General Code of Practice for Safe Working in the University
1. This code of practice applies throughout the University and must be complied with by all staff, students and contractors.2. Standards of health and safety are laid upon the University by law and these must be enforced whether they impose limitations on freedom of action or not. All University regulations and notices must be observed and obeyed, as must any reasonable request made by members of staff in the course of their duties.
3. All persons working on University premises must:
- Take all reasonable care to avoid injury to themselves or others by their work activities and this includes both fellow employees and anyone else who might be affected by their acts or omissions,
- Co-operate with the employer and others in complying with the law,
- Refrain from interference with or deliberate misuse of any facility provided to protect their health and safety.
- To facilitate the evacuation of the buildings in an emergency all lifts, corridors, doorways, stairways and other areas intended for movements must be kept free of obstructions and surfaces maintained free of liquids and other slippery substances. Doors providing a means of exit from a building must not be locked whilst the building is occupied.
- Care must be taken in lifting cumbersome articles. If there is a risk of injury as a result of unaided personal effort, assistance must be obtained or a suitable lifting machine used.
- All equipment and apparatus must be installed, tested and used only in compliance with statutory requirements and manufactures' recommendations. It must not be used for any purpose for which it was not specifically designed.
- If equipment or apparatus is suspected to be faulty or damaged it must be switched off, isolated if possible and immediately reported to the Supervisor. No persons other than:
Those specifically authorised by the local manager to test and repair equipment or apparatus,
Members of the University maintenance or technical staff having the necessary training, knowledge and skill,
Competent persons retained for the purpose from an outside organisation,
shall dismantle or repair, connect or disconnect any apparatus or equipment.
- Guards or covers must only be removed from machinery by persons having the necessary knowledge and skill and duly authorised to undertake such removal. No one may touch or interfere with the moving parts of machinery whilst the appliance is in motion, except during installation, repair or maintenance to be carried out in accordance with .6 and .7 above.
- Machines must not be left running when not actually being used.
- No person may use a machine or piece of equipment or apparatus until he/she has received tuition in its use by a suitably qualified and authorised member of staff, or has been given express permission by the local manager.
- Manufacturers have a statutory obligation to provide information of the safe use, handling, storage and transport of their products. Persons acquiring substances for use on University premises must ensure that they also obtain and keep available for reference the manufacturer's health and safety guidance information.
- No substance is to be used, handled or stored on University premises except in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance information.
- Electrical equipment and apparatus carries with it the risk of electric shock, therefore, special care must be taken. No repair, maintenance or modification may be carried out on any permanent electrical service installation without the written authorisation of the Director of Campus Services.
- Untrained persons must not interfere with the mains supply to equipment and apparatus.
- After use, equipment or apparatus should be switched off and unplugged from the mains supply, unless it is to remain permanently in the same location, when it may be left plugged in.
- Where there are insufficient socket outlets a distribution block should be used; other multiway adaptors are not permitted. Distribution blocks may only be connected to fixed socket outlets.
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