H&S Round Up May 2026
Posted on Friday 15 May 2026
SHWO Update
Fire Safety Coordinators
Lauren Atkins and Isabel Gartland have joined the SHWO team in the role of Fire Safety Coordinator. 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
SHWO held a DSA Forum on April 22nd. The Forum gave an update on the change from DSAs to Departmental Safety Coordinators (more details on the DSC webpage). The Forum also provided updates on the upcoming new SHWO team structure; upcoming updates to First Aid and opportunities to network.
SHWO are reviewing the requested feedback about the April Forum, including suggested topics to cover next time. We plan to hold another Forum for DSCs in the Autumn (date tbc).
Governance Framework
The University’s new Safety, Health and Wellbeing Governance framework was launched in September 2025. Following the organisational-wide developments since then, we are currently doing a light touch review of the framework to ensure that it is fit for purpose, and that our stakeholders are supported appropriately. An update will be communicated in the coming months with an expected launch date of 1st August 2026.
Health and Safety Management System
The University has procured a new cloud-based electronic system to improve the management and transparency of safety and health data across the organisation. The system was selected based on extensive research, industry benchmarking (against other reputable Russell Group Universities) and key stakeholder consultation including University Trade Unions.
A new bespoke incident and accident reporting and investigation module is currently being developed in coordination with the system developer, University IT and SHWO teams. A pilot version of the module is expected to be launched in June 2026 to a selection of stakeholders only (tbc) from across the organisation. The official launch of this module is anticipated to be 1st August 2026. Further modules will be deployed under a transformation plan with further details to follow.
IOSH Event - "Conversations for safer, healthier workplaces"
On Wednesday 17 June 2026, SHWO is hosting an IOSH Yorkshire Community event. The open and thought provoking in-person session (free) titled "Conversations for safer, healthier workplaces", will be delivered in partnership with Andy’s Man Club.
Andy’s Man Club is a leading men’s suicide prevention charity, providing free peer to peer support groups across the UK. This important session will explore why talking about mental health at work really matters, and how open, supportive conversations can help create safer and healthier workplaces.
If you are interested in attending, please visit the Eventbrite website for further details and reserving a spot.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | 83% | 94% |
| March 2026 | 83% | 94% |
| April 2026 | 84% | 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.
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