Department of Computer Science Arrangements and Safe Working Procedures Introduction The following arrangements for health and safety are detailed on the department‟s Health & Safety web site, in the Department Handbook and/or the local safety rules and/or University Codes of Practice for Health and Safety for individual departments, workshops and sections. These documents may be found in the Department safety File in room 3.37. Further safety information may be found in the Safety Office web site at http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Safety/geninfo.htm 1. Contacts – A list of key personnel with health and safety responsibilities is displayed on the Health & Safety noticeboard outside the department office (3.37) and on the department‟s Health and Safety web site First Aid Facilities – These are located in a clearly marked drawer in the kitchen on the third floor (Rm 3.03) and are maintained by Henk Muller (x 5137, Rm 3.41). Please inform Henk every time any resources are used so that they may be replaced. The porters on the second floor also hold a First Aid box. Names/Locations of First Aiders – Notices listing the current first aiders are displayed on corridor walls and on the kitchen door (Rm 3.03), inside the door in 1.15 and in the lift. The First Aiders should update these lists themselves. Accident Reporting and investigation procedure – Accidents must be reported initially using the online form „Initial report on an accident or incident‟ from http://www.cs.bris.ac.uk/admin/hs/ followed by the form „Report of an injury or dangerous occurrence‟ available from the Safety File in room 3.37, or by download as a document Accident.doc from the Safety Office web pages http://www.bris.ac.uk/safe/Safety/downld.htm. Return latter to HoD for completion. Fire and Emergency Procedures – Except in the car parks where other facilities exist) the Merchant Venturers Building fire alarm is set off by smoke detectors which are very sensitive, e.g. will be set off by cigarette smoke. The fire alarm is a loud siren. When you hear this you must leave the building via your usual route or any of the emergency exists which are clearly marked. (When there is no emergency, the emergency exits arte alarmed to prevent misuse). You should make sure you are aware of all the emergency exits prior to any emergency. The assembly point is on the courtyard between the Merchant Venturers Building and the Wills Memorial Building i.e. at the level of Park Row, and is not outside the main MVB doors on Woodland Road. Risk Assessments a. Document “General Risk Assessment for the Offices and Administrative areas of Computer Science in the Merchant Venturers Building” which may be found in the Department‟s Local Safety Rules and also in the Department Safety file in room 3.37. The general hazards in the department are low, mainly from VDU usage and manual handling. Appropriate inspections and staff training are
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provided to reduce the risks. One particular hazard presents a small risk, namely the main stairs and fire escapes which have gaps between the handrails. These rails cannot totally prevent the possibility of falling through into the ventral stairwell that extends the height of the building. Children should not enter this area unless it is unavoidable and should always be supervised. Take care not to jostle on the stairs. b. Document “Risk assessment for the Operation of the Motionbase Explorer/1 Simulator by Third Year Students”, which is found in the Department Safety File in room 3.37. Any staff wishing to use, or have students use, this motion simulator should read the risk assessment document to understand the operational precautions that are required. 7. Display Screen Assessments – Performed regularly for all staff and VDU users, and in the computer laboratories. Substantial resources have been committed to ensure correct seating, floor covering, lighting, temperature, humidity, and good quality monitors. All seats have adjustments for height, tilt and mid-back support. Follow the guidelines in the laboratories to prevent back and eye strain and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). 8. Smoking Policy – There is a NO SMOKING policy throughout Merchant Venturers Building. 9. Office Safety and Safe Laboratory Practises – Relative to say Chemical laboratories, the Computer Science lab areas are low risk areas. In fact they may be classed as offices instead of laboratories. Experience shows that the main risk is form slipping anf tripping, so all access areas should be kept free from obstructions such as bags and chairs. Staff have a duty to ensure that materials are not stored in inappropriate places. Report any problems in this regard to Hayley Frapwell (X 5135, Rm 3.37), Sid Rahaman (X 5632, Rm 3.19), Rob Thomas (X5154, Rm 5154). 10. Corridors – Staff and students must keep good „housekeeping‟ practise. Fro example, these should not be blocked by furniture or bags. 11. Safety Inspections – Staff are asked to do an Area/Office inspection. The results of which may be found in Departmental Safety File in Rm 3.37. 12. Electrical Safety – Fixed Equipment (boiler, air conditioning) Testing and Portable Appliance Testing is performed at the required intervals. Portable Appliance Testing is the responsibility of the Department. Records can be found in the Departmental Safety file, Rm 3.37. Personal electrical devises must be tested before use in the Department – consult the “General Risk Assessment for the Offices and Administrative Areas for the Department of Computer Science in the Merchant Venturers Building” for more details (this document is kept in the Department Local Rules and also separately in the Department Safety File in room 3.37) 13. Manual Handling – manual handling does not pose a high risk in this department. There is no significant regular manual handling carried out by departmental staff. There will however be occasions when equipment and materials will have to be moved around the departmental area. Before moving any item or items an initial informal assessment must be made to ensure if fits within the guidelines below, if not then a separate manual handling assessment must be made. No member of staff is required it lift any weight that cold cause them injury. Movement of equipment such as computers, printers etc. should be done with the use of a trolley and/or other personnel to assist. The load should always be
broken down to the most manageable sizes and weights. Heavier items such as some types of monitors should only be moved by computer support staff who have been given the appropriate training. Some secretarial staff have also received training since they occasionally move moderately heavy items such as stationery. Paper and stationery deliveries require assistance due to the volume and the distances involved. The delivery time should be pre-planned so that assistance is available. Movement of heavier items such as large photocopiers, tables etc should only be done with assistance of the Portering staff who have received training in this area. Mechanical aids such as trolleys, rollers etc should be used where practicable. 14. Children – Children visit the Department from time to time. Children on University premises are governed by University regulations. Briefly, children under 5 are not admitted, and from 5-16 they must be accompanied at all times. Children should not use the emergency stairways or the kitchen areas. Other arrangements (e.g. nursing mothers, babies-inarms) should be addressed to the HoD. Pregnancy – Facilities for the comfort of pregnant women are provided including a rest area where they can lie down and be undisturbed. Contractors - contractors and University Building Services staff should liaise with Hayley Frapwell (X5135, Rm 3.37), prior to performing any work in the department.
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