A-Z Main Page

Correct procedures to follow and who to contact within the University with regard to the presence of asbestos in University buildings. Asbestos Management

See Biological Safety

The University has appointed Building Support Officers for each building on campus. To find out who this is for your building please check the List of Building Support Officers

Various free information sheets and leaflets, produced specifically for the catering industry, are available from the HSE Website

Various free guidance leaflets are available from the HSE Website

See Lighting

Various free guidance leaflets are available from the HSE Website

This HSE website provides advice on controlling the use of chemicals for a range of common tasks, by taking you through a number of steps and asking for information about your tasks and chemicals.

University Safety Guide 24 (Revised) - Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) Provides guidance on the use and storage of flammable liquids and other dangerous substances

This policy applies to all members of University staff who are expected to drive for work purposes, including anyone driving a University-owned vehicle or a hire car as well as those who may drive their own vehicle for work purposes (where a mileage allowance is paid via the expenses system.) This includes attending meetings or conferences on official University business - note that appropriate insurance cover must be in place – “business use” must be included in the policy. Managers may ask to see documentary evidence that such insurance cover is in place before agreeing to any expenses claim for business mileage.

Any member of staff who will drive either a University vehicle or a hire car on University business (i.e., where insurance cover is provided via the University insurance policy) will be regarded as a “University Driver”.

They must attend a Driver awareness training session, which is arranged viaHealth and Safety Services. Details of courses and how to book are given on the Health and Safety Training page. University drivers are required to submit their driver’s licence for checking by the local administrator of the policy.

Copies of the relevant forms can be found on our forms page.

Those drivers identified as being at higher risk must attend a half-day “on-road” training course. These courses are organised by the line manager through Health and Safety Services.

Various free guidance leaflets are available from the HSE Website

Please note that guidelines apply for food safety and licences for alcohol consumption, please check these carefully when organising your event.

Forms Page.

See Maternity Issues

See Agriculture

A number of Royal Geographic Society publications providing guidance on planning expeditions, can be downloaded free of charge from their website.
"Our Work" page, then click on "Fieldwork and Expeditions".

Health and Safety Services provide training sessions on food safety for food handlers. See the Training Page for more details of courses available.

For copies of dowloadable Health and Safety Forms, please click here.

HSE Website

See Policy

Safety Note 45 - Honoraria for Health and Safety Responsibilities - currently withdrawn

See Heat at workplace

CoP 09 Incident Reporting and Investigation

Safety Note 59 - Reporting of Incidents in Human Studies

Incident Investigation Form

All new staff and students should be provided with a structured health and safety induction to the workplace and their work. University New Staff Induction Courses, which include health and safety, are organised by People Development throughout the year, all new staff should attend one of these sessions; details are available from People Development. In addition, new staff should be provided with a local induction by their line manager or supervisor, as soon as possible after they start work. Emergency procedures should be discussed with the new staff member on their first day of work. Health & Safety Services have developed a Health and Safety Induction Checklist for use with new staff and postgraduate students. Forms can be downloaded as separate documents from the Forms Page. A sample training matrix, which combines job/role training requirements with a record of individual training can also be found on the Forms Page under other resources . This can be modified or adapted as necessary to suit department's needs. Students should be provided with a local health and safety induction when they join their course or research group and when they join their particular Hall of Residence. Additional health and safety instruction should be provided at appropriate intervals thereafter, when new hazards are introduced, such as new tasks, equipment, hazardous substances and prior to embarking on research projects, field trips and work placements.

Various free guidance leaflets are available from the HSE Website

Various free guidance leaflets are available from the HSE Website

Health and Safety Services provide training sessions for staff who regularly carry out manual handling operations and for staff required to carry out manaual handling risk assessments. See the Training Page for more details of courses available.

Most biological risks arise from the presence of microorganisms in the work area. The potential for exposure to microorganisms could be incidental to the work being done (as on the University farms or the Grounds section), or could arise because of an intention to work with microorganisms. In all cases, risks to health and/or safety must be properly assessed before the work starts, and appropriate measures put in place to adequately control the risks.

See Driving

Guidance and reserach reviews on the potential health risks associated with nanotechnology and nanoparticles is available from the HSE Website

See Photocopiers

See Work Equipment

The COSHH Regulations require that any item of respiratory protective equipment must be fitted and worn correctly - this also means that the equipment selected must be suitable for the wearer. To this end, a "face-fit" test should be performed to ensure that the RPE is suitable, effective and fitted properly. HSE have produced an "operational circular" giving guidance on fit testing. Although intended for use by Inspectors, it is very useful in telling the "customer" what the Inspector will be looking for, and the basis for any enforcement action to be taken. Operational Circular

See Accidents

See Forms Page.

Safety Note 47 - Access to Roofs at University of Reading

This is the Newsletter produced by Health and Safety Services each semester. It contains information about current topics, new guidance and legislation and other developments in health and safety at the University. Current Edition of Safety Matters.

The University Counselling Service provides a confidential counselling and advice service to staff and students. Guidance on various aspects of mental health can be found on the Counselling Service Website.

The HSE stress analysis tool manual This manual explains how to use the HSE stress indicator tool.

Guidance on HSE stress standards including the stress indicator tool is available on the HSE stress standards website page

Previously known as the Safety SubCommittee for Genetic Modification (SSGM), the SCBS deals not only with the approval of all GM projects in the University, but also serves to advise on (and approve, if appropriate) any proposals for work with hazardous biological agents, or any other work of a biological nature that could create risks to the health and/ or safety of those involved.

All new staff and students should be provided with a structured health and safety induction to the workplace and their work. University New Staff Induction Courses, which include health and safety, are organised by People Development throughout the year, all new staff should attend one of these sessions; details are available from People Development. In addition, new staff should be provided with a local induction by their line manager or supervisor, as soon as possible after they start work. Emergency procedures should be discussed with the new staff member on their first day of work. Health & Safety Services have developed a Health and Safety Induction Checklist for use with new staff and postgraduate students. Forms can be downloaded as separate documents from the Forms Page. A sample training matrix, which combines job/role training requirements with a record of individual training can also be found on the Forms Page under other resources . This can be modified or adapted as necessary to suit department's needs. Students should be provided with a local health and safety induction when they join their course or research group and when they join their particular Hall of Residence. Additional health and safety instruction should be provided at appropriate intervals thereafter, when new hazards are introduced, such as new tasks, equipment, hazardous substances and prior to embarking on research projects, field trips and work placements.

Guidance on hand-arm vibration and whole body vibration, including how to calculate values using an online "vibration calculator" is available on the HSE vibration website

Various free guidance leaflets are available from the HSE Website

See also Personal Safety

An HSE guidance leaflet on the Work at Height Regulations 2005 can be viewed here.