UNIVERSITY STRATEGY
Cardiff University Occupational Safety, Health and
Environment Strategic Plan 2012-2015
Document No:
CU/11/S/SP/2.0
Strategy Ratified by:
Council
Date:
28th May 2012
Area Applicable:
ALL
Review Year
2013
Document History
Author(s)
Revision
Number
2
Date
Mike Salmon
Date
28/5/12
Amendment
New 3 year strategy
Name
Mike Salmon
February 2011
Approved by
Council
Cardiff University Safety, Health and Environment Strategic
Plan 2012-2015
Cardiff University Strategic Vision
We will be one of the world’s leading universities with an academic community
recognised for its international distinction and impact
The University Strategy, which builds on the University's achievements, sets out the
medium-term direction of the University in line with its mission. It provides the
overarching framework for the formulation and assessment of all other plans such as
those produced for individual schools, the University's administration, estate and
information services etc. which, in turn, inform the formulation of the overall University
Strategy.
Details of the strategy can be found at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/plann/strategicplan/
The University strategy identifies a number of strategic enablers which are key to
achievement of the University’s objectives and priorities and effective management of
safety, health and environment are identified within these strategic enablers.
The University is a people-based organisation. High quality and motivated staff in all
positions throughout the University, as well as the ability of staff and students to realise
their potential, are key to our future success. We need to provide an environment that
supports individual and collective achievement and this is underpinned by the
requirement to maintain a healthy and safe working environment.
Cardiff University Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Policy
The University’s commitment to safety, health and environment is set out in its safety,
health and environment policy statement which can be found at
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/osheu/safety/index.html The policy sets out the University’s top
level commitments for safety, health and environment and to support them the University
has established a safety, health and environment strategy which is defined below and
which it will review on a regular basis.
Cardiff University Safety, Health and Environment Strategy
The following strategic plan has been agreed by Council and the University Health
Safety and Environment Committee and will be regularly reviewed in support of the
University mission and Safety, Health and Environment Policy commitments.
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2012 – 2015 Strategic SHE Objectives
The University’s principal goal is to improve health, safety and environmental
sustainability within the Cardiff University community and continue the momentum
towards minimising work and study related injuries and illness and our impact on the
environment.
By 2015 Cardiff University will:
1. Be able to demonstrate proactive management of SHE through strong and
effective leadership, clear managerial accountability and good planning
2. Have in place effective risk management strategies to support teaching and
research, based on consistent, recognisable, quality based SHE management
systems across all Schools and Directorates that apply sensible risk
management principles for SHE which affords proper protection, are risk
based and are enabling not stifling
3. Have enhanced awareness, understanding and practice of SHE:

so that management and staff are committed to maintaining a strong
culture of employee and student safety, health and wellbeing and an
environmentally sustainable work ethic

to enable students to participate in an inspiring and enriching
educational experience which does not adversely affect their health; set
within a safe, healthy and sustainable environment to prepare Cardiff
students for their future careers
4. Have in place effective arrangements for the monitoring, reporting, review and
continual improvement of SHE performance across all areas of the University.
To achieve these four strategic SHE objectives the university leadership, in
partnership with School and Directorate management teams, Trades Union
representatives, safety, health and environment personnel and committees, the
university community and OSHEU, will focus on delivering the following strategic
SHE priorities for 2012 – 2015.
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Priority Actions
Current Progress
Objective 1: Be able to demonstrate proactive management of SHE through strong and effective leadership, clear managerial
accountability and good planning
Hazard Management
Consolidate CU Hazard register. Verify
hazard registers in place in Schools
(2012)
Introduce a program to assess
effectiveness of control strategies for
key University hazards (2012-15)
Develop hazard web site to define
hazard management arrangements at
CU (2012 -15)
OSHEU maintain program of six
monthly SHE performance reports to
University Board, six monthly reports to
Health, Safety and Environment
Committee and annual report to Council.
(2012-15)
Ensure Heads of School/Directorate
fully aware of their responsibilities for
SHE (2012-15)
Reporting program ongoing
Annual one to one briefings from OSHEU to Heads in place and 2012 review meetings
will commence mid year.
Review and communicate University
SHE Policy statement to all staff and
students (2012)
Golden SHE rules are being produced to emphasise the role of staff and students in
support of the policy to be communicated by March 2012
Deliver refresher training for Council
members (2012)
Complete
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Review SHE Strategy action plan (2012)
Review planned for first half of 2012
Develop and maintain OSHEU as a
centre of excellence (2012-15)
Develop future training needs analysis for staff within OSHEU (2012)
Review implications of proposed single
regulatory framework for pathogens
(2013/14)
Priority Actions
Current Progress
Objective 2: Have in place effective risk management strategies to support teaching and research, based on consistent, recognisable
quality based Health management systems across all Schools and Directorates and applying sensible risk management principles for
Health which affords proper protection, is risk based and is enabling not stifling
Embed non conformance and
escalation procedure (2012)
Monitor nonconformities identified through audit, inspections,
investigations etc to ensure actions are taken to address issues.
Develop internal system to manage SHE actions and NCR’s (2012
Embed arrangements for provision and
maintenance of SHE legal registers
(2013)
Schools and Directorates to be encouraged to update their own legal
registers.
Implement program for achieving Welsh
Assembly Government Corporate
Health standards award. (2012)
Certify management systems initially to Silver level of CHS by April 2012
Review current SHE Policies to ensure
in date and in line with standards (2013)
Policies currently being reviewed
Complete the review of building fire risk
assessments and develop program to
ensure they are embedded with building
controllers and occupiers (2012)
Review of fire risk assessments being undertaken in 2012 with actions
being assigned and process for follow up and monitoring by OSHEU being
developed
Action plan in place assessment dates 26/27th April 2012
Convert existing sub policies into SHE system procedures where
appropriate (2013)
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Following the fire risk assessment
review and Fire Service feedback from
their visits take forward and develop fire
safety management strategies to ensure
a cohesive fire plan is in place (2013)
Fire service feedback being integrated into fire risk assessment reviews.
