Safety in Low Risk Environments such as Offices, Meeting Rooms and Lecture Theatres

In this type of enviroment, the typical types of safety hazards are:

• Slip, trips and falls on a level (see below)
• Computer work (reference University policy and guidance)
• Fire (reference University policy and guidance)
• Electrical (reference University policy and guidance)
• Manual handling (reference University policy and guidance)
• Falls from stools, steps, etc (reference University policy & guidance
• Striking against objects such as desks and shelving
• working environment-related (reference University policy & guidance)
• Stress (reference University policy and guidance)

In terms of offices, a basic risk assessment template has been produced for section to adapt to suit their situation. The responsibility for safety in office environments that belong to the University, lies with the relevant School/Professsional Service. As with all work/study environments, inducting new workers, providing a suitable working environment and monitoring standards applies. 

Areas not covered by a specific School/Professional Service are the responsibility of Estates and/or Central Timetabling. This would include lecture theatres, seminar rooms, meeting rooms and circulation areas (foyers, corridors, etc.). If users of these areas identify defects or hazards, they report these via the Estates Works Request system.

Slips, Trips and Falls

A common type of incident in the working environment is falls, caused by slipping or tripping on a level, on stairs/steps, from access equipment (e.g. ladders) or from roofs. 

Some of the important factors in maintaining a low risk of people falling include: 

• Appropriate floor surface for the activity taking place
• Maintenance of floor surfaces (dealing with defects such as cracked flagstones, lifting carpet tiles)
• Suitable cleaning regimes that effectively deal with the likely contamination (weather, spillages, leaks, sand, dust, etc.)
• Maintaining clear and unobstructed walkways
• Effective positioning of matting inside entrances
• Non-slip footwear in certain environments (kitchens)
• Training in relation to access equipment and use of roof-work permits

The Safety Office is able to assess floor surfaces to give an indication of the slipperiness using the HSE’s Slip Assessment Tool. This takes into consideration the type of floor, the cleaning regime, the footfall and the likely contaminants (weather, chemicals, dusts, etc.)

In all situations, the risks of tripping or slipping in the workplace should be considered and where identified as a significant risk, should be incorporated into local risk assessments with the aim of formulating an action plan to reduce the risk.

Corridors and staircases must provide safe circulation and emergency escape routes and hence they must not be used as working or storage areas. Never run on polished floors of corridors or common rooms. Bicycles must not be brought into University buildings as they can cause serious obstruction either within work areas or along routes comprising a means of excape from the building, see University Statement .