SC14-06
Minutes of the meeting of the Hazardous Substances and Activities Sub Committee held on
8th January 2014 at 2.15pm in Huxley Building Room 400/01
Present: Paul Gard (Chair), Abigail Dombey, Bob Salvage
In attendance: Andrew Knight, Benjamin Hadman
Apologies and welcome to new members
Apologies: Alan Cowen, Brian Jones, George Olivier and Peter Watt
Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd April 2013 (HSAC 13/2)
The following corrections to the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd April 2013 were noted:
It was reported to the committee that Minute 106 erroneously refers to the development of
an Environmental Management System which connotes a computer system; it is in fact an
‘Environmental Management Process’.
Matters arising ()
103: The Environment Team reducing the use of three chemicals within the university.
AD has not produced a paper requested at last committee meeting to explain the rationale
and methodology behind the identification of three chemicals for reduction in usage. It was
reported that the Environment team were working toward the University attaining ISO14001
and that the intention of the reduction was to assist in achieving conformance. There was
uncertainty as to whether or not this approach was achievable. The Environment Manager
advised the approach was being re-examined.
107a: Update on activities subject to scrutiny by the committee
Chemical weapon precursor register and SIB to be circulated. PG explained that PABS hold
some of the prescribed chemicals and are already subject to scrutiny from the Home Office.
PG was satisfied that PABS already had an inventory of chemicals.
107b: Bio-safety Training
Bio-safety training course has not yet been taken forward due to insufficient staffing resource
within the Health and Safety Department and will be addressed when the Faculty of Science
and Engineering Safety Adviser is appointed. AK advised that the Faculty of Science and
Engineering Safety Adviser would take a key role in the development and delivery of
Biological Safety training.
109: Storage of Liquid Nitrogen and Gas cylinders
AK reported that the University Fire Adviser had added gas cylinder stores to the Health and
Safety Department Fire Safety team inspection programme. BS reported that he was unsure
if one of the PABS stores had been inspected. AK to confirm with the Fire Safety Adviser
that all Moulsecoomb gas cylinder stores are included on the inspection schedule.
109: Storage of Liquid Nitrogen and Gas cylinders
The Health and Safety Department conducted a comprehensive investigation into the
incident and a number of actions were identified which have been implemented. It was
agreed that the matter was closed.
110: High Risk Fieldwork Activities
AK presented a list of university fieldwork contacts and recurrent destinations provided by
the Insurance Office. Members of the committee noted some omissions to the list. There
was discussion regarding the categorization of high risk fieldwork and the mechanism/ability
to capture details of all institutional trips both in the UK and overseas. This would need to be
looked at further. AD suggested that FCO guidance could be used to identify high risk
fieldwork, it was noted however that this would only identify overseas fieldwork.
BS noted a case he had recently become aware of whereby a member of staff had claimed
travel insurance using a TS1 travel and subsistence expenses form for a visit.
It was agreed that all Schools known to be undertaking fieldwork should be subject to regular
thematic auditing against university requirements and that the findings should be tracked at
University Audit Committee with summary reports being presented to the HSASC committee
where significant non-conformity is identified.
AK advised an audit had already been scheduled of the School of Environment and
Technology to be undertaken in January using a trial checklist mapped against HE sector
fieldwork guidance requirements.
111: ’Managing health and safety in research’
The Managing Health and Safety in Research guidance document is to be added to a
dedicated research safety section of the forthcoming Health and Safety ‘staffcentral’ website.
AK advised it was the intention for the Faculty of Science and Engineering Safety Advisor
(vacancy) to take up delivering a ‘Supervising Safety’ training course when in position.
112: Nanomaterial Usage
Health and Safety Department collating this information in conjunction with chemical weapon
precursor chemical registering. It was noted that the Nano Materials expert Ray Whitby was
on a long term sabbatical and unavailable to attend committee.
113: Health and Safety Training:
PG wrote to Chair of Safety Committee and was assured that all Heads will be required to
complete the mandatory Leading and Managing Safely training by the end of the calendar
year. AK reported that there were still a handful of Heads who had not attended and this
would be reported to the University Safety Committee in February 2014. It was agreed that
University Safety Committee should assume the role of monitoring uptake of this mandatory
course.
114: Bomb Threat Training
Development and delivery of training has not been taken forward due to the absence of the
Estate and Facilities Management Department Facilities Manager.
115: Campus Security report
Campus Security Sub-Committee has been dissolved. Committee members expressed
concern regarding the loss of this monitoring mechanism for security related matters.
PG requested that incident and accident reports be filtered by AC and only relevant
significant incidents be reported to the HSASC.
116: AD tabled reminder of Environmental Auditing training is to be provided with two dates
scheduled.
Constitution and membership for the 2014-15 academic session
Members considered the constitution of the Hazardous Substances and Activities Sub
Committee and changes to the constitution are to be made.
Bob Salvage is to have his job title changed to Technical Resources, Facilities and Project
Manager, PABS.
Brian Jones, Senior Lecturer in PABS is to be withdrawn and co-opted for specific items
where necessary. It was noted that Brian Jones who is on sabbatical has been retained on a
0.2 FTE contract in order to fulfil PABS BSO duties and to attend PABS safety committee.
Marie Harder, Sustainable Development Coordinator is to be withdrawn. It was felt that the
Environment Manager would be able to respond to all Environment related items.
Ray Whitby, Nanotechnology Specialist is to be withdrawn. It was noted Ray Whitby is on a
long term sabbatical and unavailable. PG noted that no other Nano specialists were
available and that any requirement for Nano advice would be co-opted.
Tim Lane, Faculty Safety Adviser for Grand Parade Campus has changed role and needs to
be replaced, PG is to write to Ann Bodington, Dean of the Faculty of Arts to request a
nominee.
Mick Hollingsworth, Building Services Engineer has retired. The post is currently vacant and
the new post holder will be invited to attend. AK had spoken with Tony Rodriguez EFM
Assistant Director to request a temporary replacement, but was advised that no staff within
EFM were either competent or with sufficient time available to contribute.
Action sheet
HSAC 14/1
UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON
ACADEMIC BOARD
Action list from the meeting of the Hazardous Substances and Activities Sub Committee held
on 8th January 2014 at 2.15pm in Huxley Building Room 400/01
Minute
no.
Action
Person
responsible
107a
Chemical weapon precursor register and SIB to be
circulated
AK to check the schedule for audit is inclusive of all
gas cylinders through the institution and that Phil
Thompson (Fire Safety Advisor) is conduction
audits.
AC
111
’Managing health and safety in research’ paper is to
be added to new Health and Safety ‘staffcentral’
website when it goes live.
AC
112
Form a register that states who is using
Nanomaterials throughout the Institution.
AC
115
Filter and provide a verbal report on relevant
significant accidents or incidents reported to Safety
Committee.
Letter to relevant members of committee who are to
stand down and letter to Anne Bodington requesting
a nominee to replace Tim Lane
AC
109
AK
PG