UNIVERSITY STRATEGY

Cardiff University Occupational Safety, Health and

Environment Strategic Plan 2012-2015

Document No:

CU/11/S/SP/2.0

Strategy Ratified by:

Council

Date:

28th May 2012

Area Applicable:

ALL

Review Year

2013

Document History
Author(s)

Revision
Number
2

Mike Salmon

Date
28/5/12

Date

Amendment
New 3 year strategy

Name
Mike Salmon

February 2011

Approved by
Council

Cardiff University Safety, Health and Environment Strategic

Plan 2012-2015
Cardiff University Strategic Vision
We will be one of the worlds leading universities with an academic community
recognised for its international distinction and impact
The University Strategy, which builds on the University's achievements, sets out the
medium-term direction of the University in line with its mission. It provides the
overarching framework for the formulation and assessment of all other plans such as
those produced for individual schools, the University's administration, estate and
information services etc. which, in turn, inform the formulation of the overall University
Strategy.
Details of the strategy can be found at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/plann/strategicplan/
The University strategy identifies a number of strategic enablers which are key to
achievement of the Universitys objectives and priorities and effective management of
safety, health and environment are identified within these strategic enablers.
The University is a people-based organisation. High quality and motivated staff in all
positions throughout the University, as well as the ability of staff and students to realise
their potential, are key to our future success. We need to provide an environment that
supports individual and collective achievement and this is underpinned by the
requirement to maintain a healthy and safe working environment.
Cardiff University Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Policy
The Universitys commitment to safety, health and environment is set out in its safety,
health and environment policy statement which can be found at
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/osheu/safety/index.html The policy sets out the Universitys top
level commitments for safety, health and environment and to support them the University
has established a safety, health and environment strategy which is defined below and
which it will review on a regular basis.
Cardiff University Safety, Health and Environment Strategy
The following strategic plan has been agreed by Council and the University Health
Safety and Environment Committee and will be regularly reviewed in support of the
University mission and Safety, Health and Environment Policy commitments.

2012 2015 Strategic SHE Objectives

The Universitys principal goal is to improve health, safety and environmental

sustainability within the Cardiff University community and continue the momentum
towards minimising work and study related injuries and illness and our impact on the
environment.
By 2015 Cardiff University will:
1. Be able to demonstrate proactive management of SHE through strong and
effective leadership, clear managerial accountability and good planning
2. Have in place effective risk management strategies to support teaching and
research, based on consistent, recognisable, quality based SHE management
systems across all Schools and Directorates that apply sensible risk
management principles for SHE which affords proper protection, are risk
based and are enabling not stifling
3. Have enhanced awareness, understanding and practice of SHE:
so that management and staff are committed to maintaining a strong
culture of employee and student safety, health and wellbeing and an
environmentally sustainable work ethic
to enable students to participate in an inspiring and enriching
educational experience which does not adversely affect their health; set
within a safe, healthy and sustainable environment to prepare Cardiff
students for their future careers
4. Have in place effective arrangements for the monitoring, reporting, review and
continual improvement of SHE performance across all areas of the University.
To achieve these four strategic SHE objectives the university leadership, in
partnership with School and Directorate management teams, Trades Union
representatives, safety, health and environment personnel and committees, the
university community and OSHEU, will focus on delivering the following strategic
SHE priorities for 2012 2015.

Priority Actions

Current Progress

Objective 1: Be able to demonstrate proactive management of SHE through strong and effective lea
accountability and good planning
Hazard Management
Consolidate CU Hazard register. Verify
hazard registers in place in Schools
(2012)
Introduce a program to assess
effectiveness of control strategies for
key University hazards (2012-15)
Develop hazard web site to define
hazard management arrangements at
CU (2012 -15)

OSHEU maintain program of six

monthly SHE performance reports to
University Board, six monthly reports to
Health, Safety and Environment
Committee and annual report to Council.
(2012-15)
Ensure Heads of School/Directorate
fully aware of their responsibilities for
SHE (2012-15)

Reporting program ongoing

Annual one to one briefings from OSHEU to

will commence mid year.

Review and communicate University

SHE Policy statement to all staff and
students (2012)

Golden SHE rules are being produced to em

support of the policy to be communicated by

Deliver refresher training for Council

members (2012)

Complete

Review SHE Strategy action plan (2012)

Review planned for first half of 2012

Develop and maintain OSHEU as a

centre of excellence (2012-15)

Develop future training needs analysis for st

Review implications of proposed single

regulatory framework for pathogens
(2013/14)

Priority Actions

Current Progress

Objective 2: Have in place effective risk management strategies to support teaching and research, b
quality based Health management systems across all Schools and Directorates and applying sensible
Health which affords proper protection, is risk based and is enabling not stifling
Embed non conformance and
escalation procedure (2012)

Monitor nonconformities ident

investigations etc to ensure a

Develop internal system to m

Embed arrangements for provision and

maintenance of SHE legal registers
(2013)

Schools and Directorates to b

registers.

