Health and Safety Strategy
The next five years
2016-2020
Work Safely, Research Safely, and Study Safely
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Contents Page
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Where are we now? ................................................................................................................................ 4
Where do we want to be? ...................................................................................................................... 6
How will we get there? ........................................................................................................................... 7
Health and Safety Directorate Role in Delivering the Strategy .............................................................. 8
Appendices.............................................................................................................................................. 9
Appendix 1 – Strategy Action Plan ........................................................................................................ 10
Appendix 2– Completion of QMUL Health and Safety Strategy and Plan for 2010 -15 ....................... 25
Appendix 3. QMUL Health and Safety Directorate ............................................................................... 27
Appendix 4. QMUL Health and Safety Management Structure............................................................ 28
Appendix 5. Glossary of Terms ............................................................................................................. 29
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Key Points



Health and safety is an integral part of QMUL’s activities
Four themed priorities will help us to work safely, research safely, and study safely
Everyone at QMUL has an important role in delivering this strategy
Introduction
Zarah Laing, Director of Health and Safety
Effective health and safety management is integral to
the success of an organisation. All organisations have
a legal duty to manage health and safety; integrate the
management of health and safety within the business
of the organisation; and show strong leadership in this
area.
Health and safety management is governed by the
core principles of effective risk control, reasonable
practicability, proportionality and common sense
application, as set out in the framework legislation of
the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, enacted
regulations, guidance, and the Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Health and safety management in its wider sense not
only includes the prevention of accidents, injuries and ill health, along with the management
of workplace risks such as fire, exposure to hazardous substances and manual handling; it
also includes the psychosocial hazards and risks to employees.
QMUL follows the Plan / Do / Check / Review (PDCR) approach in managing safety, and
health and fire safety as outlined in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) document
‘Managing for Health and Safety, HGS65’ and applicable sector guidance such as the
Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) ‘Leadership and Management of
Health and Safety in Higher Education Institutions’.
Overall, the QMUL health and safety management system is effective at both operational
and management levels. The 2016-2020 Strategy aims to build on the strengths of the
current health and safety management system and the achievements of the previous QMUL
health and safety strategy (2012-2015). The new strategy covers the forthcoming period
2016-2020 and embodies the values and objectives of the QMUL Corporate Strategy for
2014-2019. The implementation of the new strategy will begin in 2016-2017, following all
necessary consultation and agreement.
The Strategy will last for five years unless external circumstances require an earlier revision.
The Strategy provides a framework of key themes and objectives, which sets foundation for
the more detailed Action Plan. The plan (in Appendix 1) is a working document with annual
reviews. This will ensure flexibility in line with changing organisational needs and priorities.
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Where are we now?
Strategic and Legal Context
Following the EU referendum and the Government’s new Higher Education Institutions (HEI)
White Paper, the higher education sector will likely face a period of extensive challenge and
change in 2016-17 and beyond. Some of these challenges could be potential financial
pressures as well as uncertainties in student recruitment and retention.
This means that all of us need to be prepared for and open to the necessary changes that
will likely be required. Of course, our priority in protecting our staff, students and visitors’
health and safety will always remain; however, we will have to look at every aspect of our
activities to identify ways in which we can do things better, more effectively and efficiently.
In addition, the Sentencing Council’s new sentencing guidelines for health and safety
offences and corporate manslaughter highlight the reputational, financial and human risk
with breaches of health and safety law. Therefore, an integrated and innovative way of
managing health and safety is proposed to further improve the health and safety of QMUL’s
staff, students and others whilst legal compliance is ensured.
A New Framework for Health and Safety
In 2015, UCEA issued a guidance document: ‘Leadership and management of health and
safety in HEI’. The document sets out principles and practices which leaders and managers
in HEI need to apply in order to demonstrate good health and safety management.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a new health and safety strategy in 2016
entitled ‘Help Great Britain work well: A new health and safety system strategy’. The HSE
Strategy has six themes and the followings are directly relevant to QMUL health and safety
strategy:



promoting broader ownership of workplace safety and health
highlighting and tackling the burden of work-related ill health
anticipating and tackling the challenges of new technology and ways of working
UCEA’s new health and safety strategy for 2016-2020 also concurs with the themes of the
HSE’s strategy. We, therefore, have aligned our health and safety strategy with the HSE and
the UCEA themes to ensure that our approach is consistent with a wider context.
Completion of the Previous QMUL Health and Safety
The improvements in QMUL’s health and safety performance over the last five years have
been significant as a result of the last strategy.
The Principal’s Senior Executive Team (QMSE) has demonstrated strong leadership and
commitment by approving the health and safety policy statement and framework that
included the ratifying signature of the Principal. The Policy provided an effective framework
for setting and reviewing QMUL’s health and safety objectives and improving performance.
