Confirmed
HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday 4th February 2015
Present:
Chair:
Secretary:
Convenor:
Members:
1
2
3
4
5
Title
Director of Studies – Progression &
Student Support
PA to the Principals Office
Health & Safety Officer
Head of Estates
Senior Workshop Manager Academic
Computing
HR Representative
Student Union Liaison Officer
Business Support Staff
Academic Staff
Academic Staff
Academic Staff
Name
Dave Russell
Anne Peden
Andrew Thompson
Graham Morley
Michael Flower
Abbreviation
Chair/
DOSPSS
PAP
HSO
HoE
WMAC
Brendan Bah
James Murphy
Jackie Groves
Janie Tweddle
Sharon Bainbridge
Faye Power
HR
SULO
BSR
ASR(PL)
ASR(SB)
ASR(FP)
Issue/Actions/Decisions
Apologies
There were no apologies.
Action Notes
The minutes and actions from the meeting held on 22nd
October 2014 were discussed and updates noted.
Actions/Updates
Actions from the previous meeting were discussed and
updated.
Membership
DOSPSS welcomed new members Faye Power and Janie
Tweddle to the meeting.
Health & Safety Policy
The policy is reviewed annually for approval.
Who
By when
HSO reported that there are no legislative changes to the
policy. Members noted that amendments to format had been
made to aid clarity and some role titles had been updated.
6
The Committee agreed to recommend the policy to SMT.
Report on accident reporting/investigations
The report shows there have been nine minor incidents since
the previous committee meeting. In comparison to the same
time last year members noted that the number of injuries has
reduced from 24 to 16 though there no apparent reason to
account for this.
DOSPSS
asap
7
8
Reports on breaches of Health & Safety policy
HSO stated that there had been no reported breaches of the
Health & Safety Policy.
Fire Evacuation Procedures
The HSO stated that the College has now recruited 13 fire
wardens in Rossington Street and a further 4 in Vernon Street.
In the event of a fire it is the College’s responsibility to ensure
that the building is evacuated. In order to do this the HSO
intends to divide the city centre site into zones (floors) which
would be covered by fire wardens. When an incident occurs
the fire warden would be responsible for checking their
designated zone and confirming to the co-ordinator that the
area is clear, this will be done by handing in a tag. It is the
intention to trial this initially in Rossington Street with a view
to expanding to Vernon Street at a later date. HSO stated
that this would not be feasible at Blenheim Walk and may
have to consider departmental zones rather than floors due to
the nature of the building.
9
FE members stated their support for this development. The
committee noted the potential for enhancement from these
amendments.
Reports from course and programme boards on health and
safety matters
Extracts from the health and safety agenda item of course and
programme board meetings were discussed. Items to note
were:
BA (Hons) Printed Textiles
The HSO reported that the concerns over the closure of the
glass link bridge and the evacuation of a disabled student
during a fire alarm had been resolved. HSO stated the bridge
had been closed for structural reasons during the courtyard
project but confirmed there is a Personal Evacuation Plan in
place for the student concerned and the call point was
working at the time. HoE reassured members that a fire/risk
assessment on the impact of the work had been carried out
prior to closure and assessment of emergency access
requirements/alternative routes found. HSO also informed
members that the refuge points positioned around the College
are scheduled to be upgraded. This will incorporate refuge
points at the city centre site as there are none in place at the
moment.
BA (Hons) Art & Design
HSO reported that the fire door was in fact unlocked and had
demonstrated that the bar was not being pushed forcefully
enough to open the door.
BA (Hons) Fine Art
A Senior lecturer expressed concern regarding completing of a
student medical risk assessment. HSO stated that some
students attending College do have quite severe disabilities
and the lecturer concerned did not feel they had enough
knowledge and experience to carry out the assessment. In
this instance and in accord with policy the programme leader
had consulted with HSO to achieve a solution. HSO also
reported that he intends to implement risk assessment
training which will cover areas such as this and confirmed that
staff are able to ask for guidance and support when uncertain.
