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Document directory
CategoryDocumentSummary
Accident Accident investigation guidance Guidance for managers completing an accident investigation
Accident Accident investigation template An accident investigation template that can be used by managers for upload to the online incident reporting system
AED maintenance checks AED maintenance checks  Guidance about how to check an AED regularly to make sure it's read for use in an emergency.
AED user guide AED user guide Guidance about how to use an AED in an emergency.
Audits, Management resources, Biosafety, Chemical safety, Radiation safety Laboratory inspection template Template inspection form for laboratories which can be adapted to address particular types of laboratory hazards.
Audits, Management resources Workshop inspection template Template for running inspections in workshops which can be extended to reflect different environments, including a section for recording actions.
Biosafety Animal products premises registration - City sites Animal by-product licence for University buildings located in the city site, including UHB and NB NHS sites.
Biosafety Animal products premises registration - Langford Animal by-product licence for University buildings located on the Langford site.
Biosafety Anthropods guidance Guidance for research work with exotic and UK native species of arthropods, and GM insects that are vectors of virus diseases affecting animals and humans.
Biosafety Biological agent hazard groups The HSE's Approved List of biological agents and hazard groups from the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens.
Biosafety Good microbiological practice and containment Guidance on good microbiological practice and containment and management of containment facilities.
Biosafety Biorisk management policy Online interactive content outlining biorisk management policies, procedures and resources.
Biosafety Biorisk online training Online training modules via Blackboard for those working with biological materials in a laboratory environment. This includes modules on an introduction to biorisk management and awareness of transport requirements for biosafety and biosecurity.
Biosafety Biosafety Committee review flowchart Biological and Genetic Modification Safety Committee (BGMSC) review, approval and statutory notification process in flowchart with timescales.
Biosafety Biosafety decontamination and disposal charts Visual chart detailing how to decontaminate or dispose of different types of biowaste.
Biosafety Biosafety project training record example Example of personnel training record to attach to risk assessments, which can also be used as a template.
Biosafety BR2: Biological material risk assessment template Risk assessment template to assess the biorisks of activities involving work with human pathogens, potentially infectious material or other harmful biological substances.
Biosafety Cell culture guidance Guidance to help anyone proposing to work with eukaryotic cell culture systems to comply with COSHH regulations and prepare for their risk assessment.
Biosafety, Training ECACC Cell culture laboratory training video ECACC training video providing an overview of cell culture laboratories and equipment with guidelines and best practices.
Biosafety, Training ECACC Fundamental techniques in cell culture training handbook ECACC training handbook outlining the fundamental techniques in cell culture, covering a wide range of information from the sourcing of cell lines, safety and laboratory design to aspects of cryopreservation and quality control.
Biosafety GM animal risk assessment BR3a: Risk assessment template for biorisks involving genetically modified animals (transgenics).
Biosafety GMM risk assessment BR3m: Risk assessment template for biorisks involving genetically modified micro-organisms or animal cell cultures.
Biosafety GMM risk assessment guidance BR3m: Guidance for completing a risk assessment to manage the biorisks of using genetically modified microorganisms, including eukaryotic cell cultures.
Biosafety Human tissue research work Sharepoint site with guidance on risk assessments, sample triage, regulatory clearance and the arrangements required for work involving human tissue (updated for COVID-19).
Biosafety Notifiable pathogens and toxins in the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act Guidance on biomaterials (pathogens and toxins) covered by the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act that require notification to the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (listed in Schedule 5).
Biosafety Review tool in Biorisk Management System Online tool for completing biorisk assessment reviews with a built-in monitoring system to periodically identify which activities are due for review.
