Health, Safety and Environmental Committee

Health, Safety and Environment Committee

SAF06-M2

Minutes of the Ninety Fourth meeting of the Health, Safety and Environment Committee held on 21 June 2006.

	Dr J B C Blood (Chair)
Mr S Alsbury	Mr M Harris (ab)	Professor I Reid
Mrs K Bedwell	Dr R A Haskins	Mrs L Sands
Dr E D Brown (ab)	Mr R A Hill	Dr B L Sharp (ab)
Mr M C Brown (ab)	Mrs W Jones	Mr M Stringfellow (ab)
Mr M Clarson	Mr D Jordan (ab)	Mr D M Wilson (ab)
Dr S Dann	Mr R Kirkwood	Mr R Wilson
Mr A R Eyre	Mrs W Llewellyn (ab)
Mr T Fleming	Mr T M Neale
Mr O Folkerd (ab)	Mr H M Pearson

In attendance: Mr R Harrison, Mr J M Town, Mr M Tailby, Dr B P Vale.

06/16. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Dr E D Brown, Mr M C Brown, Mr M Harris, Mr R Harrison, Mr D Jordan,

06/17. Business of the Agenda

No items were unstarred.

06/18. Minutes

(SAF06–M1 enclosed)

The Minutes of the Ninety-second meeting held on 16 November 2005 were confirmed.

06/19. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

SAF 06-13

.1 Health and Safety Policy

The Committee noted, at the request of the Audit Committee, a record of a discussion regarding governance arrangements relating to Health and Safety. It proposed a radical review of the Committee's terms of reference and a probable reduction in the size of the Committee's membership.

This review, however, should not delay the production of a revised Health and Safety policy document. The HSEM explained that he had deferred bringing the policy document (SAF06-P14) forward pending discussion of this item by the Committee. It was confirmed that the revised policy would be submitted to the next meeting.

.2 Food Allergy Policy

SAF 06-15

The proposal for the introduction of a food allergy policy arose from an incident in a Hall of Residence. It was felt that the policy covered all scenarios. It was noted that the University would not be liable if a third party were to bring outside caterers onto the campus. It was felt that the policy should be disseminated as widely as possible, via Heads of Departments, departmental Safety Officers and Senior Support Staff in Departments. It was agreed to recommend the adoption of the policy to Council.

.3 Combustion Rig

Further to Minute 06/4.1 it was requested that there be an update on the protocol for running the jet combustion rig and the current position for staff in relevant Departments. It was noted that the Estates department was currently undertaking a feasibility study and that Heads of Departments were being kept informed. It was agreed however that a progress report could be placed on the weekly electronic University noticeboard.

.4 Access of Contractors on Site

Further to Minute 06/4.3 it was noted that a set of procedures for the Security Office was being drafted and then they would be circulated to Heads of Departments.

.5 SDAG

Further to Minute 06/13 it was noted that a number of corporate documents had been printed on recycled paper this session and that further work on costings was being undertaken.

06/20. Asbestos Update

SAF06-P16

Members received a report from the Deputy Health, Safety and Environmental Officer and were pleased to note that asbestos had been removed from the swimming pool.

06/21. Report on Stress Survey

SAF06-P17

Members received a report from Mrs W. Jones, Occupational Health Adviser, on the outcome of the stress survey. The report had been considered by the Human Resources Working Group and the Stress Sub Group.

The key issues which had emerged, which had affected all areas, were Management Styles, Core Values and Bullying. There was also concern about excessive demands in certain areas. Mrs Jones was in the process of discussing the outcomes with Heads of Departments and Sections, with a view to their discussion with other staff and the drafting of a written risk assessment for the Department concerned.

The Committee was advised that the Heads of Departments of the SSH Faculty lacked confidence in the methodology behind the administration of the survey and the data analysis. It was felt that multiple responses could be made and that there was no control over the electronic returns, that the questionnaire had been designed for a broader sphere and not an HE environment and that there problems with the sample size. There were concerns over the comment in the report that ‘Suitability for promotion is frequently assessed through academic excellence in either teaching or research. Management skill is not always taken into consideration’, whereas management skill was recognised internally. It was reported that this had been an observation not a finding from the survey. It was emphasised that while Heads of Departments were supportive of the University’s commitment to dealing with the impact of stress in the workplace they could not accept the methodology surrounding the questionnaire.

