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El Tel  
#1 Posted : 17 November 2010 13:40:35(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
El Tel

Hi, as part of a small project I am trying to compile what would be perceived as the top five hazards/risks within a higher education setting such as a university, I appreciate that a lot could depend on the particular specialisms and courses offered by the establishment, however, I was looking at a more generic type of approach to start with then filling in the specifics later. I would be very grateful for any pointers in the right direction, many thanks.
Jane Blunt  
#2 Posted : 17 November 2010 13:52:39(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

It varies enormously, as you say, depending on the mix of specialisms of the institution. One thing that they all share is the inexperience of the student, in almost all areas of work and safety, when they arrive.
Ron Hunter  
#3 Posted : 17 November 2010 13:59:14(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter

I'd start off with Fire Safety?
Piperdoodle  
#4 Posted : 17 November 2010 14:30:31(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Piperdoodle

Hi, Depending on what the further education setting is - is it a tech with workshops, machinery etc Or just classrooms and desks The main factor to consider is Young People themselves as a hazard as everything in the environment is going to pose a hazard of some sort. Slips / Trips & Falls Manual Handling Fire Hazards Emergency Planning Access / Egress Car Parking / Pesdestrians COSHH - if working with chemicals
Fletcher  
#5 Posted : 17 November 2010 15:02:20(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Fletcher

Without wanting to lower the tone you may wish to also consider the Health issues of Alcohol, Drugs and promiscuity, which may or may not be relevent. Take Care
Ken Slack  
#6 Posted : 17 November 2010 15:32:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ken Slack

Also you may want to look at Violence.... (in some schools)
kdrum  
#7 Posted : 17 November 2010 16:02:13(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
kdrum

El Tel there was recently a request from the HSE to Scotlands Colleges and one of the questions was 'What are the greatest health and safety risks in your college – tell us about your top ten risks/priorities' From the replies received, it was extremely difficult to produce a definitive/sequential list of priorities as respondemts came from different areas. There was a summary report submitted in response to this request and the findings were as follows. 1. Health and safety management in high risk subjects, e.g. construction, engineering and catering (this also includes working with machinery) 2. Stress (wellbeing in general) 3. Slips, trips and falls 4. Occupational health issues including DSE, noise, vibration, dermatitis and asthma 5. Fire 6. Musculoskeletal disorders 7. Managing contractors 8. COSHH 9. Student placements 10. Competency of staff Hope this helps
Martin SE  
#8 Posted : 17 November 2010 16:28:20(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Martin SE

Don't forget that most universities and the like often have ongoing maintenance operations and may also be involved in major building projects on campus. I think that these are certainly amongst the higher risk areas in this setting.
rak  
#9 Posted : 17 November 2010 16:54:16(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
rak

I would agree with some of the other postings that voilence/drugs/general criminal activity has got to be the highest risk facing students. Universities provide access to a large number of young people some the first time away from home and they are easy tagets for criminals. These young people come to univerisites with a raft of electronic gadgetery that is easily stolen and sold on. Again criminals actively target the student population to supply drugs and again they are a captive audiance with a ready supply of money (at least in the first few weeks). Fire safety is a concern but most Universities have good alarm systems well maintained with robust risk assessments in place and are being overseen by the Fire Service and in reality the risk of a fire causing injury is thankfully very low.
David Bannister  
#10 Posted : 17 November 2010 17:39:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
David Bannister

Some of the more exotic research equipment, tools and materials used and abused by academics will likely present significant chemical, physical and biological risks to people, particularly when of the Heath Robinson variety. Universities will contain a wide range of personnel beyond the student body.
Rick Warner  
#11 Posted : 17 November 2010 17:48:52(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Rick Warner

I personall feel that stress would be high on the list
A Kurdziel  
#12 Posted : 18 November 2010 14:30:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

I would look at microbiological risks- not just the stuff that the medics and microbiologists do but look at the other people who might be handling soils (from anywhere in the world) water (again from anywhere), bits of animals, bits and people (blood, urine, other tissues etc). And remember this might include some of the arty types who do all sorts of stuff with odd things (a human head cast in blood anyone?). Also most campuses I have visited in my travels look quite dilapidated, state of the art labs built in the 60's do look very rubbish nowadays.
bob youel  
#13 Posted : 19 November 2010 08:13:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

Risk taking by those who think that they know it all and believe that they are invincible e.g. Drunken students climbing on roofs - Please note; it and similar things do frequently happen Other risks include 'suggestions' [either suggestive or blatantly open and forward] put to maintenance workers by young people who are released from home for the first time is a high risk area - some staff I used to manage called one dorm the 'baby-doll' area and would not work alone in that building as in the past workers had been put in certain positions where they had no witnesses to help defend them - this is also not a one-off situation
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