Biosafety Transport of biological materials guidance Guidance for transporting biological materials including cells, tissues, pathogens, toxins and associated refrigerants such as dry ice.
Biosafety, Training Transport of biological materials training module Booking form for CAA validated training for packing and shipping biological substances and dry ice.
Biosafety Virkon efficacy data Data on the efficacy of Virkon as a disinfectant to help determine its effectiveness in different scenarios for references in risk assessments.
Biosafety Waste alternatives to Hycolin Disinfectant alternatives to Hycolin for use in laboratories working with mycobacteria.
Biosafety Waste decontamination and disposal guidance Guidance on the requirements for decontamination and disposal of biohazardous materials (infectious and/or GM wastes).
Chemical safety ASC guide for chemical spill response ASC framework for chemical spill response planning is designed to prepare staff for spill clean-ups. It provides an overview on handling spill incidents from planning through to using spill equipment correctly.
Chemical safety Chemical hazard warning signs Guidance on standardised hazard warning signs and legislative changes in chemical hazard warning information.
Chemical safety, Training Chemical risk assessment video Video overview demonstrating the importance of conducting a risk assessment for maintaining situational awareness as laboratory work proceeds.
Chemical safety Chemical waste guidance Guidance on chemical and laboratory waste, which is considered hazardous when it contains properties that are harmful to human health and to the wider environment.
Chemical safety DSEAR classification list Checklist for classifying dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres areas, relating to vapours and gases.
Chemical safety Hazardous chemical management policy Policy outlining the code of practice for controlling and safely managing chemically hazardous substances.
Chemical safety Laboratory fume cupboard guidance Guidance on the management and use of laboratory fume cupboards to ensure staff and students are protected from exposure to substances that may be hazardous to their health.
Chemical safety Nanosafety guidance UK Nanosafety Group guidance for establishing a safe workplace and good safety practice when working with particulate nanomaterials.
Chemical safety Risk assessment for allergens and sensitizing substances This template outlines the considerations that should be discussed with individuals who have declared atopic allergy or a specific known allergy to the sensitising substances or allergens they may be handling as part of their work
Chemical safety RSC guide for transporting chemicals Royal Society of Chemistry guide for transporting chemicals safely for lecture demonstrations and similar purposes.
Chemical safety RSC laboratories and control of hazardous chemicals
Royal Society of Chemistry guidance modules providing providing postgraduate students and university researchers with the essential basic knowledge needed to work safely in a chemical laboratory.
Chemical safety RPE selector tool HSE and Healthy Working Lives tool to help users select the most appropriate type of RPE for their requirements.
Chemical safety Safe storage of chemicals guidance Guidance providing advice on appropriate measures to take to ensure chemicals are stored correctly, safely and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Chemical safety Sustainability waste disposal route The chemical waste disposal route is managed by staff from Sustainability. Contact them for further information and documentation, including the waste disposal form.
Driving Driving policy Policy and guidance outlining health and safety precautions to control work-related driving risks.
Driving Monthly vehicle checklist Monthly vehicle checklist procedures for ensuring University vehicles are properly maintained.
Driving Vehicle journey log Vehicle journey log for recording mileage, fuel purchases, journey descriptions and visual vehicle inspections.
Drones Drone operations safety site Drone safety intranet site for gaining approval to fly drones with details of recording and carrying out activities in line with CAA requirements and best practices.
e-bikes e-bike fire safety guidance Fire safety guidance for the use of e-bikes on University premises. This document has been withdrawn for further scrutiny and revision. See the fire safety guidance page for advice (26/06/2023)
Events Event organiser guidance A guide for event organisers with general information on the health and safety aspects to consider when organising small or medium events at the University.
Fire safety, Training Fire safety induction Fire safety induction e-learning module for new staff.
Fire safety F‌ire Safety Policy Policy on fire safety, which serves as a template guiding schools and services to complete their own set of local fire safety rules.
Fire safety

