University Health and Safety Policy Statement

The Court of Heriot-Watt University recognises and accepts its responsibilities as an employer for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of our staff while at work, and for the health and safety of any other person who may be affected by what we do.

We recognise that effective health and safety management can contribute towards organisational performance by reducing injuries, ill health, unnecessary losses and liabilities. To ensure this happens, we will create and maintain a positive health and safety culture which secures the commitment and participation of all staff to help us achieve high standards of health and safety management.

Effective health and safety control is a primary objective of the University's activities and supports our values. We will aim, so far as is reasonably practicable, to conduct our activities without avoidable risk to the health and safety of our staff and others who may be affected by what we do. Although the law sets only minimum acceptable levels of performance, we will try to set and achieve higher standards where possible.

We aim to achieve these standards by providing and maintaining:

• a working environment without avoidable risk to the health and safety of our staff, students, contractors, visitors and the general public, and with adequate facilities and arrangements for the welfare of staff at work
• arrangements for ensuring safety and absence of avoidable risks to health in connection with using, handling, storing and transporting articles and substances
• plant, equipment and systems of work that are safe and without avoidable risks to health
• enough information, instruction, training and supervision so that staff know how to avoid hazards and contribute positively to their own health and safety at work

The Principal, on behalf of Court, will carry the prime responsibility for health and safety throughout the University.

Steve Chapman
Principal and Vice Chancellor
2 October 2012

Ann Marie Dalton
Secretary of the University
5 October 2012