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QMUL is in agreement that we need to do better to ensure that our safety, health and fire
management system remains robust to respond to the traditional health and safety risks and
also challenges and pressures such as:




new international partnerships
cross–disciplinary research activities
new ways of working and learning
new technologies.
The new strategy considers all these identified risks within a thematic approach and
objectives.
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Where do we want to be?
Our ethos, vision and values summarises where we want to be:
Our Ethos
Work Safely, Research Safely, and Study Safely.
Our Vision
Our vision is to ensure that all aspects of health and safety are firmly embedded into the
activities of QMUL, therefore facilitating and enabling teaching, learning and research
through the principle of managing risk well.
Our Values
We share the values expressed within the QMUL Strategy which underpin our organisation’s
purpose and commitment to knowledge creation, knowledge sharing and benefits for local,
and wider communities. These core values are reflected in the health and safety strategic
objectives and the action plan.
The following four strategic themes describe in broad terms QMUL approach to health and
safety:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Acting together
Managing risk well
Reducing reportable diseases
Keeping pace with change
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How will we get there?
QMUL will embed its health and safety ethos and accomplish its vision by
‘Acting Together, Managing Risk Well, Reducing Reportable Accidents and Diseases, and
Keeping Pace with Change’.
A. ACTING TOGETHER
Successful health and safety management is a collective responsibility in which all QMUL
staff and students must play a part. By ‘Acting Together’, we can achieve legal compliance
and subsequently a safe and healthy environment for all our staff, students and visitors.
Therefore, QMUL can take pride in its health and safety reputation and promote its
successes at home and abroad. Creating an effective and efficient system is a goal that we
can all unite around and benefit.
We will ‘Act Together’:
Strategic Objective 1: to maintain and improve the visible and active commitment to health
and safety from Council, QMSE and our managers, which is embraced by staff and
students.
Strategic Objective 2: to develop QMUL leaders and managers, improve staff awareness
and enhance the talent of our health and safety team.
Strategic Objective 3: to ensure and promote effective management of health and safety
with our international partners and joint ventures, and also with those who are embedded in
our activities / premises in the UK.
Strategic Objective 4: To provide a framework and support for all parts of QMUL to create
health and safety operational plans which are firmly embedded into teaching, research and
support.
B. MANAGING RISK WELL
Managing risk well is about taking sensible and effective practical steps to protect staff,
students and visitors from injuries and ill health. Taking a sensible approach to health and
safety risk management would ensure that staff, students and others are properly protected
whilst innovation and learning enabled.
We will ‘Manage Risk Well’ by:
Strategic Objective 5: simplifying our health and safety processes and improving our
systems so that they are solution focused, consistent and enabling (in teaching, learning,
research and support), taking into account of legislative and regulatory requirements.
Strategic Objective 6: ensuring a culture of sensible risk management in all activities of
QMUL and helping our staff and students to manage health and safety in a better way,
which will build collaboration and improve standards.
Strategic Objective 7: sharing the success of QMUL in managing health and safety risks
and promoting excellence of individuals, teams and our university.
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C. REDUCING WORK-RELATED ILL HEALTH:
We have done much to reduce reportable accidents to minimum level. We now need to
develop a more comprehensive and robust framework for the identification of work-related
illnesses, diseases and mental health issues.
We will ‘Reduce Work Related Ill Health’ by:
Objective 8: ensuring an improved focus on health and wellbeing issues at work, while
maintaining standards around safety in the work environments.
Objective 9: collaborating and coordinating actions across QMUL with the particular
involvement of Occupational Health, HR and others to support delivery of substantial
behaviour change and awareness programmes that will be required to reduce reportable
diseases.
D. KEEPING PACE WITH CHANGE:
Health and Safety change is triggered by the QMUL strategy, our working environment,
legislation and regulation, and the dynamics of work activity itself. Our Council, Senior
Management, staff, students and partners all have a vested interest in keeping pace with
change.
We will ‘Keep Pace with Change’ by:
Strategic Objective 10: anticipating and responding innovatively to a wide and everchanging range of health and safety risks affecting QMUL.
Strategic Objective 11: communicating, listening and facilitating change through QMUL
health and safety groupings and networks, and in the forward plans.
Health and Safety Directorate Role in delivering the strategy
The Health and Safety Directorate (HSD) will act as the key coordinator for Senior
Management, staff, students and key partners to promote ownership of health and safety
across QMUL in the implementation of the strategy.
Linked to QMUL’s strategic goals and legislative requirements, the team will strive for
continuous improvement in health and safety processes across QMUL to ensure legislative
compliance.
HSD will support the QMUL strategy by keeping pace with change as a key element of the
service delivery and communication strategy.