DIVA
HoE reported that he had discussed the issue regarding the
turnstiles with the Principal. The College will monitor the
situation to determine the impact when restricting the flow of
traffic.
Extended Diploma
At the FE student representative meeting it had also been
noted that students felt the PAT testing was really useful.
10
11
12
HSO has been liaising with the event organiser regarding
planning an event in the café at Vernon Street. It has been
decided that if such an event were to go ahead it would be
better suited to Blenheim Walk, as yet no further progress has
been made on this.
Driving Licence changes/endorsement checking process
HSO reported that from 8th June 2015 the DVLA has
announced the abolition of the counterpart to the photocard
driving licence. The normal paper licences will remain the
same.
The DVLA is developing a new service which will enable the
College to view information currently seen on the
counterpart to determine if any points have been gained.
The guidance notes for driving for work will be amended
accordingly.
Any other business
There was no other business to report.
Date of next meeting
The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 22nd April 2015 at
4.00pm in the Boardroom at Blenheim Walk.
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS – HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
Meeting
By
date
Action/updates
whom
Date
22/10/14 A new FE ASR is required due to a staff member
DOSPSS
asap
leaving the College.
04/02/15 - New members now in place.
22/10/14 Health & Safety Annual Report
HSO to consult with first aiders re wearing
lanyards that ident
HSO will seek opinion from first aiders re wearing
identifying lanyards and report back at the next
meeting.
HSO
04/02/15
HSO to report on proposed enhancements to the fire
evacuation procedures.
HSO
04/02/15
ASR(SB) requested additional guidance on fire
evacuations for members of staff who work in the
evenings. HSO/ASR(SB) will meet to discuss.
HSO/ASR 04/02/15
(SB)
Application to exhibit form – members agreed that
this should be forwarded to programme leaders for
wider dissemination as it was an example of good
educational practice in health and safety.
HSO
Closed
04/02/15
04/02/15
04/02/15 – Lanyards – HSO consulted first aiders
who felt that this would not be practical.
04/02/15
Fire evacuation procedures – HSO discussed the trial
of a proposed evacuation procedure. (see agenda
item 8).
04/02/15
ASR(SB)/HSO discussed evacuation procedures for
evening staff. It is the intention to hold training
sessions in development week.
HSO circulated Exhibit form to programme leaders
and confirmed that some areas are going to take it
forward to end of year show. ASR(SB) reported that
she had used the form and felt it worked
effectively.
22/10/14 Summary of accident/reporting investigations
HSO to investigate varieties of gloves available to
reduce the number of cut injuries.
04/02/15 –Investigations proved that cut proof
gloves are too thick and would hamper intricate
work therefore are unlikely to be used in practice.
22/10/14 Reports from course and programme boards on
health and safety matters
Based on the model displayed in the fine art studios
the BA (Hons) Furniture programme leader had
reported on the safe working practice notices posted
in the studio. Members felt that these were an
example of good practice that could be considered
by other workshops/studios. PAP will request the
Fine Art Instructor Technician forward this
information to the chair of the Central Resources
meeting. ASR(SB) also felt this would be of use to
the short course staff.
04/02/15
04/02/15
HSO
04/02/15
04/02/15
PAP
asap
04/02/15
HoE will provide instruction to BA (Hons) Fashion on
the use of the air conditioning in their studios.
HoE
asap
HSO
04/02/15
DOSPSS
22/04/15
DOSPSS
asap
04/02/15 – Signage now under development
following discussions in the Central Resources
meeting.
Air conditioning – HoE confirmed instruction given.
22/10/14 Work Placements
HSO is drafting some guidance and supporting
paperwork in relation to this which will be
presented at the next meeting.
04/02/15 –DOSPSS reported that whilst preparing
draft papers for this meeting it was clear there
was some matters of policy to address before the
committee can consider this therefore this had
been deferred until the next meeting.
04/02/15 Health & Safety Policy
The Committee agreed to recommend the policy to
SMT.
04/02/15