Talking about safety

Elaine Anstee is Head of Imaging Services. She realised that her team’s risk assessment did not mention alternative fire escape routes from their Imaging Studio space and the need to practise them.  Additionally, under normal arrangements the team did not have this route on their ID cards – although if there was a real fire, the necessary doors would be automatically released. So she arranged for an additional door to be added to access permissions for all her staff.

They all practised using the new second route in small groups and all other staff who access the team’s studio have been informed and encouraged to do the same. Practices will now take place twice a year for all staff and the new route is highlighted on maps displayed on both exit doors.

Elaine’s team also highlighted desired improvements to training and drinking water:

• As they work in a unique space, the team felt that annual manual handling and safety awareness training should be delivered on site in the Imaging Studio.
• During hot weather – which we all experienced during summer 2022 – the team had to make long trips to other parts of the building to refill their water bottles (due to material handling regulations, only one bottle each is permitted and must be kept at the studio entrance.) To avoid these disruptive and tiring expeditions, the team asked for a new water unit to be installed for use by them and other nearby teams. This is currently in the process of sign-off to be ready for next summer.

When an office manager (anonymous) in IT Services put safety on the agenda for his team meeting, it prompted some useful discussions and actions:

• Looking around their workspace they agreed to keep an eye out for and remove trip hazards
• Checking that the heater had been PAT tested (even if they are not expecting to use it)
• Realising they weren’t sure how high they were allowed to reach for books on shelves using their step stool.

The Safety Office team explains:

Thousands of injuries a year are caused by falls when working at height – many of them associated with falls from less than 2 metres. The current Working at Height Regulations have no lower limit so even using a step stool counts. The legislation encourages a risk-based approach to work at any height where injury may result. This means selecting (and maintaining) the right item of equipment to reduce the risk of falling and taking into account the activities involved. It may be appropriate to use a low level stepladder, instead of a step stool, to prevent over-reaching and to ensure there is a third point of contact (e.g. hand-hold) from the stepladder/platform. You can find out more in our policy document, on the HSE website, or by discussing this with your departmental safety officer for advice.