Health and Safety Induction for Students Alastair Merrill, Health and Safety Advisor September

Aim and objectives AIM: To explain the arrangements for health and safety at the University of West London OBJECTIVES: Understand your responsibilities and the University’s responsibilities to you Understand arrangements for fire safety Understand arrangements for first aid Understand arrangements for accident reporting Where to get help

Duties and responsibilities

The University’s duties and responsibilities The University of West London recognises and accepts its duties under Health and Safety law to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its students, staff and visitors.

The University seeks to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of all students by: Providing a safe environment to learn and work Identifying significant hazards and implementing appropriate procedures to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm (risk assessments and safe systems of work) Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision Implementing procedures for dealing with emergencies (e.g. fire, first aid)

What the University provides for you To promote and support your health: Access to a GP service Trained first aiders Occupational Health service for students undertaking clinical work To promote and support your safety: Competent staff University Safety Advisors To promote and support your welfare: Student Services Confidential counselling service

Students’ duties and responsibilities Exercise personal responsibility for your safety and that of others Adhere to the University’s Health and Safety rules and procedures Familiarise yourself with any notices concerned with procedures or Codes of Practice that relate specifically to your programme of study Co-operate with all teaching and support staff including instructions given by the Emergency Team during building evacuations.

Wear suitable clothing (including protective equipment) as directed / needed for your course Bring to the attention of staff any defects that arise with any equipment being issued or used Never bring onto the premises substances that are hazardous to health unless you have permission Not to misuse safety equipment Violent or abusive behaviour towards other students and staff is not tolerated Failure to adhere to these duties and instructions may result in disciplinary action.

Fire doors

Children on University premises Parents are discouraged from bringing children to the University Parents or guardians must sign in children at Reception upon arrival Parents or guardians will be asked to remove children if they are deemed to be excessively noisy or they disrupt other students’ learning and study Children are prohibited from hazardous areas such as laboratories, kitchens and workshops In exceptional circumstances, and with prior agreement, a lecturer may at their discretion allow students to bring children to meetings and classes.

Additional comments If you have a health condition or disability that may affect or be affected by your studies, please request a referral to the School’s Occupational Health service or discuss this with Student Services If you become pregnant, you must notify your tutor or programme leader so that steps can be taken to ensure that the health of you and your baby, and your studies, are not adversely affected You must adhere to all instructions regarding clinical placements.

Fire safety

On discovering a fire: Raise alarm Do not try to put out fire unless trained to do so Leave by the nearest exit Report to the assembly point Do not re-enter building On hearing the alarm: Leave by the nearest exit Report to the assembly point If it safe to do so, switch off equipment If it is safe to do so, close doors and windows On hearing the alarm: Don’t panic Don’t stop to collect personal belongings Do not use lifts Don’t lock doors Do not re-enter building until told to do so

Fire alarm testing Once a week, the fire alarm is tested. How do I know if it is a test? When testing the alarms, the bells will not sound for more than 30 seconds at a time. If the bells sound continuously for more than 30 seconds, you should evacuate the building. If in doubt, get out!

Fire action notice and call point (right) Fire escape route signage (below)

Fire extinguishers Water (H 2 O) fire extinguishers have a red label and a flexible hose. Point the hose at the base of the fire when discharging the extinguisher They can be used on fires involving furniture, fabrics, wood, curtains, blinds and paper. They must not be used on fires involving electrical equipment or near to electrical supplies. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) fire extinguishers have a black label and a rigid horn. Point the horn at the base of the fire, but do not hold the horn when discharging the extinguisher. They can be used on fires involving electrical equipment or near to electrical supplies.

Fire extinguishers Remember: if you haven’t been trained to use a fire extinguisher, only use one if you have to, for example, to clear a safe route out of an area. All extinguishers have basic instructions for use on them. Most University buildings have more than one way out of the building (look for the green signs). Therefore you should not need to use an extinguisher to fight your way out if there is smoke or fire as there is likely to be an alternative safe route.