Members noted that the questionnaire had been developed by the Health and Safety Executive and that it was intended that it should be broadly applicable in the working environment. It had been piloted in a sample of HE institutions. By using this tool it was possible to obtain benchmarking data. There was a requirement that staff would comply with University policy in this area. At present no alternative approach to the questionnaire was being proposed .

There were suggestions that the analysis of the data could be improved by improved statistical techniques and that this might improve the credibility of the data. It was also reported that improved technology could guard against multiple returns to the online survey and could be used in future. The Occupational Health Adviser welcomed any additional support and advice which could be provided in these areas.

Concern was expressed that the campus Unions had not been widely engaged with the survey. It was, however, reported that there had been discussions when the survey was introduced and until now there had been little to consult on. It was envisaged however that there would be further consultation.

It was a matter of concern that issues to do with the credibility of the results of the survey might frustrate and delay the University’s commitment to dealing with this issue. The survey data was intended to inform Heads of Departments and assist them in drawing up risk assessments for their Departments. The Occupational Health Adviser was currently discussing the data with Heads of Departments and advised the Committee that, provided the risk assessments were produced, Heads of Departments could use alternative data if they wished.

It was felt that it would be useful for the Occupational Health Adviser to meet the Dean of SSH to review the position and that the University should use its best endeavours to act on the findings of the survey.

06/22 First Aid Provision

SAF06-18

Further to Minute 06/8 of the previous meeting, the Committee considered a paper from the Health, Safety and Environmental Officer. A request on behalf of Unison that the item be deferred was considered. It was noted, however, that the representative, who was unable to be present at the Committee, had previously been consulted and it was agreed to discuss the item. The proposals attempted to address the current situation whereby some staff held an honorarium to provide first aid services at considerable financial cost to the University whereas other staff who were required to provide the service as part of their conditions of service did not. The recommendations were that the first aid honorarium payment be phased out over three years; that staff who are required to hold a first aid certificate should have this recognised as part of job evaluation; that Security staff who provide the core First Aid response have this recognised with an additional payment and that in future all nominations for first aid courses are based on a risk assessment of needs in tha area. It was felt that the recommendation concerning the additional payment for Security staff was outside the remit of the Committee and should be referred to Human Resources. Subject to this proviso, the other recommendations outlined in the paper were agreed by the Committee and were recommended to Council.

06/23 Health, Safety and Environment Manager’s Report

The Committee received a report from the Health, Safety and Environment Manager under agenda item 9, Fire Officer’s Report.

06/24 Fire Officer’s Report

SAF06-20

The Committee received a report from the University Fire Officer.

There had been several incidents in Halls of Residence where unattended cookers had caught fire and it was recommended that the incidents could be reduced if more thorough cleaning regimes were in place. It was further recommended that students be advised against using the fire extinguishers for fear of worsening the incident by using the inappropriate one.

Fire Risk Assessments were ongoing and 50% of the building stock had now been assessed.

Under the Fire Alarm standard it was noted that the University did not have a standard make or preference for a fire alarm system on campus and it was recommended that it should adopt a consistent model or make.

It was noted that in certain buildings the minimum standard of fire detection systems had not been met . The documentation in this area was found to be misleading. It was agreed that the recommendations concerning the minimum standards be referred to Estates Management Committee together with the recommendation concerning fire evacuation systems for people with disabilities.

06/25 Accident Statistics

SAF06-21

An analysis of accidents during the last reporting period was received.

06/26 Asset Risk Improvement Task Group

SAF06-22

The Minutes of the Asset Risk Improvement Task Group meeting held on 24 May 2006 were received.

06/27 Sustainable Development Action Group

SAF06-23

The Minutes of the Sustainable Development Action Group meeting held on the 24 May 2006 were received.

06/28 Radiological Protection- Disposal of Radioactive Source

SAF 06-24

A report from the Radiation Protection Officer was received.

06/29 Code of Practice for the Purchase and Use of Drug Precurser Chemicals in the University

SAF 06 :25

The code of practice was received and it was resolved to recommend it to Council.

06/30. Ethical Advisory Committee

SAF 06:26

A report from Ethical Advisory Committee for 2005/06 and a summary of proposals approved for 2005/06 were received

06/31. Any Other Business

The Chair extended particular thanks to Mike Harris, the Deputy HSE Officer, for his help and advice over the years and wished him well in his retirement.

Members of the Committee expressed their thanks to the retiring Chair, Mr Jim Blood, for his service to the University

06/32. Schedule of meetings for Next Session

15 November 2006

21 February 2007

13 June 2007

Author: Brigette Vale

Date: July 2006