3 Lines of responsibility & authority for Health & Safety

3:1 Head of Department (Dr Iain Barber)

According to item 1:4 of the University Statement of Safety Policy, overall responsibility for the implementation of safety policy rests with the Head of Department (HoD). This responsibility, which cannot be delegated, is discharged through a Departmental Safety Officer and Laboratory Safety Supervisors appointed by the HoD and through a Departmental Safety Committee upon which these officers and elected representatives of research personnel etc serve.

3:2 Departmental Safety Officer (Donna Betts)

The Departmental Safety Officer (DSO) has the FULL authority of the HoD to implement safety policy, including where necessary to prevent or stop procedures which contravene safety regulations or which appear to be hazardous.

3:3 Departmental Fieldwork Safety Adviser (Dr D Harper)

All postgraduate and project students undertaking fieldwork must register with the Departmental Fieldwork Safety Adviser (DFSA). Before undertaking fieldwork a Risk Assessment Form must be completed and signed both by the student's supervisor and the DFSA. Copies of all completed risk assessment forms must be kept in the laboratory safety folder and also lodged with the DFSA.

3.4 Departmental Radiation Protection Officer (Dr P Jarvis)

All people planning to use radiation should report to Dr Jarvis.

3.5 For Departmental Clinical Waste see:-

Mr Tony Wardle, Deputy ­

3.6 Laboratory Safety Supervisors

The role of the Laboratory Safety Supervisor (LSS) is to act under the direction of the DSO, to oversee matters of safety in the laboratories in which they work or of which they have appropriate specialist knowledge.

LSS's are also required to make sure that Risk Assessments are completed and that there are written protocols.

3:7 Departmental Safety Committee

The Departmental Health and Safety Committee is chaired by the Head of Department and includes a representative of each of technical staff (who will also be the Safety Officer), postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. The minutes of the committee will be presented at Departmental Staff Meetings where matters can be discussed at a more strategic level.
It will be the duty of each committeee member to report on any matters arising within their constituency. At present the Committee consists of :
Dr Iain Barber - Head of Deparment
Ms Donna Betts - representative of technical staff and Safety Officer
Dr Michael Borg - representative of postdoctoral researchers
Ms Natalie Simmonds - representing postgraduate students
The Health and Safety Committee will review all areas of activity and, through its minutes, report to the Staff Meeting. At this, Principal Investigators will be informed of issues that need dealing with in their areas.

3:8 University Specialist Safety Advisers

Dr D Widdowson Int. Phone 2425/26 - Director of Safety Services
COSHH, chemical hazards, hazardous biological agents, genetic modifications

Dr S Nelson Int. Phone 2020 - Chemical & Biological Safety Office

Mr S Pinsent Int. Phone 2651 - Fire Safety Officer
Fire safety, buildings, 'contractors' workshops.

Mr J Scott Int. Phone 2652 - Radiation Safety Officer
Radiation Safety, asbestos, electrical safety.

Dr A Ellis (Chemistry) Int. phone 2138 - Laser Safety Officer

University Safety Services staff

Safety Manual Index

Safety Services Office