UCLans Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations - Literature review Example

UCLan’s Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations Name Institution Affiliation UCLan’s Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations Occupational injuries, diseases, and accidents have always resulted in significant economic, social and human costs that have made them a cause for concern at institutional, national, and international levels. In response, there are measures and strategies that are designed for the prevention, control and elimination or reduction of health and safety risks in workplaces that need to be observed and applied in compliance with the government's requirements. The regulations have been changed and modified continuously at the same pace with technological and economic changes (Alli, 2001, p 3). According to Alli (2001, p 3), despite the introduction and modification of health and safety policies in workplaces, occupational accidents and diseases are still very rampant and they cause significant human suffering and economic burden. The International Labor Organization (ILO) approximates that over two million occupational fatalities take place on a yearly basis in the whole world. The highest portion of the fatalities results from work-related cerebrovascular and circulatory diseases, cancers and some illnesses that are communicable. Alli (2001, p 3) places the overall annual rate of occupational accidents, non-fatal and fatal at over 270 million. The number of workers who suffer from work-related diseases is as high as 160 million and out of those millions, two-thirds of the workers stays away for four days or more as a result of the accidents. Accidental occupational injuries are the fourth highest cause of fatalities in workplaces after work-related cancers, circulatory diseases and specific communicable illnesses. According to ILO and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Alli (2001, p 3), industrialized countries are experiencing a decline in overall occupational diseases and accidents, but at a slower rate. The economic costs of workplace injuries and deaths are colossal at all levels, including global, national, and enterprise levels. The article by Alli (2001, p 4) places economic costs due to workplace injuries and deaths at about four percent of the global GNP each year, taking into account costs related to training and retraining, interruption of production, medical expenses, lost working time and compensation among many others. As such, it is clear that workplace health and safety is or paramount to any country and institution, whether private or public. This paper intends to present an assessment of UCLan’s compliance with health and safety regulations as directed and enforced by the government. The assessment report will be organized in terms of the various health and safety regulations and how well UCLan complies with them. Health and Safety Regulations and UCLan’s Compliance Principles governing safety and health in organizations are universal, but the level of action required is often dependent on the size of the organization, how hazardous its activities are, physical characteristics, the services and products produced and how adequate the extant measures are. According to the Health and Safety Authority (2006, p 7), organizations that excel in their commercial operations also excel at safety and health management because similar efficient business expertise applied to business is applied to safety and health practices. Considering the same premise, UCLan (University of Central Lancashire) is a very successful university in the dispensation of knowledge to its students and conducting research in various fields. It can be safely concluded that because UCLan is successful in its commercial operations, it is also successful in managing safety and health within its premises. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulation 1992 was a law enacted in the year 1992 to cover a wide spectrum of basic safety, welfare, and health issues. It applies to most workplaces with the exception of workplaces at construction sites, on a ship, and those underground in mines. Employers have a duty under the law to provide their workers with a safe and healthy environment while at work to a level that can be considered to be humanly reasonable. Employees are required to be safe and to be provided with adequate welfare facilities while they are at work. The University of Central Lancashire is committed as provided under the HSE Act of 1992 and related statutory provisions to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and other non-employees including the general public and visitors that are affected by its activities and undertakings. The duty of implementing safety and health policies in the university lies with the University Board, Chief Executive, and the Vice Chancellor. The first step that the University has taken towards compliance with safety and health requirements in its premises is to establish a clear health and safety policy that is made aware to all stakeholders within the organization. It is a requirement by the law for all organizations that have more than five employees to provide a clear safety and health policy for the individuals involved. The various stakeholders in the university to which safety and health policy is provided include the vice-chancellor, university board, designated directorate lead, deans of schools, directorate, senior management team, heads of center, supervisors, managers, directors of service, academic staff, students, employees and others (contractors, visitors, members of the public etc.) (UCLan, 2012, p 4-6). Every stakeholder is communicated to about their safety and health while on the premise. The stakeholders are informed that they are in charge of their safety and health as well as that of the environment and their actions or omission of it has consequences on themselves, others and the environment. The University of Central Lancashire has a nominated team of individuals who are responsible for taking action in case of a fire and other emergency situations. The team ensures controlled evacuation, assembly at external emergency assembly points and prevention of reentry of buildings that are being evacuated until it is safe to do so. The university also has a fire safety officer who under the Regulatory reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is a “competent person” charged with the responsibility of taking necessary preventive and protective measures in fire emergency situations. The fire safety officers have adequate training, experience and knowledge that allow them to offer expert fire safety counsel to the “responsible person” for effective management of fire safety in agreement with legislative stipulations (UCLan, 2012, p 9). In addition to the fire safety officers, UCLan has first aid officers. These are well-trained volunteers who are charged with three primary responsibilities. The first responsibility is providing first aid treatment for the preservation of life and minimization of consequences of injury and disease until one can get assistance from medical practitioners or nurses (UCLan, 2012, p. 9). Fire is a major hazard in the university and the management realizes that. It has comprehensive strategies to ensure that all students, staff members, and visitors are