Health and Safety Induction for Managers

Introduction This induction supplements the Health and Safety Induction for Staff and should be viewed by all managers It sets out the key issues for managers and provides links to resources which enable managers to fulfil their legal duties

About Health and Safety Induction All staff need to be trained so that they do their job properly and safely Health and safety induction is a basic introduction for staff on how health and safety works at the University As well as understanding this yourself, you also need to ensure your staff have received basic induction training (link to presentation when ready) There are lots of other ways of ensuring health and safety training is carried out within your School or Support Area. You may have developed a training matrix which helps you identify what training is needed in order for staff to carry out their job role properly. If you need help with this please contact the Health and Safety Unit safety@aston.ac.uk

Risk Assessments Risk assessments are the most important tool we have to prevent accidents They give us the opportunity to think about what might go wrong and what we can do prevent it. Risk assessment training is available through Staff Development Information on specialist risk assessments for hazardous substances and Display Screen Equipment can be found on the HSU website

Accidents All accidents must be recorded on the University template form and passed to the HSU as soon as possible. This includes near-miss accidents. Part of a line manager/supervisors function is to complete Part B of the form which relates to accident investigation. For serious incidents a more formal investigation will take place and you will be supported by a member of the HSU. Accident investigation training is available through Staff Development. The Accident Form and other relevant documents can be found here.

Workplace Inspections In order to prevent accidents, routine hazard spotting should be carried out in all Schools and Support Areas You should nominate someone to do this and report defects that could lead to accidents and incidents Training on how to carry out Workplace Inspections is available through Staff Development

Health and Safety Management Systems These systems need to be put in place in all organisations so that effective health and safety is coordinated throughout the organisation. The model used is Plan, Do, Check, Act. The Health and Safety policy sets out roles and responsibilities and the direction for the University in terms of health and safety initiatives. There is further information on the role of the manager/supervisor here

Health and Safety Audits These audits are carried out by the Health and Safety Audit Group (HSAG) There is a 5 year scheduled programme of auditing activity across the University If your area is going to be audited you will have sufficient notice in order to prepare. Information on the auditing process can be found here.

Communicating Health and Safety Health and Safety is discussed at a strategic level at the termly Health and Safety Committee (HSC). This is attended by senior managers or their representatives Schools and Support Areas have nominated local Health and Safety Coordinators, who have some health and safety roles delegated to them Health and Safety should be a standing agenda item on your team meetings

The Health and Safety Unit The Health & Safety Unit is a part of Human Resources and is available to provide expert advice to the University on issues of health, safety, welfare and fire safety. Health & Safety enquiry desk: safety@aston.ac.uk Telephone 0121 204 4976 You'll find us on the 7th Floor of the Main Building in room MB726 (D Lift)