PEEP policy - PDF

PEEP policy - Word

Policy, guidance and template for creating personal emergency evacuation plans.
First aid First aid guidance Guidance for first aid including risk assessments, first aiders, training and equipment.
First aid First aid risk assessment  Template for completing risk assessments relating to first aid (appendix 1 of the first aid guidance).
Lasers AURPO laser guidance Association of University Radiation Protection Officers (AURPO) guidance on the safe user of lasers in education and research.
Lasers Laser safety policy and guidance Policy and guidance on using lasers as a form of non-ionising radiation safely at the University.
Lasers, Training Laser training slides Training slides from laser safety presentation. This course should be completed via Develop.

Lasers, Training

Laser training videos:
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4

Laser training presentation to be used and amended by School Laser Safety Officers for user training.
Lasers Laser user database Database for maintaining records of worker registration, risk assessments and use of lasers on University premises.
Lasers School laser safety officers Contact information including emails and phone numbers for all University appointed school laser safety officers.
Lithium batteries Lithium battery storage, handling, and charging proceedures Guidance on the safe storage, handling and charging of lithium batteries.
Management resources Health and safety checklist for Heads of Schools/Services Checklist for health and safety management processes for Heads of Schools or Services, with links to further resources.
Management resources Health and safety checklist for line managers Checklist for health and safety management processes for line managers, with links to further resources.
Management resources Local rules template for schools and faculties Template for schools and faculties to use as a starting point for creating a set of local rules, covering generic issues such as manual handling, electrical safety and accident reporting.
Management resources Local rules template for support services and process owners Template for support services and process owners to use as a starting point for creating a set of local rules, covering generic issues such as manual handling, electrical safety and accident reporting.
Management resources Space and facility checklist Factors to be considered when planning a return to normal working arrangements after Government COVID-19 roadmap step 4. It will provide a baseline level of mitigations that can be supplemented if COVID-19 circumstances change in the future and additional measures need to be implemented. The risk rated scoring system can be used to identify factors which may need mitigations and calculate an overall risk rating for the space being assessed. Where the risk rating indicates an overall high-risk area then further, more detailed assessment will be needed.
Management resources Support services staff guidance Guidance on management arrangements for creating a safe working environment for staff delivering support services.
Office inspection checklist Office inspection checklist A guidance checklist to check what information would be needed in an inspection.
Oil-filled heaters - Best practice Oil-filled heaters - Best practice Guidance about how to use oil-flled heaters safely.
Permits Contaminated item clearance (Office document, 65kB) Contaminated item clearance permit which can be used as a template for assessing the risks to clear items for collection when they are leaving a hazardous area.
Permits EPR permit for open sources - University precinct Environmental Permitting Regulations permit from the Environment Agency for open sources at the University's main precinct site.
Permits Hazardous area clearance permit Template for determining risks and control measures for clearance of an area previously used to accommodate biological, chemical or radioactive material and associated activities and equipment.
Permits, Biosafety, Chemical safety, Radiation safety Laboratory permit to work Permit to work template form to safely manage the entry of non-laboratory staff into laboratory areas.
Policies and statements Control of contractors policy Policy setting out how the University manages contractors whilst they are working on its premises.
Policies and statements Drugs and alcohol Statement on the possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol.
Policies and statements Equipment requiring insurance policy Outlining the ownership of equipment requiring inspection and the  responsibilities of the owner, insurance officer and other staff at the University.
Policies and statements Group health and safety policy Policy setting out the provision of a healthy and safe workplace and teaching, study and research environment for the University and its subsidiaries.
Policies and statements Health and safety roles, responsibilities and organisation Setting out the structure of health and safety roles and responsibilities that cascade through the University.
Policies and statements Legionella bacteria control policy Policy setting out how to control legionella bacteria in infrequently used water systems.
Policies and statements HSE electrical safety and the law HSE information, resources and regulations on electrical safety and the law.
Radiation safety AURPO radiation protection handbook Handbook on radiation protection for laboratory workers, created by the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers (AURPO).
Radiation Safety Current radiation protection supervisors List of University Radiation Protection Supervisors for each school, along with their contact details.
Radiation safety Guidance for using sealed radioactive sources Detailing University procedures for the purchase, storage, use and disposal of sealed radioactive sources.
Radiation safety Ionising radiation policy Policy on the rules for working with ionising radiation and radioactive materials to comply with regulatory requirements.
Radiation safety Microwave oven maintenance and testing Safety precautions for using microwave ovens with guidance on maintenance and testing.
Radiation safety Non-ionising radiation policy Policy on the safe use of non-ionising radiation by University staff, contractors and students.
Radiation safety Radioactive source database

Database for maintaining records of worker registration, risk assessments, ordering, use and disposal of radioactive substances for activities on University premises.

Log into the University network to use this system, for example by using the University's VPN off-site or a University computer on campus.

Radiation safety Radioactivity prior risk assessment Guidance on radiation risk assessment and considerations for using new sources of ionising radiations and/or using new facilities for work with ionising radiations.
Radiation safety

Radiochemical decomposition

A guide to the properties and storage of radiolabelled compounds, highlighting the problems of self-decomposition and outlining methods to minimise this.
Radiation safety

RPS seminar presentations:
2007 slides
2008 slides
2009 slides
2010 slides
2013 slides
2015 slides
2018 slides

