H&S Round Up May 2025
Posted on Monday 19 May 2025
WHSO Update
Approved Health, Safety and Wellbeing Governance Framework
In December 2024, the University Executive Board approved a new Health, Safety and Wellbeing Governance Framework (PDF 
, 941kb) proposed by the newly appointed Director of Workplace Health and Safety.
It is envisioned that, once implemented, this governance framework will provide a streamlined approach to managing health, safety and wellbeing at the University of York. The framework is based on the HSE publication HS(G)65 which describes a Plan-Do-Check-Act process.
Timeline of Implementation
From 1st June 2025 onwards, WHSO H&S Business Partners will be meeting with Deans / HoDs to discuss and define the details of the new HSW Governance structure. Further, H&S Business Partners will work with relevant stakeholders to tailor the framework's applicability to make it fit for purpose and relevant to their areas respectively. This will be done in line with the level of the risks in each faculty / department, and based on WHSO evaluation of the Hazard Identification Forms returned by each department / area.
- May to June 2025: WHSO to finalise all the details including templates, agendas, guidance, ToRs, etc.
- June to August 2025: WHSO to initiate the implementation process including scheduling of the meetings for 2025-26 academic year as per the new reporting periods.
- September 2025: New Governance structure takes effect.
Warm Weather Advice
We hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather! To keep yourself safe, we recommend staff and students at the University follow the NHS advice for how to cope in hot weather.
Latest updates from the Workplace Health and Safety Committee
Reporting period 1st Oct 2024 to 20th Jan 2025
| Incidents reported | 164 |
|---|---|
| Fire risk assessments | 28 |
| Fire alarm activations | 53 |
| Overseas travel trips | 753 |
-
Lone Working/Out of Hours Working
"During the reporting period, a number of reported incidents and departmental health and safety walk-arounds have highlighted the issue of out of hours (OOH) and lone working across the University. Staff and students should only be working OOH in departmental buildings where absolutely necessary. Higher risk activities should not be carried out OOH. Lone working can be an issue at any time of day, particularly with the increase in home/hybrid working. A Safety Alert was sent out prior to the Christmas break and the WHSO team will update and communicate further guidance."
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Mandatory Training
Mandatory Fire Safety training is still at levels that are unacceptable. The target is 90% completion and the current completion is 80%.
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Fire Drills
WHSO are reviewing the fire drills process, aiming for a revised process to be in place for 25/26. This will involve a joined up approach between DTEF, Depts, Colleges and the H&S team.
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H&S Governance
H&S governance, including committee membership and timings is being reviewed to allow for a better 2-way flow of information. Relevant templates are also being developed.
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WHSO Priorities
H&S priorities are being developed for the next 3 years. Some of the next things to be considered include training programmes, review of H&S management procedures, fire drill process (see above), and a H&S audits programme.
Thanks to Ros Roberts, Director of Faculty Operations, Faculty of Arts and Humanities for the summary.
For further information please see the Workplace Health and Safety Committee pages.
Mandatory Health and Safety training completion
| Fire Safety Training | DSE Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | 81% | 90% |
| March 2025 | 83% | 91% |
| April 2025 | 82% | 91% |
Health and Safety training
|
Course |
Target Audience |
Spaces Available |
Booking information |
|
Operational staff |
6-12 |
||
| First Aid at Work (Requalification) |
Operational staff |
6-12 |
|
|
All Staff (lower risk areas) |
6-12 |
||
|
Gaining Confidence in Risk Assessment (Practical Workshop) |
DSAs and operational staff |
12 |
The online RA training is a prerequisite. |
|
DSAs/managers |
10 |
||
|
DSAs and operational staff |
14 |
||
|
All staff |
12 |
||
|
Operational staff |
12 |
The online Manual Handling Introductory Training is a prerequisite |
|
|
Operational staff |
12 |
The online COSHH - an Introduction course is a prerequisite |
For further information see our H&S Training Page.
Reporting of Estates-related maintenance issues
It is important to report maintenance issues immediately to prevent the problem getting worse and causing further disruption.
To report a fault, log in to the Helpdesk Portal.
Reporting of Health and Safety incidents
Reporting adverse events and hazardous situations is an essential part of managing health and safety at work. To report an accident, incident, near-miss or hazard observation, use the SOLAR System.
For general enquiries, please contact us on whso@york.ac.uk.
For fire-safety queries, please contact us on firesafety@york.ac.uk