also refer to the full Policy for more details:

UECS Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy (.pdf) Reviewed June 2012

The UECS Code of Practice: Managing Health and Safety gives details of what Unit managers, line managers,  employees and others need to do to meet their health and safety responsibilities. Following the Code of Practice will enable compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

Departmental Health and Safety Management Statements

Each Department/Section is required to have a Health and Safety Management Statement. During 20010/11 HSAS will be assisting Heads of Department/Section with the development of their Health and Safety Management Statement, which will be communicated to all employees in due course. A template is available from HSAS.

Advice and assistance

Follow the appropriate link on the right hand side to get help on occupational health and safety:

Departmental Health and Safety Officers (DHSO) / Health and Safety Liaison Officers (HSLO): Each Department/Section has a Health and Safety Liaison officer or Departmental Health and Safety Liaison Officer to act as a point of contact on health and safety.

Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Service Provides competent technical advice on health and safety, fire and occupational health

Specialist Safety Roles: The University also has specialist officers for ionising and non-ionising radiation, biological and GM safety

Safety Representatives: Union appointed safety representatives represent employees on health and safety issues.

Policy Arrangements (Health and Safety Standards)

The University has a range of health and safety standards which together form the arrangements for implementing the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy and meeting legal requirements. Those that cover the University as a whole can be found by following the links on the right hand side of the page:

The Managing Health and Safety Code of Practice, available on the Health and safety Standards site (link on right hand side), gives details of what line managers, Heads of Department and others need to do to meet their health and safety responsibilities, covering the main elements of the health and safety management system laid down in the Health and Safety Executives publication Successful Health and Safety Management (HS(G)65). Following the Code of Practice will enable compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

Certain Departments/Sections also have their own health nd safety standards. Your manager, Departmental Health and Safety Officer (DHSO) or Health and Safety Liaison Officer (HSLO) will be able to advise you on these.