Presentations given by the University Radiation Protection Adviser / Radioactive Waste Adviser, to School Radiation Protection Supervisors.
Radiation safety, Training Training for using sealed radioactive sources and Sealed sources training presentation (Office document, 1,733kB)
Radiation protection training resources for users of sealed radioactive sources. This course should be completed via Develop.
Radiation safety training X-ray radiation safety training (Office document, 7,219kB) Basic training on x-ray radiation protection. This course should be completed via Develop.
Risk assessment guidance Risk assessment guidance Guidance on carrying out and recording risk assessments.
Risk assessment template R‌isk assessment template Template for carrying out and recording risk assessments.
Travel and off-site Community-based research guidance Guidance for minimising health and safety risks during community-based research.
Travel and off-site Fieldwork guidance Guidance for managing health and safety while working off-site and during fieldwork.
Travel and off-site Fieldwork sun exposure  Guidance for managing the risks from sun exposure during fieldwork.
Travel and off-site Outdoor work sun exposure  Guidance for managing the risks from sun exposure during outdoor work.
Travel and off-site Student placements guidance Advice on how to manage health and safety risks associated with student placements.
Travel and off-site Student placement policy Policy outlining how to plan and implement health and safety for Global Opportunities student placements.
Travel and off-site Travel approval help site Information site about the process for making global travel requests.
Travel and off-site Global travel app Tool for making a business case for global travel and gaining approval to book your trip.
Travel and off-site Travel itinerary template Travel itinerary template which can be extended to reflect your travel plans.
Travel and off-site Travel risk assessment Generic risk assessment template for travel which can be extended to include hazards relating to specific locations and activities.
Travel and off-site Traveller details template Template for collecting details of your travel party, including a list of names, any medical or welfare needs and contact details in case of an emergency.
Travel and off-site USHA working off-site guidance Guidance from the USHA on health and safety in fieldwork and travel for the higher education sector.
Stress at work Stress risk assessments for local areas and editable copy Guidance and template for work-related risk assessments including an action plan tor reduce the likelihood of stress occurring in a local area, school or service.
Stress at work Work-related stress individual action plan and editable copy Advice for when individual cases of work-related stress are confirmed or likely. This guidance helps line managers and members of staff to hold a positive conversation about work-related stress. An action plan template is included to agree and record next steps and actions.
Stress at work Work-related stress policy Policy defining work-related stress and the University’s responsibilities.
Workplace safety HSE laboratory animal allergen guidance Animal fur, feathers, dander, dried urine and saliva dusts arise through animal handling and cage or enclosure cleaning. These dusts contain proteins (allergens), that can cause occupational asthma in workers handling animals and insects. The University requires all workers that are potentially exposed to animal allergens to undergo health surveillance through Occupational Health Services to ensure that control measures are working effectively. Exposure is controlled through facility design and control measures maintained in ASU facilities; any animal handling work ouside these facilities must identify suitable control measures in activity risk assessments. This document provides guidance on control measures for controlling exposure to laboratory animal allergens.
Workplace safety HSE manual handling guidance Guidance on manual handling at work from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Workplace safety HSE noise at work guidance Guidance on managing noise at work from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Workplace safety HSE portable appliance testing (PAT) PAT information and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive.
Workplace safety HSE vibrations guidance Guidance on controlling the risks from vibrations at work from the HSE.
Workplace safety HSE working at height guidance Information on working at height from the HSE including a guide describing what managers need to do to protect staff and students from falls from height.
Workplace safety HSE workplace health, safety and welfare Summary of the basic requirements for a safe and healthy work environment from the HSE, covering lighting, workstations, seating, rest facilities and maintenance.
Workplace safety Lone worker protection Information on the Bristol City Council Lone Worker Protection Service, an accredited service for anyone working alone inside buildings or in the community.
Workplace safety Lone working guidance Guidance on lone working which outlines potential hazards and describes practical steps to minimise risks.
Workplace safety Manual handling guidance Guidance on preventing manual handling injuries in the University and protecting staff when they are the transporting or supporting loads by hand or bodily force.
Workplace safety Noise at work guidance Controlling the risks from noise at work, including guidance for creating risk assessments and implementing measures to reduce noise exposure.
Workplace safety PAT testing Controlling risks from the use of electricity with portable appliance testing (PAT) guidance.
Workplace safety Pregnancy and new mothers guidance Guidance for new and expectant mothers in the workplace.
Workplace safety Smoking policy Policy designed to secure a non-smoking healthy and safe working environment, including restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes.
Workplace safety Vibrations at work Outlining measures to protect employees from the risks of hand-arm or whole-body vibration at work.
Workplace safety Work experience guidance Guidance on health and safety during work experience for schools and services running placements.
Workstations and DSE D‌SE user eye test authorisation form Authorisation form for a display screen equipment (DSE) user in need of an eye test.
Workstations and DSE DSE visual checklist Checklist for setting up DSE and a comfortable workspace, particularly useful when working frome home, while travelling, in lots of different locations or from different workstations.
Workstations and DSE, Travel and off-site Home working guidance and editable copy Guidance on working from home, including a checklist to identify any possible hazards in your home working area.
Workstations and DSE Workstation and DSE assessment flowchart Flowchart outlining the display screen equipment (DSE) assessment process.
Workstations and DSE Workstation and DSE self-assessment form Risk assessment form for workstations and display screen equipment (DSE).

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