safe from fire and related disasters. The institution maintains buildings, fire safety systems, and procedures that ensure that individuals on the premises can reach a place of safety easily and fast in case there is a fire. Fire extinguishing systems are installed in various places within the institution where they can be accessed easily by anybody in need whenever there is a fire. Exit routes in various buildings are marked clearly and properly to enable an easy exit from buildings. Buildings have both stairs and escalators to help in the exit process. In accordance to the requirements of Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), the university is keen on how it uses and stores substances such as flammable liquids including paints, solvents, gases, and varnishes. Such substances are stored in secure facilities and are only authorized for use by individuals with the right expertise. Another aspect in which UCLan is compliant with safety and health policies is in the area of biological agents. The university has nominated individuals responsible for ensuring adequate control of work that involves biological agents, microbiology and genetically modified organisms. The team ensures that all biological materials used in the university are used, stored, and disposed in a safe way without causing contamination or other risks to stakeholders. The university requires all stakeholders to report all accidents, incidents and dangerous near-miss occurrences that take place in its premises. There is a specific report form available on the university’s website through which such incidents can be filled. The reporting is considered important in case further action may need to be taken in regard to the same issue. The SHE section of the university must be notified about all workers who stay away from work due to work-related injuries in order to a report to be forwarded to the Health and Safety Executive. This is to ensure that all forms of occupational accidents are well documented and that the information is available for future reference and analysis. All substances purchased and used by the university, which are or have the potential of being hazardous, are assessed for risk to health and safety before being used under the requirements imposed under the Control and Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation 2002 and the following Amendment regulations 2003. All safety information that may accompany the substance in question, including labels and material safety data sheet are stored together with the substances at all times while it is still in use at the university. The policy becomes even more applicable in situations that involve decanting bulk materials into smaller containers where all labeling information is availed on the new container (UCLan, 2012, p 12). Regarding animals, the university does not allow any pets or animals in its premises with the exception of animals used for teaching purposes. Other animals that may be allowed on the compound include police dogs and guide dogs for blind people. Animals used for the purposes of teaching are kept in a safe environment away from the public in compliance with safety and health requirements imposed by the government. UCLan also applies COSHH Regulations on the use of animals for teaching purposes in that individuals who make contact with animals must wear protective gear such as gloves and aprons to avoid direct contact. UCLan also takes comprehensive steps towards ensuring that all material that may contain asbestos are properly disposed and treated to avoid any resultant medical issues. There are many procedures in place at the university to ensure full compliance with the requirements stipulated in the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment, DSE) Regulations 1992 and the amendments of 2002. One of the ways through which the university ensures compliance is by offering free Display Screen Equipment eyesight tests for users of DSE. The institution also makes a contribution to users who may need any special corrective eyewear for the specific purpose of being able to use DSE or working with it (UCLan, 2012, p 13). The university has elaborate procedures for ensuring compliance with policies related to usage of electrical equipment. Prior to acceptance or purchase of new and second-hand electrical equipment in the university, a notice must be sent to the technician of the relevant school in question. The technician informs the statutory compliance manager, facilities management and the SHE section. All new equipment do not need to need to go through a Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) before being used. However, they must be tested after every twelve months to ensure electrical integrity. On the other hand, all second-hand appliances purchased or used in the university must be PAT certified before the initial use. There are situations where students and staff may bring their personal electrical equipment into the institution, including personal computers and other devices. Although this is discouraged, it happens every day and the owners or users are encouraged to ensure that such items are safe and in compliance with the present British Standard specifications, the Use of Work Equipment Regulations and the requirements stipulated by the Provision of the British Standard specification. The equipment must be certified for electrical safety (UCLan, 2012, p 13). The university tests all portable electrical appliances for continuing safety on a frequency assessed by Facilities Management. All appliances that are in the institution, but not tested must be reported to the Facilities Management Helpdesk (UCLan, 2012, p 13). The university takes food safety with utmost seriousness. It has well-developed policies that ensure food safety in accordance with legislative requirements and the industry’s best practices. The catering staff is provided with information, equipment, training, and instructions to make sure that all tasks are carried out in a hygienic condition. Food safety is managed proactively with performance measuring through monitoring and audit regimes. In conclusion, health and safety are of great importance to the success of UCLan as a worldwide academic organization. There are a lot of processes and activities that go on in the institution that require maintenance of the highest levels of safety and health standards for students, staff and other stakeholders. The institution is highly motivated and involved in ensuring compliance with all legislative requirements that are imposed by the government and it has been successful. Various expert teams are maintained to continuously assess and ensure the health and safety of all stakeholders of the university in various aspects of its operations. The management works in close collaboration with the teams to ensure that everything is working right. References Alli, B. O. (2001). Fundamental principles of occupational health and safety. OIT. Health and Safety Authority. (2006). Workplace Safety and Health Management. Retrieved 12/1/2016 from http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Safety_and_Health_Management/Workplace_Safety_and_Health_Management.pdf UCLan. (2012). Statement of Policy Organizational and Procedural Arrangements. Retrieved 12/1/2016 from http://www.uclan.ac.uk/safety_health_environment/assets/SHE_POLICY_Dec_2012.pdf Read More