‘Locked’ fire doors Some fire exit doors are locked to prevent them being used for day to day access, but they should be used when the fire alarms sound or in an emergency. These have a tube that needs to be broken before you can open them. Use the hammer provided to break the tube. These look like this:

PEEPS Personal emergency exit plans may be required for those who need assistance during a building evacuation Mobility impaired persons move horizontally to refuge areas (places of temporary safety). Remember, do not use the lifts during a building evacuation. Trained staff will assist with the evacuation down the stairs using Evac Chairs See Fire Evacuation Procedures document on the Student Support section of Blackboard for more information.

No Smoking The University operates a NO SMOKING Policy in all buildings and vehicles. This is a legal requirement.

Site-specific arrangements for fire safety

St Mary’s Road, Ealing Teaching Centre, H Block and Library all evacuate simultaneously Separate alarms for other buildings (SU/North Building, NE Building, Vestry Hall) Assembly points: Warwick Road and SU car park Paragon, Brentford Misting system and detectors in every room Phased evacuation Assembly points: Cost Cutter and Accommodation Courtyard Fountain House, Reading All areas evacuate simultaneously Assembly point: between the rear of the Civic Offices and the Police Station Remember: wherever you are, if you can hear the alarm, leave. If in doubt, get out!

First Aid

To summon medical assistance, dial 3333 on any University phone, or call Reception and ask for a First Aider: –St Mary’s Road Reception x2231 or 2232 ( / 2232) –Paragon Reception x4210 ( ) –Fountain House Reception Out of hours, contact the 24 hour Security Desk: x3333 ( ) If you call 999 yourself, you must notify either Reception or Security so that they can direct the paramedics to the casualty on arrival

Accident reporting

You must report all accidents, health-incidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses to the person in charge at the time The University accident / incident form is available from Reception, Security, and Blackboard Accidents whilst on placement must be reported to the person in charge, and also to the University Contact the Safety Office without delay to advise of any serious accidents or dangerous occurrences: Safety Office:telephone x 2745 / Emergency contact (out of hours, Bank Holidays and weekends): Telephone (quote reference LBE24)

Where to get help

Don’t be complacent

Fire statistics In 2008 in the UK: 328,000 fires 1,400 fires in the Education sector 496,000 domestic fires 451 deaths, 12,215 injuries Common causes of domestic fire (2008 statistics*) Cooking appliances: 54% Smoking materials, lighters and matches: 14% Electrical appliances, equipment and supplies: 14% Heating appliances and equipment: 6% Candles: 6% Alcohol or drugs a factor in 47% of deaths from fire** * Fire Statistics, UK 2008www.communities.gov.uk ** Arson Control Forum: Learning lessons from real fires: findings from fire investigation reports. Research Bulletin No.9. Dept for Communities and Local Government. July 2006.

+ = + = Don’t cook if you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs Get a take-away instead!

Consequences of fire: video Humberside Fire and Rescue demo Bradford stadium fire 1985 – do not show video: 4 minutes for fire to engulf entire stand 56 dead, 265 injured See YouTube (search for Bradford Fire) Be warned: television footage is shocking and distressing. Do not view if you are likely to be upset by graphic images.

The front room fire

Probability of Workplace Fire by industry Type for London Fire – is it a real threat? REMEMBER: although fire is a significant risk, there have been no fire-related fatalities in the University sector in the last 5 years (excluding privately rented accommodation)

36 City University – May 2001

Glasgow University – October 2001

University of Southampton – October 2005

Northumbria University– April 2007

University of Westminster – June 2007

Delft University – May 2008

London Met – June 2008

University of Bristol – January 2009

University of Worcester – January 2011

48 Fire Doors

49 Shanghai inferno, November 2010

Contact the Safety Office by: Telephone: More information available at West London Online (BlackBoard) Any questions?