Undertake a review of travel safety
arrangements to ensure they are
consistent and meet good practice
standards (2012)
Review in progress and web site being developed. New system and web
site in place by end 2012
review the University’s existing risk
assessment processes and work with
Schools and Directorates to ensure a
system which is proportionate, effective
and efficient (2013)
Draft proposals developed on lines of HSE model and guidance
Fire safety working group has been established and are working on key
areas of a fire safety strategy
Strategy plan in place by end 2012
Initial consultation with Department Safety Officers undertaken
Working Group to be fprmed to take proposals forward,
Undertake Effectiveness review of
University permit to work system
(2012/13)
Embed SHE management systems and
new procedures based on sensible risk
principles and consistent and
transparent processes across the whole
University (2012-15)
Annual external audit of management systems by external assessors
(ongoing annually)
Internal audit by OSHEU to evaluate effectiveness
Communicate and embed new procedures
Recertification achieved by end of 2014
Implement revised Pregnancy risk
assessment procedure (2012)
End 2012
Target waste streams to assess
feasibility of elimination, reduction, reuse (2012/13)
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Priority Actions
Current Progress
Objective 3: Have enhanced awareness, understanding and practice of SHE:
 so that management and staff are committed to maintaining a strong culture of employee and student safety, health and wellbeing and
an environmentally sustainable work ethic
 to enable students to participate in an inspiring and enriching educational experience which does not adversely affect their health; set
within a safe, healthy and sustainable environment to prepare Cardiff students for their future careers
Integrate health, safety & environment
briefings into the induction programs for
new members of Council and new
members of University Board (2012)
Integration into Council and Board inductions still being investigated
Review the current health and safety
management training course provision
with the objective of replacing them with
a single blended learning program on
the lines of the Positive Leadership in
University Management course so that
courses are more flexible, are tailored to
managers needs and make the most
effective use of staff time (2012)
Alternative management program currently developed and will be piloted
in mid 2012
Research the possibility of replacing a
range of basic staff health and safety
induction and training programs
(including general safety awareness, fire
safety, display screen equipment safe
use, stress, and environment
awareness) with centrally coordinated elearning programs (2012)
Research work commenced and will be completed in 2012.
Review arrangements for safety, health
and environment awareness amongst
students. (2013)
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Review arrangements for SHE training
for staff (2012)
Finalise and communicate Draft training matrix defining mandatory and
recommended training 2012
Training programs currently being reviewed
Review arrangements for integrating
safety, health and environment within
academic courses (2013/14)
Review not yet undertaken, target date 2013
Make the SHE management systems
more transparent and easy to use by
developing further tool kits, guidance,
templates etc (2012/13)
Review requirements for training and
competence of School/Directorate health
and safety Coordinators (2012)
Review arrangements for determining
SHE competency of managers and staff
at CU:
Address HSE recommendations related
to Scientific staff(2012)
Wider review of competence (2013)
Review arrangements for environmental
awareness across CU (2012)
?
Review and develop OSHEU web site to
ensure it is clear, user friendly and
adequately supports Schools and
Directorates (2013)
Develop plan for the review and
continual improvement of the SHE
culture at CU (2013/14)
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Priority Actions
Current Progress
Objective 4: have
in place effective arrangements for the monitoring, reporting, review and continual improvement of SHE performance
across all areas of the University
Develop University performance
indicators for each of the four objectives
with the aim of providing Council and
other committees with robust indicators
of performance (2012)
Performance indicators will be examined as part of the on going review of
SHE strategy in 2012 and where applicable measures or Performance
indicators will be specified and measured
Maintain an annual internal SHE audit of
all Schools and Directorates (2012-15)
Program being developed for 2012 audits
Undertake Annual review of
School/Directorate SHE performance
through annual return (2012-15)
2012 Annual returns issued to Schools/Directorates on 16.1.12 with return
date of 29.02.12
Improve level of top management
reviews of SHE performance within
Schools and Directorates (2012)
Reviewed as part of the 2011 audit and Heads meetings. Action plans
proposed where applicable. Monitor as part of the 2012 meetings with
Heads and through annual audit
Review arrangements for managing
risks from slips, trips and falls (2012/13)
Develop plan for addressing this action 2012?
Review respiratory protection
procedures and practice (2012)
Review arrangements for managing
sharps – students (2012/13)
Working Group has been formed and recommendations made.
Respiratory Screening policy currently being reviewed
Face fit testing equipment has been purchased
Key Schools and Directorates are being actively consulted and surveyed
Complete by mid 2012?
Develop plan for addressing this action 2012
Support underperforming Schools and
Directorates in improving SHE
performance (2012-15)
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Improve School/Directorate compliance
with University Monitoring Policy for
workplace inspections (2013)
Specific review of environmental
performance in Schools and
Directorates. Identify targets based on
baseline audits. (2012)
Review arrangements for Portable
Appliance testing within the University
(2012)
Improve the compliance with DSE
Regulations (2012/13)
Review Stress policy and effectiveness
of stress risk assessment (2013)
Undertake a review of Health/Staff
Counselling services with the objective
of ensuring an effective, efficient and
coordinated service to support the
health and wellbeing of staff and
students. (2012)
Implement actions arising from review
(2013)
Improve confidence in accident and
incident reporting process. Raise
awareness amongst staff, students and
visitors (2013)
Review Legionella Policy (2012)
Review Fire Policy (2012)
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