With a clear focus on an ‘Acting Together’ approach, the team will embrace QMUL’s values
and proactively align themselves to be viewed as valued and respected organisational
‘enablers’.
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Appendices
1.
2.
3.
4.
Health and Safety Action Plan
Completion of QMUL Health and Safety Strategy and Plan for 2010-15
Health and Safety Directorate structure
QMUL Health and Safety management structure
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Appendix 1 – Strategy Action Plan
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
Health and Safety Action Plan (2016-2020)
The four strategic themes and associated objectives noted below are directly linked to the strategic aims of QMUL and Professional Services
Strategies. The objectives are then expanded into a detailed action points, which will enable the strategy to be embedded into everything we
do. Key progress indicators for each strategic objective have been developed and noted in the middle column. Progress on outcomes will be
shared with QMUL’s Health and Safety Advisory Group (HSAG) and the Principal’s Senior Executive Team (QMSE) on an annual basis.
A. Acting Together
Strategic Objective 1: to maintain and improve the visible and active commitment to health and safety from the Council, QMSE and
managers which is embraced by staff and students.
Actions
1.1 In a video, the QMUL Health and Safety
Champion will address all staff and students,
setting out his vision and safety culture for
QMUL.
1.2 The Director of Health and Safety will
develop and deliver Health and Safety Legal
Update training for senior leadership
management team.
1.3 Health and Safety Directorate (HSD) will
work closely with the QMUL senior
management to promote ownership of
health and safety at management level.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Progress Indicators
Video has been produced and published
QMUL wide.
Lead Person
Professor Edmund
Burke
Target Year
2016-2017
Training has been developed and delivered.
Zarah Laing
2016-17
Meetings have taken place with each Head,
at a minimum once a year.
Zarah Laing
2016-2020
Heads have signed their local H&S policy.
Faculty H&S meetings are chaired by VPs and
Chief Operating Officer(COO) (PS).
A. Acting Together
Strategic Objective 2: to develop QMUL leaders and managers, improve staff awareness and enhance the talent of our health and safety
team.
Actions
2.1. HSD will train operational PS Managers
(Grade 4-6) in health and safety
management responsibilities.
2.2. HSD will deliver the NEBOSH Certificate
Course to QMUL Safety Coordinators and
staff.
2.3. HSD will ensure the Health and Safety
team remains up to date with legislative
changes and best practice throughout the
health and safety and higher education
sector, through course attendance,
professional bodies and networking.
2.4. HSD will train Safety Coordinators (SCs)
and EAF staff to use the fire safety risk
assessment (audit) tool.
2.5. In addition to the existing H&S training
program, HSD will develop bespoke H&S
courses for QMUL Schools, Institutes and
Directorates, where specific needs are
identified.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Progress Indicators
30% trained in year 1, 50% in year 2, 70% in
year 3, 90% in year four
Lead Person
HSD
Target Year
2017-2020
HSD is a registered center for delivery of the
NEBOSH certificate course.
HSD
2017-2020
HSD
2016-2020
Required staff have been trained and the
system maintained.
Keith Vagg/Richard
Wheatley
2016-2020
Specific needs identified via audit,
inspections, annual review process or via
training needs assessment tool.
HSD
2017-2020
Training has been delivered by competent
and registered trainers.
Positive evaluation of desired learning
outcomes.
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2.6. HSD will improve effectiveness and
efficiency of Fire Marshal network.
Bespoke H&S courses designed and
delivered.
70% of Fire Marshals have been trained.
Keith Vagg
2016-2020
HSD
2016-2020
HSD
2016-2020
Rebecca Jones/Garry
Wright
2016-2018
Their responsibility areas allocated.
2.7. HSD will improve effectiveness and
efficiency of the First Aiders network.
2.8. HSD will train Safety Coordinators and
DSE coordinators/assessors so that they can
manage DSE related risks at a local level.
2.9. HSD will develop a health and safety
awareness program for students in
residences.
2.10. HSD team members will be registered
with membership of professional bodies
relevant to the Health and Safety and Fire
industry and continued CPD in this field.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
They have been able to identify, report and
record fire safety issues.
All areas needs assessed and adequate
number of first aiders recruited and trained
both generally and for specialist
topics/areas.
SCs and DSE Assessors have been trained.
50% of DSE assessments have been
completed in each
School/Institute/Directorate (S/I/D).
DSE ill health-related actions have been
resolved.
The program has been developed for
residents.
The program has been successfully
implemented across QMUL residences.
All HSD team members have up to date
registration with USHA, IOSH and Fire Safety
Group and specialist topics, as applicable,
and membership continued.
