Heads of School, and managers of other equivalent autonomous units, are responsible, through Heads of College, to the University Court for the management of health and safety matters within the area of the University under their control. Besides the Heads of academic School, the term is taken to include Heads of administrative and service departments, senior wardens of the halls and houses and managers of any premises administered by the University Court. Heads of Schools (or equivalent), together with senior members of staff and school safety advisers, where appointed, are expected to take the initiative in promoting and monitoring the health and safety of all persons liable to be affected by school activities under their control.Heads of School should ensure they have read and implemented the University Health and Safety Policy and accompanying Framework documents.All parts are available to download as pdfs although the University Health and Safety Policy is also available in hard copy booklet format.Summary of the key changes to the University Health and Safety Policy Current Policy University Health and Safety Policy This document, The Health and Safety Policy, is supported by a Framework document (Organisation and Arrangements) which details the University’s organisation and arrangements for implementing and monitoring the Policy.University Health and Safety Policy Framework: Organisation This document details the Organisation of health and safety within the University of Edinburgh. It should be read in conjunction with the Health and Safety Policy - Framework: Arrangements and the Health and Safety Policy document itself.The index of the document can be found under the 'Bookmarks' section in Adobe reader which is on the left hand side of the document.Framework: Organisation Framework: Arrangements This document details the Arrangements for health and safety management within the University of Edinburgh. It should be read in conjunction with the Health and Safety Policy - Framework: Organisation, and the University Health and Safety Policy document itself.The index of the document can be found under the 'Bookmarks' section in Adobe reader which is on the left hand side of the document.Framework: Arrangements Model list of duties for a Head of SchoolA model list of duties, based on the list in the Framework:Organisation document, for a Head of School is available below, with expanded guidance on how to comply.Head of School model list of dutiesA template Health and Safety Policy is also available for low risk areas:Low Risk Model Health and Safety Policy template (PDF)Low Risk Model Health and Safety Policy template (Word)Other checklists, such as for local inspections, are also provided in our Checklists section.Auditing the health and safety management systemsThe Health and Safety Department undertakes a variety of checks to ensure that suitable systems are in place at school or department level. These include the following;Partnership audit programme with an external auditing partnerAnnual Head of School (or equivalent) questionnaire - sent annually to each head of School/Department, with the results reported to the University Safety, Health and Wellbeing CommitteeAnnual reports from specialist areas reporting to the University Biological Safety Committee and/or University Radiation Protection CommitteeSchools and departments are also expected to undertake suitable checks, such as audits, inspections and surveys which should be reported on locally.TrainingThe newly developed "Health and safety leadership training" course is designed specifically for senior leaders (Heads of School, Directors of Professional Service Groups, including Heads of College / Vice Principals) at the University of Edinburgh. It provides essential training on health and safety responsibilities aligned to the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy. This course is mandatory for senior leaders, as defined in the Framework on Managing Health and Safety.Staff may enrol using the link before, or view more information at:Health and safety leadership training STAFF Self-enrol: Health and safety leadership training Face to FaceThe Director Health, Safety & Wellbeing is available for informal one to one discussions with Heads of School about their health and safety responsibilities.Further assistance Training and Audit Unit Contact details Email: safety.training@ed.ac.uk This article was published on 2024-07-22
