Health and Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday 1st July 2014
Chair: Robin Ball [RB],
Minutes: Rachel Harrington [RH]
Committee: Roger Buckle [RBu], Julie Brannon [JB], Jeanette Chattaway [JC] Bob Day [RD], Jon
Duffy [JD], Robert Johnston [RJ], Mark Hadley [MJH], David Walker [DW], Steve York [SY]
Apologies:], Bob Bridgland [BB], Sue Burrows [SB], Tom Hase [TH], Mohammed Saghir [MS]
1. Apologies
With the new regime coming into place, the committee emphasised the need for a representative
from the University Safety Committee at all future meetings.
2. Minutes of the meeting of 18th March 2014
The minutes from the last meeting were approved
3. Roger Buckle
RB and the committee thank Roger for his long service to the Health and Safety Committee and
wish him well in his retirement.
4. New Chair of Committee
Tom Hase will be the new chair of the committee. TH will also be nominated onto the University
Safety Committee by the RB.
5. Membership
Mark Hadley has now joined the committee to help implement the changes which are coming into
place. As of the 1st August, Steve York and David Walker will no longer be part of Physics as
Microscopy and X-ray diffraction will become RTP’s (research technology platforms). The
committee are happy to continue to collaborate with SY and DW.
6. Issues not on agenda
6.1 Lab sheets
All lab sheets require the name of the person responsible for the lab to be shown.
6.2 Lab coats
Bob Bridgland has spoken to all technical staff so they are more aware of the need for wearing lab
coats and also safety shoes. Lab coats must have elasticated cuffs to avoid getting trapped on
machinery. The workshop has identified suitable clothing.
7. Chair’s business
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7.1 Accidents
There are two reported incidents since the last meeting.
 HF incident – a trained user was working alone in the HF workstation which is a breach of
the rules. The person was stopped from using the facility and required to re-do all the tests
and discuss the issue within their research group. The committee supports this procedure.
The person was also restricted from using the X-ray facility and their supervisor made aware
of this.
 Cryogenics incident – a student was caught filling up a dewar with liquid nitrogen without
wearing gloves. RJ approached the person and raised the issue with their supervisor.
To emphasise health and safety in the department, it is proposed to hold an annual safety briefing
for all staff on a Wednesday afternoon at the start of the autumn term in October
Action – MJH to book a room
8. Items
8.1 Top tier chemical purchases
Sue Burrows has been nominated to take over the approval of hazardous orders on opera from RB.
It was reported that Duncan Brealey flags up orders that have not been marked as hazardous. It
was suggested that Duncan could be provided with COSHH training to ensure orders do not get
missed. Academics with a chemistry background could also be approached to take on the role.
Action – RB to approach Steven Brown, John Hanna and Jeremy Sloan who have a background in
chemistry regarding the top tier approval on opera.
8.2 Online testing
There are issues with the current online testing software, Perception, as it does not inform website
administrators when someone has taken a test and their result. RBu suggested Moodle may be a
suitable replacement.
Action – MJH to talk to JB regarding office training
8.3 Risk assessments – procedure for the future
Supervisors should check and hold risk assessments for their students and a copy should also be
held centrally and sent to RH who will add this to the health and safety webpage (page to be
created). Risk assessments for URSS project students was also discussed.
Action – RH to send an email to all URSS project supervisors to state that risk assessments for
URSS project students are mandatory and to send a copy of the risk assessment forms to me
(action completed).
Action – RB to amend the risk assessment form with the new procedure to say risk assessment
forms should go to the supervisor and a copy to RH.
8.4 Expertise list
The committee would like to compile a health and safety expertise list across the science faculty
(excluding the safety office). Expertise is weaker within biological sciences. It was suggested that
Rob Jenkins within chemistry is a useful contact.
8.5 Alarm systems
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It was proposed to have training for the different alarm systems and have regular testing. A
document map is required for alarm systems.
Action – TBC to compile alarm systems document map.
8.6 Website
There are three separate health and safety websites of which two need to be deleted.
Action – RH to check and resolve
From now on the chair of the committee TH will be required to check the website annually for any
errors and corrections.
8.7 PAT/electrical testing
The PAT testing equipment will now be located in the electrical workshop (Bob Day). It is
recommended that lab heads visually inspect all plugs and electrical items. Coloured stickers can be
used to indicate when the items are visually inspected.
It was proposed that lab heads should submit an annual brief report indicating that visual/electrical
testing has taken place.
8.8 Storage of information
Health and safety documents previously in Roger’s office will now be re-located to the electronic
workshop.
9. Specialist areas
5.1 Chemicals
Nothing to report
5.2 Radiation
JD reported changes due to RTPs but this is being addressed.
5.3 Lasers
Nothing to report
5.4 Safety office
Nothing to report
10. AOB
It was proposed that URSS summer should receive a safety briefing at the start of the summer using
the briefing for final year project students (available online on the health and safety website). It was
reported that some students have been found working unsupervised.
Dave Hammond is providing liquid nitrogen training recorded by lab heads. Liquid nitrogen costs
are shared between physics and chemistry.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 23rd September, 10-11am in MAS 2.06
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