The committee's purpose is to take executive action on matters of health and safety. The group monitors the outcome of health and safety audits, accidents and incidents, significant issues arising from the various channels of communications and determines an appropriate course of action. A key role is to enable the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Chief Operating Officer to approve policies, subject to them being afforded an appropriate process of consultation.
Council has the ultimate responsibility for the University's health and safety arrangements and performance, and executes this responsibility through the Personnel and Health and Safety Committee. Chaired by a member of Council chosen by Council, this committee asks suitable questions of the senior management in order to be satisfied that health and safety is being appropriately managed.
Remit
The Committee will:
advise Council on matters relating to staff employment, including the University People Strategy and performance against the strategic plan, personnel related Statutes and Ordinances, organisation development initiatives, reward structures, career development structures, staff wellbeing and employee relations;
monitor progress in relation to sustaining a positive working environment;
approve the University strategy for health and safety management and any significant amendment to it and have oversight of performance against the strategic plan;
consider and advise Council of any serious incidents and/or accidents;
approve the University equality and diversity strategy and any significant amendment to it and have oversight of performance against the strategic plan;
consider and advise Council of any matters of particular note and/or concern in relation to equality and diversity;
be briefed on significant employee relations issues in relation to the above;
advise the Human Resources Director on any matter falling within the Committee’s remit;
monitor expenditure in all areas falling within its terms of reference.
The Committee will also consider value for money issues in relation to staff matters and Human Resources and report on these through the University Secretary to the Audit Committee.
Membership
The committee is comprised of:
Lay member of Council (Chair)
To include at least two lay members of Council plus additional members as recommended by the Nominations Committee of Council.
One Dean appointed by Council
Lay member appointed by Council (also a member of the Health and Safety Consultative Committee)
Head of Organisational Development and Deputy Personnel Director
Deputy University Secretary
Director of Health and Safety
Organisational Development Manager (Diversity).
Notes of meetings
Meeting 1
Meeting 2
Meeting 3
Health and Safety Office annual reports
These reports detail the work of the Health and Safety Office for each period. They also include an update and explanation of the current situation regarding health and safety management:
The Health and Safety Consultative committee provides a formal vehicle for the workforce to monitor the management of health and safety, to raise concerns about workplace standards, and to provide a means of formal consultation on new or revised procedures and practices.
Remit
The Health and Safety Consultative committee:
acts as the statutory consultative committee required under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 and the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996
is a forum for consultation on health and safety policy
monitors workplace standards
raises concerns over workplace hazards or unsafe practices.
Membership
The committee is comprised of:
Chair - Director of Personnel and Staff Development
Lay Member of Council
Employee Representatives
Management Representatives
Technical Experts
Director of Health and Safety.
Minutes
Meeting 1
Meeting 2
Meeting 3
Operational Sub-committee
The Operational Sub-committee meets to address operational issues arising from day-to-day activities or the observations of trade union safety representatives. On those occasions when the group cannot resolve a particular item it will be escalated through the University committee structure or through operational management, as appropriate.
Membership
The committee is comprised of:
Director of Health and Safety
Head of Facilities Management
Joint Trade Union Safety Representative.
Infectious Diseases Control Committee
IDCC advises on the risks to University staff and students from exposure to infectious diseases in the community and has devised a plan of action to be implemented in the event of an individual case or an outbreak of such a disease. For further information please visit the University's infectious diseases webpage.
Biological and Genetic Modification Safety Committee
BGMSC advises on all aspects of biological safety management within the University. Where activities on University premises involve genetically modified organisms or pathogenic biological agents it also has specific functions under legislation and University safety policies. For more information, please visit the biological safety section of this website.
