H&S Round Up March 2026

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