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2.11. Director of Health and Safety will
create a health and safety talent pool within
HSD:
 Each HSD staff member will become a
recognized specialist in a specific
health and safety topic.
 HSD managers will promote the
specialist expert knowledge by
speaking at health and safety
conferences, external meetings and
as expert speakers on radio or TV
programs.
 The Director of Health and Safety will
become the chair of USHA Executive
Group.
 The team will facilitate an
USHA/IOSH/ISTR/Southern
Biosafety/UCSF health and safety
event one year at QMUL.
H&S specialist topics allocated to each HSD
staff. One USHA/IOSH/ISTR/Southern
Biosafety/UCSF event hosted by QMUL.
2.12. the Director of Health and Safety will
devise a health and safety staff development
strategy which will:
 Enable all staff to complete at least
three pieces of skills development per
year
 Link training to an identification of
learning needs/desired outcomes
Training needs have been identified through
individual training needs analyses within the
framework of performance appraisal.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Zarah Laing
2016-2020
Zarah Laing
2016-2020
HSD will attend Firex and Health and Safety
Expo to identify new equipment, practices
and standards that could be employed at the
University that are more cost effective
through replacement or efficiency of existing
equipment or practices.
Linked to individual and team objectives and
desired learning outcomes.
The learning outcomes and their application
evaluated.
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A. Acting Together
Strategic Objective 3: to ensure and promote effective management of health and safety with our international partners and joint ventures
and also with those who are embedded in our activities / premises in the UK.
Actions
3.1. HSD will work with those in QMUL’s
embedded space to have a clear
understanding of each other’s roles and
responsibilities and escalation routes.
3.2. HSD will develop Memorandum of
Understanding/SLA with Barts Health Trust
for H&S matters, including GMO work at
Barts Health (which is peer reviewed by
QMUL GMSC).
3.3. HSD will establish communication
channels with our overseas partners for
share of best practice, and will work together
on projects targeting core areas of risk.
Progress Indicators
A clear Roles & Responsibilities document
produced for embedded space. Meeting
structures established for effective
communication.
SLA documents are in place.
Lead Person
HSD
Target Year
2016-2018
Dr Mark
Ariyanayagam
2016-17
High risk areas identified and visited once
every three years.
HSD
2016-2020
A. Acting Together
Strategic Objective 4: To provide a framework and support for all parts of QMUL to create health and safety operational plans which are
firmly embedded into teaching, research and support.
Actions
4.1. HSD will develop templates and
guidance to Schools/Institutes/Directorates
(S/I/D) for local safety codes of practice and
rules.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Progress Indicators
Templates and guidance have been
produced.
Lead Person
HSD & S/I/D
Target Year
2016-2020
S/I/D adopted templates for local codes of
practice and rules.
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Specialist topic/facility management
templates produced (e.g. Ionizing radiation
local rules, compressed gas management,
cryogenics management, Containment Level
3, BSU)
4.2. HSD will support S/I/D to develop their
local H&S Policy and Arrangements
Document to ensure consistency and
compliance.
4.3. HSD will work with S/I/D ensuring that
H&S is always an integral part of the planning
and review processes at all levels.
Local H&S policy and arrangement
documents for S/I/D have been produced.
HSD
2016-2017
H&S approval is part of the Capital Projects
approval process.
HSD
2016-2020
HSD
2016-2020
Each Faculty H&S
Manager
2016-2020
Each Faculty H&S
Manager
2016-2020
Significant H&S risks have been captured on
S/I/D risk registers.
4.4. The Safety Coordinator network to be
maintained and developed.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
H&S part of the PAR process for S/I/D.
Safety Coordinator appointments covering
>80% of QMUL S/I/D at all times
Program (in topics, for specific areas) for
development in place for each Safety
Coordinator.
Participation by >50% Safety Coordinators in
development programs offered/facilitated by
HSD.
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B. Managing Risk Well
Strategic Objective 5: simplifying our health and safety processes and improving our systems so that they are solution-focused, consistent
and enabling (in teaching, learning, research and support), taking into account of legislative and regulatory requirements.
Actions
5.1. HSD will work with relevant colleagues
to ensure that full compliance is achieved in
statutory inspections and tests.
5.2. HSD will further improve their
relationships with the regulatory authorities
and successfully manage the visits.
5.3. HSD will ensure the effective
implementation of the QMUL fire safety
management system and associated
standards.
5.4. HSD will review and improve utility of
the Ionising Radiation and Laser safety
program
5.5. HSD will provide appropriate health and
safety advice for S/I/D’s capital project
proposals in order to strengthen the safety
and quality of university infrastructure.
5.6. HSD will improve control of biological
hazard work at QMUL.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Progress Indicators
Records on the crimson system are up to
date.
