The Unit Safety Statement November 2014 Dr Emer Bell Integrated Risk Solutions

What is a Safety Statement A Safety Statement is a plan, in writing, which specifically; –identifies the hazards, –assesses the risks, –identifies the controls to be put in place, – the persons responsible and –resources necessary to secure the safety of persons at work.

Why have a Unit Safety Statement? It sets out specifically how safety is managed in each Unit. The NUI Galway Safety Statement sets out general policies and defines management structures.

The role of Unit Heads under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act The Act places specific requirements on key employees such as Unit Heads to manage safety. The Act specifically requires a document setting out how safety is managed to be produced.

Section 80 – Prosecution Example Section 80 of the Act allows for Seniors Officers such as Unit Heads to be prosecuted, fined or imprisoned where an offence has been committed as a result of connivance or neglect. Michael Scully, Senior Engineer, Clare Co. Council. 2 year suspended sentence - death of Thomas O’Grady. Failure to manage work activities so as to ensure, in so far as reasonably practicable, the safety of employees

demonstrates how safety is actively managed on a day to day basis. addresses health and safety issues that are specific to the Unit. must set out specifically who is responsible for what and what action is required to ensure the safety of staff and students. To address this – the Unit Safety Statement. It…..

What must be included?

Unit Safety Statement Contents 1. A completed and signed Unit Safety Statement Plan/Policy. –A template is provided to support Heads of Unit in drawing up a Unit specific Safety Statement. –Signed by the Head Dated. –Reissued each year

Unit Safety Statement Plan. Together with the risk assessments this is the Unit Safety Statement. By following this document the Head of Unit can be confident that he or she is doing what is reasonably practicable to ensure compliance.

Unit Safety Statement Plan. The completed document demonstrates active safety management. It should make it clear to staff who is required to take specific actions in relation to safety

Unit Safety Statement Plan. It provides a clear check list of what needs to be done each year. –Types of risk assessment Manual handling Display screen assessment Student projects Chemical and biological agents Portable appliance testing –Measures for reporting accidents –Internal audit/inspections

Unit Safety Statement Plan. A record of the Unit’s annual Safety Training Needs Assessment must be attached. –Failure to provide appropriate training is a serious offence. –Training other than that listed by the Organisation and Staff Development Office may be required. –Training is obligatory in some instances

Unit Safety Statement Plan. The safety elements of the Unit’s Annual Plan or other safety objectives and initiatives. Set out safety objectives for the year, including who is responsible for carrying them out and the target date for completion.

Unit Safety Statement Plan. A current Safety Contacts poster as an indication of local emergency planning and communication.

Unit Safety Statement Contents 2. The completed risk assessments for all of areas and activities (on PEMAC Care or other equivalent format). –This is a critical part of the Unit Safety Statement. –This part is documentary evidence that risk assessment have been completed. –It must be useful to staff and students.

Completed risk assessments Be sure that the controls mentioned are comprehensive and tie in with relevant policies and procedures in the NUI Galway Safety Statement Policy. You are likely to require supporting documentation in addition to the PEMAC Care records.

Risk assessment example 1 Manual handling identified as an issue and entered on to PEMAC Care. –Be sure to have a completed manual handling risk assessment using the form in the NUIG Safety Statement. –Ensure staff are trained in manual handling. –Both the assessment forms and list of trained persons form part of the Unit Safety Statement.

Risk assessment example 2 Use of Computers identified as an issue and entered on to PEMAC Care. –Identify those assessed and those awaiting assessment. –Ensure display screen assessment forms are completed. –Both the assessment forms and list of persons form part of the Unit Safety Statement.

Risk assessment example 3 Use of chemicals identified as an issue and entered on to PEMAC Care –Ensure that Chemical Agents Risk Assessments has been completed. –The Chemical Agents Risk Assessment forms part of the Unit Safety Statement.

Communication The Head must ensure all staff and students are aware of the Unit Safety Statement. Staff must contribute to the contents through the risk assessment process.

Communication Put a copy on the Intranet. Have a hard copy in the Unit office. Tell staff and students about it at induction especially post graduate students

Review The Unit Safety Statement must be reviewed annually. This must be completed by the Head with the assistance of the Safety Coordinator and the Safety Committee (where one exists).

Review Overall responsibility for safety rests with the Head so be sure the Safety Statement accurately reflects the activities of the Unit. Carry out an internal audit & safety inspection before the review.

Review Check whether there are any new activities that need to be included. Check whether the Safety Office have issued any new guidelines or there have been legislative changes. Re date it and sign.

Areas for improvement The risk assessment element is not always completed to an appropriate standard. The controls listed do not provide enough information on what to do to eliminate or minimise the risk.