Implement program for achieving Welsh

Assembly Government Corporate
Health standards award. (2012)

Certify management systems

Review current SHE Policies to ensure

in date and in line with standards (2013)

Policies currently being review

Complete the review of building fire risk

assessments and develop program to
ensure they are embedded with building
controllers and occupiers (2012)

Review of fire risk assessmen

being assigned and process f
developed

Following the fire risk assessment

review and Fire Service feedback from
their visits take forward and develop fire
safety management strategies to ensure
a cohesive fire plan is in place (2013)

Fire service feedback being in

Undertake a review of travel safety

arrangements to ensure they are
consistent and meet good practice
standards (2012)

Review in progress and web s

site in place by end 2012

review the Universitys existing risk

assessment processes and work with
Schools and Directorates to ensure a
system which is proportionate, effective
and efficient (2013)

Draft proposals developed on

Action plan in place assessm

Convert existing sub policies

appropriate (2013)

Fire safety working group has

areas of a fire safety strategy

Strategy plan in place by end

Initial consultation with Depar

Working Group to be fprmed t

Undertake Effectiveness review of

University permit to work system
(2012/13)
Embed SHE management systems and
new procedures based on sensible risk
principles and consistent and
transparent processes across the whole
University (2012-15)

Annual external audit of mana

(ongoing annually)

Internal audit by OSHEU to e

Communicate and embed new

Recertification achieved by en
Implement revised Pregnancy risk
assessment procedure (2012)

End 2012

Target waste streams to assess

feasibility of elimination, reduction, reuse (2012/13)

Priority Actions

Current Progress

Objective 3: Have enhanced awareness, understanding and practice of SHE:

so that management and staff are committed to maintaining a strong cultu

health and wellbeing and an environmentally sustainable work ethic

to enable students to participate in an inspiring and enriching educational

affect their health; set within a safe, healthy and sustainable environment to prepare Cardiff studen
Integrate health, safety & environment
briefings into the induction programs for
new members of Council and new
members of University Board (2012)

Integration into Council and B

Review the current health and safety

management training course provision
with the objective of replacing them with
a single blended learning program on
the lines of the Positive Leadership in
University Management course so that
courses are more flexible, are tailored to
managers needs and make the most
effective use of staff time (2012)

Alternative management prog

in mid 2012

Research the possibility of replacing a

range of basic staff health and safety
induction and training programs
(including general safety awareness, fire
safety, display screen equipment safe
use, stress, and environment
awareness) with centrally coordinated elearning programs (2012)

Research work commenced a

Review arrangements for safety, health

and environment awareness amongst
students. (2013)
Review arrangements for SHE training
for staff (2012)

Finalise and communicate Dr

recommended training 2012

Training programs currently b

Review arrangements for integrating
safety, health and environment within
academic courses (2013/14)

Review not yet undertaken, ta

Make the SHE management systems

more transparent and easy to use by
developing further tool kits, guidance,
templates etc (2012/13)
Review requirements for training and
competence of School/Directorate health
and safety Coordinators (2012)
Review arrangements for determining
SHE competency of managers and staff
at CU:
Address HSE recommendations related
to Scientific staff(2012)
Wider review of competence (2013)

Review arrangements for environmental

awareness across CU (2012)

Review and develop OSHEU web site to

ensure it is clear, user friendly and
adequately supports Schools and
Directorates (2013)
Develop plan for the review and
continual improvement of the SHE
culture at CU (2013/14)

Priority Actions

Current Progress

Objective 4: have

in place effective arrangements for the monitoring, reporting, review and continual im
across all areas of the University
Develop University performance
indicators for each of the four objectives
with the aim of providing Council and
other committees with robust indicators
of performance (2012)

Performance indicators will b

SHE strategy in 2012 and wh
indicators will be specified an

Maintain an annual internal SHE audit of

all Schools and Directorates (2012-15)

Program being developed for

Undertake Annual review of

School/Directorate SHE performance
through annual return (2012-15)

2012 Annual returns issued t

date of 29.02.12

Improve level of top management

reviews of SHE performance within
Schools and Directorates (2012)

Reviewed as part of the 2011

proposed where applicable. M
Heads and through annual a

Review arrangements for managing

risks from slips, trips and falls (2012/13)

Develop plan for addressing

Review respiratory protection

procedures and practice (2012)

Review arrangements for managing

sharps students (2012/13)

Working Group has been form

Respiratory Screening policy
Face fit testing equipment ha
Key Schools and Directorate
Complete by mid 2012?
Develop plan for addressing

Support underperforming Schools and

Directorates in improving SHE
performance (2012-15)

Improve School/Directorate compliance

with University Monitoring Policy for
workplace inspections (2013)
Specific review of environmental
performance in Schools and
Directorates. Identify targets based on
baseline audits. (2012)
Review arrangements for Portable
Appliance testing within the University
(2012)
Improve the compliance with DSE
Regulations (2012/13)
Review Stress policy and effectiveness
of stress risk assessment (2013)

Undertake a review of Health/Staff

Counselling services with the objective
of ensuring an effective, efficient and
coordinated service to support the
health and wellbeing of staff and
students. (2012)
Implement actions arising from review
(2013)
Improve confidence in accident and
incident reporting process. Raise
awareness amongst staff, students and
visitors (2013)
Review Legionella Policy (2012)
Review Fire Policy (2012)

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