H&S Round Up April 2026
Posted on Thursday 16 April 2026
SHWO Update
Appointment of Head of Health and Safety (Deputy to Director - Secondment)
Congratulations to Carolyn Jackson (formerly the Health and Safety Business Partner for the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Faculty of Arts and Humanities) who has been appointed to the secondment position of Head of Health and Safety (Deputy to Director). The new team structure within the SHWO team will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Fire Safety Coordinators
Two Fire Safety Coordinators will be joining the SHWO team in May. Their role will be assuring that the University complies with the relevant fire safety legislation, building regulations, university policy and standards, and industry best practice. They will promote a positive fire safety culture and work in collaboration with all stakeholders in the implementation of suitable guidance, training, monitoring, support, and advice with respect to fire safety at the University.
DSA Forum
There is a DSA Forum on April 22nd (2-4pm) in ATB/056. This Forum is for DSAs to hear from SHWO about the new SHWO team structure; updates to First Aid; and a DSA role update, along with opportunities to network.
Occupational Health - Health Surveillance Clinics
Occupational Health have increased health surveillance clinic provision to two clinics per week in Alcuin C, offering multiple lung function and hearing test appointment slots. Booking and attendance by staff at appointments remains low, with many slots left empty.
Health surveillance follows risk assessment of the hazards that staff are exposed to at work and potential health impacts. Some health surveillance is a statutory requirement under COSHH. These appointments monitor health impacts and ensure that existing safety protocols are effective, so it is in staff interests to attend.
If you have been identified as requiring health surveillance, please respond to appointment booking invitations at the earliest possible convenience. We also ask managers/project leads to ensure that their staff are all doing so.
If work roles, locations or hazards have changed or stopped, please contact us at occupational-health@york.ac.uk
Latest updates from the Workplace Health and Safety Committee (Autumn Report)
Reporting period 21st September 2025 to 20th January 2026
Mandatory Training
Completion rates for DSE are above the required level of 90%. Fire Safety training completion is currently at 83%. Strategies to improve compliance were discussed and a proposal was requested for the next committee meeting.
Fire Safety
Outstanding actions from internal and external audits are being monitored by faculties and PSEB. A clear process for monitoring, closing down and reporting on actions is required.
The process for checking and repairing fire doors is under consideration.
Two new Fire Safety Coordinators are being recruited and will carry out fire risk assessments.
External Review of H&S at the University
An externally led root and branch analysis of H&S at the University will be carried out in March/April this year. On completion, a University action plan will be submitted to the committee.
Out of Hours and Lone Working
The committee supported a proposal from SHWO to initiate and lead the consultation process to review and update Out of Hours and Lone Working procedures.
University Insurance in relation to H&S
The Insurance Manager reported on insurance activity, risks and key claims data in the context of H&S. Higher risk projects such as prison-based work, travel and long-term projects were highlighted.
Health and Wellbeing
A Health and Wellbeing at Work Strategy is being developed together with a University-wide risk assessment. This will be aligned with workforce planning initiatives and the current refresh of the overarching University Strategy 2030.
Audits Undertaken by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS)
As a result of the internal Fire Audit undertaken by the SHWO team, NYFRS undertook a series of audits in December 2025. Final reports are yet to be received but this should not detract from fire audit actions being progressed.
NYFRS fire safety audit concluded (verbally) that the premises are broadly compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. However, several minor areas of non-compliance were identified. Improvements are required across core fire safety measures, including fire risk reduction, safe and usable means of escape, fire detection and warning systems, compartmentation, firefighting equipment, and fire emergency procedures, including staff instruction and training.
The areas of minor non-compliance related to emergency routes and exits, meaning occupants may not be able to evacuate the premises as quickly and safely as possible in an emergency. Some fire exit doors on escape routes could not be easily or immediately opened from the inside.
For further information please see the Workplace Health and Safety Committee pages
Mandatory Health and Safety training completion
| Fire Safety Training | DSE Training | |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 83% | 93% |
| February 2026 | 83% | 94% |
| March 2026 | 83% | 94% |
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 Health and Safety Training pages.
Overseas Travel
In light of the evolving situation and the global crisis, any member of the University considering overseas travel including the Middle East must follow University’s Overseas Travel Process. Please ensure to consider flight layovers, for example making a flight connection in Dubai or Doha on a journey to Australia. A range of practical and emotional support is available for anyone affected by current events in the Middle East.
Reporting of Health and Safety incidents
Reporting adverse events and hazardous situations is an essential part of managing health & safety at work. To report an accident, incident, near-miss or hazard observation, use the SOLAR System.
For general enquiries, contact us on shwo-enquiries@york.ac.uk