Health and Safety Committee
Monday 16th March 2015
Minutes and Report
Chair: Tom Hase [TB]
Minutes: Rachel Harrington [RH]
Committee: Katherine Branch [KB], Julie Brannon [JB], Bob Bridgland [BB], Jon Duffy [JD], Robert
Johnston [RJ], David Patchett [DP], David Walker [DW], Steve York [SY]
Apologies: Alan Burton [AB], Sue Burrows [SB], Jeanette Chattaway [JC], Bob Day [RD], Rob
Johnston [RJ]
David Patchett has replaced Mohammed Saghir as postgraduate representative for the committee.
1. Minutes of the meeting of 1st July 2014
The minutes from the last meeting were approved
2. Matters Arising
2.1 Opera top tier approvers
JB is not receiving opera notifications of hazardous items being ordered, despite requesting this. It
is the role of the requisitioner to identify hazardous materials and highlight this in Opera, otherwise
all orders will go straight through without checks. The committee believes that the top tier approval
process is not fit for purpose
Action – RH to add top tier approval as an agenda item for next meeting
2.2 First Aid
Three technicians have trained as first aiders.
3. Chair’s Business
3.1 Accidents and incidents
Three incidents were reported since the last meeting took place, one of which involved an
undergraduate open day helper and another a team from WMG transporting equipment.
Actions:
 JB to obtain more information from WMG regarding the incident
 BB to obtain information from Estates regarding the incident with the door to check if
this can be fixed
4. Items
4.1 Safety Inspections and outcomes
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Lab noticeboards are variable regarding their information. Issues with housekeeping in some areas.
JB is working on a self-inspection guide and checklist for lab heads to inspect their lab spaces. A
safety briefing meeting is required over the summer The next safety inspection will be postponed
due to the Quemis system coming into place.
Actions:
 JB to send report to the committee
 JB to compile a self-checklist for the safety inspections and send to lab heads
 RH to put safety briefing meeting on the agenda for the next committee meeting
4.2 Quemis
The Quemis hazard mapping system is planned to be up and running by July and physics will be
testing this. Quemis also incorporates the space management database across the university.
4.3 Regulators
JB reported that regulators can be refurbished and is preparing guidance regarding this issue.
Action – JB and HSO are preparing a brief for all science departments which will include an annual
fit for purpose test.
4.4 CDM
JB reported that CDM (Construction, Design and Management) comes into force in April 2015 and is
preparing guidance.
4.5 Risk Assessment
The Safety office are working on a new risk assessment form which will cover all labs, offices and
spaces and also equipment and chemical handling procedures. The new form, which will feed into
Quemis, will also identify training procedures and standard operating procedures. The risk
assessment is divided into three levels:
 PI’s are responsible for the first two levels (lab spaces and equipment)
 Individuals are responsible for project risk assessments which forms the third level
All information will be online, accessible to all and uniform across all departments.
Action – TH/JB to send out risk information assessment information and flow charts to the
committee
4.6 Training courses
Training courses will be transferred to Moodle in due course.
4.7 Check sheet for robur pedestrian stacker truck
A checklist with 6/7 questions which must be answered before use, is in place for the stacker truck.
4.8 Gavin Morley’s reply to the Millburn House inspection report
This was briefly discussed
Action – BB to send an email regarding the reply to JB and TH
5. Specialist areas
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5.1 Chemicals
No chemical management plans in place yet. Nothing else to report
5.2 Radiation
Nothing to report
5.3 Lasers
Nothing to report
5.4 HF
SB has updated the HF website
5.5 Safety office
Nothing to report
6. AOB
John Philips has taken over as interim director in the Safety Office.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 30th June, 10-11am in MAS 2.06 (To be confirmed nearer the
time)
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