Lead Person
HSD
Target Year
2016-2020
HSD
2016-2020
Level 1 compliance has been achieved in the
Fire Safety HASMAP audit.
Keith Vagg/Richard
Wheatley
2016-2020
Program improved and rolled out.
Steven Carter
2017-18
Health and safety approval has been
incorporated in to the Capital Projects
Process.
HSD
2016-2020
Safety critical equipment passed
performance tests.
No adverse outcome from the planned
regulatory visits.
Compliant fire safety measures are employed
to meet with the functional requirements of
building regulations for building works
undertaking by the university.
Framework for peer review of higher hazard Dr Mark
biological agents in place.
Ariyanayagam
20216-2020
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5.7. HSD will improve laboratory hazardous
waste stream processes at QMUL, under the
‘value for money’ principles, legislative
requirements, and in the effectiveness for
S/I/D.
5.8. HSD will help S/I/D to achieve statutory
compliance with explicit legal requirements.
5.9. HSD will produce laboratory plan, design
and build guidance documents for Capital
Projects.
5.10. HSD will work with S/I/D to review
work at height for fixed assets.
5.11. HSD will review and improve utility of
COSHH processes, including non-lab areas
where no formal separate program exists at
present.
5.12. HSD will support S/I/D to review and
update risk control measures for
PUWER/land machinery/equipment safety.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
GMSC (spell out)expanded to include
biological hazards and bio-risk aspects (i.e.
pathogen and toxin bio-safety).
Value for money analysis (‘lean processes’)
conducted.
Processes improvements delivered for
laboratory hazardous waste stream.
Zarah Laing
2016-2017
Dr Mark
Ariyanayagam/Irida
Gaikwad/Suzanne
Mason
2016-2018
S/I/D’s own hazardous waste stores brought Faculty H&S
up to current safety/ environment standards. managers with S/I/D
2016-2018
Legal requirements for L8, PSSR, LOLER, Fire
Maintenance, COSHH extraction systems
have been achieved across QMUL.
Documents produced.
Familiarisation for Project Managers
conducted.
Roof access and service voids have achieved
HSE standards.
Program in place.
HSD
2016-2020
HSD
2016-2020
HSD/EAF
2016-2017
Steven Carter
2016-2017
The review has been done and included
bespoke research developed equipment.
HSD/EAF
2016-2017
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5.13. HSD will review and update processes
for controlling risk associated with the
management and use of liquid nitrogen and
gas cylinders.
5.14. HSD will review and complete new fire
risk assessments.
5.15. HSD will ensure compliance through a
comprehensives audit and inspection
program.
Included safe and compliant disposals that
allowed reuse of equipment where possible,
in conjunction with QMUL Waste Manager
(Warpit Program).
HASMAP audit confirms the safe use and
storage of LN and gas cylinders have been
achieved.
Comprehensive QMUL policy, arrangements
and guidance in place.
Local processes in line with QMUL policy.
Fire risk assessments reviews have been
completed on a rolling three year schedule.
Audit and inspection program of three years
has been agreed and approved.
HSD/EAF
2016-2017
Keith Vagg/Richard
Wheatley
Health and Safety
Auditor
2016-2020
2016-2018
All schools, institutes and directorates have
been audited on a cycle of three years.
Audits and action plans are completed and
followed up through HSMGs route.
5.16. HSD will roll out the peer review
inspection/specialist topic/building based
risk assessments process to all S/I/D, as
relevant.
5.17. To ensure emergency plans are in place
for significant foreseeable emergencies.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Best practice examples have been shared
through the audit review process.
The peer review/specialist/building based
HSD
inspection program has been devised, agreed
and implemented across QMUL.
To ensure S/I/D plans are adequate and
effective for the range of hazards and plans
HSD/EAF Head of
Emergency Planning,
with S/I/D.
2016-2018
2016-2020
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5.18. HSD will support QMUL in establishing
a robust record keeping system in place for
managing health and safety.
that are embedded within the QMUL
Emergency & Business Continuity Plan.
To provide emergency plan templates for
QMUL covering foreseeable emergencies.
A record keeping system has been developed HSD
and rolled out to QMUL.
2017-2018
Best practice examples developed and
shared with staff and students.
B. Managing Risk Well
Strategic Objective 6: ensuring a culture of sensible risk management in all activities of QMUL and helping our staff and students to manage
health and safety in a better way, which will build collaboration and improve standards.
Actions
6.1. HSD will develop a comprehensive, userfriendly and effective online H&S system for:
Accident Reporting, Risk Assessments,
Inspections and Audit and Work-Related
reportable diseases.
6.2. HSD will develop policies, arrangements
and guidance for all significant H&S, Fire and
related (eg environmental) topics.
6.3. HSD will develop online training modules
on significant H&S/Fire Safety topics/issues.
