Safety Officer Training
Departmental Safety Officer (DSO) Summer Meeting 
Who should attend?
This meeting is intended for DSOs and Area or Divisional Safety Officers, although other departmental staff with health and safety management responsibilities, such as Administrators or Facilities Managers, may also find the session useful.
Course Details
DSO meetings provide an important opportunity to discuss topics of interest in health and safety, allowing DSOs to share their experiences with those from other departments.
The 2013 summer meeting will be focusing on important insurance matters. The University's Insurance Manager will be speaking on plans for the introduction of an online travel insurance application system, as well as proposed changes to the legal procedures that relate to the insurance claims process, including those for personal injury compensation.
The Director of the Safety Office will also provide an update on any other relevant safety issues.
Lunch will be provided and to assist us with the catering for the meeting, those planning to attend should book a place by following the on-line booking instructions. If you have any special dietary requirements, please contact the Safety Office after booking your place.
Safety Officer Training
Departmental Safety Officers' Induction Training Module 1: Health and Safety Management
Who should attend?
An essential course for newly appointed departmental or unit safety officers (DSOs), or those who have not attended a similar course before. Heads of Department are also encouraged to attend.
Course Details
Departmental or unit safety officers (DSOs) represent an important link between the department or unit and the University Safety Office. DSOs offer safety advice to their heads of department, coordinate the advice of other specialist safety advisers and assist with the implementation and monitoring of University policy in their respective areas. The DSO role is clearly a vital one within the health and safety management network of the University.
It is University policy that all new DSOs receive appropriate training and the Safety Office provides a programme of training each year in Michaelmas Term. The course is offered in three themed modules, and attendance at each module is required.
A list of the topics covered in Module 1 is provided for information, and there will be opportunity for informal discussion during coffee and at the end of the session.
- Welcome and introduction
- Health and safety management in the University
- The role of the University Safety Office
- Duties of Departmental Safety Officers and other specialist advisors
- Departmental Safety Advisory Committees
- Statements of Safety Organisation
- Annual Self Assessment of Health and Safety Compliance
- Occupational Health and access to OH services
- Departmental safety inspections
- Departmental safety audits and HASMAP
- Open forum
Departmental Safety Officers' Induction Training Module 2: Assessing Risk
Who should attend?
An essential course for newly appointed departmental or unit safety officers (DSOs), or those who have not attended a similar course before. Heads of Department are also encouraged to attend.
Course Details
Departmental or unit safety officers (DSOs) represent an important link between the department or unit and the University Safety Office. DSOs offer safety advice to their heads of department, coordinate the advice of other specialist safety advisers and assist with the implementation and monitoring of University policy in their respective areas. The DSO role is clearly a vital one within the health and safety management network of the University.
The DSO course is offered in three themed modules, and attendance at each module is required.
The general theme for Module 2 is the assessment of risk and covers topics that are common to all departments of the University.
- Welcome and introduction
- HSE's '5 steps to risk assessment'
- Fire safety and fire risk assessment
- Assessment of first aid neeeds and accident/incident reporting
- Display Screen Equipment
- Manual handling operations
- Electrical safety
- Summary and close of session
Departmental Safety Officers' Induction Training Module 3: Specialist Topics
Who should attend?
An essential course for newly appointed departmental or unit safety officers (DSOs), or those who have not attended a similar course before. Heads of Department are also encouraged to attend.
Course Details
Departmental or unit safety officers (DSOs) represent an important link between the department or unit and the University Safety Office. DSOs offer safety advice to their heads of department, coordinate the advice of other specialist safety advisers and assist with the implementation and monitoring of University policy in their respective areas. The DSO role is clearly a vital one within the health and safety management network of the University.
Module 3 looks at some of the more more specialist topics affecting different departments and is therefore split into two groups: Group A - Science and Clinical departments, Group B - Humanities and Social Sciences. Towards the end of the session the groups will combine for questions. There will also be opportunities for informal discussion during coffee.
DSOs from all departments, amongst others, may require further specific training and specialist courses are offered separately.
Supervisors' Responsibilities
Who should attend?
This seminar is aimed at any individual who has day-to-day responsibility for managing or directing the work activities of others.
Course Details
Although the term 'supervisor' is often used in the context of research and teaching in the University, for the purposes of health and safety law many other members of staff may also have a supervisory function. An employee of the University may be considered to be a supervisor if he/she has the power and authority to give instructions and/or orders to subordinates, and be held responsible for the work and actions of other employees, or persons under their day-to-day control.
This seminar outlines the safety responsibilities of such supervisors, and the following themes will be discussed:
- Risk assessment
- Competence
- Training and record keeping
- Supervision
- Accident reporting and investigation
- Equipment maintenance
- Housekeeping, waste disposal, decontamination and decommissioning
- Deputising arrangements