Health and Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday 3rd July 2012
Chair: Roger Buckle [RB]
Minutes: Rachel Harrington [RH]
Committee: Robin Ball [HoD], Julie Brannon [JB], Sue Burrows [SB], Alan Burton [AB], Jeanette
Chattaway [JC], Robert Day [RD], Jon Duffy [JD], Robert Johnston [RJ], David Walker [DW], Steve
York [SY]
Apologies: None
Action
1. Membership of the Committee
The Committee would like to welcome Steve York and David Walker who will be
representing the MAS building. Julie Brannon is also now a permanent Committee member
2. Minutes of last meeting (20th March 2012)
The minutes from the last meeting were approved.
3. Matters Arising from 20/3/12
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Door wedges – RB confirmed there is a meeting with the Fire Officer on the 3 rd July to
address this
The student who had the accident (under chairs business) was registered but their
name is unknown
Fire alarms – to be discussed later on in meeting but is still an on-going issue
RB
Fire wardens – Action - RB to circulate this list to Committee
White goods survey – this is now complete
Gas tags – these tags contain important information about the laboratories and hang
outside the labs to identify where cylinders are kept and also to inform visitors,
security, external contractors about any hazards in the labs
Door signs –JB has created a poster template to provide a lab risk assessment,
identifying hazards, fire risks, emergency contact details in a format which can easily
be kept up to date and left outside labs to inform visitors, similar to the gas tags above.
It was raised that radiation information and precautions needs to be added
4. Chair’s business
4.1 Accidents/Incidents
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Two incidents which involved evacuation from the physics building
One accident (need information from Roger about this)
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4.2 Training for Fire Wardens
It was confirmed that the training went ahead
4.3 Gas Alarm incident and investigation
It was reported that the gas alarm system will be improved to ensure that if a gas leak is
contained and safe, the building won’t need to be evacuated
4.4 Report from the B/A team
Andy Dobbie will be leaving the team shortly to be replaced by Steve Hindmarsh who has
been fully trained. There are currently 5 members in the core team. A calendar will be
created to make it easier to identify who is in and out. There has been a problem with the
radio coms which the supplier (ESS Safeforce) will compensate the University for. A camera
will be installed in the PLD lab
4.5 Alterations and installations
Labs have been gutted and cleared on the ground floor, Dave Hammond has moved out
and new labs have been installed. It is planned to install a new HF workshop downstairs
with a meeting arranged on the 3rd July to discuss this. Bob Bridgland will be managing this
project. Alterations are also taking place on the 4th floor.
An issue was raised regarding JC working alone in the labs in Millburn House as it is quite a
remote location so there is a health and safety issue
4.6 Health and Safety tests for staff and students
It was reported that an online training and testing system already used world-wide may be
implemented as it can be personalised to meet the needs of the department.
JD reported that there are now radiation tests available on the web. Tom Orton has been
looking after this. Action - JD to contact Tom Orton about this
JD
5. Items
5.1 PAT testing
The PAT testing is working well. RB has received some information from JB which he will
circulate. No PAT testing has been done at Millburn House as a tester is required.
Action - RB to pass this on to JC
5.2 Surveys and inspections
The annual survey needs to be done for the department and all departmental buildings.
This is planned for August 2012
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RB
6. Specialist areas
6.1 COSHH
Nothing to report. Disposals are working well on Opera although more guidance is needed
regarding using opera and ordering chemicals and associated hazards etc.
6.2 Radiation
JD reported that the 24 monthly test on white source is upcoming and had concerns
regarding the approval process on opera for equipment relating to radiation use
6.3 Lasers
There is a new laser room although there is an issue with the control software which can
accidentally trap people due to a fault with the door mechanism. This has been reported to
the suppliers.
Action - RD to email details to RB
RD
6.4 Safety office
JB reported that she had visited the Royal Society recently regarding a new system, for
COSHH
AOB
RJ reported that a student had been found pouring liquid nitrogen inside the MAS building
into a 25L duer.
Action – RJ to give details (time and date) to SY so he can investigate
The next meeting is timetabled for:
Tuesday 25th September 2012 from 10:00 to 11:00; venue TBC.
Signed ___________________________________________________________
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Roger Buckle, DHSO
RJ