The Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences is committed to maintaining and enhancing the Health and Safety of all staff, students, patients and visitors to benefit individual well-being and accomplish high standards of medical care, research and teaching within the Institute.

This will be achieved by:
Promotion of Health & Safety practices within the Institute.
Effective assessment and management of risks.
Provision of Health and Safety Training with an opportunity for all to participate.
Establishment of a Health and Safety Committee, with designated Safety Officers at each site.
Adherence to Statutory Regulations, policies determined by the University of Glasgow and NHS and the development of Institute guidelines.

If any member of staff has any suggestions or comments regarding the above statement please address contributions to Prof. Muriel Caslake (Chair of the Institute’s Health & Safety Committee) Muriel.Caslake@glasgow.ac.uk or 211-2161)

The Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences recognises work in the Institute can, on occasions, be hazardous. It is the philosophy and belief of this Institute that accidents are preventable and that the maintenance of good health and safety standards will, in addition to meeting legal requirements, improve overall performance and cost effectiveness. Successful management of health and safety at work can only be effectively achieved through the concerted effort and active participation of every staff member in fulfilling their duties as required by law. Its success relies entirely on the contribution each person makes towards health and safety. The Director of the Institute is responsible for putting in place effective arrangements for ensuring the health, safety and welfare at work for everyone working within Institute property. This applies to all staff, students and visitors within the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences and from other Institutes, Colleges and Institutions.

Each level of management within the Institute, from top to bottom, is accountable to its respective superior and at the same time responsible for its subordinates on safety matters.

Supervisors should lead, motivate and encourage their staff to report hazards and to discuss all matters relating to safety.

The Safety Policy is made and safety performance monitored by the Institute Executive under the guidance and advice of the Institute Health & Safety Committee comprising staff representatives from various locations, plus interested and associated groups.

The Institute recognises that safety requirements which are required by law set only a minimum standard. It is also recognised that safety standards are dynamic in nature and the Institute underlines the importance of its commitment by constantly reviewing its own safety standards. As far as conditions and resources permit, the Institute is committed to continual and progressive improvement in safety standards.

All staff in the Institute are required to observe the health and safety rules and standards and adhere to the Institute Health & Safety Mission Statement. Deliberate deviation from the established rules and standards may result in disciplinary action.

The Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences Health & Safety Committee will review this Policy Statement at least annually.

Prof. Rhian Touyz,
Director,
Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences,
September 2012

The Head of Institute is assisted in the discharge of safety responsibilities by the Health & Safety Committee, whose responsibility is to advise on general safety matters in the Institute, in conjunction with the University Safety Committee and the Safety Committee of the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board. 

Within each site, Safety Co-ordinators have been appointed to implement and advise on all aspects of Health and Safety.   Safety Officers have also been appointed to advise on specific issues throughout the Institute.

Whilst the above named have specific responsibilities regarding Health & Safety, as a member of the Institute, you are required to:

Familiarise yourself with issues of safety that directly affect your own activities.

Behave in a responsible and collegiate manner where your work activities impinge upon others.

Co-operate with guidelines and requests from staff whose job function relates to issues of safety.

For further Health & Safety information within ICAMS please log-on to the ICAMS SharePoint site (Staff only and GUID required.):

https://sharepoint.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/icams/