Progress Indicators
System has been designed and piloted in
2016-17. The system is used by all effectively
in 2017-19.
Documents drafted, consulted upon with
Faculties/PS and issued. Information on
website.
Online training modules developed and
rolled out for use (microbiological safety
cabinets, fume cupboards, PPE).
6.4. HSD will develop H&S material for EAF to Material developed and delivered.
deliver their own tool box talks in areas and
with groups of staff that data has shown
have the most RIDDOR reportable accidents
(e.g. cleaning staff & manual handling). This
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Lead Person
Zarah Laing
Target Year
2016-19
HSD
2016-2020
HSD
2017-2020
Rebecca Jones/Garry
Wright
2017-2018
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aims to reinforce (not replace) the message
from formal H&S training sessions.
6.5. HSD will analyze accidents, incidents and
fire reports data, and target preventative
actions to high risk areas to prevent RIDDOR
accidents and incidents.
6.6. HSD will identify significant fire hazards
through a comprehensive risk assessment
program.
6.7. HSD to develop an internal peer review/
specialist topic ‘Inspection Competency’
system for QMUL participants in internal
inspections.
6.8. HSD to plan and design a ‘Lab H&S
Management’ Competency Framework
portfolio.
6.9. Systems for Purchase and Control of
hazardous chemicals are robust, safe and
secure.
6.10. Specialist topic workshops/training
sessions conducted or facilitated as per
training needs for QMUL (e.g. LEV,
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Analysis completed and preventative actions
implemented.
Rebecca Jones/Garry
Wright
2016-2020
Fire risk assessments have been completed
as per planned schedule of a rolling thee
year cycle.
Keith Vagg/Richard
Wheatley
2016-2020
Dr Mark
Ariyanayagam/
Steven Carter
2017-2018
Competency Framework set up and
participants enrolled.
Mark Ariyanayagam/
Steven Carter
2017-2018
H&S aspects for purchase and storage
arrangements document drafted for QMUL.
To widen controls in purchase system to
include hazardous chemicals.
Improve storage of laboratory hazardous
chemicals for safety and security – all
laboratories reviewed under inspection
program to ensure robustness.
At least one workshop/training session per
year delivered.
Mark Ariyanayagam/
Steven Carter
2017-2019
Mark Ariyanayagam/
Steven Carter
2017-2020
Significant fire risks have been remediated.
Competency Framework set up and
participants enrolled.
20
cryogenics, laser safety, compressed gas
management).
6.11. Each buildings’ building manual will
contain fire safety information.
QMUL Building manuals contain updated fire Keith Vagg/Richard
2016-2020
safety information.
Wheatley
B. Managing Risk Well
Strategic Objective 7: sharing success of QMUL in managing health and safety risks and promoting excellence of individuals, teams and our
university.
Actions
7.1. HSD will open the current internal QMUL
H&S awards scheme to external applicants
e.g. other UK Universities.
7.2. HSD will provide regular feedback to our
Council and Health and Safety Advisory
Group(HSAG) on successes.
7.3. HSD will feature employee and student
initiatives in the e-safe newsletter.
7.4. HSD will participate in Industry Health
and Safety awards showcasing QMUL
initiatives.
7.5. HSD will publish articles in health and
safety journals to showcase health and
safety initiatives and/or provide professional
commentary on key issues.
7.6. HSD will report ‘best practice programs’
to safety coordinators and faculty safety
meetings to encourage and develop
consistent use of best practice.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Progress Indicators
Applications from other HEIs have been
received and awarded with H&S awards
where requirements have been met.
Annual H&S performance reports have been
submitted to our Council.
Lead Person
Zarah Laing
Target Year
2017-2018
Zarah Laing
2016-2020
A dedicated section has been created in the
e-safe, and students and staff initiatives
featured.
RoSPA Health and Safety award has been
achieved.
HSD
2016-2020
Zarah Laing
2018-2020
A professional H&S articled has been
published in the Safety Health Practitioner
(SHP) journal.
Zarah Laing
2018-2020
Positive evaluation of desired learning
outcomes.
HSD
2016-2020
21
7.7. HSD will share best practices and
information with other higher education
establishments via Hasnet Safety & Fire
Forums and University sector H&S
organisations- e.g. ISTR/ Southern
Biosafety/UCSF/AURPO/USHA.
7.8. HSD will devise a program of ‘taster
sessions’ to shadow in departments and
improve understanding of S/I/D services,
their health and safety issues and needs.
Email trails on Hasnet forums.
HSD
2016-2020
HSD
2016-2020
Actions
8.1. HSD will work with the Occupational
Health Team to establish a proactive health
surveillance and reporting system for QMUL.
