HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Composition:
Eleven (11) members
(a) Two (2) members of the Governing Body, one of whom
shall be Chair
(b) University Solicitor
University Health and Safety Advisor
University Fire Safety Advisor
(c) Students’ Union
President
General Manager of the
Students' Union
Two (2) members of the Academic Staff nominated by UCU
One (1) member of the Support Staff nominated by UNISON
One (1) member representing staff who are not members of a
Trade Union
Quorum:
Five (5) members - One (1) of whom should be drawn from group (a) and two (2) of whom should be drawn from groups (b) and (c)
Reporting Relationships:
Reports to the Governing Body
Secretary:
Committee Officer
In attendance by invitation:
Assistant University Secretary
External Health and
Safety Consultant
Nominee of the Director of Human Resources
Frequency of meetings:
Normally three (3) times per annum
Terms of Reference
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Governing Body - as the employing authority - carries the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that employees, visiting staff and other individuals are protected from hazards arising from work activities: those other individuals would include students, members of the public and contractors.
The Health and Safety Committee has a responsibility for the strategic oversight of health and safety matters at the University. The Responsible Persons Group, which reports directly to the Senior Management Team, has operational responsibility for health and safety at Canterbury Christ Church University.
General
To advise the Governing Body as to the:
· statutory and ‘best practice’ considerations in regard to Health and Safety, and how these might be effectively discharged so as to achieve, so far as is reasonably practicable, the best standards of health, safety and welfare for its employees, visitors (including students) and others who may be affected by the activities of the University.
Specific
To advise the Governing Body as to:
· the provision of safe access to and egress from the University for its employees, students and visitors and to provide a safe working environment for employees through the employment of safe systems of work: this to include fire and other emergency evacuation procedures, including those with a disability;
· the preparation, review and updating of a written statement of policy on Health and Safety including details of the organisation and arrangements for implementing that policy;
· ensuring that those with designated responsibility for health and safety in the University are aware of, and have access to, relevant regulations, advice and training;
· that all employees are provided with such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to secure their safety and health at work, and the safety of others who may be affected by their actions;
· the consideration of reports and recommendations from the Responsible Persons Group with regard to health and safety, including fire safety;
· receiving reports of the external health and safety consultant through the Responsible Persons Group, and ensuring that appropriate management responses are made to the reports;
· ensuring that there is an opportunity for the safety representatives of recognised trade unions, and the Students’ Union, to be appointed to membership;
· ensuring that there is provision for the appointment of a member representing those staff who are not members of trade unions;
· the consideration of codes of practice and guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive;
· the analysis of information and reports, including those provided by enforcing authority inspectors (e.g. Health and Safety Executive, the Fire and Rescue Service and Local Authority Inspectors).
Paul Bogle
Clerk to the Governing Body
Approved by the Governing Body 16/3/99
Revisions Recommended by the Health and Safety
Committee October 2005
Revisions Recommended by the Health and Safety Committee February
2009
Revisions approved by Chairs' Committee November 2010
