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Roles and responsibilities

Deans & director of services

Deans and directors of services have overall responsibility for ensuring health and safety is effectively managed in the faculty or service. Adequate resources must be made available, and this includes ensuring risk assessments are completed, effective control measures are in place and compliance with both legal and University procedures.

If delegating any of these duties, measures must be in place to ensure the competence of those who will undertake the duties, and must ensure:

  • Adequate time and resources are made available.
  • That the risks in relation to DSE have been identified.
  • Risk assessments have been completed and reviews are planned.
  • Staff required to use DSE receive suitable information, instruction, training and supervision.
  • All control measures required have been implemented or planned within an appropriate time frame.
  • Health surveillance is provided where necessary.
  • That monitoring takes place to measure the effectiveness of controls and compliance with University policy such as safe systems of work and PPE.
  • They appoint competent persons to act on their behalf if delegating duties to others.

 

Heads of schools, departments and other academic and administrative units & service managers

  • To raise any issues regarding competency with the dean or director of service.
  • Undertake duties delegated by the dean or director of service.
  • Highlight any shortfall in time, resources or competences in relation to work with DSE.


DSE assessors

DSE assessors must help managers in carrying out assessments according to local procedures with a view to controlling and reducing the risks associated with DSE work. DSE assessors must be trained to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to advise, analyse and set up workstations. They must also:

  • Be trained to assist managers in identifying potential users.
  • Ensure workstations meet minimum standards.
  • Recommend remedial action on how to improve the layout of workstations, and ergonomics of use.
  • Discuss recommendations with the user and manager with a view to implementation.


Health and safety services

Health and safety services will provide specialist advice and training when undertaking work involving DSE where required. The service will also monitor compliance with legal and University standards.

  • Specialist advice.
  • Audits.


Occupational health service

The occupational health service will offer advice and undertake health surveillance if it is required and identified as part of a DSE risk assessment.

  • Undertake health surveillance.


All staff and students

All staff and students using DSE have a legal responsibility to do so safely, to take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions, and to co-operate with the University in the following areas:

  • The provision and use of work equipment.
  • Comply with safe systems of work.
  • Wear personal protective equipment or use specialist equipment where provided.
  • Co-operate with the University in matters relating to health and safety.
  • Raise any concerns regarding DSE in their particular circumstances.
  • Inform their line manager of any pre-existing or new conditions that may affect their health, safety, wellbeing or ability to carry out their duties with regard to the use of DSE.
  • Cooperate with and attend any occupational health or fitness screening that may be required.