8.2. HSD will develop manual handling and
DSE procedures to reduce musculoskeletal
risks.
Progress Indicators
A comprehensive Health Surveillance system
has been developed and is in place.
Lead Person
Zarah Laing/Marcia
Bennett-Pompey
Target Year
2017-2019
Procedures in place.
Zarah Laing/Marcia
Bennett-Pompey
2017-2019
Presentations and posters at H&S Sector
organization meetings.
Five taster sessions completed per year.
Positive evaluation of desired learning
outcomes.
C. Reducing Reportable Diseases
Objective 8: By ensuring an improved focus on health and wellbeing issues at work, while maintaining standards around safety in the work
environments.
C. Reducing Reportable Diseases
Objective 9: By collaborating and coordinating actions across QMUL with particular involvement of Occupational Health, HR and others to
support delivery of substantial behaviour change and awareness programmes that will be required to reduce reportable diseases.
Actions
9.1. HSD jointly with Occupational Health will
review and update the Health Surveillance
Policy to ensure both health and safety
standards are effectively maintained, in line
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Progress Indicators
Reviewed and in place- Health Surveillance
Policy, Blood Borne Virus Policy
New and emerging health risks of staff
included.
Lead Person / Target Year
Zarah Laing/Marcia Bennett-Pompey
2017-2018
22
with changing the health status of staff and
work profiles.
D. Keeping Pace With Change
Strategic Objective 10: anticipating and responding innovatively to a wide and ever changing range of health and safety risks affecting
QMUL.
Actions
10.1. HSD will keep up to date with changes
in legislation and will communicate these
with the S/I/D.
10.2. HSD will provide solution focused
advice on time to support the health and
safety aspects of change programs.
10.3. HSD will become more commercially
focused by obtaining accreditation for QMUL
H&S courses and be recognised as a H&S
Training Centre of Excellence.
10.4. HSD will develop a simple screening
tool for new intended research to allow H&S
plans to be put in place for any new or
significant hazards prior to research coming
to site.
10.5. HSD will develop records of data base
for research hazard profiles to encourage
sharing of issues and control.
Progress Indicators
Termly updates have been communicated to
S/I/D in user-friendly guides and newsletters.
Lead Person
Zarah Laing
Target Year
2016-2020
SLA in place, responses monitored for
effectiveness and timed delivery.
Steven Carter/Irida
Gaikwad
2016-2017
Courses for accreditation identified, and
accreditation obtained.
Rebecca Jones/Garry
Wright
2018-2020
Screening tool developed and rolled out.
Steven Carter/
Dr Mark
Ariyanayagam
2017-2018
Database produced, populated and shared.
Steven Carter/
Dr Mark
Ariyanayagam
2017-2018
D. Keeping Pace With Change
Strategic Objective 11: communicating, listening and facilitating change through QMUL health and safety groupings and networks, and in
the forward plans.
Actions
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Progress Indicators
Lead Person
Target Year
23
11.1. HSD will devise a H&S communication
strategy focusing on staff, student voice and
other stakeholders to foster engagement and
improve communication.
11.2. HSD will consult and communicate the
H&S vision, objectives, relationship and the
QMUL strategic plan with recognized trade
unions and staff representatives through
HSAG and sub-groups.
11.3. HSD will provide support and expert
H&S advice to our staff and students during
major change projects which may have
health and safety implications.
11.4. HSD will review the current H&S
induction program and create a consistent
approach for general induction as well as
working with key stake holders to agree
curriculum specific inductions for higher
risk/specialist areas.
11.5. HSD will work with relevant colleagues
to develop robust Capital Project handover
process to include meaningful and useful
building manuals for users.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
The new communication strategy has been
produced and implemented.
Zarah Laing
2017-18
Constructive feedback from recognised trade
unions, the Students’ Union and other staff
representatives for successful consultation
and communication of H&S.
Zarah Laing
2016-2020
Positive evaluation of desired outcomes.
HSD
2016-2017
Positive evaluation of desired learning
outcomes (>50 % satisfaction).
Rebecca Jones/
Garry Wright
2016-2017
Building manuals have been created for
building occupants.
HSD
2016-2017
24
11.6. HSD will set up Building Users Groups
(BUG) for shared buildings to improve
communication amongst occupants and
promote ownership of issues.
Buildings requiring BUGs have been
identified.
BUGs have been set up.
HSD
2016-2018
Identified building related issues have been
solved timely.
Positive feedback from building occupants
that communication is meaningful.
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
25
Appendix 2– Completion of QMUL Health and Safety Strategy and Plan for
2010 -15
The improvements in QMUL’s health and safety performance over the last five years have been
significant as a result of the previous strategy. Some of the achievements are that:
• Schools/Institutes/Directorates achieved more consistent health and safety management
arrangements with the help of a comprehensive programme of health and safety audits and
inspections. All our buildings have undergone detailed fire safety risk assessments and as result of
these, a range of work has been undertaken to improve fire safety protection and management
system.
