Policy 8.18 Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy

8.18 Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Policy Statement 

Leeds University Union believe that the health, safety and wellbeing of its members, visitors and staff is essential as we work towards delivering our vision ”together, we’ll make sure you love your time at Leeds”.

We are committed to providing the right resources to make this happen. We have developed appropriate Health, Safety and Wellbeing management structures and arrangements which are outlined in the documents attached to this statement. Further to this, we support the University of Leeds Health & Safety Policy with our commitment to Health, Safety & Wellbeing.

We recognise that for this policy to be effective it requires the full commitment of all staff and volunteers to make LUU safer for everyone. We believe that our managers and leaders play a vital role in achieving effective Health & Safety management and that these roles have additional responsibilities. A key policy objective is to ensure that Health & Safety is embedded and integrated into all roles and therefore not seen as a standalone issue.

We will achieve this by:

• Ensuring that Health, Safety and Wellbeing is afforded an equivalent level of importance to other business objectives and is allocated the appropriate level of resource and support.

• Being committed to developing our people to ensure they have the necessary Health and Safety skills and competencies as appropriate to their role and responsibilities.

• Recognising that continual improvements in Health and Safety performance are achieved primarily through the identification, assessment and management of risk and that this not only reduces accidents and ill-health at work but also contributes to the health and wellbeing of the Union community as well as the protection of the environment.

• Committing to not only accepting the minimum legal standards but also promoting a positive culture which aims to produce high standards of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for staff, members and visitors in all aspects of activities and premises over which we have control and influence.

• Taking an active approach to monitoring Health, Safety and Wellbeing in our organisation through the review of appropriate data.

• Developing objectives relating to Health, Safety and Wellbeing which contribute to LUU’s strategic plan which are reviewed annually.

Staff Roles and Responsibilities 

All members of staff have the following Health, Safety and Wellbeing responsibilities: All members of staff and volunteers have the following Health, Safety and Wellbeing responsibilities:

·         To ensure one’s own Health, Safety and Wellbeing and that of others who may be affected by their work.

·         To co-operate with LUU on matters of Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

·         To be aware of the relevant LUU risk assessments, standards and procedures.

·         To comply with Health & Safety standards e.g. risk, control measures, codes of practice, relevant legislation / guidance, systems of work, etc.

·         To be aware of emergency procedures and local hazards.

·         To report any concerns regarding Health, Safety and Wellbeing to the appropriate responsible person.

·         To carry out and be involved, as appropriate, in the risk assessments associated with their area of work.

·         Not to interfere with or misuse anything provided for Health and Safety.

·         To report any accident, near miss or dangerous occurrence, however minor.

·         To not proceed with any activity if they feel it poses a threat to their Health, Safety and Wellbeing or to that of others and report it to the appropriate responsible person.

·         To take responsibility for being aware of and maintaining their own positive wellbeing. 

For our full Health, Safety and Wellbeing policy see the following link https://sites.google.com/luu.org.uk/luu-intranet/staff/health-safety-wellbeing/safe-workplaces