1. The College of Life Sciences (SLS) is fully committed to preserving the health, safety and welfare of its staff and students while they are at work as far as is reasonable and practicable. The College Board recognises the importance and value of effective health & safety and that it is an integral part of the duties of line managers, for whom the implementation of this Policy is a prime responsibility. The College Board expects and encourages the co-operation and involvement of all staff and students in achieving a safe, healthy working environment.

2. The College’s primary, long term health & safety aims are (1) to achieve full compliance with the University Health & Safety Policy, including all relevant associated policy arrangements, and (2) to develop a positive health and safety culture throughout its workforce. Safety Services’ policy arrangements define the standards that the College aspires to and these standards, in combination with other appropriate indicators, are what our health & safety performance will be measured against in the long term. By fostering a positive health & safety culture that maintains effective co-operation, communication and management control amongst a competent, committed workforce, compliance will be achieved and maintained.

3. This document serves to:

• elucidate the SLS health & safety management and reporting structures
• define the roles and responsibilities of personnel within these structures;
• identify channels of communication and routes for effective dissemination of information and advice;
• indicate arrangements for instruction, training and supervision;
• establish the mechanism for ensuring all work activities are risk assessed;
• outline methods for monitoring compliance and implementing corrective action;
• summarise the College’s arrangements for dealing with specific health & safety issues.

4. Training and instruction will be provided to ensure all personnel are competent and fully equipped to carry out their health & safety roles and responsibilities and work safely at all times.

5. All SLS personnel will have access to a current version of this policy and all supplementary health & safety information relevant to them via the SLS Health & Safety Web Site and Risk Assessment Database System.

6. This Policy will be reviewed on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances demand.

PROFESSOR D A Cantrell
Head of the College of Life Sciences
University of Dundee