Category Archives: Health and Safety

COVID-19 update

Library Managers met today and discussed various scenarios that may arise with the COVID-19 virus.  As well as the University webpage on COVID-19 we are aware of a number of questions.  We have submitted a list of questions to date to HR.

We also identified preparatory actions:

  • All Library staff check and, where needed, update contact and emergency details on PeopleSoft
  • All Library staff familiarise ourselves with remote computer access options (handy guide on the Intranet)
  • Create for a webpage on the Library website which advises services available to students who may be affected eg by having to self-isolate
  • Managers check their copy of team phone numbers
  • Managers familiarise themselves with the Business Continuity Plan (and update the key contacts in this Plan)
  • Managers agree with any staff members who are planning overseas travel what their plan would be in any event of delayed return or needing to self-isolate on their return

You are welcome to discuss with your manager any other questions you have. We will provide further updates in due course.

Last Friday’s evacuation

The evacuation of PJH went well on Friday. Apparently the cause was located in the microwave area of level 1 although I am not sure whether it was someone overcooking their dinner or a faulty sensor (there does tend to be quite a bit of dust coming through the level 1 east doors).

We had a staff member on crutches on level 5 and the building warden was advised.

In this situation please don’t leave anyone alone. If you are the floor warden either stay and send the message to the building warden or ask someone else to stay.

Moral support is crucial in this sort of situation. You will be safe behind a fire door for quite a long time and the fire brigade will make it a priority to evacuate you both.

Even if you think it is safe please don’t use the lifts. In an emergency event the lifts are in a chimney and you could end up going to the source of the emergency.

Otherwise a smooth evacuation, thanks to the floor wardens.

Tim O’Sullivan

PJH Building warden

 

Health and Safety Refresher 2020

A Health and Safety Refresher is due for all staff every two years.

The purpose of a refresher is to reinforce the actions we all need to take in the unlikely event of an emergency. We need to be aware of the way the building is set up to assist in dealing with evacuations.

The first refresher for this year will be on Thursday 13th February  (11.30-12.00noon).

Please meet in Room 203 (PJH) at 11.30am.

The refresher will consist of a walk around thinking about the building as a disaster zone (not the building in terms of being a library).

Two years ago the Library Health and Safety Committee offered an online option for the refresher. This will be available again after some editing to bring it up to date. The online option is designed to a be a 15 minute module covering all the basic points of Health and Safety in relation to the Library. When the module is available there will be two options for the 2020 Library Health and Safety Refresher training.

Staff may prefer to wait for the shorter option. I will also schedule another  walk around refresher later in the month.

Tim O’Sullivan

 

Coronavirus update

Following the UC wide update on Coronavirus, please find below some more information to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

Current UC initiatives:

                     An awareness campaign has started to share the basic principles of hygiene and coughing etiquette, and anti-bacterial hand sanitiser will also be distributed shortly. The awareness campaign will use posters and digital screens around campus. In addition, there will be an informational video providing information on the Coronavirus and preventative measures. The information in the video will be delivered by Dr Joan Allardyce, Director of the UC Medical Centre. 

                     At this stage respiratory masks are not included in the campaign. The advice we have received is that the basic surgical mask provides very limited protection. However, regardless of the effectiveness, if you feel more comfortable wearing a facial mask, these masks will be provided by the University.

                     Self-isolation for 14 days is recommended for any member of staff who have recently been to Wuhan or Hubei province, or who has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with the virus. If this occurs, we will support you while allowing you to work from home (or if required, discretionary leave).

If you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system or provide care/are in close regular contact with someone who has a compromised immune system, please contact your manager so they are aware of this and can discuss with you any support measures needed.

As a flu-like virus it’s important for all of us to follow the basic principles of hygiene and cough etiquette to reduce the risk of infection. If you haven’t already, and you would like to learn more about coronavirus and associated effects, this Radio National interview with Dr Chris Smith, consultant virologist at Cambridge University may be of interest.

Further information is available on the UC homepage (click on the yellow banner)

Evacuation Chair

We have an evacuation chair in PJH and it has been used more than a few times for various needs. It is not an emergency evacuation chair but can be used in emergencies.

If you would like to know how it works and what it can be used  for I will have a practice session on Wednesday 5th February 11.00-11.30am. Please meet in Room 203.

Further sessions can be arranged if you can not make that date so please let me know.

Tim O’Sullivan

Health and Safety Training opportunities 2020

This year’s Health and Safety training list is now available here: https://intranet.canterbury.ac.nz/ld/hs/index.shtml

Further information about the various courses came from Lo in H&S Central in an email on 10th January (pasted below). Apologies if you have already seen it.

Tim O’Sullivan

Kia ora!

I hope that you enjoyed a restful break over the festive season!  Happy New Year!

This year I would like to focus on professional development support for all Health & Safety Representatives, Health & Safety Officers and Departmental Safety Officers.

The following courses are available:

Health & Safety Rep (Initial training):

This two-day course is designed to provide you with the fundamentals in representing the concerns and overseeing the wellbeing of fellow staff.

