Occupational Health & Safety Policy

THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSITY

The University appreciates that the only way to provide a “safe” workplace is to ensure that the whole of the management system of the University ensures that new risks are minimized and existing hazards better controlled by every level of management.

The safety management system employed by the University aims to comply with guidance issued by the Government, national and international authorities. These guidelines are, and future editions will be, fully adopted by the University.  The Plan-Do-Check-Act Model of an OHS Management System is shown in Fig. 1 (adapted from ILO).

Fig. 1. Model of an occupational health and safety management system (by ILO).

I. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY (brief)

The safety of all members of the University Community and visitors to the campus is a major concern. The University intends to follow best practice wherever possible, which involves more than the simple compliance with legal minimum standards.

The University also aims for the involvement of all staff in the improvement of health and safety at the University through Safety Committees, assisting with the development of best practice undertaking Safety Training or local safety roles within the University Units.

The policy of the university is to:

·         Protect the safety of all faculty, staff, students and visitors against unsafe conditions and occupational hazards; 

·         Formulate and carry out continuing effective safety programs appropriate to university operations, including instructional           activities in off-campus settings; 

·         Give priority to a safe work environment in the planning, direction and implementation of university activities; 

·         Comply with all relevant statutes, regulations and standards of regulatory authorities representing occupational health            and safety;

·         Encouraging all staff, students and visitors to develop and support a positive safety culture;

·         Involving staff and students in health and safety at all levels;

·         Securing suitable health and safety competence in staff and students;

·         Provide suitable health and safety training, where necessary (including off site);

·         Include health and safety in the training of our students so that they will continue to value safe practices in their                    ongoing careers;

·         Allocating adequate resources for health and safety issues at all levels in the University, and securing competent                  specialist advice via the University Occupational Health & Safety Office (USO);

·         Planning for health and safety provision at all levels of the University, in particular using an annual reporting and                    objective setting approach.

·         Planning for a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety.

·         All staff should be aware that they also have statutory duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act. In                        particular they:

- must take reasonable care for their own and others health and safety;

- must co-operate to enable the University to discharge its safety duties.

·         All staff should be aware that failure to comply with these requirements may lead both to disciplinary action by the                   University and potential legal action by the enforcement authorities.

Link: OHS Policy (full)

Prepared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ekşioğlu