Help on health, safety and wellbeing
Who to contact
Who to contact in your area
If you have a health and safety concern about your work you should speak to your manager in the first instance. However there are many other people who can also help you:
Health and Safety Liaison Officers (HSLO's) and Departmental Health and Safety Officers (DHSO)
Each department and Section has its own Health and Safety Liaison Officer (HSLO) or Departmental Health and Safety Officer (DHSO). DHSOs generally work in larger departments or those with higher or more complex risks. Either way, these officers can give you advice on departmental health and safety procedures, or direct you to specialist technical advice.
Find out who you should speak to in your area by looking at the departmental Health and Safety contact list.
DSE Facilitators
If you use a computer at work, you will need to complete a DSE (Display Screen Equipment) self assessment. This will help to make sure your computer workstation is set up for your safety and comfort. Each Department and Section has one or more DSE Facilitators who can help you with your assessment, advise on good posture when using the computer and make sure any actions arising from your DSE Self Assessment are taken.
Find out who you should speak to in your area by looking at the departmental Health and Safety contact list.
Specialist advice
There are departmental and University specialists on radiation and biological hazards.
Professional advice
For professional advice on Health and Safety or Occupational Health, please go to our main contacts page. There you will find details about the following services:
The Health and Safety Advisory Service is a team of health and safety and fire advisors, who can provide advice on legal requirements and good practice. Get in touch with us if you need help with risk assessment, want to know about health and safety training, have fire safety query or want to report and accident or safety concern.
The Occupational Health Service are a team of Occupational Health Advisers who provide confidential, impartial advice on any matters affecting health at work. Contact us if you want to know about preventing work related ill health, want advice on facilitating return to work or want tips on improving your mental and physical well-being.
Safety representatives
Safety representatives are appointed by Unions to represent employees on health and safety. Safety representatives can help you with health and safety concerns that you have been unable to resolve with your manager. You do not need to be a member of a Union to ask for their assistance with a health and safety concern. You will find their contact details on notice boards throughout the University or on this website.
Reporting hazards and safety concerns
Report concerns about your work or work equipment to your manager
Report premises hazards to:
- Colchester: the Estate Management Section Helpdesk: (01206 87)2959, email: faults
- Southend or Loughton: the Norland Helpdesk: (01702 32)8214, email: fmhelp
Report accidents, near misses or other safety concerns to HSAS: (01206 87)2944, email safety
Report security concerns:
- Colchester campus: Information centre: (01206 87) 2125 (or 2222 in an emergency)
- Southend: Norland: 01702 328208
- Loughton: 020 8508 5983
For safety issues outside office hours that need immediate attention call
- Colchester Campus: Information centre (01206 87) 2125 (or 2222 in an emergency)
- Southend / Loughton: Norland out of office number: 01702 330226 or 07827 988085
If it is urgent call, don't email.