You will learn how to effectively perform and responsibilities of a workplace Health and Safety role, understand Health and Safety requirements and promote the successful management of Health and Safety issued in good faith.

The course is recommended for Health & Safety Representative, Departmental Safety Officer, Management Representative, Persons in control of a place of work and any other staff with a responsibility for Health & Safety.

This course is compulsory under Sections 70(a) and 85(a) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 2015 for training of Health and Safety Representatives.

Workplace H&S Risk Assessment (H&S Rep Stage 2):

You will have completed the H&S Rep Initial Training course prior to attending this course.

This one day course will give you practical knowledge and skills to help you better identify hazards and assess, control, monitor, and review risks, as a manager or supervisor.

You’ll be able to confidently use a set of practical tools to improve health and safety risk assessments in your workplace.

The course uses state of the art virtual reality scenarios and case studies, to allow you to apply your new skills in a workplace environment. And it includes a take away toolkit, complete with health and safety advice, tips, information, and definitions.

This course has been designed for people in roles who need to understand how to conduct a risk assessment and communicate effectively with others.

You will gain NZQA standards via an assessment, which will need to be completed and returned to Impac following the workshop.

 Health & Safety Rep (Sage 3):

You will have completed the H&S Rep Initial Training course and Workplace Health and Safety Risk Assessment (aka H&S Rep – Stage 2) prior to attending this course.

This two-day course will help you have a more active part in injury management and health and safety planning in your workplace.

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

    • Identify the range of physical, emotional, financial and social costs of incidents
    • Provide an overview of the Accident Compensation Act 2001, and understand its terms, definitions and entitlements
    • Explain early reporting and intervention requirements
    • Identify employee and employer responsibilities
    • Describe the claim lodgment process and requirements for a rehabilitation plan. Use case studies to gain familiarity with interpreting requirements.
    • Identify the impact of workplace injuries in terms of cost
    • Explain drivers or productivity and their application to workplace health and safety
    • Use records to identify workplace patterns of injury and hazards
    • Prepare a health and safety improvement plan

The course has been designed for experienced representatives and anyone who has health and safety responsibilities in the workplace.

You will gain NZQA standards via an assessment, which will need to be completed and returned to Impac following the workshop.

Risk Management:

This is a half day course – the purpose of this training is to inform you of:

    • Relevant legislation
    • UC’s obligation as a PCBU (Person Conducting Business or Undertaking)
    • Responsivities for PCBU’s and workers
    • UC’s obligations to others (Eg. visitors, contractors, students)

Fire Extinguisher & Evacuation:

This is a half day course – the purpose of this training is to inform you of:

    • Extinguisher theory – knowledge and understanding of hand-held firefighting equipment
    • Extinguisher practical – competency in the use of hand-held firefighting equipment
    • Evacuation procedures and warden structure specific to the University of Canterbury

More information, course dates and times, as well as additional “Training by Request” courses, can be found here.

Kindly also be reminded that this is a good time of year to complete an On-line Ergonomic Assessment.  We recommended that all staff complete this at least every 2 years or after you have moved to a new desk, your department has been relocated (even if keep your own desk and chair) or you have received new furniture or equipment.

To start your On-line Ergonomic Assessment click hereREMEMBER TO CLICK F5 IF THE VIDEO DOESN’T START ON OWN AFTER A FEW SECONDS.

Please feel free to contact the Health & Safety Team at any time.

Ngā mihi nui

 Lo Botha

Health & Safety Administrator | Tautāwhi

DPI tip for January

One of the contributory factors to DPI is our work environment.  Environmental factors can include: temperature (too cold or too warm), air movement (draughts or not enough ventilation), humidity, vibration, noise from machinery and lighting.  If you have a concern, you can talk to your manager, your colleagues or to your health and safety representative.  As an example of one thing we did in Access and Collections last year – Facilities Services visited our workroom to assess the ventilation problems we were having.  They then ordered and installed a different type of ceiling vent over desks where draughts were a particular problem.  In an open plan environment it can be hard to please everyone, but it never hurts to try and to involve everyone in the team in the discussion about options we could try that would be a good outcome for all.

DPI Tip for November

Listen up!

Fond of listening to music on your personal audio device?  Find yourself in noisy environments (e.g. sporting events, entertainment venues etc.) occasionally? Or just keen to protect your hearing (especially on Guy Fawkes Night!)?

You might like to check out these tips from the World Health Organization on how to make listening safe: https://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/activities/1706_PBD_leaftlet_A4_English_lowres_for_web170215.pdf?ua=1

In the immortal words of singer Joni Mitchell: “…you don’t know what you’ve got / Till it’s gone…” [Big Yellow Taxi].

Hear, hear!

DPI tip for October

Digital Detox

Having a digital detox every now and then can be a good way to avoid some DPI symptoms from constantly looking down at your device and possible neck or eye strain and it also can help reduce stress.  Disconnect to reconnect.

Does your phone go wherever you go? Do you get distracted by email notifications long after you’ve left work for the day? Are you gaming or on social media most of the evening?

Discover how to score some balance with some Digital Detox tips from All Right? here

Another article on digital detox here