Health and Safety in Civil Engineering
The Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering is proactive in its approach to health and safety issues for both staff and students. The information provided outlines the basis of safety management and procedures in the department. Modelled on the College Safety Document, it addresses relevant issues, provides guidance on management of safety, emergency procedures and contact personnel, assembly points etc. and appoints individuals with responsibility in all geographic zones within our department. The department has also initiated a number of compulsory training courses for staff and students. These include: laboratory safety training; fire safety training; Safe Pass Scheme for site safety; and computer use health and safety training.
It was felt that these courses provided the minimum training necessary for staff and students working/studying within the department. Of particular significance is the Safe Pass scheme, which was adopted in line with the requirements of contractors prior to students/staff being permitted to visit sites around the country. In line with the scheme, students are required, upon entering the department, to purchase site boots while the department provides hard hats and high visibility bibs. Laboratory and fire safety training are compulsory for all demonstrators before they are permitted to supervise undergraduate laboratories/tutorials. Computer use health and safety training is available through the college for all undergraduate and postgraduate students.
At College level, departmental issues of health and safety are raised with the Engineering School Safety Committee which meets once each academic term. This committee, of which the departmental safety officer is a member, provides a useful channel for communication with college safety officials.
The department regularly organises a safety audit which is conducted by the college safety officer. The purpose of the audit is to highlight any issues of concern and to schedule any necessary work to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
Overall Health and Safety are prioritised within the department as is apparent from our proactive approach to all issues.
This information is intended to improve the general and specific level of safety within our work/study environment. Safety is an issue which affects us all, and we should all be proactive in ensuring the successful implementation and future improvement of this departmental safety manual. While it is recognised that a large amount of safety management is the responsibility of the department, significant issues of safety or of violation of best practice, fall within the remit of the college. As such, it is expected that the college safety officer will play a major role in ensuring and facilitating safety compliance within our department.
This information attempts to be comprehensive in its treatment of current safety issues, it is recognised that some issues may have been overlooked, or new issues may arise in the future. As such individuals are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety where possible. It adopts both a best practice and a common sense approach to management of safety issues within our department. It recognises that while individuals are appointed as officers with areas of geographic responsibility within the department, clearly safety management is an issue for everyone within the department, including both staff and students.
Download the Departmental Safety Statement
Emergency Information
- FIRE, Ext 1999
- EMERGENCY, Ext 1999
- COLLEGE SAFETY OFFICER, Ext 1914
General Information
- Head of School: Prof. Alan O'Connor, Simon Perry Building, Ext 1822
- Departmental Safety Officer: Asst Prof David Igoe, Red Brick Building, Ext 3805
- Chief Technician: Dr. David McAulay, Simon Perry Building, Ext 1010
Fire Assembly Points: Museum Building B Simon Perry Building & Redbrick Civil Eng Building D (Rugby pitch car park)
Details of Control Measures and those Responsible for safety in the Department are as follows: