H&S Round Up April 2025
Latest updates from the Workplace Health and Safety Office
WHSO Update
We are pleased to report a positive trend in mandatory H&S training compliance:
| Fire Safety Training | DSE Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | 79% | 89% |
| Feb 2025 | 81% | 90% |
| March 2025 | 83% | 91% |
Both of these training courses are mandatory with a target completion rate of over 90%.
If you haven't completed your training then please do so as soon as possible.
Warm Weather Advice
As the seasons change and the weather starts to warm up, we recommend staff and students at the University follow the NHS advice for how to cope in hot weather.
WHSO Team Changes
From 1st May 2025, H&S Business Partners will be working with the following areas:
| John Bell |
Faculty of Sciences (Biological, Human and Chemical Sciences) |
|---|---|
| Martyn Godwin |
Radiation Protection Officer Faculty of Science (Physical Science) |
| Carolyn Jackson |
Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Arts & Humanities |
| Jane Holmes |
Professional Services (IT, HR, Finance and other low risk departments) Accommodation, Campus and Commercial Services Colleges WHSO Lead Investigator |
| Andrew Johnstone |
Estates Subsidiaries and Trading Companies International Pathway College WHSO Lead Auditor |
| Paul Mullins |
Fire & Infrastructure Safety |
| David Nelson | Biological Safety Officer |
Reporting period 1st Oct 2024 to 20th Jan 2025
| Incidents reported | 164 |
|---|---|
| Fire risk assessments | 28 |
| Fire alarm activations | 53 |
| Overseas travel trips | 753 |
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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.
Health and Safety training
Upcoming in-person H&S training:
|
Course |
Target Audience |
Spaces Available |
Booking information |
|
Operational staff |
6-12 |
||
|
Operational staff |
6-12 |
||
|
All Staff (lower risk areas) |
6-12 |
||
|
Gaining Confidence in Risk Assessment (Practical Workshop) |
DSAs and operational staff |
12 |
The on-line 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 & 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, please contact us on whso@york.ac.uk.
For fire-safety queries, please contact us on firesafety@york.ac.uk