Student Safety Responsibilities
Figure 1. Simplified Representation of Health and Safety Organisation. [D]
Introduction
The University's general policy with respect to the health and safety of its employees while at work and the organisational arrangements and responsibilities for complying with the University Safety Policy can be found on the Health and Safety Policy and Organisation webpage.
How students are placed in the university's safety management system is shown in the chart on this page (Figure 1) and their responsibilities within this system (and the responsibilities of others towards them) are described further below.
Responsibilities
Students have responsibilities to comply with health and safety instructions, including the University Rules and Regulation for students, not to misuse or damage equipment provided and may be responsible for the consequences should they neglect to carry out a task required for the health or safety of others. Additional guidance is available through the Universities UK paper entitled ‘Health and Safety responsibilities of supervisors towards postgraduate and undergraduate students’, available from the Health and Safety Office.
Responsibilities towards students
Students are not in the legal sense employed persons and hence many of the specific provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 do not apply to them. Equally, they are not bound by the duties of employees as laid down in the Act. As with all other members of the public the University owes them a general duty of care in order that their health and their safety is protected. It is important therefore to ensure that:
- When under the control of University members of staff the responsibility for students' safety or health is adequately met. For example when required to evacuate a lecture theatre due to a building alarm the lecturer takes the responsibility for the safe evacuation.
- Laboratory and workshop local rules are drawn up, published, clearly displayed and enforced;
- Students are given full instructions in health and safety matters relating to the normal functioning of the Department and it is recommended that a general talk is arranged at the beginning of each academic year to be amplified by specific instruction as necessary;
- The supervision given is adequate both with regard to the nature of the work in which students are involved and the experience of the particular student. As regards student projects, a risk assessment should take place and necessary precautions should be agreed with students and written down before commencement of work;
- Details of relevant policies, Codes of Practice and guidance are issued to students at the beginning of their work or their period of residence.
Post-graduate students
Postgraduate students carrying out work, as opposed to taught students, are classed as employees. Those undertaking demonstrations or tutorial services are considered by health and safety legislation to be employed persons for those particular purposes. The supervision of postgraduate students should be appropriate to their experience or competence and will be at a higher level than that expected for more experienced members of staff.