• The Health and Safety Advisory Group and its sub-groups structure have been effective and
influential in securing actions and interventions from QMUL senior management with good
governance oversight from Council. A highly qualified and skilled team in the Health and Safety
Directorate have provided expert advice, training, and support across QMUL to enable the Policy,
thereby supporting QMUL’s strategic objectives.
• By centralising the laboratory hazardous waste disposal management and operations, the
fragmented hazardous waste systems that existed at QMUL have been significantly streamlined,
leading to operational efficiency, and ensured legal compliance.
The full copy of the previous strategy can be found here:
http://hsd.qmul.ac.uk/Documents/168809.pdf.
For records of the previous strategy actions, please see the table below.
Item
(1) Policy (3 targets)
Actions Completed by 31 Aug
2015
2 complete, 1 partial
(2) Planning and Standards (3
targets)
2 complete, 1 partial
(3) Structure and
Responsibility (7 targets)
4 complete, 2 partial (1 target
duplicated in 2)
(4) Training (6 targets)
5 complete, 1 partial (1 target
duplicated in 3)
All 5 completed.
(5) Consultation and
Communication (5 targets)
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Residual Actions for 2015/16
To ensure School / Institute /
Directorates have local H&S
policy statements
To ensure emergency plans
are in place for significant
foreseeable emergencies
To ensure shared QMUL
Department ownership
buildings have the H&S
management defined.
(External stakeholders have
been completed via SLA
documents).
To ensure H&S management
training available for wider
cohort of managers via other
means (e.g. online, small
group training).
(6) Documentation and
Records (9 targets)
6 complete, 3 partial
(7) Monitoring and
Management Reviews (4
targets)
(8) Estate and Built
Environment (4 targets)
(9) Fire Safety and Prevention
(7 targets)
(10) Hazardous substances and
materials (5 targets)
4 complete
(11) Health and Wellbeing (9
targets)
5 complete, 3 partial, 1 is not
achieved due to redundancy
Total targets 57
(excluding duplicate or
redundant)
Complete: 45 (79%)
Partial: 12 (21%)
To ensure risk assessment
formal templates developed
for all necessary topics and
electronic online system
development for easy access.
4 complete
6 complete, 1 partial (1 target
duplicated in 3)
2 complete and 3 partial
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
To bring remainder of
hazardous waste stores to
current standard.
To widen controls in purchase
system to include hazardous
chemicals.
To ensure all flammable gas
installations are fully
compliant with required
legislation.
Improved stress management
training being developed by
the new Wellbeing Working
Group/CAPD.
Target Reduction of Accidents
and Incidents by 50% needs to
be reviewed as improved
reporting of accidents and
incidents / near misses means
this target is redundant.
27
Appendix 3. QMUL Health and Safety Directorate structure
Director
Health and Safety Administrator
Health and Safety Manager
Health and Safety Manager
Health and Safety Manager
Humanities and Social Sciences
Science and Engineering
QMUL Audit Lead
QMUL Radiation Protection
Officer
School of Medicine and
Dentistry
Professional Services
QMUL Biosafety Officer
HSD Training Lead
HSS Health and
Safety Adviser
Scie & Eng Health
and Safety Adviser
SMD Health and
Safety Adviser
Health and Safety
Manager
PS Health and Safety
Adviser
QMUL Fire Safety Manager
Fire Safety Adviser
Health and Safety Administrator
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
Appendix 4. QMUL Health and Safety management structure
The Council
Via QMSE and
Principal
Ultimate responsibility for health and safety
The Principal
Executive responsibility for health and safety
Queen Mary, Senior Executive
Must include Health and Safety Champion
Accountable to the Principal for the health and safety of the
QMUL and for compliance with all QMUL and statutory
health and safety requirements
Via QMSE
Champion
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH
AND SAFETY
Executive Deans
Overall executive responsibility for health and safety within
their Faculties. Responsible to the QMUL Principal
Heads of Schools/Institutes and Directors
Accountable to Executive Deans or Directors of Professional
Services for ensuring that effective local arrangement are in
place for the implementation of the QMUL health and
safety policies, procedures and guidance notes
HEALTH AND SAFETY
DIRECTORATE
Individuals/Students
Via Health and
Safety Coordinators
Responsible for their own health and safety and that of
others who may be affected by their work within QMUL.
KEY
Line Management (delegation)
Reporting Line (accountability)
Advice and support
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
29
QMUL_HSD_Health and Safety Strategy_October 2016_ZL
30