Human Resources

STATEMENT OF POLICY FOR HEALTH & SAFETY

The University of Portsmouth is committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees and students, so far as is reasonably practicable, through the development of a positive Health and Safety culture.

The University of Portsmouth is committed to safeguarding the health and safety of contractors, other visitors and the general public who may be affected by the University's activities, so far as is reasonably practicable.

The University considers that good health and safety performance is a fundamental prerequisite if the University's strategic aims are to be effectively realised.

In order to achieve this, the University aims to:

a)     develop and promote a positive health and safety culture

b)    comply with all relevant legislation

c)     resource adequately health and safety provision

d)    ensure risk assessments are undertaken and risks are controlled adequately

e)     prevent injury and ill health of all persons affected by the activities of the University

f)     adopt and promote best practice in all aspects of health and safety at work

g)    monitor and review the effectiveness of the University’s arrangements and make improvements as required

Primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of any activity rests with those line managers who arrange and direct the work. Safety, including personal security, is therefore an important issue that needs to be considered at all levels of management.   All individual members of staff must also pay appropriate regard to their health and safety responsibilities.

Legal compliance is a substantial undertaking. It demands the integration of health and safety management into all planning activities.  This commitment should be visible from senior management down to the individual employee.  The support and co-operation of all staff and students is essential to achieve legal compliance.

Management of risk is the key to achieving the University's health and safety objectives.  The process of risk assessment will be used to ensure that this is done in an efficient, systematic and cost effective manner.  This should ensure that resources are targeted towards those areas and activities where the greatest risk exists.

Chair of Board of Governors                                                                                  Vice Chancellor